Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-10-16

| OlQ 00tty, VINO u8u O0C0 Ooou my uuISr,
and Who loved me q she might her own
son-and in the cleaning / made my
way 70 her poor home. I found her
trimming her vines In the bit of garden
ground, and had my usual kiss across
he garden fence even before the garden
gate was opened.
"Tve been thinking Of you," she said.
II knew it was you - 500 ~ / heard
some one coming. 'Tisn't every young
gentleman would weary himself coming
20 ~ an old lady like me. Sit down,
honey, and rest"
came to AL . favor, Betty"
"Just name il, Master Berthe"
"Will you take . boarder, Bettyf"
Bless me! in my two roomsT
"Only : child, Betty"
IA child, Master A1bertf"
told her Of the Addler's death, and of
the girl.
no female relative. / can only come to
you"
"You always were kind hearted from
Z hoy" she said. "pl take the little
girl, Master Berthe"
Then she put both hands on my shout
ders.
You haven't fretted, have your" she
aiked.
"Frettedi Whyf" asked.
"Nay, Why indeeds' said old Betty.
Better Ash in the sea than ever we're
caught yet" Then in q moment more
.he added, "pve been to see the wed.
ding"
felt my face huah.
"6hall ! bring the girl tomorrow after
her graadfathers funeralf" / asked.
"When you please," raid Betty.
"But, Master Albert, what do you mean
to do with herr You are doing all this
In Q hurry. Just think . bit"
II am going TO adopt the child" l
mid. ut will make me happy to have
ayoung thing to care for"
Betty laughed.
You'll have young things of your
own please God, somc day" abe said.
"Why, at your age, life il before you"
II shall eve marry, Betty said.
She caught my fingers In Z close grasp
with her horny, hard-working hand.
II wish you was back again a baby on
my knee, Master Bertie," abe said. "Pd
Ike 70 sing you to sleep - I did then.
Ali it's grief to rs old women to see
the young we've nursed grow up 70 tall
and old. with their troubles . shut up
in their own hearts that We can't com.
fort them. Goingf Well, then good
night I'm ready for anything that will
cheer you, Master Berthe. l ought to
Ay Master Albert always, now, / sup
pose, but the old times do come back
so!"
l left her leaning over her gate look
ing wistfully at me, knowing q a mother
might have known the grief which I had
buried in my heart. And if her words
had given me pain, it was like some oint-
nent which makes the wound smart in
its very healing, It was something to be
loved % well, even by the old nurse.
Late the next day / led my young
charge from her grandfathers grave to
Betty's cottage. She kept my hand
upon the road - q little child might.
had no thought bat that ahe VA one,
until old Betty's cry of "Goodness,
Master Bertie,- ! thought you said q
young childi Why, this q grown grip
startled me into consciousness.
1t doesn't matter, does it Bettyf"
asked. She turned TO the girl.
"Take Oh your bonnet" she said q
little grimly. II want TO look at you
What h your namef"
The girl obeyed. "I'm only Nelli.
Hay" ahe said, and stood to be looket
IT. Betty looked sternly at first, ther
pityin&ly.
Ia, mol Master Berthe, it don't mat.
ter" ahe said. II don't see any harm
IN her. Thereisa peg behind the door
child. You can hang your bonnet OF
that" And I left tho two together.
Not long. though; every day fount
some now errand to take me 70 the cot
tag. put on elderly airs, and gave I'd
vice. had been sent to school, An,
went through grave examinations o.
Saturday afternoons / told old Bett,
that whsn l was man of middle aged
should take my little daughter home
and NE should keep HOUSE for M. An,
began to fancy, very soon, that Their
could b no such happiness ~ that
parent felt. The girl was growing tall
and l wa only ten years older than sh,
was; but when she checked her ligh
tread to keep pace with me, when tn
childiah laugh dubbed and rippled q
something which could only make M
smile, | felt that years are mot the onl,
things which ago uA
was working hard Mt lny profession
too. had hand and heart full. In
year / found / could pam Aletta on he
husband,s arm without q pang. In
year nor ! wondered whether she ha.
really changed, or whether l fancie'
black curls moro than / did golden bands
found myself thinking my little daugh
ter much tho prettiest.
In the sultry summer evenings I use
to leave rcd tape and parchment and 2
out 70 BettY': cottage to have tea wit
my adopted child. Then, while abe no
iahed up the cupA Nellie Hay and l use
to walk down to the river side. Tall 8
che wa growing, l had q way of holdin
her hand still; and whe had such plea,
ant TALK, such odd unworldly chatter
These walks and simple tea drinkina
rested the brain, wearied with law bus
-, quarrel and bubbles and straits
eomA, more than / can tell.
The rough hands had grown softe
now, the waist taper, the bust full. tn
sweep Of womenis robes, the tread O
womsn's hght-shod feet, had taken til
plAcs Of dumping leather boots an,
scant cotton skiftA
knew tiitIgHbat Nellie was Z child t
ms Ill ~ same. sas / not BY ador
tion heR fatherf Had mot NV earl
J gftef and - skaA q which I leaAe,