The daughter of Angy

Front matter

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

V

By

II

R ebecca Ann needs no introduction to this narrative as we shall see by her opening words. “I told Hiram he was a fool and this confirms it. ‘The train ’sail gone to smash, ’ ” she read aloud from the morning Examiner, “ but he would have her start. How often I have told him his strong will would be the ruination of him. Yes, that ’s the train. I ’ll make sure, ” and she made a hurried examination of Ruby ’s letter telling the day and time of her expected departure from Boston.

“Angenette says ‘yes, yes’ to every thing her husband says, so what I had to offer on the subject of storms and wash outs, went for naught.”

Her long pointed finger kept her place on the column. She read aloud.

“Engineer and fireman reported dead. All Pullman passengers on car No. 2 thrown over an enbankment and perished. Car No. 8 was ditched and had not a fire broken out, many lives would have been saved.”

“What’s the news, Ann? This is a nice bright morning. Angenette is out in the garden.”

“Yes! I dare say, always behind, looking into something. ”

“You’d better call her. Read this,” and she thrust the paper before him. “What did I tell you, Hiram Hastings!”

Hiram threw his match hastily into the open grate, and took the paper.

Angenette appeared, just as a look of horror darkened his face.

“Here are some roses for you, dear,” she said, moving forward as quickly as her fleshy frame would allow. “These are better than ever — ” she ran on “and Ruby will just revel with them.”

“Ruby,” cried Rebecca Ann hysterically, “Look at Hiram! Look at the paper!” she blurted out.

“Oh! Rebecca, please stop. Oh, Angy!” and Mrs. Hastings cast aside the paper without even looking at it, and bent over her husband’s prostrate form.

“Don’t get frightened over yourself, Hiram, dear, its only an attack of dyspepsia. I guess it was that lobster salad. I told Delia the lobster did not look quite fresh. ”

“Oh, Angy, Angy.”

“This is no time to wail, Hiram,” says Rebecca, “I’ve just rung up Peter to hitch up Mary Ann to take you to find out the full particulars, for you might just as well find out the worst first as last. ”

“Worst,” says Angy. “Worst of what?”

“Oh, Angy, Angy, let me go.”

“Here’s your hat, Hiram,” continued Rebecca heroically, “and here’s my smelling salts. Take a good whiff, if you want to listen to me, just before you step into the telegraph office. ’’

“Telegraph office. You’ll find you haven’t lost anything, Hiram dear,” his wife called after him, and fleet Mary Ann sped down the driveway apace.

And shall we follow his shaking hand as he pens the dispatch?

“ ‘When did Ruby Hastings leave Wellesley? When did she start West?’ ” and the click, click of the operator ticked away as he waited, and his face was grave and sallow. His eyes, though small, set well with his features but were full of anxiety. His long, thin fingers beat a nervous tattoo, and as the minutes came and went he hitched nervously in his chair.

“Sir,” said the operator, turning toward the distressed countenance of Hiram Hastings, “the wires are utterly useless beyond a certain point. One of the worst blizzards in fifty years is raging in the East. I can find out nothing for you and I am very sorry, sir, ” he continued, as Hiram gave a convulsive cough. “I am afraid tomorrow the system will be tied up also. Wind blowing fifty miles an hour — traffic practically at a stand-still. ”

“Ah, me!” said Hiram, “Wire at my expense. Use every known means to give me my desired information and ’phone the result, ” said Mr. Hastings with bowed head and knotted brow.

“IwiU, sir.”

What a greeting on his return. Rebecca Ann stood by the porch, her face drawn and pinched, her eyes steadily fixed on his leaden visage.

“Speak out, Hiram, what is it?” she said, stepping close. “I have kept all papers away from Angy, so speak low. ”

“No news is good news, Rebecca. There is a furious bhzzard raging in the East. Wire communication cut off. ”

“Well there,” says Rebecca, “cheer up, Hiram. There’s never a day so dismal but what a rift in the clouds appears. Where there’s suspense, there’shope !”

“Oh, Hiram!” says his wife, pufling from her overexertion “when did you get back? I’ve watched and watched excepting when I stepped in to take a look at my new bonnet. It really is a beauty and I look so young in it, Hiram! You found you didn’t lose anything, didn’t you, dear? ”

“Yes, Angy, my stocks and bonds are all right,” and he heaved a long-drawn sigh.

“You should not hurry so, Hiram, it makes you look pale. The thought that Ruby will be here so soon makes me so happy. Sit down, Hiram, and I will crochet a little. I ought to buy Ruby’s Christmas present but I can’t seem to think what to get; but there’s time enough, Hiram, isn’t there?” and how little she knew of his suffering, as hour after hour passed.

It was late Wednesday when Rebecca Ann appeared at the telegraph oflSce. Her face was firm and decided, and full of anxiety.

“ Message, madam, for Hiram Hastings. ”

Rebecca took it, and read: “Miss Hastings left supposedly on ill fated train, car 8, Drawing Room A.”

She stood sphinx-like for a moment when another message was handed to her.

“Porter of car No. 8 found and interviewed. Drawing room not occupied. ”

Consternation followed her frenzied thought, when the third dispatch was passed to her.

“I am safe and leave Thursday, Dec. 1st, at 5 o’clock for California. Ruby Hastings.”

She staggered to a chair overjoyed, but Rebecca was not one of the fainting sort. Oh, no, she must hasten home to brother Hiram with the exultant news, keeping the first responses deep down in her reticule, and with her joy, she forgets her sorrow.

Ill

A ll aboard” cried the official.

As we scan the faces of the passengers, Ruby Hastings, with glowing cheek and laughing eye, is passed nimbly to the limited for New York by the porter. Her heart is full of joy — that at last she is on her way.

The storm havoc has passed, like a tidal wave. It is Thursday, the first of December. The train in one mad rush dashes along past city and town, only stopping when the guiding engineer curbs its will. Then comes the transfer in New York. Then a night on the train. After a short delay in Washington, morning finds the train gliding along past cotton sticks and red soil, past the weather-beaten homes in this land of the freed.

What a rest with its wondrous simplicity that challenges the grandest canyons and caverns ! The wildest river or most turbulent sea with all the conflict of thought, like the “Pastoral Symphony,” of Beethoven, it holds us spell-bound.

Speed away, my noble steed. Stay not thy speed till all green things cry out a joyous welcome ’neath the blue sky of New Orleans. This the Appian 17

Way of peace and plenty, where sunny smiles from leaf and bower greet you by the way.

Reach out and grasp the magnitude of the welcoming Mississippi, whose mighty arm opens wide the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Crossing this, the Father of Waters, in a flat-boat is a novel venture and who can but say grand, majestic, mighty. Unchallenged by the Abyssinian Nile, unrivalled by the far famed Rhine, this veteran to guard the destines of mankind untramelled by the hand of time.

Triumphant, exultant, with a will we hail this mighty chieftain, and send up a royal cheer, that shall be caught through the length and breadth of its ways.

Then looking from the car windows just in time to see the native-born toilers of the soil on the famous sugar-bowl tract; men and women alike, in their native and picturesque costumes, cutting the tall and juicy stalks, with one sweep of their machete.

Here, a group with upturned faces looking at the passing train*

Coming up the straight and even paths, are the high mule teams, half loaded for the train in waiting away off in the distance.

Like specks on the horizon are the humble homes.

Across the Pecos river, the train creeps over a trestle bridge with granite walls on either side standing for the binding seal of God *s power, leaving a lasting thought to run with the river between.

Past the Gila Bend, famous for the gila monsters and giant cacti of the plain, the train sped on.

Then a halt is made at Yuma, a border town into California.

See the Indians with coarse faces, alike coarse hair, straight and black as the raven’s wing.

Look at their beads of varied hues strung and hung on their arms, in harmony and discord with their own dress of varied hues.

Look on Mt. San Bernardino, a never-to-be forgotten view. On awakening, your first view of orange groves and palms, an unbroken panorama of luxuriant vegetation, ’mid the sweet scent of nature’s charms from now on speeding to the land of unending blooms.

Stilled not their petals of beauty by the biting frost of eastern clime, they burst forth afresh in redoubled beauty as the hours pass.

IV

S HALL I describe the scene at Santa Barbara station on that evening of Dec. 6, 1898. As I write the dashing pair of greys driven by Peter, sweeps up to the curb, and Hiram and Rebecca alight. The shrill whistle of the approaching train rings in their ears. The horses dance and wheel, and Peter holds tight at the ribbons.

Nearer and nearer comes the ponderous mass of steel, until finally, the snort, snort of escaping steam ends the suspense, and Hiram in a second more, has Ruby in his arms, Rebecca looking on.

“Well, I declare, Hiram, what fools some folks are, now let me make a fool of myself. How are you. Ruby?”

“Oh, I am so glad to be home again, Aunt Rebecca. Now let’s hurry to see mamma,” and Peter touched his hat in salute, and off went Jupiter and Juno, dancing up and down, then spurting ahead under Peter’s manoeuvring guidance, keeping a steady even trot, until the ascent began.

“Martha’s daughter, Suky Rocks, has come to stop with us, Ruby. I want you to be firm friends. ” “All right, Dad, I shall do my part. What is she like?”

“A person of mean stature, thin face, brown hair and dark complexion, naturally dejected after her bereavement, a little peevish and discontented, and the misfortune to have a hitch in her gait. ”

“Oh, what a pity. Dad. I shall do my real best to make her forget her misfortunes. ”

“That’s you, out and out. Ruby.”

“Oh, what lovely roses. Aunt Rebecca, and the acacia, how beautiful it looks and the pepper trees, and poinsetta and there’s Ma — and is that cousin Suky.^^ There ’s Delia. ”

A moment later Mrs. Hastings held her darling at arm’s length, then pressed her to her, all unmindful of the awkward place she was putting Ruby in.

Suky was about turning to make a hasty retreat into the sitting room, when Ruby freeing herself went forward with a bound and nodding a happy welcome to Delia, she took both Suky’s hands in hers, looked straight into her dark eyes a minute, then kissed her fondly.

“We’ll have great times. Cousin Suky, while I’m home. What do you like best, horseback riding, driving, or teas?”

“Come right in and sit down here,” called Rebecca, “and by-and-by, when your rested we’ll hear about the storm and your experiences. ”

“It was so funny. Dad, a voice told me to stay on Beacon Hill. ” And Suky sat quiet without a word, Rebecca Ann noticed.

“Believe me. Dad, this was all that saved my life for my ticket was bought, my drawing-room engaged.’’

“I am glad, Ruby, you had sense enough to stay undercover somewhere,” said Rebecca sitting forward in her chair so’s to catch every word.

“Oh, Hiram — ” called his wife, “just open the door, won’t you and let out Pansy, that’s a dear. I must get a new ribbon for her collar, the very next time I go to town, ”

Suky cast a look of reproach towards Hiram’s wife, not lost to Rebecca. “Not much love lost between the two, I guess, ” she sohloquized.

“It was really a dreadful storm. One of the Portland boats was lost, with all on board. I just read the time away. That was really all that was left to do.”

Suky ’s face had another sinister smile, only noticed by the keen eyes of Rebecca Ann.

“Now, Cousin Suky,” said Ruby, turning toward her, “we’ll pluck the roses for tea, and plan tomorrow ’s drive. ”

V

H iram, here’s a letter from a law firm in the northwest, ” said Rebecca Ann, adjusting her spectacles. “Lord and Norcross, isn’t it? You see.”

Hiram took the long envelope, scanned it narrowly and with the letter he unfolded a long document.

“ It ’s somebody ’s will, Hiram. ”

“Brother William, Rebecca, has passed away. It’s years since we’ve heard from him, poor fellow.”

“Let me see it, Hiram.” — The door opened cautiously but Rebecca was all engrossed with her reading.

“ ‘1st. I give and bequeath to my brother, Hiram Hastings, of Montecito, California,’ ” she read aloud, “ ‘ the sum of $25,000 . 00.

“ ‘2nd. I give and bequeath to my sister, Rebecca Ann Hastings, the sum of $25,000 . 00.

“ ‘3rd. I give and bequeath to Suky Rocks, daughter of my deceased sister, Martha Rocks, the sum of $5,000.00. ’ ” — the door creaked.

“ ‘4th. I give and bequeath to my brother Hiram’s wife, Angenette Hastings, the sum of $10,000.00.

“ ‘5th. I give and bequeath to Ruby Hastings, only child of my brother, Hiram Hastings, the rest 23 and residue of my estate whether real, personal or mixed, wherever found.

“ ‘6th. My brother, Hiram Hastings of Montecito, Cal., I appoint the sole executor of this, my last will and testament, without surety or bonds, the said executor being allowed the full two years to adjust my affairs. If during that time any of the above beneficiaries should die, his or her bequest is to be equally divided among the remaining beneficiaries.’

“That means, Hiram, that Ruby’s to be an heiress and her only safety against titled dukes and such rubbish is in keeping the whole thing to ourselves and that’s a hard thing to do with Angy’s easy-going ways. No one need know the exact figures. You’re the sole executor. Let me see it a minute? Yes. I think, Hiram,” says Rebecca, lowering her voice to a whisper, “between you and me, that Suky is a trifle jealous of our Ruby already. ”

“Nonsense, Rebecca, no one could be jealous of Ruby.”

“Time will tell, Hiram, but whatever you do don’t let Delia get an inkling of what’s up. I’ve heard people ‘suppose such and such things should happen what would take place,’ and the like. The golden rule is a good thing to possess but, Hiram, it don’t pay to expose it to the weather. It’s apt to turn. ”

“Oh, what have you there, Hiram?” calls his wife.

“Brother William has passed away, Angy.”

“Brother William, oh dear! dear! dear! What ailed him? Give me your smelling salts, Rebecca, quick. Get the doctor, Hiram. Oh! oh! oh!” she gasped. “What is that long document, Hiram?”

“His will, dear. Do you feel better?”

“Yes, a little. Let me lay my head on your shoulder while you read it. Did he leave us anything?”

“Yes, Angy, a little.”

“Well, that’s better than nothing.”

“ Will you promise, Angy, not to speak of it outside?”

“Oh, yes, Hiram, if you don’t want me to, but wouldn’t it help Ruby’s prospects a little to let a little information accidentally drop down to the church?”

“ Oh, no, dear, there ’s not enough for that. There is the dinner gong now, dear. Do you feel like going to the table or shall I have Delia serve your food here?”

“I guess I better have it here, dear, but Hiram, perhaps I could come, ” she called after him, but he didn ’t hear her and was surprised upon entering the dining-room to find her there before him talking busily with Ruby.

“Where’s Aunt Rebecca and Cousin Suky, Dad? I ’ve been writing to Evelyn and Claude, my chums, and haven’t laid eyes on them for two hours.”

“Rebecca was in the sitting room a moment ago, I think she went to take care of some mail matter for me. Angy, haven’t you told Ruby about your ill turn? ”

“No, Hiram, dear, I was so full of the death of Brother Wilham and his will. ”

“Sh! sh!” says Rebecca hurrying in, her finger pressed convulsively on her lips for silence, and Angy’s observing glance made her shiver for her first offence, for Deha, at that moment, had thrust her head through the door, her large full eyes fixed well upon the offender.

“Where can Suky be, ” asked Ruby full of anxiety.

“She may have ventured too close to the edge of some ridge and fallen. I don’t feel hungry. Dad. Hadn’t I better look for her?”

“Well, if you like. She is a poor unfortunate. ”

“Well, if ever I would let her do that, Hiram, leave her dinner and hunt for that — ” but Ruby was off and Rebecca left the table and stalked majestically out of the dining room opening the door quickly into the hall, she came against an obstacle but not appearing to notice what it was she made for her room without saying a word, but when well into it and her door closed behind her we readily can see her state of mind. “What did I tell Hiram about that girl. Men are blinder than bats, and Angy — her tongue will never stop wagging on forbidden subjects.

“She’s pliable and when she see’s she ought not to do anything, she tries not to, but, alas! she’s so imaginative, so irresolute but on the whole, I t hink a lot of her and Ruby — she just adores her mother and that’s the way it should be. But what is Suky so sly about. It won’t ever do for me to tell what I saw to Hiram. He’ll think I am jealous of the minx. ”

“Don’t speak of Brother William’s will, Angy, will you?” Hiram pleaded when he was alone with her. “Rebecca and I both agree it’s best to keep the subject very quiet.”

“I told Ruby, Hiram, and if you hadn’t come just as you did she would have burst out crying. That’s why she couldn’t eat any dinner. She said she remembered him well when we wa’n’t so well off. How nice he was to her and the kind heart he expressed towards her. When her doll became disabled and her play-things went astray he always helped her find them and inasmuch as he had to do with was very, very nice to her. I didn’t say anything about the will to her, Hiram,” she ran on, “because she was so broken up. ”

“Dearie, you are so full of the news, but please don’t let the help hear, ” and in bounced Delia, her awkward figure fiouncing around as if her feelings had been terribly hurt about something.

“ Will I serve Miss Rebecca ’s soup. Miss Hastings? ”

“I don’t know, I really don’t. Don’t bother me. I can’t stand care. I never could. Carry it up to her, Delia. Would it not be a good idea, Hiram?”

“But where can Ruby have gone not to be back? I’m afraid something has happened.”

“Do you like Suky, Hiram, as well as you thought you should?’’

“Why, yes; she’s a nice kind of a girl, dear. Not like Ruby. We can’t expect that. She’s a gem set in a wondrous crown of beauty. ”

“Well, I guess that’s it, Hiram. It’s unfortunate to have to have her right in the home. Couldn’t you arrange to have her stay somewhere else?”

The door opened and in came Suky seemingly back from a walk, her cheeks a little rosy.

“Did you see Ruby? She’s gone looking for you, Suky.”

“No. Well, I want my dinner. I am hungry,” she said slinging her hat to the chair by the door. “I don’t know why she should take that trouble, just to have me run after her. ”

“You are tired, Suky,” says Hiram. “How far did you go?”

“ I went, oh dear me ! not far but the stubbles tripped me up and my hip is so lame by spells. I ought to have let Ruby rub me this morning when she offered. I don’t suppose she will offer again.”

“Shall I bring in your soup. Miss?” spoke Delia, spitefully. “Rebecca don’t want hers. You can have that. It’s all warm. ”

“Was there any mail. Uncle Hiram?”

“Yes, Brother William is dead.”

Delia put her head to one side to catch every word.

“My Uncle William of the northwest?”

“Yes/’

“He left a will, Suky,” says Angy, wiping her mouth without looking up, “but Hiram says the property is small, but every little will help. ”

“Angy, dear,” speaks Hiram, “let Suky rest. She’s feeling bad about the news. The will will be discussed later. ”

“O yes, Hiram, I will.”

But Delia had vent for her wrath in not being taken into the family secrets. “ Oi ’ll till sum one and till thim not to till, that’s what Oi’ll bae doin, ” she said, shaking her large head meaningly. “There’s toime enuf to deliberate, but Oi most not wait too long. They think Oi don’t know anything so can’t till anything, but Rebecca Ann will see. Oi ’ll presint a good outside, saying Oi did it to hilp Ruby ’s prospects, if Oi ’m found out in it. Oi love the dear girl so, ” etc., and she rubbed her nose vigorously. “It ’s aisy enuf to lay it to sum one else. If it gates out, I’ve accomplished mae purpose. Miss Rebecca, don’t hould a mortgage on mae or mae tongue, ”

“Who’s that, Oi wonder.^” and Delia hurried for the door.

“Is Miss Ruby Hastings within?”

“I can’t say, sir, but you stip in the music room a minute while Oi find out. The rist are at dinner. Dr. Klingwinter, it is.”

“ Miss Rebecca telephoned for me for Miss Ruby, Delia. She is ill.”

“Oh, Oi didn’t know that. Doctor. Step roight this way with me. ”

“Oi showed the doctor right up, Miss Rebecca,” she said, opening the door of Ruby ’s room, without any preliminaries. “She’s comfortable sick Oi guess,” whispered Delia, “just a little set up over some property she’s to inherit” and off went Delia to answer the table call.

“Did any one come in?”

“Yes, the doctor, Mam, for Miss Ruby. Miss Rebecca sent for him. ”

“Suky, won ’t you run up to see what the matter is, ” said Mrs. Hastings. “Bring the desert now, Delia.”

“There must be some mistake, Delia. Ruby went out.”

“No, sir, Mr. Hastings. Oi just saw her with mae own eyes. ”

“I don’t care for pudding, Angy. I will step upstairs a moment. Keep right on, Angy, and don’t worry. I shall be right back. ”

“He’s a clever looking man, Oi declare,” says Delia after the doctor had come himself to the kitchen for hot water. “What a harmless kind of a soul. He is just flishy enough to be chubby and edicated enuf to be studious looking, just the dark complexion that will go good with Ruby’s hair and eyes, — ^just old enough.”

Suky rushed at that moment into the kitchen. “Is that Ruby’s beau, Delia? He is tremendously sympathetic for just a professional visit. ”

“Don’t go upsetting anything, Suky! There’s men enuf! Oi balave, upon mae word, you are struck with him,” and the table gong rang again, leaving Delia with gloomy forebodings of the duplicity of that girl.

“She shan’t upset things. Oi know what it is to get left,” and she crooned her neck toward the glass knowingly. “Once Oi could have seen such things, but Oi can’t now,” and she made it her way to accidentally happen in the hall when the doctor left.

“Doctor, if there ever was a good girl, it’s Ruby Hastings, sir. Is sha much sick? You tind roight out, won’t you, fur her mither ain’t much thought about her, an’ Suky she loses her head aisy.”

VI

R ebecca sitting beside Ruby is busily talking. “You’re left a number of hundred thousand dollars by your Uncle William, ” she said methodically, “and I want to warn you against fortune hunters andSuky. ” “Suky! Why, Aunt Rebecca. Poor, unfortunate, harmless, afflicted Suky.”

Dinner being over, Angy went to the garden to pick some roses for Ruby, but seeing Pansy down the path went to find out what she was barking about.

“I’m so sorry for you, Mrs. Hastings, in your bereavement. Pansy won’t let me past him.” “Come right here. Pansy, there’s a dear.”

“Did your brother die sudden.^”

“My brother! Why, yes, he did. But how did you hear of my great loss? I can’t speak of it, Mrs. Harmon,” cried Angy, putting her handkerchief over her eyes with both her hands. “He was such a nice man. ”

“Did he leave much property, Mrs. Hastings? I heard he didn’t from one source and from another I heard Ruby was made very wealthy. ”

“Hiram told me not to know, if any one asked, 32 but it wan’t but a small sum any way. There’s no harm I can see in telling that much to you. You won’t speak of it.”

“No, I won’t, Mrs. Hastings. Did he leave a will or is the law to take its course?”

“Oh, I don’t know. But ’pears to me Hiram did have a document in his hand when I came to. I won’t be certaifa. I came near fainting when I first heard the news. Ruby’s sick and had the doctor. I came out to pick her some roses.”

“Ruby sick. What’s the matter of her? I heard her cousin was a spiteful thing. She isn’t, is she?”

“She isn’t like Ruby, Mrs. Harmon. Hiram says that was what made the difference.”

“What doctor do you have to Ruby?”

“Dr. Klingwinter.”

“Oh, he is the catch of Montecito. I heard Ruby was a perfect beauty when she stepped off the train at Santa Barbara. One of the swells over to the Potter inquired her out.”

“Who, Mrs. Harmon?”

“His name was, — well there, it’s gone from me. I never could remember names, or faces or dates foi that matter. The only thing I can remember is church work. I haven’t any use for gossip so I think trying to forget things I hear sort of stunts my memory. There was a young fellow on the same train with her that made all manner of inquiries about her after she left the station with her father and Aunt Rebecca. He took the Arlington Hotel carriage. Some of the sports say they met such a person on a fiery charger headed for Montecito.”

“Oh, I must tell Hiram. Won’t you come in?”

“No, I just run up to see how you all were. I’ll be up again in a day or so. Good-by, good-by. ”

“Hiram, Hiram, come quick. Where are you?”

“Oh, Angy, Angy, what is the matter?”

“Oh, dear, dear, dear, our Ruby is hunted by a man who came in the train. Mrs. Harmon came up to hear if what she heard was true. It’s all out about the will. I told her there wasn’t much and then she told me about the man. I’m all out of breath. ”

“Sit down, wifey.”

“And she said some swell over to the Potter was inquiring her out, and — but I’m so nerved up I can’t think — but I remembered, Hiram, not to know much about business things. I did do better, didn ’t I, dear? Where’s Suky? Don’t let her hear, but she said the doctor is more of a catch than I supposed. You better ’phone him to come often and watch over our Ruby. ”

“Would you really like her to marry him?”

“Why, yes, Hiram. Wouldn’t you, if he’s good? She’ll have plenty of money. There’s some one coming now. I’ll see who it is!”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hastings. Is Rebecca Ann at home?”

“Yes, Mrs. Thorndike. Suky just run and tell her, that ’s a dear. ”

“Where had Suky been,’’ thought Angy, but it didn ’t matter and back she went to her crochet.

VII

O I was waitching fer yer, doctor — go roight up. You ’ll foind Miss Rebecca with her, ” says Delia.

“Good afternoon, Miss Ruby. The maid told me to come right up. ”

“Oh, doctor, my head does ache so bad. Aunt Rebecca has just been called down stairs by a visitor. ”

“Does it ache all over?” he said, taking her pulse.

“No, doctor, just here in my forehead.”

“It is too bad for such a beautiful girl as you are to be sick. ”