LOVEY MARY

BY

ALICE HEGAN RICE

AUTHOR OF"Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch"

1903

TO

CALE YOUNG RICEWHO TAUGHT ME THE SECRETOF PLUCKING ROSES FROMA CABBAGE PATCH

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I A CACTUS-PLANT II A RUNAWAY COUPLE III THE HAZY HOUSEHOLD IV AN ACCIDENT AND AN INCIDENT V THE DAWN OF A ROMANCE VI THE LOSING OF MR. STUBBINS VII NEIGHBORLY ADVICEVIII A DENOMINATIONAL GARDEN IX LABOR DAY X A TIMELY VISIT XI THE CHRISTMAS PLAY XII REACTIONXIII AN HONORABLE RETREAT XIV THE CACTUS BLOOMS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

"They met at the pump. " . .. .. Frontispiece

"'Now the Lord meant you to be plain. '"

"'Come here, Tom, and kiss your mother. '"

"''T ain't no street. .. ; this here is the Cabbage Patch. '"

"She puffed her hair at the top and sides. "

"'She took on mighty few airs fer a person in mournin'. '"

"She sat on the door-step, white and miserable. " 67

"Mrs. Wiggs took pictures from her walls and chairs from her parlor tobeautify the house of Hazy. "

"Mr. Stubbins, sitting in Mrs. Wiggs's most comfortable chair, with alarge slice of pumpkin-pie in his hand. "

"'Stick out yer tongue. '"

"Asia held out her hands, which were covered with warm red mitts. "

"Master Robert Redding was right side up again, sobbing himself quietin Lovey Mary's arms. "

"'Have you ever acted any?' he asked. "

"Europena stepped forward. "

"Sang in a high, sweet voice, 'I Need Thee Every Hour. '"

"'Haven't you got any place you could go to?'"

Susie Smithers at the keyhole

"Lovey Mary waved until she rounded a curve. "

LOVEY MARY

CHAPTER I

A CACTUS-PLANT

 For life, with all it yields of joy and woe, And hope and fear, . .. Is just our chance o' the prize of learning love, -- How love might be, hath been indeed, and is. BROWNING'S "A Death in the Desert. "

Everything about Lovey Mary was a contradiction, from her hands andfeet, which seemed to have been meant for a big girl, to her highideals and aspirations, that ought to have belonged to an amiable one. The only ingredient which might have reconciled all the conflictingelements in her chaotic little bosom was one which no one had evertaken the trouble to supply. 

When Miss Bell, the matron of the home, came to receive Lovey Mary'sconfession of repentance, she found her at an up-stairs window makinghideous faces and kicking the furniture. The depth of her repentancecould always be gaged by the violence of her conduct. Miss Bell lookedat her as she would have looked at one of the hieroglyphs on theObelisk. She had been trying to decipher her for thirteen years. 

Miss Bell was stout and prim, a combination which was surely neverintended by nature. Her gray dress and tight linen collar and cuffsgave the uncomfortable impression of being sewed on, while her rigidblack water-waves seemed irrevocably painted upon her high forehead. She was a routinist; she believed in system, she believed in order, and she believed that godliness was akin to cleanliness. When shefound an exception to a rule she regarded the exception in the lightof an error. As she stood, brush in hand, before Lovey Mary, shethought for the hundredth time that the child was an exception. 

"Stand up, " she said firmly but not unkindly. "I thought you had toomuch sense to do your hair that way. Come back to the bath-room, and Iwill arrange it properly. "

Lovey Mary gave a farewell kick at the wall before she followed MissBell. One side of her head was covered with tight black ringlets, andthe other bristled with curl-papers. 

"When I was a little girl, " said Miss Bell, running the wet combruthlessly through the treasured curls, "the smoother my hair was thebetter I liked it. I used to brush it down with soap and water to makeit stay. "

Lovey Mary looked at the water-waves and sighed. 

"If you're ugly you never can get married with anybody, can you, MissBell?" she asked in a spirit of earnest inquiry. 

Miss Bell's back became stiffer, if possible, than before. 

"Marriage isn't the only thing in the world. The homelier you are thebetter chance you have of being good. Now the Lord meant you to beplain"--assisting Providence by drawing the braids so tight that thegirl's eyebrows were elevated with the strain. "If he had meant you tohave curls he would have given them to you. "

[Illustration: "'Now the Lord meant you to be plain'"]

"Well, didn't he want me to have a mother and father?" burst forthLovey Mary, indignantly, "or clothes, or money, or nothing? Can't Iever get nothing at all 'cause I wasn't started out with nothing?"

Miss Bell was too shocked to reply. She gave a final brush to thesleek, wet head and turned sorrowfully away. Lovey Mary ran after herand caught her hand. 

"I'm sorry, " she cried impulsively. "I want to be good. Please--please--"

Miss Bell drew her hand away coldly. "You needn't go to Sabbath-schoolthis morning, " she said in an injured tone; "you can stay here andthink over what you have said. I am not angry with you. I never allowmyself to get angry. I don't understand, that's all. You are such agood girl about some things and so unreasonable about others. With agood home, good clothes, and kind treatment, what else could a girlwant?"

Receiving no answer to this inquiry, Miss Bell adjusted her cuffs anddeparted with the conviction that she had done all that was possibleto throw light upon a dark subject. 

Lovey Mary, left alone, shed bitter tears on her clean gingham dress. Thirteen years ought to reconcile a person even to gingham dresseswith white china buttons down the back, and round straw hats bought atwholesale. But Lovey Mary's rebellion of spirit was something thattime only served to increase. It had started with Kate Rider, who usedto pinch her, and laugh at her, and tell the other girls to "get on toher curves. " Curves had signified something dreadful to Lovey Mary;she would have experienced real relief could she have known that shedid not possess any. It was not Kate Rider, however, who was causingthe present tears; she had left the home two years before, and hername was not allowed to be mentioned even in whispers. Neither was itrebellion against the work that had cast Lovey Mary into such depthsof gloom; fourteen beds had been made, fourteen heads had been combed, and fourteen wriggling little bodies had been cheerfully buttoned intostarchy blue ginghams exactly like her own. 

Something deeper and more mysterious was fermenting in her soul--something that made her long passionately for the beautiful things oflife, for love and sympathy and happiness; something that made herwant to be good, yet tempted her constantly to rebel against herenvirons. It was just the world-old spirit that makes the veriestlittle weed struggle through a chink in the rock and reach upwardtoward the sun. 

"What's the matter with your hair, Lovey Mary? It looks so funny, "asked a small girl, coming up the steps. 

"If anybody asts you, tell 'em you don't know, " snapped Lovey Mary. 

"Well, Miss Bell says for you to come down to the office, " said theother, unabashed. "There's a lady down there--a lady and a baby. Meand Susie peeked in. Miss Bell made the lady cry; she made her wipethe powders off her compleshun. "

"And she sent for me?" asked Lovey Mary, incredulously. Such a ripplein the still waters of the home was sufficient to interest the mostdisconsolate. 

"Yes; and me and Susie's going to peek some more. "

Lovey Mary dried her tears and hurried down to the office. As shestood at the door she heard a girl's excited voice protesting andbegging, and Miss Bell's placid tones attempting to calm her. Theypaused as she entered. 

"Mary, " said Miss Bell, "you remember Kate Rider. She has brought herchild for us to take care of for a while. Have you room for him inyour division?"

As Lovey Mary looked at the gaily dressed girl on the sofa, heranimosity rekindled. It was not Kate's bold black eyes that stirredher wrath, nor the hard red lips that recalled the taunts of otherdays: it was the sight of the auburn curls gathered in tantalizingprofusion under the brim of the showy hat. 

"Mary, answer my question!" said Miss Bell, sharply. 

With an involuntary shudder of repugnance Lovey Mary drew her gazefrom Kate and murmured, "Yes, 'm. "

"Then you can take the baby with you, " continued Miss Bell, motioningto the sleeping child. "But wait a moment. I think I will put Jennieat the head of your division and let you have entire charge of thislittle boy. He is only a year old, Kate tells me, so will needconstant attention. "

Lovey Mary was about to protest, when Kate broke in:

"Oh, say, Miss Bell, please get some other girl! Tommy never wouldlike Lovey. He's just like me: if people ain't pretty, he don't haveno use for 'em. "

"That will do, Kate, " said Miss Bell, coldly. "It is only pity for thechild that makes me take him at all. You have forfeited all claim uponour sympathy or patience. Mary, take the baby up-stairs and care forhim until I come. "

Lovey Mary, hot with rebellion, picked him up and went out of theroom. At the door she stumbled against two little girls who werelistening at the keyhole. 

Up-stairs in the long dormitory it was very quiet. The children hadbeen marched away to Sunday-school, and only Lovey Mary and thesleeping baby were on the second floor. The girl sat beside the littlewhite bed and hated the world as far as she knew it: she hated Katefor adding this last insult to the old score; she hated Miss Bell forputting this new burden on her unwilling shoulders; she hated theburden itself, lying there before her so serene and unconcerned; andmost of all she hated herself. 

"I wisht I was dead!" she cried passionately. "The harder I try to begood the meaner I get. Ever'body blames me, and ever'body makes fun ofme. Ugly old face, and ugly old hands, and straight old rat-tail hair!It ain't no wonder that nobody loves me. I just wisht I was dead!"

The sunshine came through the window and made a big white patch on thebare floor, but Lovey Mary sat in the shadow and disturbed the Sundayquiet by her heavy sobbing. 

At noon, when the children returned, the noise of their arrival wokeTommy. He opened his round eyes on a strange world, and began to crylustily. One child after another tried to pacify him, but eachfriendly advance increased his terror. 

"Leave him be!" cried Lovey Mary. "Them hats is enough to skeer himinto fits. " She picked him up, and with the knack born of experiencesoothed and comforted him. The baby hid his face on her shoulder andheld her tight. She could feel the sobs that still shook the smallbody, and his tears were on her cheek. 

"Never mind, " she said. "I ain't a-going to let 'em hurt you. I'mgoing to take care of you. Don't cry any more. Look!"

She stretched forth her long, unshapely hand and made grotesquesnatches at the sunshine that poured in through the window. Tommyhesitated and was lost; a smile struggled to the surface, then brokethrough the tears. 

"Look! He's laughing!" cried Lovey Mary, gleefully. "He's laughing'cause I ketched a sunbeam for him!"

Then she bent impulsively and kissed the little red lips so close toher own. 

CHAPTER II

A RUNAWAY COUPLE

"Courage mounteth with occasion. "

For two years Lovey Mary cared for Tommy: she bathed him and dressedhim, taught him to walk, and kissed his bumps to make them well; shesewed for him and nursed him by day, and slept with him in her tiredarms at night. And Tommy, with the inscrutable philosophy ofchildhood, accepted his little foster-mother and gave her his all. 

One bright June afternoon the two were romping in the home yard underthe beech-trees. Lovey Mary lay in the grass, while Tommy threwhandfuls of leaves in her face, laughing with delight at her grimaces. Presently the gate clicked, and some one came toward them. 

"Good land! is that my kid?" said a woman's voice. "Come here, Tom, and kiss your mother. "

Lovey Mary, sitting up, found Kate Rider, in frills and ribbons, looking with surprise at the sturdy child before her. 

Tommy objected violently to this sudden overture and declinedpositively to acknowledge the relationship. In fact, when Kateattempted to pull him to her, he fled for protection to Lovey Mary andcast belligerent glances at the intruder. 

Kate laughed. 

"Oh, you needn't be so scary; you might as well get used to me, for Iam going to take you home with me. I bet he's a corker, ain't he, Lovey? He used to bawl all night. Sometimes I'd have to spank him twoor three times. "

Lovey Mary clasped the child closer and looked up in dumb terror. WasTommy to be taken from her? Tommy to go away with Kate?

"Great Scott!" exclaimed Kate, exasperated at the girl's manner. "Youare just as ugly and foolish as you used to be. I'm going in to seeMiss Bell. "

Lovey Mary waited until she was in the house, then she stolenoiselessly around to the office window. The curtain blew out acrossher cheek, and the swaying lilacs seemed to be trying to count thechina buttons on her back; but she stood there with staring eyes andparted lips, and held her breath to listen. 

[Illustration with caption: "'Come here, Tom, and kiss your mother. '"]

"Of course, " Miss Bell was saying, measuring her words with dueprecision, "if you feel that you can now support your child and thatit is your duty to take him, we cannot object. There are many otherchildren waiting to come into the home. And yet--" Miss Bell's voicesounded human and unnatural--"yet I wish he could stay. Have youthought, Kate, of your responsibility toward him, of--"

"Oh! Ough!" shrieked Tommy from the playground, in tones of distress. 

Lovey Mary left her point of vantage and rushed to the rescue. Shefound him emitting frenzied yells, while a tiny stream of bloodtrickled down his chin. 

"It was my little duck, " he gasped as soon as he was able to speak. "Iwas tissin' him, an' he bited me. "

At thought of the base ingratitude on the part of the duck, Tommywailed anew. Lovey Mary led him to the hydrant and bathed the injuredlip, while she soothed his feelings. Suddenly a wave of tendernessswept over her. She held his chubby face up to hers and saidfervently:

"Tommy, do you love me?"

"Yes, " said Tommy, with a reproachful eye on the duck. "Yes; I yuv toyuv. I don't yuv to tiss, though!"

"But me, Tommy, me. Do you love me?"

"Yes, " he answered gravely, "dollar an' a half. "

"Whose little boy are you?"

"Yuvey's 'e boy. "

Satisfied with this catechism, she put Tommy in care of another girland went back to her post at the window. Miss Bell was talking again. 

"I will have him ready to-morrow afternoon when you come. His clothesare all in good condition. I only hope, Kate, that you will care forhim as tenderly as Mary has. I am afraid he will miss her sadly. "

"If he's like me, he'll forget about her in two or three days, "answered the other voice. "It always was 'out of sight, out of mind'with me. "

Miss Bell's answer was indistinct, and in a few minutes Lovey Maryheard the hall door close behind them. She shook her fists until thelilacs trembled. "She sha'n't have him!" she whispered fiercely. "Shesha'n't let him grow up wicked like she is. I won't let him go. I'llhide him, I'll--"

Suddenly she grew very still, and for a long time crouched motionlessbehind the bushes. The problem that faced her had but one solution, and Lovey Mary had found it. 

The next morning when the sun climbed over the tree-tops and peeredinto the dormitory windows he found that somebody else had made anearly rise. Lovey Mary was sitting by a wardrobe making her last willand testament. From the neatly folded pile of linen she selected a fewgarments and tied them into a bundle. Then she took out a cigar-boxand gravely contemplated the contents. There were two narrow hair-ribbons which had evidently been one wide ribbon, a bit of rockcrystal, four paper dolls, a soiled picture-book with some otherlittle girl's name scratched out on the cover, and two shining silverdollars. These composed Lovey Mary's worldly possessions. She tied themoney in her handkerchief and put it in her pocket, then got up softlyand slipped about among the little white beds, distributing hertreasures. 

"I'm mad at Susie, " she whispered, pausing before a tousled head; "Ihate to give her the nicest thing I've got. But she's just crazy 'boutpicture-books. "

The curious sun climbed yet a little higher and saw Lovey Mary go backto her own bed, and, rolling Tommy's clothes around her own bundle, gather the sleeping child in her arms and steal quietly out of theroom. Then the sun got too high up in the heavens to watch littlerunaway orphan girls. Nobody saw her steal through the desertedplayroom, down the clean bare steps, which she had helped to wearaway, and out through the yard to the coal-shed. Here she got thereluctant Tommy into his clothes, and tied on his little round strawhat, so absurdly like her own. 

"Is we playin' hie-spy, Yuvey?" asked the mystified youngster. 

"Yes, Tommy, " she whispered, "and we are going a long way to hide. Youare my little boy now, and you must love me better than anything inthe world. Say it, Tommy; say, 'I love you better 'n anybody in thewhole world. '"

"Will I det on de rollin' honor?" asked Tommy, thinking he waslearning his golden text. 

But Lovey Mary had forgotten her question. She was taking a farewelllook at the home, every nook and corner of which had suddenly growndear. Already she seemed a thing apart, one having no right to itsshelter and protection. She turned to where Tommy was playing withsome sticks in the corner, and bidding him not to stir or speak untilher return, she slipped back up the walk and into the kitchen. Swiftlyand quietly she made a fire in the stove and filled the kettle withwater. Then she looked about for something more she might do. On thetable lay the grocery book with a pencil attached. She thought amoment, then wrote laboriously under the last order: "Miss Bell I willtake kere Tommy pleas don't be mad. " Then she softly closed the doorbehind her. 

A few minutes later she lifted Tommy out of the low shed window, andhurried him down the alley and out into the early morning streets. Atthe corner they took a car, and Tommy knelt by the window and absorbedthe sights with rapt attention; to him the adventure was beginningbrilliantly. Even Lovey Mary experienced a sense of exhilaration whenshe paid their fare out of one of the silver dollars. She knew theconductor was impressed, because he said, "You better watch Buddy'shat, ma'am. " That "ma'am" pleased her profoundly; it caused herunconsciously to assume Miss Bell's tone and manner as she conversedwith the back of Tommy's head. 

"We'll go out on the avenue, " she said. "We'll go from house to housetill I get work. 'Most anybody would be glad to get a handy girl thatcan cook and wash and sew, only--I ain't very big, and then there'syou. "

"Ain't that a big house?" shouted Tommy, half way out of the window. 

"Yes; don't talk so loud. That's the court-house. "

"Where they make court-plaster at?" inquired Tommy shrilly. 

Lovey Mary glanced around uneasily. She hoped the old man in thecorner had not heard this benighted remark. All went well until thecar reached the terminal station. Here Tommy refused to get off. Invain Lovey Mary coaxed and threatened. 

"It'll take us right back to the home, " she pleaded. "Be a good boyand come with Lovey. I'll buy you something nice. "

Tommy remained obdurate. He believed in letting well enough alone. Thejoys of a street-car ride were present and tangible; "something nice"was vague, unsatisfying. 

"Don't yer little brother want to git off?" asked the conductor, sympathetically. 

"No, sir, " said Lovey Mary, trying to maintain her dignity while shestruggled with her charge. "If you please, sir, would you mind holdinghis feet while I loosen his hands?"

Tommy, shrieking indignant protests, was borne from the car anddeposited on the sidewalk. 

"Don't you dare get limber!" threatened Lovey Mary. "If you do I'llspank you right here on the street. Stand up! Straighten out yourlegs! Tommy! do you hear me?"

Tommy might have remained limp indefinitely had not a hurdy-gurdyopportunely arrived on the scene. It is true that he would go only inthe direction of the music, but Lovey Mary was delighted to have himgo at all. When at last they were headed for the avenue, Tommy causedanother delay. 

"I want my ducky, " he announced. 

The words brought consternation to Lovey Mary. She had fearfullyanticipated them from the moment of leaving the home. 

"I'll buy you a 'tend-like duck, " she said. 

"No; I want a sure-'nough ducky; I want mine. "

Lovey Mary was exasperated. "Well, you can't have yours. I can't getit for you, and you might as well hush. "

His lips trembled, and two large tears rolled down his round cheeks. When he was injured he was irresistible. Lovey Mary promptlysurrendered. 

"Don't cry, baby boy! Lovey'll get you one someway. "

For some time the quest of the duck was fruitless. The stores theyentered were wholesale houses for the most part, where men wererolling barrels about or stacking skins and hides on the sidewalk. 

"Do you know what sort of a store they sell ducks at?" asked LoveyMary of a colored man who was sweeping out an office. 

"Ducks!" repeated the negro, grinning at the queerly dressed childrenin their round straw hats. "Name o' de Lawd! What do you all want wifducks?"

Lovey Mary explained. 

"Wouldn't a kitten do jes as well?" he asked kindly. 

"I want my ducky, " whined Tommy, showing signs of returning storm. 

"I don' see no way 'cept'n' gwine to de mahket. Efen you tek de cahyou kin ride plumb down dere. "

Recent experience had taught Lovey Mary to be wary of street-cars, sothey walked. At the market they found some ducks. The desired objectswere hanging in a bunch with their limp heads tied together. Furtherinquiry, however, discovered some live ones in a coop. 

"They're all mama ducks, " objected Tommy. "I want a baby ducky. I wantmy little ducky!"

When he found he could do no better, he decided to take one of thelarge ones. Then he said he was hungry, so he and Mary took turn aboutholding it while the other ate "po' man's pickle" and wienerwurst. 

It was two o'clock by the time they reached the avenue, and by fourthey were foot-sore and weary, but they trudged bravely along fromhouse to house asking for work. As dusk came on, the houses, which afew squares back had been tall and imposing, seemed to be gettingsmaller and more insignificant. Lovey Mary felt secure as long as shewas on the avenue. She did not know that the avenue extended for manymiles and that she had reached the frayed and ragged end of it. Sheand Tommy passed under a bridge, and after that the houses all seemedto behave queerly. Some faced one way, some another, and crisscrossbetween them, in front of them, and behind them ran a network ofrailroad tracks. 

"What's the name of this street?" asked Lovey Mary of a small, bare-footed girl. 

"'T ain't no street, " answered the little girl, gazing withundisguised amazement at the strange-looking couple; "this here is theCabbage Patch. "

[Illustration: "'T ain't no street. .. ; this here is the CabbagePatch. '"]

CHAPTER III

THE HAZY HOUSEHOLD

 "Here sovereign Dirt erects her sable throne, The house, the host, the hostess all her own. "

Miss Hazy was the submerged tenth of the Cabbage Patch. The submersionwas mainly one of dirt and disorder, but Miss Hazy was such a meek, inefficient little body that the Cabbage Patch withheld its blame andpatiently tried to furnish a prop for the clinging vine. Miss Hazy, itis true, had Chris; but Chris was unstable, not only because he hadlost one leg, but also because he was the wildest, noisiest, mostthoughtless youngster that ever shied a rock at a lamp-post. Miss Hazyhad "raised" Chris, and the neighbors had raised Miss Hazy. 

When Lovey Mary stumbled over the Hazy threshold with the sleepingTommy and the duck in her arms, Miss Hazy fluttered about in dismay. She pushed the flour-sifter farther over on the bed and made a placefor Tommy, then she got a chair for the exhausted girl and hoveredabout her with little chirps of consternation. 

"Dear sakes! You're done tuckered out, ain't you? You an' the baby gotlosted? Ain't that too bad! Must I make you some tea? Only there ain'tno fire in the stove. Dear me! what ever will I do? Jes wait a minute;I'll have to go ast Mis' Wiggs. "

In a few minutes Miss Hazy returned. With her was a bright-facedlittle woman whose smile seemed to thaw out the frozen places in LoveyMary's heart and make her burst into tears on the motherly bosom. 

"There now, there, " said Mrs. Wiggs, hugging the girl up close andpatting her on the back; "there ain't no hole so deep can't somebodypull you out. An' here's me an' Miss Hazy jes waitin' to give you ah'ist. "

There was something so heartsome in her manner that Lovey Mary driedher eyes and attempted to explain. "I'm tryin' to get a place, " shebegan, "but nobody wants to take Tommy too. I can't carry him anyfurther, and I don't know where to go, and it's 'most night--" againthe sobs choked her. 

"Lawsee!" said Mrs. Wiggs, "don't you let that worry you! I can't takeyou home, 'cause Asia an' Australia an' Europeny are sleepin' in onebed as it is; but you kin git right in here with Miss Hazy, can't she, Miss Hazy?"

The hostess, to whom Mrs. Wiggs was an oracle, acquiesced heartily. 

"All right: that's fixed. Now I'll go home an' send you all over somenice, hot supper by Billy, an' to-morrow mornin' will be time enoughto think things out. "

Lovey Mary, too exhausted to mind the dirt, ate her supper off abroken plate, then climbed over behind Tommy and the flour-sifter, andwas soon fast asleep. 

The business meeting next morning "to think things out" resultedsatisfactorily. At first Mrs. Wiggs was inclined to ask questions andfind out where the children came from, but when she saw Lovey Mary'sevident distress and embarrassment, she accepted the statement thatthey were orphans and that the girl was seeking work in order to takecare of herself and the boy. It had come to be an unwritten law in theCabbage Patch that as few questions as possible should be asked ofstrangers. People had come there before who could not give clearaccounts of themselves. 

"Now I'll tell you what I think'll be best, " said Mrs. Wiggs, whoenjoyed untangling snarls. "Asia kin take Mary up to the fact'ry withher to-morrow, an' see if she kin git her a job. I 'spect she kin, 'cause she stands right in with the lady boss. Miss Hazy, me an' youkin keep a' eye on the baby between us. If Mary gits a place she kinpay you so much a week, an' that'll help us all out, 'cause then wewon't have to send in so many outside victuals. If she could makethree dollars an' Chris three, you all could git along right peart. "

Lovey Mary stayed in the house most of the day. She was almost afraidto look out of the little window, for fear she should see Miss Bell orKate Rider coming. She sat in the only chair that had a bottom anddiligently worked buttonholes for Miss Hazy. 

"Looks like there ain't never no time to clean up, " said Miss Hazy, apologetically, as she shoved Chris's Sunday clothes and a can ofcoal-oil behind the door. 

Lovey Mary looked about her and sighed deeply. The room was brimfuland spilling over: trash, tin cans, and bottles overflowed the window-sills; a crippled rocking-chair, with a faded quilt over it, stoodbefore the stove, in the open oven of which Chris's shoe was drying;an old sewing-machine stood in the middle of the floor, with MissHazy's sewing on one end of it and the uncleared dinner-dishes on theother. 

Mary could not see under the bed, but she knew from the day'sexperience that it was used as a combination store-room and wardrobe. She thought of the home with its bare, clean rooms and its spotlessfloors. She rose abruptly and went out to the rear of the house, whereTommy was playing with Europena Wiggs. They were absorbed in trying tohitch the duck to a spool-box, and paid little attention to her. 

"Tommy, " she said, clutching his arm, "don't you want to go back?"

But Tommy had tasted freedom; he had had one blissful day unwashed, uncombed, and uncorrected. 

"No, " he declared stoutly; "I'm doin' to stay to this house and playwiv You're-a-peanut. "

"Then, " said Mary, with deep resignation, "the only thing for me to dois to try to clean things up. "

When she went back into the house she untied her bundle and took outthe remaining dollar. 

"I'll be back soon, " she said to Miss Hazy as she stepped over abasket of potatoes. "I'm just going over to Mrs. Wiggs's a minute. "

She found her neighbor alone, getting supper. "Please, ma'am, "--sheplunged into her subject at once, --"have any of your girls a dress forsale? I've got a dollar to buy it. "

Mrs. Wiggs turned the girl around and surveyed her critically. "Well, I don't know as I blame you fer wantin' to git shut of that one. Thereain't more 'n room enough fer one leg in that skirt, let alone two. An' what was the sense in them big shiny buttons?"

"I don't know as it makes much difference, " said Lovey Mary, disconsolately; "I'm so ugly, nothing could make me look nice. "

Mrs. Wiggs shook her by the shoulders good-naturedly. "Now, here, " shesaid, "don't you go an' git sorry fer yerself! That's one thing Ican't stand in nobody. There's always lots of other folks you kin besorry fer 'stid of yerself. Ain't you proud you ain't got a harelip?Why, that one thought is enough to keep me from ever gittin' sorry fermyself. "

Mary laughed, and Mrs. Wiggs clapped her hands. "That's what yer faceneeds--smiles! I never see anything make such a difference. But nowabout the dress. Yes, indeed, Asia has got dresses to give 'way. Shegits 'em from Mrs. Reddin'; her husband is Mr. Bob, Billy's boss. He'sa newspaper editress an' rich as cream. Mrs. Reddin' is a fallenangel, if there ever was one on this earth. She sends all sorts ofclothes to Asia, an' I warm 'em over an' boil 'em down till they'reher size. 

"Asia Minor!" she called to a girl who was coming in the door, "thishere is Mary--Lovey Mary she calls herself, Miss Hazy's boarder. Haveyou got a dress you could give her?"

"I'm going to buy it, " said Mary, immediately on the defensive. Shedid not want them to think for a moment that she was begging. Shewould show them that she had money, that she was just as good as theywere. 

"Well, maw, " the other girl was saying in a drawling voice as shelooked earnestly at Lovey Mary, "seems to me she'd look purtiest in myred dress. Her hair's so nice an' black an' her teeth so white, I 'lowthe red would look best. "

Mrs. Wiggs gazed at her daughter with adoring eyes. "Ain't that theartis' stickin' out through her? Couldn't you tell she handles paints?Up at the fact'ry she's got a fine job, paints flowers an' wreaths onto bath-tubs. Yes, indeed, this here red one is what you must have. Keep your dollar, child; the dress never cost us a cent. Here's anubia, too, you kin have; it'll look better than that little hat youhad on last night. That little hat worried me; it looked like thestopper was too little fer the bottle. There now, take the thingsright home with you, an' tomorrow you an' Asia kin start off instyle. "

Lovey Mary, flushed with the intoxication of her first compliment, went back and tried on the dress. Miss Hazy got so interested that sheforgot to get supper. 

"You look so nice I never would 'a' knowed you in the world!" shedeclared. "You don't look picked, like you did in that other dress. "

"That Wiggs girl said I looked nice in red, " said Lovey Marytentatively. 

"You do, too, " said Miss Hazy; "it keeps you from lookin' so corpsey. I wisht you'd do somethin' with yer hair, though; it puts me in mindof snakes in them long black plaits. "

All Lovey Mary needed was encouragement. She puffed her hair at thetop and sides and tucked it up in the latest fashion. Tommy, coming inat the door, did not recognize her. She laughed delightedly. 

"Do I look so different?"

"I should say you do, " said Miss Hazy, admiringly, as she spread anewspaper for a table-cloth. "I never seen no one answer to primpin'like you do. "

[Illustration: "She puffed her hair at the top and sides. "]

When it was quite dark Lovey Mary rolled something in a bundle andcrept out of the house. After glancing cautiously up and down thetracks she made her way to the pond on the commons and dropped herbundle into the shallow water. 

Next day, when Mrs. Schultz's goat died of convulsions, nobody knew itwas due to the china buttons on Lovey Mary's gingham dress. 

CHAPTER IV

AN ACCIDENT AND AN INCIDENT

 "Our deeds still travel with us from afar, And what we have been makes us what we are. "

Through the assistance of Asia Wiggs, Lovey Mary secured pleasant andprofitable work at the factory; but her mind was not at peace. Ofcourse it was a joy to wear the red dress and arrange her hair adifferent way each morning, but there was a queer, restless littlefeeling in her heart that spoiled even the satisfaction of lookinglike other girls and earning three dollars a week. The very fact thatnobody took her to task, that nobody scolded or blamed her, caused herto ask herself disturbing questions. Secret perplexity had the sameeffect upon her that it has upon many who are older and wiser: it madeher cross. 

Two days after she started to work, Asia, coming down from thedecorating-room for lunch, found her in fiery dispute with a red-haired girl. There had been an accident in front of the factory, andthe details were under discussion. 

"Well, I know all about it, " declared the red-haired girl, excitedly, "'cause my sister was the first one that got to her. "

"Is your sister a nigger named Jim Brown?" asked Lovey Mary, derisively. "Ever'body says he was the first one got there. "

"Was there blood on her head?" asked Asia, trying to stem the tide ofargument. 

"Yes, indeed, " said the first speaker; "on her head an' on her hands, too. I hanged on the steps when they was puttin' her in the ambalance-wagon, an' she never knowed a bloomin' thing!"

"Why didn't you go on with them to the hospital!" asked Lovey Mary. "Idon't see how the doctors could get along without you. "

"Oh, you're just mad 'cause you didn't see her. She was awful pretty!Had on a black hat with a white feather in it, but it got in the mud. They say she had a letter in her pocket with her name on it. "

"I thought maybe she come to long enough to tell you her name, " teasedher tormentor. 

"Well, I do know it, Smarty, " retorted the other, sharply: "it's MissKate Rider. "

Meanwhile in the Cabbage Patch Miss Hazy and Mrs. Wiggs were holding aconsultation over the fence. 

"She come over to my house first, " Mrs. Wiggs was saying, dramaticallyillustrating her remarks with two tin cans. "This is me here, an' Ilooks up an' seen the old lady standin' over there. She put me in mindof a graven image. She had on a sorter gray mournin', didn't she, MissHazy?"

"Yes, 'm; that was the way it struck me. Bein' gray, I 'lowed it wasfer some one she didn't keer fer pertickler. "

"An' gent's cuffs, " continued Mrs. Wiggs; "I noticed them right off. ''Scuse me, ' says she, snappin' her mouth open an' shut like a trap--''scuse me, but have you seen anything of two strange children in thisneighborhood?' I th'owed my apron over Lovey Mary's hat, that I wastrimmin'. I wasn't goin' to tell till I found out what that widderwoman was after. But before I was called upon to answer, Tommy cometearin' round the house chasin' Cusmoodle. "

"Who?"

"Cusmoodle, the duck. I named it this mornin'. Well, when the ladyseen Tommy she started up, then she set down ag'in, holdin' her skirtsup all the time to keep 'em from techin' the floor. 'How'd they githere?' she ast, so relieved-like that I thought she must be kin to'em. So I up an' told her all I knew. I told her if she wanted to findout anything about us she could ast Mrs. Reddin' over at Terrace Park. 'Mrs. Robert Reddin'?' says she, lookin' dumfounded. 'Yes, ' says I, 'the finest lady, rich or poor, in Kentucky, unless it's her husband. 'Then she went on an' ast me goin' on a hunderd questions 'bout all ofus an' all of you all, an' 'bout the factory. She even ast me where wegot our water at, an' if you kept yer house healthy. I told her LoveyMary had made Chris carry out more 'n a wheelbarrow full of dirt ever'night since she had been here, an' I guess it would be healthy by thetime she got through. "

[Illustration: "'She took on mighty few airs fer a person inmournin'. '"]

Miss Hazy moved uneasily. "I told her I couldn't clean up much 'countof the rheumatism, an' phthisic, an' these here dizzy spells--"

"I bet she didn't git a chance to talk much if you got started on yoursymptims, " interrupted Mrs. Wiggs. 

"Didn't you think she was a' awful haughty talker?"

'No, indeed. She took on mighty few airs fer a person in mournin'. When she riz to go, she says, real kind fer such a stern-faced woman, 'Do the childern seem well an' happy?' 'Yes, 'm; they're well, allright, ' says I. 'Tommy he's like a colt what's been stabled up allwinter an' is let out fer the first time. As fer Mary, ' I says, 'sheseems kinder low in her mind, looks awful pestered most of the time. ''It won't hurt her, ' says the lady. 'Keep a' eye on 'em, ' says she, puttin' some money in my hand, ' an' if you need any more, I'll leaveit with Mrs. Reddin'. ' Then she cautioned me pertickler not to saynothin' 'bout her havin' been here. "

"She told me not to tell, too, " said Miss Hazy; "but I don't know whatwe're goin' to say to Mrs. Schultz. She 'most sprained her back tryin'to see who it was, an' Mrs. Eichorn come over twicet pertendin'-likeshe wanted to borrow a corkscrew driver. "

"Tell 'em she was a newfangled agent, " said Mrs. Wiggs, withunblushing mendacity--"a' agent fer shoestrings. "

CHAPTER V

THE DAWN OF A ROMANCE

 "There is in the worst of fortunes The best of chances for a happy change. "

"Good land! you all're so clean in here I'm feared of ketchin' thepneumony. "

Mrs. Wiggs stood in Miss Hazy's kitchen and smiled approval at themarvelous transformation. 

"Well, now, I don't think it's right healthy, " complained Miss Hazy, who was sitting at the machine, with her feet on a soap-box; "so muchwater sloppin' round is mighty apt to give a person a cold. But LoveyMary says she can't stand it no other way. She's mighty set, Mis'Wiggs. "

"Yes, an' that's jes what you need, Miss Hazy. You never was set 'boutnothin' in yer life. Lovey Mary's jes took you an' the house an'ever'thing in hand, an' in four weeks got you all to livin' like whitefolks. I ain't claimin' she ain't sharp-tongued; I 'low she's sassed'bout ever'body in the Patch but me by now. But she's good, an' she'ssmart, an' some of her sharp corners'll git pecked off afore her hairgrows much longer. "

"Oh, mercy me! here she comes now to git her lunch, " said Miss Hazy, with chagrin. "I ain't got a thing fixed. "

"You go on an' sew; I'll mess up a little somethin' fer her. She'llstop, anyway, to talk to Tommy. Did you ever see anything to equal theway she takes on 'bout that child? She jes natchally analyzes him. "

Lovey Mary, however, did not stop as usual to play with Tommy. Shecame straight to the kitchen and sat down on the door-step, lookingworried and preoccupied. 

"How comes it you ain't singin'?" asked Mrs. Wiggs. "If I had a voicelike yourn, folks would have to stop up their years with cotton. I jesfind myself watchin' fer you to come home, so's I can hear you singin'them pretty duets round the house. "

Lovey Mary smiled faintly; for a month past she had been unconsciouslystriving to live up to Mrs. Wiggs's opinion of her, and the constantpraise and commendation of that "courageous captain of compliment" hadmoved her to herculean effort. 

But a sudden catastrophe threatened her. She sat on the door-step, white and miserable. Held tight in the hand that was thrust in herpocket was a letter; it was a blue letter addressed to Miss Hazy inlarge, dashing characters. Lovey Mary had got it from the postman asshe went out in the morning; for five hours she had been racked withdoubt concerning it. She felt that it could refer but to one subject, and that was herself. Perhaps Miss Bell had discovered her hiding-place, or, worse still, perhaps Kate Rider had seen her at the factoryand was writing for Tommy. Lovey Mary crushed the letter in her hand;she would not give it to Miss Hazy. She would outwit Kate again. 

"All right, honey, " called Mrs. Wiggs; "here you are. 'T ain't much ofa lunch, but it'll fill up the gaps. Me an' Miss Hazy jes been talkin''bout you. "

Lovey Mary glanced up furtively. Could they have suspected anything?

[Illustration: "She sat on the door-step, white and miserable. "]

"Didn't yer years sorter burn! We was speakin' of the way you'dslicked things up round here. I was a-sayin' even if you was a sorterrepeatin'-rifle when it come to answerin' back, you was a good, nicegirl. "

Lovey Mary smoothed out the crumpled letter in her pocket. "I'm 'fraidI ain't as good as you make me out, " she said despondently. 

"Oh, yes, she is, " said Miss Hazy, with unusual animation; "she's arale good girl, when she ain't sassy. "

This unexpected praise was too much for Lovey Mary. She snatched theletter from her pocket and threw it on the table, not daring to trusther good impulse to last beyond the minute. 

"'Miss Marietta Hazy, South Avenue and Railroad Crossing, '" read Mrs. Wiggs, in amazement. 

"Oh, surely it ain't got me on the back of it!" cried Miss Hazy, rising hurriedly from the machine and peering over her glasses. "Youopen it, Mis' Wiggs; I ain't got the nerve to. "

With chattering teeth and trembling hands Lovey Mary sat before heruntasted food. She could hear Tommy's laughter through the openwindow, and the sound brought tears to her eyes. But Mrs. Wiggs'svoice recalled her, and she nerved herself for the worst. 

_"Miss Hazy. _

"DEAR MISS [Mrs. Wiggs read from the large type-written sheet beforeher]: Why not study the planets and the heavens therein? In castingyour future, I find that thou wilt have an active and succesful yearfor business, but beware of the law. You are prudent and amiable andhave a lively emagination. You will have many ennemies; but fear not, for in love you will be faitful and sincer, and are fitted well fermarried life. "

"They surely ain't meanin' me?" asked Miss Hazy, in greatperturbation. 

"_Yes, ma'am_, " said Mrs. Wiggs, emphatically; "it's you, plainas day. Let's go on:

"Your star fortells you a great many lucky events. You are destined toa brilliant success, but you will have to earn it by good conduct. Letwise men lead you. Your mildness against the wretched will bring youthe friendship of everbody. Enclosed you will find a spirit picture ofyour future pardner. If you will send twenty-five cents with theenclosed card, which you will fill out, we will put you in directcorrespondance with the gentleman, and the degree ordained by theplanets will thus be fulfilled. Please show this circuler to yourfriends, and oblige

_"Astrologer. "_

As the reading proceeded, Lovey Mary's fears gradually diminished, andwith a sigh of relief she applied herself to her lunch. But if theletter had proved of no consequence to her, such was not the case withthe two women standing at the window. Miss Hazy was re-reading theletter, vainly trying to master the contents. 

"Mary, " she said, "git up an' see if you can find my other pair oflookin'-glasses. Seems like I can't git the sense of it. "

Mrs. Wiggs meanwhile was excitedly commenting on the charms of the"spirit picture":

"My, but he's siylish! Looks fer all the world like a' insuranceagent. Looks like he might be a little tall to his size, but I likestatute men better 'n dumpy ones. I bet he's got a lot of nicemanners. Ain't his smile pleasant!"

Miss Hazy seized the small picture with trembling fingers. "I don'tseem to git on to what it's all about, Mis' Wiggs. Ain't they made amistake or somethin'?"

"No, indeed; there's no mistake at all, " declared Mrs. Wiggs. "Yername's on the back, an' it's meant fer you. Someway yer name's got outas bein' single an' needin' takin' keer of, an' I reckon this here'strologer, or conjurer, or whatever he is, seen yer good fortune inthe stars an' jes wanted to let you know 'bout it. "

"Does he want to get married with her?" asked Lovey Mary, beginning torealize the grave importance of the subject under discussion. 

"Well, it may lead to that, " answered Mrs. Wiggs, hopefully. Surelyonly a beneficent Providence could have offered such an unexpectedsolution to the problem of Miss Hazy's future. 

Miss Hazy herself uttered faint protests and expostulations, but inspite of herself she was becoming influenced by Mrs. Wiggs'senthusiasm. 

"Oh, shoo!" she repeated again and again. "I ain't never had nothought of marryin'. "

"Course you ain't, " said Mrs. Wiggs. "Good enough reason: you ain'thad a show before. Seems to me you'd be flyin' straight in the face ofProvidence to refuse a stylish, sweet-smilin' man like that. "

"He is fine-lookin', " acknowledged Miss Hazy, trying not to appear toopleased; "only I wisht his years didn't stick out so much. "

Mrs. Wiggs was exasperated. 

"Lawsee! Miss Hazy, what do you think he'll think of yer figger? Haveyou got so much to brag on, that you kin go to pickin' him to pieces?Do you suppose I'd 'a' dared to judge Mr. Wiggs that away? Why, Mr. Wiggs's nose was as long as a clothespin; but I would no more 'a'thought of his nose without him than I would 'a' thought of himwithout the nose. "

"Well, what do you think I'd orter do 'bout it?" asked Miss Hazy. 

"I ain't quite made up my mind, " said her mentor. "I'll talk it overwith the neighbors. But I 'spect, if we kin skeer up a quarter, thatyou'll answer by the mornin's mail. "

That night Lovey Mary sat in her little attic room and held Tommyclose to her hungry heart. All day she worked with the thought ofcoming back to him at night; but with night came the dustman, and inspite of her games and stories Tommy's blue eyes would get full of thesleep-dust. Tonight, however, he was awake and talkative. 

"Ain't I dot no muvver?" he asked. 

"No, " said Lovey Mary, after a pause. 

"Didn't I never had no muvver?"

Lovey Mary sat him up in her lap and looked into his round, inquiringeyes. Her very love for him hardened her heart against the one who hadwronged him. 

"Yes, darling, you had a mother once, but she was a bad mother, amean, bad, wicked mother. I hate her--hate her!" Lovey Mary's voicebroke in a sob. 

"Ma--ry; aw, Ma--ry!" called Miss Hazy up the stairs. "You'll have tocome down here to Chris. He's went to sleep with all his clothes on'crost my bed, an' I can't git him up. "

Lovey Mary tucked Tommy under the cover and went to Miss Hazy'sassistance. 

"One night I had to set up all night 'cause he wouldn't git up, "complained Miss Hazy, in hopelessly injured tones. 

Lovey Mary wasted no time in idle coaxing. She seized a broom andrapped the sleeper sharply on the legs. His peg-stick was insensibleto this insult, but one leg kicked a feeble protest. In vain LoveyMary tried violent measures; Chris simply shifted his position andslumbered on. Finally she resorted to strategy:

"Listen, Miss Hazy! Ain't that the fire-engine?"

In a moment Chris was hanging half out of the window, demanding, "Where at?"

"You great big lazy boy!" scolded Lovey Mary, as she put Miss Hazy'sbed in order. "I'll get you to behaving mighty different if I stayhere long enough. What's this?" she added, pulling something fromunder Miss Hazy's pillow. 

"Oh, it ain't nothin', " cried Miss Hazy, reaching for it eagerly. ButLovey Mary had recognized the "spirit picture. "

CHAPTER VI

THE LOSING OF MR. STUBBINS

 "Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. "

If the Cabbage Patch had pinned its faith upon the efficiency of thematrimonial agency in regard to the disposal of Miss Hazy, it wasdoomed to disappointment. The events that led up to the finalcatastrophe were unique in that they cast no shadows before. 

[Illustration: "Mrs. Wiggs took pictures from her walls and chairsfrom her parlor to beautify the house of Hazy. "]

Miss Hazy's letters, dictated by Mrs. Wiggs and penned by Lovey Mary, were promptly and satisfactorily answered. The original of the spiritpicture proved to be one Mr. Stubbins, "a prominent citizen of BagdadJunction who desired to marry some one in the city. The lady must beof good character and without incumbrances. " "That's all right, " Mrs. Wiggs had declared; "you needn't have no incumbrances. If he'll takekeer of you, we'll all look after Chris. "

The wooing had been ideally simple. Mr. Stubbins, with the impetuosityof a new lover, demanded an early meeting. It was a critical time, andthe Cabbage Patch realized the necessity of making the firstimpression a favorable one. Mrs. Wiggs took pictures from her wallsand chairs from her parlor to beautify the house of Hazy. Old Mrs. Schultz, who was confined to her bed, sent over her black silk dressfor Miss Hazy to wear. Mrs. Eichorn, with deep insight into the natureof man, gave a pound-cake and a pumpkin-pie. Lovey Mary scrubbed, anddusted, and cleaned, and superintended the toilet of the bride elect. 

The important day had arrived, and with it Mr. Stubbins. To the manyeyes that surveyed him from behind shutters and half-open doors he wassomething of a disappointment. Mrs. Wiggs's rosy anticipations hadinvested him with the charms of an Apollo, while Mr. Stubbins, inreality, was far from godlike. "My land! he's lanker 'n a bean-pole, "exclaimed Mrs. Eichorn, in disgust. But then Mrs. Eichorn weighed twohundred, and her judgment was warped. Taking everything intoconsideration, the prospects had been most flattering. Mr. Stubbins, sitting in Mrs. Wiggs's most comfortable chair, with a large slice ofpumpkin-pie in his hand, and with Miss Hazy opposite arrayed in Mrs. Schultz's black silk, had declared himself ready to marry at once. AndMrs. Wiggs, believing that a groom in the hand is worth two in thebush, promptly precipitated the courtship into a wedding. 

[Illustration: "Mr. Stubbins, sitting in Mrs. Wiggs's most comfortablechair, with a large slice of pumpkin-pie in his hand"]

The affair proved the sensation of the hour, and "Miss Hazy's husband"was the cynosure of all eyes. For one brief week the honeymoon shedits beguiling light on the neighborhood, then it suffered a sudden andignominious eclipse. 

The groom got drunk. 

Mary was clearing away the supper-dishes when she was startled by acry from Miss Hazy:

"My sakes! Lovey Mary! Look at Mr. Stubbins a-comin' up the street! Doyou s'pose he's had a stroke?"

Lovey Mary ran to the window and beheld the "prominent citizen ofBagdad Junction" in a state of unmistakable intoxication. He wasbareheaded and hilarious, and used the fence as a life-preserver. MissHazy wrung her hands and wept. 

"Oh, what'll I do?" she wailed. "I do b'lieve he's had somethin' todrink. I ain't goin' to stay an' meet him, Mary; I'm goin' to hide. Ialways was skeered of drunken men. "

"I'm not, " said Mary, stoutly. "You go on up in my room and lock thedoor; I'm going to stay here and keep him from messing up thiskitchen. I want to tell him what I think of him, anyhow. I just hatethat man! I believe you do, too, Miss Hazy. "

Miss Hazy wept afresh. "Well, he ain't my kind, Mary. I know I'dhadn't orter marry him, but it 'pears like ever' woman sorter wants totry gittin' married oncet anyways. I never would 'a' done it, though, if Mrs. Wiggs hadn't 'a' sicked me on. "

By this time Mr. Stubbins had reached the yard, and Miss Hazy fled. Lovey Mary barricaded Tommy in a corner with his playthings and metthe delinquent at the door. Her eyes blazed and her cheeks wereaflame. This modern David had no stones and sling to slay her Goliath;she had only a vocabulary full of stinging words which she hurledforth with indignation and scorn. Mr. Stubbins had evidently beenabused before, for he paid no attention to the girl's wrath. He passedjauntily to the stove and tried to pour a cup of coffee; the hotliquid missed the cup and streamed over his wrist and hand. Howlingwith pain and swearing vociferously, he flung the coffee-pot out ofthe window, kicked a chair across the room, then turned upon Tommy, who was adding shrieks of terror to the general uproar. "Stop thatinfernal yelling!" he cried savagely, as he struck the child full inthe face with his heavy hand. 

Lovey Mary sprang forward and seized the poker. All the passion of herwild little nature was roused. She stole up behind him as he kneltbefore Tommy, and lifted the poker to strike. A pair of terrified blueeyes arrested her. Tommy forgot to cry, in sheer amazement at what shewas about to do. Ashamed of herself, she threw the poker aside, andtaking advantage of Mr. Stubbins's crouching position, she thrust himsuddenly backward into the closet. The manoeuver was a brilliant one, for while Mr. Stubbins was unsteadily separating himself from thedebris into which he had been cast, Lovey Mary slammed the door andlocked it. Then she picked up Tommy and fled out of the house andacross the yard. 

Mrs. Wiggs was sitting on her back porch pretending to knit, but intruth absorbed in a wild game of tag which the children were having onthe commons. "That's right, " she was calling excitedly--"that's right, Chris Hazy! You kin ketch as good as any of 'em, even if you have gota peg-stick. " But when she caught sight of Mary's white, distressedface and Tommy's streaming eyes, she dropped her work and held out herarms. When Mary had finished her story Mrs. Wiggs burst forth:

"An' to think I run her up ag'in' this! Ain't men deceivin'? Now I'd'a' risked Mr. Stubbins myself fer the askin'. It's true he was awidower, an' ma uster allays say, 'Don't fool with widowers, grass norsod. ' But Mr. Stubbins was so slick-tongued! He told me yesterday hehad to take liquor sometime fer his war enjury. "

"But, Mrs. Wiggs, what must we do?" asked Lovey Mary, too absorbed inthe present to be interested in the past. 

"Do? Why, we got to git Miss Hazy out of this here hole. It ain't nouse consultin' her; I allays have said talkin' to Miss Hazy was likepullin' out bastin'-threads: you jes take out what you put in. Me an'you has got to think out a plan right here an' now, then go to workan' carry it out. "

"Couldn't we get the agency to take him back?" suggested Mary. 

"No, indeed; they couldn't afford to do that. Lemme see, lemme see--"For five minutes Mrs. Wiggs rocked meditatively, soothing Tommy tosleep as she rocked. When she again spoke it was with inspiration:

"I've got it! It looks sometime, Lovey Mary, 's if I'd sorter caughtsome of Mr. Wiggs's brains in thinkin' things out. They ain't but onething to do with Miss Hazy's husband, an' we'll do it this verynight. "

"What, Mrs. Wiggs? What is it?" asked Lovey Mary, eagerly. 

"Why, to lose him, of course! We'll wait till Mr. Stubbins is deadasleep; you know men allays have to sleep off a jag like this. I'veseen Mr. Wiggs--I mean I've heared 'em say so many a time. Well, whenMr. Stubbins is sound asleep, you an' me an' Billy will drag him outto the railroad. "

Mrs. Wiggs's voice had sunk to a hoarse whisper, and her eyes lookedfierce in the twilight. 

Lovey Mary shuddered. 

"You ain't going to let the train run over him, are you?" she asked. 

"Lor', child, I ain't a 'sassinator! No; we'll wait till the midnightfreight comes along, an' when it stops fer water, we'll h'ist Mr. Stubbins into one of them empty cars. The train goes 'way out Westsomewheres, an' by the time Mr. Stubbins wakes up, he'll be so faraway from home he won't have no money to git back. "

"What'll Miss Hazy say?" asked Mary, giggling in nervous excitement. 

"Miss Hazy ain't got a thing to do with it, " replied Mrs. Wiggsconclusively. 

At midnight, by the dark of the moon, the unconscious groom was borneout of the Hazy cottage. Mrs. Wiggs carried his head, while BillyWiggs and Mary and Asia and Chris officiated at his arms and legs. Thebride surveyed the scene from the chinks of the upstairs shutters. 

Silently the little group waited until the lumbering freight trainslowed up to take water, then with a concerted effort they lifted theheavy burden into an empty car. As they shrank back into the shadow, Billy whispered to Lovey Mary:

"Say, what was that you put 'longside of him?"

Mary looked shamefaced. 

"It was just a little lunch-dinner, " she said apologetically; "itseemed sorter mean to send him off without anything to eat. "

"Gee!" said Billy. "You're a cur'us girl!"

The engine whistled, and the train moved thunderously away, bearing anunconscious passenger, who, as far as the Cabbage Patch was concerned, was henceforth submerged in the darkness of oblivion. 

CHAPTER VII

NEIGHBORLY ADVICE

"It's a poor business looking at the sun with a cloudy face. "

The long, hot summer days that followed were full of trials for LoveyMary. Day after day the great unwinking sun glared savagely down uponthe Cabbage Patch, upon the stagnant pond, upon the gleaming rails, upon the puffing trains that pounded by hour after hour. Each morningfound Lovey Mary trudging away to the factory, where she stood all daycounting and sorting and packing tiles. At night she climbed wearilyto her little room under the roof, and tried to sleep with a wet clothover her face to keep her from smelling the stifling car smoke. 

But it was not the heat and discomfort alone that made her cheeks thinand her eyes sad and listless: it was the burden on her conscience, which seemed to be growing heavier all the time. One morning Mrs. Wiggs took her to task for her gloomy countenance. They met at thepump, and, while the former's bucket was being filled, Lovey Maryleaned against a lamp-post and waited in a dejected attitude. 

"What's the matter with you?" asked Mrs. Wiggs. "What you lookin' sowilted about?"

Lovey Mary dug her shoe into the ground and said nothing. Many a timehad she been tempted to pour forth her story to this friendly mentor, but the fear of discovery and her hatred of Kate deterred her. 

Mrs. Wiggs eyed her keenly. "Pesterin' about somethin'?" she asked. 

"Yes, 'm, " said Lovey Mary, in a low tone. 

"Somethin' that's already did?"

"Yes, 'm"--still lower. 

"Did you think you was actin' fer the best?"

The girl lifted a pair of honest gray eyes. "Yes, ma'am, I did. "

"I bet you did!" said Mrs. Wiggs, heartily. "You ain't got a deceivin'bone in yer body. Now what you want to do is to brace up yer sperrits. The decidin'-time was the time fer worryin'. You've did what youthought was best; now you want to stop thinkin' 'bout it. You don'twant to go round turnin' folks' thoughts sour jes to look at you. Mostgirls that had white teeth like you would be smilin' to show 'em, iffer nothin' else. "

"I wisht I was like you, " said Lovey Mary. 

"Don't take it out in wishin'. If you want to be cheerful, jes set yermind on it an' do it. Can't none of us help what traits we start outin life with, but we kin help what we end up with. When things firstgot to goin' wrong with me, I says: 'O Lord, whatever comes, keep mefrom gittin' sour!' It wasn't fer my own sake I ast it, --some people'pears to enjoy bein' low-sperrited, --it was fer the childern an' Mr. Wiggs. Since then I've made it a practice to put all my worries downin the bottom of my heart, then set on the lid an' smile. "

"But you think ever'body's nice and good, " complained Lovey Mary. "Younever see all the meanness I do. "

"Don't I? I been watchin' old man Rothchild fer goin' on eleven year', tryin' to see some good in him, an' I never found it till the otherday when I seen him puttin' a splint on Cusmoodle's broken leg. He'sthe savagest man I know, yit he keered fer that duck as tender as awoman. But it ain't jes seein' the good in folks an' sayin' nicethings when you're feelin' good. The way to git cheerful is to smilewhen you feel bad, to think about somebody else's headache when yerown is 'most bustin', to keep on believin' the sun is a-shinin' whenthe clouds is thick enough to cut. Nothin' helps you to it likethinkin' more 'bout other folks than about yerself. "

"I think 'bout Tommy first, " said Lovey Mary. 

"Yes, you certainly do yer part by him. If my childern wore stockin'san' got as many holes in 'em as he does, I'd work buttonholes in 'emat the start fer the toes to come through. But even Tommy wantssomethin' besides darns. Why don't you let him go barefoot on Sundays, too, an' take the time you been mendin' fer him to play with him? Iwant to see them pretty smiles come back in yer face ag'in. "

In a subsequent conversation with Miss Hazy, Mrs. Wiggs took a moreserious view of Lovey Mary's depression. 

"She jes makes me wanter cry, she's so subdued-like. I never seeanybody change so in my life. It 'u'd jes be a relief to hear her sasssome of us like she uster. She told me she never had nobody make overher like we all did, an' it sorter made her 'shamed. Lawsee! ifkindness is goin' to kill her, I think we'd better fuss at her some. "

"'Pears to me like she's got nervous sensations, " said Miss Hazy; "shejumps up in her sleep, an' talks 'bout folks an' things I never hearedtell of. "

"That's exactly what ails her, " agreed Mrs. Wiggs: "it's nerves, MissHazy. To my way of thinkin', nerves is worser than tumors an' cancers. Look at old Mrs. Schultz. She's got the dropsy so bad you can't tellwhether she's settin' down or standin' up, yet she ain't got a nervein her body, an' has 'most as good a time as other folks. We can't letLovey Mary go on with these here nerves; no tellin' where they'll landher at. If it was jes springtime, I'd give her sulphur an' molassesan' jes a leetle cream of tartar; that, used along with egg-shell tea, is the outbeatenest tonic I ever seen. But I never would run ag'in'the seasons. Seems to me I've heared yallerroot spoke of fer killin'nerves. "

"I don't 'spect we could git no yallerroot round here. "

"What's the matter with Miss Viny? I bet it grows in her garden thickas hairs on a dog's back. Let's send Lovey Mary out there to git some, an' we'll jes repeat the dose on her till it takes some hold. "

"I ain't puttin' much stock in Miss Viny, " demurred Miss Hazy. "I'veheared she was a novelist reader, an' she ain't even a church-member. "

"An' do you set up to jedge her?" asked Mrs. Wiggs, in fine scorn. "Miss Viny's got more sense in her little finger than me an' you hasgot in our whole heads. She can doctor better with them yarbs of hersthan any physicianner I know. As to her not bein' a member, she livesright an' helps other folks, an' that's more than lots of membersdoes. Besides, " she added conclusively, "Mr. Wiggs himself wasn't nochurch-member. "

CHAPTER VIII

A DENOMINATIONAL GARDBN

 "Oh, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities; For naught so vile that on the earth doth live But to the earth some special good doth give. "

The following Sunday being decidedly cooler, Lovey Mary was startedoff to Miss Viny's in quest of yellowroot. She had protested that shewas not sick, but Miss Hazy, backed by Mrs. Wiggs, had insisted. 

"If you git down sick, it would be a' orful drain on me, " was MissHazy's final argument, and the point was effective. 

As Lovey Mary trudged along the railroad-tracks, she was unconsciousof the pleasant changes of scenery. The cottages became less frequent, and the bare, dusty commons gave place to green fields. Here and therea tree spread its branches to the breezes, and now and then a snatchof bird song broke the stillness. But Lovey Mary kept gloomily on herway, her eyes fixed on the cross-ties. The thoughts surging throughher brain were dark enough to obscure even the sunshine. For threenights she had cried herself to sleep, and the "nervous sensations"were getting worse instead of better. 

"Just two months since Kate was hurt, " she said to herself. "Soon asshe gets out the hospital she'll be trying to find us again. I believeshe was coming to the factory looking for me when she got run over. She'd just like to take Tommy away and send me to jail. Oh, I hate herworse all the time! I wish she was--"

The wish died on her lips, for she suddenly realized that it mightalready have been fulfilled. Some one coughed near by, and she startedguiltily. 

"You seem to be in a right deep steddy, " said a voice on the otherside of the fence. 

Lovey Mary glanced up and saw a queer-looking old woman smiling at herquizzically. A pair of keen eyes twinkled under bushy brows, and afierce little beard bristled from her chin. When she smiled it madeLovey Mary think of a pebble dropped in a pool, for the wrinkles wentrippling off from her mouth in ever-widening circles until they werelost in the gray hair under her broad-brimmed hat. 

"Are you Miss Viny?" asked Lovey Mary, glancing at the old-fashionedflower-garden beyond. 

"Well, I been that fer sixty year'; I ain't heared of no change, "answered the old lady. 

"Miss Hazy sent me after some yellowroot, " said Lovey Mary, listlessly. 

"Who fer?"

"Me. "

Miss Viny took a pair of large spectacles from her pocket, put them onthe tip of her nose, and looked over them critically at Lovey Mary. 

"Stick out yer tongue. "

Lovey Mary obeyed. 

"Uh-huh. It's a good thing I looked. You don't no more need yallerrootthan a bumblebee. You come in here on the porch an' tell me what'sailin' you, an' I'll do my own prescriptin'. "

Lovey Mary followed her up the narrow path, that ran between a mass offlowers. Snowy oleanders, yellow asters, and purple phlox crowdedtogether in a space no larger than Miss Hazy's front yard. Lovey Maryforgot her troubles in sheer delight in seeing so many flowerstogether. 

"Do you love 'em, too?" asked Miss Viny, jerking her thumb over hershoulder. 

"I guess I would if I had a chance. I never saw them growing out ofdoors like this. I always had to look at them through the storewindows. "

"Oh, law, don't talk to me 'bout caged-up flowers! I don't b'lieve inshuttin' a flower up in a greenhouse any more 'n I b'lieve in shuttin'myself up in one church. "

Lovey Mary remembered what Miss Hazy had told her of Miss Viny'spernicious religious views, and she tried to change the subject. ButMiss Viny was started upon a favorite theme and was not to bediverted. 

"This here is a denominational garden, an' I got every congregation Iever heared of planted in it. I ain't got no faverite bed. I keer fer'em all jes alike. When you come to think of it, the same rule holdsgood in startin' a garden as does in startin' a church. You first gotto steddy what sort of soil you goin' to work with, then you have tosum up all the things you have to fight ag'inst. Next you choose whatflowers are goin' to hold the best places. That's a mighty importantquestion in churches, too, ain't it? Then you go to plantin', thethicker the better, fer in both you got to allow fer a mighty fallin'off. After that you must take good keer of what you got, an' be sureto plant something new each year. Once in a while some of the oldgrowths has to be thinned out, and the new upstarts an' suckers has tobe pulled up. Now, if you'll come out here I'll show you round. "

She started down the path, and Lovey Mary, somewhat overwhelmed bythis oration, followed obediently. 

"These here are the Baptists, " said Miss Viny, waving her hand towarda bed of heliotrope and flags. "They want lots of water; like to bewet clean through. They sorter set off to theyselves an' tend to theirown business; don't keer much 'bout minglin' with the other flowers. "

Lovey Mary did not understand very clearly what Miss Viny was talkingabout, but she was glad to follow her in the winding paths, where newbeauties were waiting at every turn. 

"These is geraniums, ain't they? One of the girls had one, once, in aflower-pot when she was sick. "

"Yes, " said Miss Viny; "they're Methodist. They fall from grace an'has to be revived; they like lots of encouragement in the way of sunan' water. These phlox are Methodist, too; no set color, easy to grow, hardy an' vigorous. Pinchin' an' cuttin' back the shoots makes itflower all the better; needs new soil every few years; now ain't thatMethodist down to the ground?"

"Are there any Presbyterians?" asked Lovey Mary, beginning to graspMiss Viny's meaning. 

"Yes, indeed; they are a good, old, reliable bed. Look at all theseroses an' tiger-lilies an' dahlias; they all knew what they was goin'to be afore they started to grow. They was elected to it, an' they'llkeep on bein' what they started out to be clean to the very end. "

"I know about predestination, " cried Lovey Mary, eagerly. "Miss Bellused to tell us all those things. "

"Who did?"

Lovey Mary flushed crimson. "A lady I used to know, " she saidevasively. 

Miss Viny crossed the garden, and stopped before a bed of statelylilies and azaleas. "These are 'Piscopals, " she explained. "Ain't theytony? Jes look like they thought their bed was the only one in thegarden. Somebody said that a lily didn't have no pore kin among theflowers. It ain't no wonder they 'most die of dignity. They're likethe 'Piscopals in more ways 'n one; both hates to be disturbed, bothlikes some shade, an'"--confidentially--"both air pretty pernickity. But to tell you the truth, ain't nothin' kin touch 'em when it comesto beauty! I think all the other beds is proud of 'em, if you'd cometo look into it. Why, look at weddin's an' funerals! Don't all thechurches call in the 'Piscopals an' the lilies on both themoccasions?"

Lovey Mary nodded vaguely. 

"An' here, " continued Miss Viny, "are the Unitarians. You may bes'prised at me fer havin' 'em in here, 'long with the orthodoxchurches; but if the sun an' the rain don't make no distinction, Idon't see what right I got to put 'em on the other side of the fence. These first is sweet-william, as rich in bloom as the Unitarian is ingood works, a-sowin' theyselves constant, an' every little plant a-puttin' out a flower. "

"Ain't there any Catholics?" asked Lovey Mary. 

"Don't you see them hollyhawks an' snowballs an' laylacs? All of themare Catholics, takin' up lots of room an' needin' the prunin'-knifepretty often, but bringin' cheer and brightness to the whole gardenwhen it needs it most. Yes, I guess you'd have trouble thinkin' of anysect I ain't got planted. Them ferns over in the corner is Quakers. Iain't never seen no Quakers, but they tell me that they don't b'lievein flowerin' out; that they like coolness an' shade an' quiet, an' arejes the same the year round. These colea plants are the apes; they areall things to all men, take on any color that's round 'em, kin be theworst kind of Baptists or Presbyterians, but if left to theyselvesthey run back to good-fer-nothin's. This here everlastin' is one ofthese here Christians that's so busy thinkin' 'bout dyin' that hefergits to live. "

Miss Viny chuckled as she crumbled the dry flower in her fingers. 

"See how different this is, " she said, plucking a sprig of lemon-verbena. "This an' the mint an' the sage an' the lavender is all trueChristians; jes by bein' touched they give out a' influence that makesthe whole world a sweeter place to live in. But, after all, they can'tall be alike! There's all sorts of Christians: some stands fersunshine, some fer shade; some fer beauty, some fer use; some up high, some down low. There's jes one thing all the flowers has to unite infightin' ag'inst--that's the canker-worm, Hate. If it once gits in aplant, no matter how good an' strong that plant may be, it eats rightdown to its heart. "

"How do you get it out, Miss Viny?" asked Lovey Mary, earnestly. 

"Prayer an' perseverance. If the Christian'll do his part, God'll dohis'n. You see, I'm tryin' to be to these flowers what God is to hischurches. The sun, which answers to the Sperrit, has to shine on 'emall, an' the rain, which answers to God's mercy, has to fall on 'emall. I jes watch 'em, an' plan fer 'em, an' shelter 'em, an' love 'em, an' if they do their part they're bound to grow. Now I'm goin' to cutyou a nice bo'quet to carry back to the Cabbage Patch. "

So engrossed were the two in selecting and arranging the flowers thatneither thought of the yellowroot or its substitute. Nevertheless, asLovey Mary tramped briskly back over the railroad-ties with her burdenof blossoms, she bore a new thought in her heart which was destined tobring about a surer cure than any of Miss Viny's most efficient herbs. 

CHAPTER IX

LABOR DAY

 "And cloudy the day, or stormy the night, The sky of her heart was always bright. "

"It wouldn't s'prise me none if we had cyclones an' tornadoes byevenin', it looks so thundery outdoors. "

It was inconsiderate of Miss Hazy to make the above observation in thevery face of the most elaborate preparations for a picnic, but MissHazy's evil predictions were too frequent to be effective. 

"I'll scurry round an' git another loaf of bread, " said Mrs. Wiggs, briskly, as she put a tin pail into the corner of the basket. "LoveyMary, you put in the eggs an' git them cookies outen the stove. Ipromised them boys a picnic on Labor Day, an' we are goin' if itsnows. "

"Awful dangerous in the woods when it storms, " continued Miss Hazy. "Iheared of a man oncet that would go to a picnic in the rain, and hegot struck so bad it burned his shoes plump off. "

"Must have been the same man that got drownded, when he was little, fer goin' in swimmin' on Sunday, " answered Mrs. Wiggs, wiping herhands on her apron. 

"Mebbe 't was, " said Miss Hazy. 

Lovey Mary vibrated between the door and the window, alternatingbetween hope and despair. She had set her heart on the picnic with thesame intensity of desire that had characterized her yearning forgoodness and affection and curly hair. 

"I believe there is a tiny speck more blue, " she said, scanning theheavens for the hundredth time. 

"Course there is!" cried Mrs. Wiggs, "an' even if there ain't, we'llhave the picnic anyway. I b'lieve in havin' a good time when you startout to have it. If you git knocked out of one plan, you want to gityerself another right quick, before yer sperrits has a chance to fall. Here comes Jake an' Chris with their baskets. Suppose you rench offyer hands an' go gether up the rest of the childern. I 'spect Billy'sdone hitched up by this time. "

At the last moment Miss Hazy was still trying to make up her mindwhether or not she would go. "Them wheels don't look none too stiddyfer sich a big load, " she said cautiously. 

"Them wheels is a heap sight stiddier than your legs, " declared Mrs. Wiggs. 

"An' there ain't a meeker hoss in Kentucky than Cuby. He looks like hemight 'a' belonged to a preacher 'stid of bein' a broken-down engine-hoss. "

An unforeseen delay was occasioned by a heated controversy betweenLovey Mary and Tommy concerning the advisability of taking Cusmoodle. 

"There ain't more than room enough to squeeze you in, Tommy, " shesaid, "let alone that fat old duck. "

"'T ain't a fat old duck. "

"'T is, too! He sha'n't go. You'll have to stay at home yourself ifyou can't be good. "

"I feel like I was doin' to det limber, " threatened Tommy. 

Mrs. Wiggs recognized a real danger. She also knew that discretion wasthe better part of valor. "Here's a nice little place up here by me, jes big enough fer you an' Cusmoodle. You kin set on the basket; itwon't mash nothin'. If we're packed in good an' tight, can't none ofus fall out. "

When the last basket was stored away, the party started off in glee, leaving Miss Hazy still irresolute in the doorway, declaring that "shealmost wisht she had 'a' went. "

The destination had not been decided upon, so it was discussed as thewagon jolted along over the cobblestones. 

"Let's go out past Miss Viny's, " suggested Jake; "there's a bullywoods out there. "

"Aw, no! Let's go to Tick Creek an' go in wadin'. "

Mrs. Wiggs, seated high above the party and slapping the reins onCuba's back, allowed the lively debate to continue until troublethreatened, then she interfered:

"I think it would be nice to go over to the cemetery. We'd have tocross the city, but when you git out there there's plenty of grass an'trees, an' it runs right 'longside the river. "

The proximity of the river decided the matter. 

"I won't hardly take a swim!" said Jake, going through the motions, tothe discomfort of the two little girls who were hanging their feetfrom the back of the wagon. 

"I'm afraid it's going to rain so hard that you can take your swimbefore you get there, " said Lovey Mary, as the big drops began tofall. 

The picnic party huddled on the floor of the wagon in a state of greatmerriment, while Mrs. Wiggs spread an old quilt over as many of themas it would cover. 

"'T ain't nothin' but a summer shower, " she said, holding her head onone side to keep the rain from driving in her face. "I 'spect the sunis shinin' at the cemetery right now. "

As the rickety wagon, with its drenched and shivering load, rattledacross Main street, an ominous sound fell upon the air:

_One--two--three! One--two!_

Mrs. Wiggs wrapped the lines about her wrists and braced herself forthe struggle. But Cuba had heard the summons, his heart had respondedto the old call, and with one joyous bound he started for the fire. 

"Hold on tight!" yelled Mrs. Wiggs. "Don't none of you fall out. Whoa, Cuby! Whoa! I'll stop him in a minute. Hold tight!"

Cuba kicked the stiffness out of his legs, and laying his ears back, raced valiantly for five squares neck and neck with the engine-horses. But the odds were against him; Mrs. Wiggs and Chris sawing on oneline, and Billy and Jake pulling on the other, proved too heavy ahandicap. Within sight of the fire he came to a sudden halt. 

"It's the lumber-yards!" called Chris, climbing over the wheels. "Looks like the whole town's on fire. "

"Let's unhitch Cuby an' tie him, an' stand in the wagon an' watch it, "cried Mrs. Wiggs, in great excitement. 

The boys were not content to be stationary, so they rushed away, leaving Mrs. Wiggs and the girls, with Tommy and the duck, to view theconflagration at a safe distance. 

For two hours the fire raged, leaping from one stack of lumber toanother, and threatening the adjacent buildings. Every fire-engine inthe department was called out, the commons were black with people, andthe excitement was intense. 

"Ain't you glad we come!" cried Lovey Mary, dancing up and down in thewagon. 

"We never come. We was brought, " said Asia. 

Long before the fire was under control the sun had come through theclouds and was shining brightly. Picnics, however, were not to beconsidered when an attraction like this was to be had. When the boysfinally came straggling back the fire was nearly out, the crowd haddispersed, and only the picnic party was left on the commons. 

"It's too late to start to the cemetery, " said Mrs. Wiggs, thoughtfully. "What do you all think of havin' the picnic right herean' now?"

The suggestion was regarded as nothing short of an inspiration. 

"The only trouble, " continued Mrs. Wiggs, "is 'bout the water. Wherewe goin' to git any to drink? I know one of the firemen, Pete Jenkins;if I could see him I'd ast him to pour us some outen the hose. "

"Gimme the pail; I'll go after him, " cried Jake. 

"Naw, you don't; I'm a-goin'. It's my maw that knows him, " said Billy. 

"That ain't nothin'. My uncle knows the chief of police! Can't I go, Mrs. Wiggs?"

Meanwhile Chris had seized the hint and the bucket, and was off insearch of Mr. Peter Jenkins, whose name would prove an open sesame tothat small boy's paradise--the engine side of the rope. 

The old quilt, still damp, was spread on the ground, and around it satthe picnic party, partaking ravenously of dry sandwiches and cheeseand cheer. Such laughing and crowding and romping as there was! Jakegave correct imitations of everybody in the Cabbage Patch, Chris didsome marvelous stunts with his wooden leg, and Lovey Mary sang everyfunny song that she knew. Mrs. Wiggs stood in the wagon above them, and dispensed hospitality as long as it lasted. Cuba, hitched to afence near by, needed no material nourishment. He was contentedlysniffing the smoke-filled air, and living over again the days of hisyouth. 

When the party reached home, tired and grimy, they were stillenthusiastic over the fine time they had had. 

"It's jes the way I said, " proclaimed Mrs. Wiggs, as she drove up witha flourish; "you never kin tell which way pleasure is a-comin'. Whoever would 'a' thought, when we aimed at the cemetery, that we'd landup at a first-class fire?"

CHAPTER X

A TIMELY VISIT

 "The love of praise, howe'er concealed by art, Reigns more or less, and glows in ev'ry heart. "

Weeks and months slipped by, and the Cabbage Patch ate breakfast andsupper by lamplight. Those who could afford it were laying in theirwinter coal, and those who could not were providently pasting brownpaper over broken window-panes, and preparing to keep Jack Frost atbay as long as possible. 

One Saturday, as Lovey Mary came home from the factory, she saw awell-dressed figure disappearing in the distance. 

"Who is that lady?" she demanded suspiciously of Europena Wiggs, whowas swinging violently on the gate. 

"'T ain't no lady, " said Europena. "It's my Sunday-school teacher. "

"Mrs. Redding?"

"Uh-huh. She wants Asia to come over to her house this evenin'. "

"Wisht I could go, " said Lovey Mary. 

"Why can't you?" asked Mrs. Wiggs, coming to the open door. "Asiawould jes love to show Mrs. Reddin' how stylish you look in that reddress. I'll curl yer hair on the poker if you want me to. "

Any diversion from the routine of work was acceptable, so late thatafternoon the two girls, arrayed in their best garments, started forthto call on the Reddings. 

"I wisht I had some gloves, " said Lovey Mary, rubbing her bluefingers. 

"If I'd 'a' thought about it I'd 'a' made you some before we started. It don't take no time. " Asia held out her hands, which were coveredwith warm red mitts. "I make 'em outen Billy's old socks after thefeet's wore off. "

"I don't see how you know how to do so many things!" said Lovey Mary, admiringly. 

[Illustration: "Asia held out her hands, which were covered with warmred mitts. "]

"'T ain't nothin', " disclaimed Asia, modestly. "It's jes the way mawbrought us up. Whenever we started out to do a thing she made usfinish it someway or 'nother. Oncet when we was all little we lived inthe country. She sent Billy out on the hoss to git two watermelon, an'told him fer him not to come home without 'em. When Billy got out tothe field he found all the watermelon so big he couldn't carry one, let alone two. What do you think he done?"

"Come home without 'em?"

"No, sir, he never! He jes set on the fence an' thought awhile, thenhe took off en his jeans pants an' put a watermelon in each leg an'hanged 'em 'crost old Rollie's back an' come ridin' home barelegged. "

"I think he's the nicest boy in the Cabbage Patch, " said Lovey Mary, laughing over the incident. "He never does tease Tommy. "

"That's 'cause he likes you. He says you've got grit. He likes the wayyou cleaned up Miss Hazy an' stood up to Mr. Stubbins. "

A deeper color than even the fresh air warranted came into LoveyMary's cheeks, and she walked on for a few minutes in pleased silence. 

"Don't you want to wear my gloves awhile?" asked Asia. 

"No; my hands ain't cold any more, " said Lovey Mary. 

As they turned into Terrace Park, with its beautiful grounds, itsfountains and statuary, Asia stopped to explain. 

"Jes rich folks live over here. That there is the Reddin's' house, thebig white one where them curbstone ladies are in the yard. I wisht youcould git a peek in the parlor; they've got chairs made outer realgold, an' strandaliers that look like icicles all hitched together. "

"Do they set on the gold chairs?"

"No, indeed; the legs is too wabbly fer that. I reckon they're jes toshow how rich they are. This here is where the carriage drives in. Their hired man wears a high-style hat, an' a fur cape jes like Mrs. Reddin's. "

"I 'spect they have turkey every day, don't they, Asia?"

Before Asia's veracity was tested to the limit, the girls werestartled by the sudden appearance of an excited housemaid at the sidedoor. 

"Simmons! Simmons!" she screamed. "Oh, where is that man? I'll have togo for somebody myself. " And without noticing the girls, she ranhastily down the driveway. 

Asia, whose calmness was seldom ruffled, led the way into the entry. "That's the butter's pantry, " she said, jerking her thumb over hershoulder. 

"Don't they keep nothing in it but butter?" gasped Lovey Mary. 

"Reckon not. They've got a great big box jes fer ice; not anotherthing goes in it. "

Another maid ran down the steps, calling Simmons. 

Asia, a frequent visitor at the house, made her way unconcernedly upto the nursery. On the second floor there was great confusion; thetelephone was ringing, servants were hurrying to and fro. 

"He'll choke to death before the doctor gets here!" they heard thenurse say as she ran through the hall. From the open nursery door theycould hear the painful gasps and coughs of a child in great distress. 

Asia paused on the landing, but Lovey Mary darted forward. The motherinstinct, ever strong within her, had responded instantly to the needof the child. In the long, dainty room full of beautiful things, sheonly saw the terrified baby on his mother's lap, his face purple, hiseyes distended, as he fought for his breath. 

[Illustration: "Master Robert Redding was right side up again, sobbinghimself quiet in Lovey Mary's arms. "]

Without a word she sprang forward, and grasping the child by his feet, held him at arm's-length and shook him violently. Mrs. Reddingscreamed, and the nurse, who was rushing in with hot milk, dropped thecup in horror. But a tiny piece of hard candy lay on the floor, andMaster Robert Redding was right side up again, sobbing himself quietin Lovey Mary's arms. 

After the excitement had subsided, and two doctors and Mr. Redding hadarrived breathless upon the scene, Mrs. Redding, for the dozenth time, lavished her gratitude upon Lovey Mary:

"And to think you saved my precious baby! The doctor said it was theonly thing that could have saved him, yet we four helpless women hadno idea what to do. How did you know, dear? Where did you ever see itdone!"

Lovey Mary, greatly abashed, faced the radiant parents, the two portlydoctors, and the servants in the background. 

"I learned on Tommy, " she said in a low voice. "He swallered a pennyonce that we was going to buy candy with. I didn't have another, so Ihad to shake it out. "

During the laugh that followed, she and Asia escaped, but not beforeMr. Redding had slipped a bill into her hand, and the beautiful Mrs. Redding had actually given her a kiss!

CHAPTER XI

THE CHRISTMAS PLAY

 "Not failure, but low aim, is crime. "

As the holiday season approached, a rumor began to be circulated thatthe Cabbage Patch Sunday-school would have an entertainment as well asa Christmas tree. The instigator of this new movement was JakeSchultz, whose histrionic ambition had been fired during hisapprenticeship as "super" at the opera-house. 

"I know a man what rents costumes, an' the promp'-books to go with'em, " he said to several of the boys one Sunday afternoon. "If we allchip in we kin raise the price, an' git it back easy by chargin'admittance. "

"Aw, shucks!" said Chris. "We don't know nothin' 'bout play-actin'. "

"We kin learn all right, " said Billy Wiggs. "I bid to be the fellerthat acts on the trapeze. "

The other boys approving of the plan, it was agreed that Jake shouldcall on the costumer at his earliest convenience. 

One night a week later Lovey Mary was getting supper when she heard animperative rap on the door. It was Jake Schultz. He mysteriouslybeckoned her out on the steps, and closed the door behind them. 

"Have you ever acted any?" he asked. 

"I used to say pieces at the home, " said Lovey Mary, forgettingherself. 

"Well, do you think you could take leadin' lady in the entertainment?"

[Illustration: "'Have you ever acted any?' he asked. "]

Lovey Mary had no idea what the lady was expected to lead, but sheknew that she was being honored, and she was thrilled at the prospect. 

"I know some arm-exercises, and I could sing for them, " she offered. 

"Oh, no, " explained Jake; "it's a play, a reg'lar theayter play. I gotthe book and the costumes down on Market street. The man didn't havebut this one set of costumes on hand, so I didn't have no choice. It'sa bully play, all right, though! I seen it oncet, an' I know how itall ought to go. It's named 'Forst, ' er somethin' like that. I'm goin'to be the devil, an' wear a red suit, an' have my face all streakedup. Billy he's goin' to be the other feller what's stuck on the girl. He tole me to ast you to be her. Your dress is white with cords an'tassels on it, an' the sleeves ain't sewed up. Reckon you could learnthe part? We ain't goin' to give it all. "

"I can learn anything!" cried Lovey Mary, recklessly. "Already knowthe alphabet and the Lord's Prayer backward. Is the dress short-sleeve? And does it drag in the back when you walk?"

"Yep, " said Jake, "an' the man said you was to plait your hair in twoparts an' let 'em hang over your shoulders. I don't see why itwouldn't be pretty for you to sing somethin', too. Ever'body is sostuck on yer singin'. "

"All right, " said Lovey Mary, enthusiastically; "you bring the bookover and show me where my part's at. And, Jake, " she called as hestarted off, "you tell Billy I'll be glad to. "

For the next ten days Lovey Mary dwelt in Elysium. The prompt-book, the rehearsals, the consultations, filled the spare moments and threwa glamour over the busy ones. Jake, with his vast experience andunlimited knowledge of stage-craft, appealed to her in everything. Hesat on a barrel and told how they did things "up to the opery-house, "and Lovey Mary, seizing his suggestions with burning zeal, refittedthe costumes, constructed scenery, hammered her own nails as well asthe iron ones, and finally succeeded in putting into practice hisrather vague theories. For the first time in her life she was a personof importance. 

Besides her numerous other duties she prepared an elaborate costumefor Tommy. This had caused her some trouble, for Miss Hazy, who wassent to buy the goods for the trousers, exercised unwise economy inbuying two remnants which did not match in color or pattern. 

"Why didn't you put your mind on it, Miss Hazy?" asked Lovey Mary, making a heroic effort to keep her temper. "You might have known Icouldn't take Tommy to the show with one blue leg and one brown one. What must I do?"

Miss Hazy sat dejectedly in the corner, wiping her eyes on her apron. "You might go ast Mis' Wiggs, " she suggested as a forlorn hope. 

When Mrs. Wiggs was told the trouble she smiled reassuringly. Emergencies were to her the spice of life; they furnishedopportunities for the expression of her genius. 

"Hush cryin', Miss Hazy; there ain't a speck of harm did. Mary kinmake the front outen one piece an' the back outen the other. Nobodywon't never know the difference, 'cause Tommy can't be goin' an'comin' at the same time. "

The result was highly satisfactory, that is, to everybody but Tommy. He complained that there "wasn't no room to set down. "

On Christmas night the aristocracy of the Cabbage Patch assembled inthe school-house to enjoy the double attraction of a Christmas treeand an entertainment. Mr. Rothchild, who had arranged the tree for thelast ten years, refused to have it moved from its accustomed place, which was almost in the center of the platform. He had been earnestlyremonstrated with, but he and the tree remained firm. Mrs. Rothchildand all the little Rothchildren had climbed in by the window beforethe doors were open in order to secure the front seats. Immediatelybehind them sat the Hazys and the Wiggses. 

"That there is the seminary student gittin' up now, " whispered Mrs. Wiggs. "He's goin' to call out the pieces. My land! ain't he washedout? Looks like he'd go into a trance fer fifty cents. Hush, Australia! don't you see he is goin' to pray?"

After the opening prayer, the young preacher suggested that, as longas the speakers were not quite ready, the audience should "raise ahymn. "

"He's got a fine voice, " whispered Miss Hazy; "I heared 'em say he wasthe gentleman soprano at a down-town church. "

When the religious exercises were completed, the audience settled intoa state of pleasurable anticipation. 

"The first feature of the entertainment, " announced the preacher, "will be a song by Miss Europena Wiggs. "

[Illustration: "Europena stepped forward. "]

Europena stepped forward and, with hands close to her sides andanguished eyes on the ceiling, gasped forth the agonized query:

 "Can she make a cheery-pie, Billy boy, Billy boy? Can she make a cheery-pie, Charming Billy?"

Notwithstanding the fact that there were eight verses, an encore wasdemanded. Mrs. Wiggs rose in her seat and beckoned vehemently toEuropena. "Come on back!" she motioned violently with her lips. "Theywant you to come back. "

Europena, in a state of utter bewilderment, returned to the stage. 

"Say another speech!" whispered Mrs. Wiggs, leaning over so far thatshe knocked Mrs. Rothchild's bonnet awry. Still Europena stood there, an evident victim of lockjaw. 

"'I have a little finger, '" prompted her mother frantically from thesecond row front. 

A single ray of intelligence flickered for a moment over the child'sface, and with a supreme effort she said:

 "I have a little finger, An' I have a little beau; When I get a little bigger I'll have a little toe. "

"Well, she got it all in, " said Mrs. Wiggs, in a relieved tone, asEuropena was lifted down. 

After this, other little girls came forward and made someunintelligible remarks concerning Santa Claus. It was with somedifficulty that they went through their parts, for Mr. Rothchild keptgetting in the way as he calmly and uncompromisingly continued to hangcornucopias on the tree. Songs and recitations followed, but even theyoungest spectator realized that these were only preliminaryskirmishes. 

At last a bell rang. Two bedspreads. Which served as curtains weremajestically withdrawn. A sigh of admiration swept the room. "Ain't hecute!" whispered a girl in the rear, as Billy rose resplendent in pinktights and crimson doublet, and folding his arms high on his breast, recited in a deep voice:

 "I have, alas! philosophy, Medicine, jurisprudence too, And, to my cost, theology With ardent labor studied through. "

"I don't see no sense in what he's sayin' at all, " whispered MissHazy. 

"It's jes what was in the book, " answered Mrs. Wiggs, "'cause I hearedhim repeat it off before supper. "

The entrance of Jake awakened the flagging interest. Nobody understoodwhat he said either, but he made horrible faces, and waved his redarms, and caused a pleasant diversion. 

"Maw, what's John Bagby a-handin' round in that little saucer?" askedAustralia. 

"Fer the mercy sake! I don't know, " answered her mother, craning herneck to see. 

John, with creaking footsteps, tiptoed to the front of the stage, andstooping down, began to mix a concoction in a plate. Many stood up tosee what he was doing, and conjecture was rife. _Mephisto_ and _Faust_were forgotten until Jake struck a heroic pose, and grasping Billy'sarm, said hoarsely:

"Gaze, Faustis, gaze into pairdition!"

John put a match to the powder, a bright red light filled the room, and the audience, following the index-finger of the impassioned_Mephisto_, gazed into the placid, stupid faces of four meek littleboys on the mourners' bench. 

[Illustration: "Sang in a high, sweet voice, 'I Need Thee EveryHour'"]

Before the violent coughing caused by the calcium fumes had ceased, avision in white squeezed past Mr. Rothchild and came slowly down tothe edge of the platform. It was Lovey Mary as _Marguerite_. Her longdress swept about her feet, her heavy hair hung in thick braids overboth shoulders, and a burning red spot glowed on each cheek. For amoment she stood as Jake had directed, with head thrown back and eyescast heavenward, then she began to recite. The words poured from herlips with a volubility that would have shamed an auctioneer. It was along part, full of hard words, but she knew it perfectly and wasdetermined to show how fast she could say it without making a mistake. It was only when she finished that she paused for breath. Then sheturned slowly, and stretching forth appealing arms to _Faust_, sang ina high, sweet voice, "I Need Thee Every Hour. "

The effect was electrical. At last the Cabbage Patch understood whatwas going on. The roof rang with applause. Even Mr. Rothchild heldaside his strings of pop-corn to let _Marguerite_ pass out. 

"S' more! S' more!" was the cry. "Sing it ag'in!"

Jake stepped before the curtain. "If our friends is willin', " he said, "we'll repeat over the last ak. "

Again Lovey Mary scored a triumph. John Bagby burned the rest of thecalcium powder during the last verse, and the entertainment concludedin a prolonged cheer. 

CHAPTER XII

REACTION

"Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie. "

When the paint and powder had been washed off, and Tommy had withdifficulty been extracted from his new trousers and put to bed, LoveyMary sat before the little stove and thought it all over. It had beenthe very happiest time of her whole life. How nice it was to bepraised and made much of! Mrs. Wiggs had started it by callingeverybody's attention to her good points; then Mrs. Redding had soughther out and shown her continued attention; to-night was the greatclimax. Her name had been on every tongue, her praises sung on everyside, and Billy Wiggs had given her everything he got off theChristmas tree. 

"I wisht I deserved it all, " she said, as she got up to pull theblanket closer about Tommy. "I've tried to be good. I guess I ambetter in some ways, but not in all--not in all. " She knelt by the bedand held Tommy's hand to her cheek. "Sometimes he looks like Kate whenhe's asleep like this. I wonder if she's got well? I wonder if sheever misses him?"

For a long time she knelt there, holding the warm little hand in hers. The play, the success, the applause, were all forgotten, and in theirplace was a shame, a humiliation, that brought the hot tears to hereyes. 

"I ain't what they think I am, " she whispered brokenly. "I'm a mean, bad girl after all. The canker-worm's there. Miss Viny said therenever would be a sure-'nough beautiful flower till the canker-worm waskilled. But I want to be good; I want to be what they think I am!"

Again and again the old thoughts of Kate rose to taunt and madden her. But a new power was at work; it brought new thoughts of Kate, of Katesick and helpless, of Kate without friends and lonely, calling for herbaby. Through the night the battle raged within her. When the firstgray streaks showed through the shutters, Lovey Mary cleaned her roomand put on her Sunday dress. "I'll be a little late to the factory, "she explained to Miss Hazy at breakfast, "for I've got to go on a'errand. "

It was an early hour for visitors at the city hospital, but when LoveyMary stated her business she was shown to Kate's ward. At the far endof the long room, with her bandaged head turned to the wall, lay Kate. When the nurse spoke to her she turned her head painfully, and lookedat them listlessly with great black eyes that stared forth from a facewasted and wan from suffering. 

"Kate!" said Lovey Mary, leaning across the bed and touching her hand. "Kate, don't you know me?"

The pale lips tightened over the prominent white teeth. "Well, I swan, Lovey Mary, where'd you come from?" Not waiting for an answer, shecontinued querulously: "Say, can't you get me out of this holesomeway? But even if I had the strength to crawl, I wouldn't have noplace to go. Can't you take me away? Anywhere would do. "

Lovey Mary's spirits fell; she had nerved herself for a greatsacrifice, had decided to do her duty at any cost; but thinking of itbeforehand in her little garret room, with Tommy's hand in hers, andKate Rider a mere abstraction, was very different from facing the realissue, with the old, selfish, heartless Kate in flesh and blood beforeher. She let go of Kate's hand. 

"Don't you want to know about Tommy?" she asked. "I've come to say Iwas sorry I run off with him. "

"It was mighty nervy in you. I knew you'd take good care of him, though. But say! you can get me away from this, can't you? I ain't gota friend in the world nor a cent of money. But I ain't going to stayhere, where there ain't nothing to do, and I get so lonesome I 'mostdie. I'd rather set on a street corner and run a hand-organ. Where areyou and Tommy at?"

"We are in the Cabbage Patch, " said Lovey Mary, with the old repulsionstrong upon her. 

"Where?"

"The Cabbage Patch. It ain't your sort of a place, Kate. The folks aregood and honest, but they are poor and plain. You'd laugh at 'em. "

Kate turned her eyes to the window and was silent a moment before shesaid slowly:

"I ain't got much right to laugh at nobody. I'd be sorter glad to getwith good people again. The other sort's all right when you're out forfun, but when you're down on your luck they ain't there. "

Lovey Mary, perplexed and troubled, looked at her gravely. 

"Haven't you got any place you could go to?"

[Illustration: "'Haven't you got any place you could go to?'"]

Kate shook her head. "Nobody would be willing to look after me andnurse me. Lovey, "--she stretched her thin hand across to herentreatingly, --"take me home with you! I heard the doctor tell thenurse he couldn't do nothing more for me. I can't die here shut upwith all these sick people. Take me wherever you are at. I'll try notto be no trouble, and--I want to keep straight. "

Tears were in her eyes, and her lips trembled. There was a queerlittle spasm at Lovey Mary's heart. The canker-worm was dead. 

When a carriage drove up to Miss Hazy's door and the driver carried ina pale girl with a bandaged head, it caused untold commotion. 

"Do you s'pose Mary's a-bringin' home a smallpox patient?" asked MissHazy, who was ever prone to look upon the tragic side. 

"Naw!" said Chris, who was peeping under the window-curtain; "it looksmore like she's busted her crust. "

In less than an hour every neighbor had been in to find out what wasgoing on. Mrs. Wiggs constituted herself mistress of ceremonies. Shehad heard the whole story from the overburdened Mary, and was nowprepared to direct public opinion in the way it should go. 

"Jes another boarder for Miss Hazy, " she explained airily to Mrs. Eichorn. "Lovey Mary was so well pleased with her boardin'-house, shedrummed it up among her friends. This here lady has been at thehospittal. She got knocked over by a wagon out there near the factory, an' it run into celebrated concussion. The nurse told Lovey Mary thismornin' it was somethin' like information of the brain. What we're allgoin' to do is to try to get her well. I'm a-goin' home now to git hera nice dinner, an' I jes bet some of you'll see to it that she gits agood supper. You kin jes bank on us knowin' how to give a stranger awelcome!"

It was easy to establish a precedent in the Cabbage Patch. When acertain course of action was once understood to be the proper thing, every resident promptly fell in line. The victim of "celebratedconcussion" was overwhelmed with attention. She lay in a pink wrapperin Miss Hazy's kitchen, and received the homage of the neighborhood. Meanwhile Lovey Mary worked extra hours at the factory and did sewingat night to pay for Kate's board. 

In spite, however, of the kind treatment and the regularadministration of Miss Viny's herbs and Mrs. Wiggs's yellowroot, Kategrew weaker day by day. One stormy night when Lovey Mary came homefrom the factory she found her burning with fever and talkingexcitedly. Miss Hazy had gotten her up-stairs, and now stoodhelplessly wringing her hands in the doorway. 

"Lor', Lovey Mary! she's cuttin' up scandalous, " complained the oldlady. "I done ever'thing I knowed how; I ironed the sheets to make 'emwarm, an' I tried my best to git her to swallow a mustard cocktail. Iwanted her to lemme put a fly-blister on to her head, too, but shewon't do nothin'. "

"All right, Miss Hazy, " said Lovey Mary, hanging her dripping coat ona nail. "I'll stay with her now. Don't talk, Kate! Try to be still. "

"But I can't, Lovey. I'm going to die, and I ain't fit to die. I'vebeen so bad and wicked, I'm 'fraid to go, Lovey. What'll I do? What'llI do?"

In vain the girl tried to soothe her. Her hysteria increased; shecried and raved and threw herself from side to side. 

"Kate! Kate!" pleaded Lovey Mary, trying to hold her arms, "don't cryso. God'll forgive you. He will, if you are sorry. "

"But I'm afraid, " shuddered Kate. "I've been so bad. Heaven knows I'msorry, but it's too late! Too late!" Another paroxysm seized her, andher cries burst forth afresh. 

Mary, in desperation, rushed from the room. "Tommy!" she called softlydown the steps. 

The small boy was sitting on the stairs, in round-eyed wonder at whatwas going on. 

"Tommy, " said Lovey Mary, picking him up, "the sick lady feels so bad!Go in and give her a love, darling. Pet her cheeks and hug her likeyou do me. Tell her she's a pretty mama. Tell her you love her. "

Tommy trotted obediently into the low room and climbed on the bed. Heput his plump cheek against the thin one, and whispered words of baby-love. Kate's muscles relaxed as her arms folded about him. Graduallyher sobs ceased and her pulse grew faint and fainter. Outside, therain and sleet beat on the cracked window-pane, but a peace hadentered the dingy little room. Kate received the great summons with asmile, for in one fleeting moment she had felt for the first and lasttime the blessed sanctity of motherhood. 

CHAPTER XIII

AN HONORABLE RETREAT

 "For I will ease my heart Although, it be with hazard Of my head. "

Miss Bell sat in her neat little office, with the evening paper in herhand. The hour before tea was the one time of the day she reserved forherself. Susie Smithers declared that she sat before the fire at suchtimes and took naps, but Susie's knowledge was not always trustworthy--it depended entirely on the position of the keyhole. 

At any rate, Miss Bell was not sleeping to-night; she moved aboutrestlessly, brushing imaginary ashes from the spotless hearth, staringabsently into the fire, then recurring again and again to an item inthe paper which she held:

DIED. Kate Rider, in her twenty-fourth year, from injuries received inan accident. 

Miss Bell seemed to cringe before the words. Her face looked old anddrawn. "And to think I kept her from having her child!" she said toherself as she paced up and down the narrow room. "No matter what elseKate was, she was his mother and had the first right to him. But Iacted for the best; I could see no other way. If I had only known!"

[Illustration: "Susie Smithers at the keyhole. "]

There were steps on the pavement without; she went to the window, andshading her eyes with her hands, gazed into the gathering dusk. Someone was coming up the walk, some one very short and fat. No; it was agirl carrying a child. Miss Bell reached the door just in time tocatch Tommy in her arms as Lovey Mary staggered into the hall. Theywere covered with sleet and almost numb from the cold. 

"Kate's dead!" cried Lovey Mary, as Miss Bell hurried them into theoffice. "I didn't know she was going to die. Oh, I've been so wickedto you and to Kate and to God! I want to be arrested! I don't carewhat they do to me. "

She threw herself on the floor, and beat her fists on the carpet. Tommy stood near and wept in sympathy; he wore his remnant trousers, and his little straw hat, round which Mrs. Wiggs had sewn a broad bandof black. 

Miss Bell hovered over Lovey Mary and patted her nervously on theback. "Don't, my dear, don't cry so. It's very sad--dear me, yes, verysad. You aren't alone to blame, though; I have been at fault, too. I--I--feel dreadfully about it. "

Miss Bell's face was undergoing such painful contortions that LoveyMary stopped crying in alarm, and Tommy got behind a chair. 

"Of course, " continued Miss Bell, gaining control of herself, "it wasvery wrong of you to run away, Mary. When I discovered that you hadgone I never stopped until I found you. "

"Till you found me?" gasped Lovey Mary. 

"Yes, child; I knew where you were all the time. "

Again Miss Bell's features were convulsed, and Mary and Tommy lookedon in awed silence. "You see, " she went on presently, "I am just asmuch at fault as you. I was worried and distressed over having to letTommy go with Kate, yet there seemed no way out of it. When I foundyou had hidden him away in a safe place, that you were both well andhappy, I determined to keep your secret. But oh, Mary, we hadn't theright to keep him from her! Perhaps the child would have been hersalvation; perhaps she would have died a good girl. "

"But she did, Miss Bell, " said Lovey Mary, earnestly. "She said shewas sorry again and again, and when she went to sleep Tommy's arms wasround her neck. "

"Mary!" cried Miss Bell, seizing the girl's hand eagerly, "did youfind her and take him to her?"

"No, ma'am. I brought her to him. She didn't have no place to go, andI wanted to make up to her for hating her so. I did ever'thing I couldto make her well. We all did. I never thought she was going to die. "

Then, at Miss Bell's request, Lovey Mary told her story, with manysobs and tears, but some smiles in between, over the good times in theCabbage Patch; and when she had finished, Miss Bell led her over tothe sofa and put her arms about her. They had lived under the sameroof for fifteen years, and she had never before given her a caress. 

"Mary, " she said, "you did for Kate what nobody else could have done. I thank God that it all happened as it did. "

"But you'd orter scold me and punish me, " said Lovey Mary. "I'd feelbetter if you did. "

Tommy, realizing in some vague way that a love-feast was in progress, and always ready to echo Lovey Mary's sentiments, laid his chubby handon Miss Bell's knee. 

"When my little sled drows up I'm doin' to take you ridin', " he saidconfidingly. 

Miss Bell laughed a hearty laugh, for the first time in many months. The knotty problem which had caused her many sleepless nights had atlast found its own solution. 

CHAPTER XIV

THE CACTUS BLOOMS

 "I tell thee love is nature's second sun, Causing a spring of virtues where he shines. "

It was June again, and once more Lovey Mary stood at an up-stairswindow at the home. On the ledge grew a row of bright flowers, broughtfrom Miss Viny's garden, but they were no brighter than the face thatsmiled across them at the small boy in the playground below. LoveyMary's sleeves were rolled above her elbows, and a dust-cloth was tiedabout her head. As she returned to her sweeping she sang joyfully, contentedly:

 "Can she sweep a kitchen floor, Billy boy, Billy boy? Can she sweep a kitchen floor, Charming Billy?"

"Miss Bell says for you to come down to the office, " announced alittle girl, coming up the steps. "There's a lady there and a baby. "

Lovey Mary paused in her work, and a shadow passed over her face. Justthree years ago the same summons had come, and with it such heartachesand anxiety. She pulled down her sleeves and went thoughtfully downthe steps. At the office door she found Mrs. Redding talking to MissBell. 

"We leave Saturday afternoon, " she was saying. "It's rather soonerthan we expected, but we want to get the baby to Canada before the hotweather overtakes us. Last summer I asked two children from theToronto home to spend two weeks with me at our summer place, but thisyear I have set my heart on taking Lovey Mary and Tommy. They will seeNiagara Falls and Buffalo, where we stop over a day, besides thelittle outing at the lake. Will you come, Mary? You know Robert mightget choked again!"

Lovey Mary leaned against the door for support. A half-hour visit toMrs. Redding was excitement for a week, and only to think of goingaway with her, and riding on a steam-car, and seeing a lake, andtaking Tommy, and being ever so small a part of that gorgeous Reddinghousehold! She could not speak; she just looked up and smiled, but thesmile seemed to mean more than words, for it brought the sudden tearsto Mrs. Redding's eyes. She gave Mary's hand a quick, understandinglittle squeeze, then hurried out to her carriage. 

That very afternoon Lovey Mary went to the Cabbage Patch. As shehurried along over the familiar ground, she felt as if she must singaloud the happy song that was humming in her heart. She wanted to stopat each cottage and tell the good news; but her time was limited, soshe kept on her way to Miss Hazy's, merely calling out a greeting asshe passed. When she reached the door she heard Mrs. Wiggs's voice inanimated conversation. 

"Well, I wish you'd look! There she is, this very minute! I never wasso glad to see anybody in my life! My goodness, child, you don't knowhow we miss you down here! We talk 'bout you all the time, jes like aperson puts their tongue in the empty place after a tooth's donepulled out. "

"I'm awful glad to be back, " said Lovey Mary, too happy to be castdown by the reversion to the original state of the Hazy household. 

"Me an' Chris ain't had a comfortable day sence you left, " complainedMiss Hazy. "I'd 'a' almost rather you wouldn't 'a' came than to havewent away ag'in. "

"But listen!" cried Lovey Mary, unable to keep her news anotherminute. "I'm a-going on a railroad trip with Mrs. Redding, and she'sgoing to take Tommy, too, and we are going to see Niag'ra and a lakeand a buffalo!"

"Ain't that the grandest thing fer her to go and do!" exclaimed Mrs. Wiggs. "I told you she was a' angel!"

"I'm right skeered of these here long trips, " said Miss Hazy, "so manyaccidents these days. "

"My sakes!" answered Mrs. Wiggs, "I'd think you'd be 'fraid to stepover a crack in the floor fer fear you'd fall through. Why, LoveyMary, it's the nicest thing I ever heared tell of! An' Niag'ry Fall, too. I went on a trip once when I was little. Maw took me through themountains. I never had seen mountains before, an' I cried at first an'begged her to make 'em sit down. A trip is something you never willfergit in all yer life. It was jes like Mrs. Reddin' to think aboutit; but I don't wonder she feels good to you. Asia says she neverexpects to see anything like the way you shook that candy outen littleRobert. But see here, if you go 'way off there you mustn't fergit us. "

"I never could forget you all, wherever I went, " said Lovey Mary. "Iwas awful mean when I come to the Cabbage Patch; somehow you all justbluffed me into being better. I wasn't used to being bragged on, andit made me want to be good more than anything in the world. "

"That's so, " said Mrs. Wiggs. "You can coax a' elephant with a littlesugar. The worser Mr. Wiggs used to act, the harder I'd pat him on theback. When he'd git bilin' mad, I'd say: 'Now, Mr. Wiggs, why don'tyou go right out in the woodshed an' swear off that cuss? I hate tothink of it rampantin' round inside of a good-lookin' man like you. 'He'd often take my advice, an' it always done him good an' never hurtthe woodshed. As fer the childern, I always did use compelments onthem 'stid of switches. "

Lovey Mary untied the bundle which she carried, and spread thecontents on the kitchen table. "I've been saving up to get you allsome presents, " she said. "I wanted to get something for every onethat had been good to me, but that took in the whole Patch! These aresome new kind of seed for Miss Viny; she learned me a lot out of hergarden. This is goods for a waist for you, Miss Hazy. "

"It's rale pretty, " said Miss Hazy, measuring its length. "If you'd'a' brought me enough fer a skirt, too, I'd never 'a' got throughprayin' fer you. "

Mrs. Wiggs was indignant. "I declare, Miss Hazy! You ain't got amanner in the world, sometimes. It's beautiful goods, Lovey Mary. I'mgoin' to make it up fer her by a fancy new pattern Asia bought; it'sgot a sailor collar. "

"This here is for Chris, " continued Lovey Mary, slightly depressed byMiss Hazy's lack of appreciation, "and this is for Mrs. Schultz. Ibought you a book, Mrs. Wiggs. I don't know what it's about, but it'san awful pretty cover. I knew you'd like to have it on the parlortable. "

It was the "Iliad"!

Mrs. Wiggs held it at arm's-length and, squinting her eyes, read:"Home of an Island. "

"That ain't what the man called it, " said Lovey Mary. 

"Oh, it don't matter 'bout the name. It's a beautiful book, jesmatches my new tidy. You couldn't 'a' pleased me better. "

"I didn't have money enough to go round, " explained Lovey Mary, apologetically, "but I bought a dozen lead-pencils and thought I'dgive them round among the children. "

"Ever'thing'll be terrible wrote over, " said Miss Hazy. 

The last bundle was done up in tissue-paper and tied with a silverstring. Lovey Mary gave it to Mrs. Wiggs when Miss Hazy was notlooking. 

"It's a red necktie, " she whispered, "for Billy. "

When the train for the North pulled out of the station one Saturdayafternoon it bore an excited passenger. Lovey Mary, in a new dress andhat, sat on the edge of a seat, with little Robert on one side andTommy on the other. When her nervousness grew unbearable she leanedforward and touched Mrs. Redding on the shoulder:

"Will you please, ma'am, tell me when we get there?"

Mrs. Redding laughed. "Get there, dear? Why, we have just started!"

"I mean to the Cabbage Patch. They're all going to be watching for meas we go through. "

"Is that it?" said Mr. Redding. "Well, I will take the boys, and youcan go out and stand on the platform and watch for your friends. "

Lovey Mary hesitated. "Please, sir, can't I take Tommy, too? If ithadn't 'a' been for him I never would have been here. "

So Mr. Redding took them to the rear car, and attaching Lovey Maryfirmly to the railing, and Tommy firmly to Mary, returned to hisfamily. 

"There's Miss Viny's!" cried Lovey Mary, excitedly, as the trainwhizzed past. "We're getting there. Hold on to your hat, Tommy, andget your pocket-handkerchief ready to wave. "

The bell began to ring, and the train slowed up at the great water-tank. 

"There they are! All of 'em. Hello, Miss Hazy! And there's Asia andChris and ever'body!"

Mrs. Wiggs pushed through the little group and held an empty bottletoward Lovey Mary. "I want you to fill it fer me, " she criedbreathlessly. "Fill it full of Niag'ry water. I want to see how themfalls look. "

[Illustration: "Lovey Mary waved until she rounded a curve. "]

The train began to move. Miss Hazy threw her apron over her head andwept. Mrs. Wiggs and Mrs. Eichorn waved their arms and smiled. TheCabbage Patch, with its crowd of friendly faces, became a blur to thegirl on the platform. Suddenly a figure on a telegraph pole attractedher attention; it wore a red necktie and it was throwing kisses. LoveyMary waved until the train rounded a curve, then she gave Tommy animpulsive hug. 

"It ain't hard to be good when folks love you, " she said, with alittle catch in her voice. "I'll make 'em all proud of me yet!"