The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-02-24

from the shelf and went with Dot in
search Of some. Miss Roxbury knelt
beside the woman, who was only
about thirty years OF age and had
been very attractive IA a young girl.
There was CLEAN of gold on her left
hand. Her hair was sunny like Dots
and her features delieatcly shaped.
The letter that Miss Koxbury had
written lay crumpled and tear stained
on the pillow
While Miss Roxbury gazed The
woman opened her eyes. They We're
beautiful eyes, but sad with want and
struggle against despair. She tried
to sit up and moaned:
MY baby-please give me my ba-
byw
Just then Dot returned and car
ried the pitcher of water to her moth
er, who drank long and eagerly; then
holding out her arms to Dot, said
feebly TO Miss Roxbury:
20, madam, will you take care OF
my little girl' l think I'm going to
die"
You're not going to die.-not a bit
of it," said Miss Roxbury, pouring
out some wine into teacup, ''but I'll
take care of you both. There, drink
this, and you'll feel better right away.
How long since you've had anything
to eat?"
"Day before yesterday was the
FAINT reply. Il had to stop work four
days ago"
"Now, Mr.. Knox," said Miss Rox-
bury, slipping her pursSinto his hand,
just step out to the nearest grocery
and order some kindling wood and
tea and sugar. I'll poach a nice, fresh
egg for this poor soul, and We'll see
about getting her out Of this place.
The woman's face frightened, but
she said: I'm giving you much
trouble"
Trouble" said Miss Roxbury. I'm
all alone in the world, and I've a
house with twenty-four rooms in it,
and plenty to do with, and what I've
been thinking of all these years l.
can't say. I've been a crusty, cold,
disagreeable old fossil, Mrs. Winthrop,
and when come down here and find
folks starving to death and crowded
like cattle, l wonder the good Lords
had any mercy on me. Don't you
worry another mite. Here's the fire
stuff already"
Miss Roxbury rolled up her sleeves,
put an apron over her silk skirt, and
while Mr.. Knox built a fire and
brought water to heat, she bathed
Mrs. Winthrop's face and hands, and
brushed out her hair.
'Thank God why, I'm better al
ready" said Mrs. Winthrop, with q
rare smile.
''Of course you are, child" said
Miss Roxbury. We'll see what good
food and mountain, ois will do fap so,a
yet"
A few days later found an occupant
in the great east chamber Of the Rox-
bury house.
Mrs. Winthrop sat in an easy chair
before the open window inhaling the
fragrance of the blossoming honey
sucGle that nodded to her through
the easement.
The morning sunlight fell across
her bright hair and peaceful face.
Dot hung over her shoulder and
threw daisies in her lap.
Down by the garden fence stood
Miss Roxbury. talking with her
neighbor, Mrs. Lane.
Mrs. Winthrop smiled from her
window, and there came an answering
smile from the depths of the purple
and calico sun bonnet.
$50 you're really goin' to keep 'emr
said Mrs. Lane.
'Yes, I've adopted them both," re-
piled Miss Roxbury, with Te Deum
in her voice, and I've sent for half a
dozen little girls to stay until cold
weather"
"Well, it does beat ALL" said Mrs
Lane, wiping her eyes on the corner
of her checked gingham apron. Il
'spose / needn't ask you now, Reli-
ance, what you think of the Fresh air
Fund?'
"What do I think of it.' said Miss
Roxbury, gravely, Il believe it's been
the means Of saving my soul. l should
have gone into the next world hold
ing my head pretty high, and consid-
ering myself better than most folks,
and the Judge would have said, Re
lance Roxbury, l gave you big
house and long bank account
What have you done with them7'
Then how my empty rooms and
Grandfather Roxbury's gold pieces
would have stood up against me!
And He would have said: 'Ye did it
not unto Me. Depart from me- and
what answer could l have made
Himl 1t is very true" she contin-
ued, as Dot came fitting down the
path like fairy, "of such is ,he