The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-10-24

together her little wardrobe. There
was . hop pillow IN q little linen case.
which Myrtle had always slept on; she
packed that up with the other things.
Then she rolled the little sleeping
girl up in blanket, laid her in her
carriage. and went over to the hotel.
1t was not much of hotel-merely an
ordinary two-story houses where two
or three spare rooms were ample ac-
commodation for the few struggling
guests who came to this rural place.
1t was only few steps from Aurelia's
house. The old lady had the Chamber
of Honor, a large. square room on tho
first floor, opening directly on the pi-
azza. In spite Of all Aurelia's care.
Myrtle woke up and began to cry when
she was carried in. She had to 90 OF
and leave her screaming piteously after
her. Out on tho piazza, she uttered
the first complaint, almost, of her life.
to the hostess. Mrs. Simonds, who had
followed her there.
"Don't feel bad. 'Relia," said the
woman, who was almost crying her.
self. ~ know it's awful hard. when
you was taking so much comfort. We
all feel for you"
Aurelia looked straight ahead. She
had the bundle of little Clothes and the
hop pillow in her arms: the old lady
had said, in a way that would have
been funny if it had not been for the
poor heart that Ii tened, that she didn't
want any yarb pillows, nor any clothes
scented with YARDS nuther.
| sI 49,, ha oh
Aurelia, "but 1 can't help thinking
that Providence on Int to provide for
women. wish Myrtle was mine.'
The other woman wiped her eyes
at the hungry way in which she said
.'mine"
..Well. can't do anything. but I'm
sorry for you, If that's all. You'd
ma ,e enough sight better mother for
Myrtle than that cross old woman. /
d0n's b'lieve she .more'n half wan s
her, only she's sot. She doesn't care
anything about having the other chill
dren she's goin., to leave them with
Ais Lomls; but she says her grand
childten amt gong to be living with
strangers, an she ought to hev been
consulted. After all you've. done for
the child, to treat you as she has to-
night, she's the most ungrateful- l
know one thing; I'd charge her for
yrtie's board . good price, too"
"Jh, don't want anything of that
sort" said poor Aurelia, dejectedly.
listening to her darling's sobs a. on
go in and try to hush her. Mis- SIM
onds. OH"
.SoI will! her grandmother can't do
anything with her, poor little thing.
I've got some peppermnts. L do be-
lieve she's spankin' her-the -"
Aureia did not run in with Mrs.
Simprds. she listened outside till the
pltiful cries hushed little; then she
went desolately home.
She sat down in the kitchen. with
the little clothes in her lap. She did
not think of going to bed; she did not
cry or moan to herself; she just sat
there still. 1t was not very late when
she came home between eight and
nine. In about half an hour, perhaps,
she heard a sound outside that made
her leap-a little voice crying pitifully,
and saying, between the sobs, "Mam-
ma. mammal
Aurelia made one spring to the door.
There was the tiny creature in her lit
tie nightgown, shaking al over with
cold and sobs.
Aurelia caught her up. and all her
calm was over. "Oh, you darling! you
darling! you darlng!" she cried, CIV
ering her little cold body all over with
kisses. ..You shan't leave me-you
shan't! you shan't.- Little sweetheart =
all I've got n the world. | guess they
shan't take You away when you don't
want to go. Did you cry. and mamma
go OF and leave YOU Did they whip
you? They never shall again-never!
never! There, there. blessed, don't cry;
mamma'll get you all warm, and you
shall go to sleep on your own little
pillow. Oh. you darling. darling. dar-
ling"
Aurelia busted herself about the child,
rubbing the little numb limbs. and get
ting some milk heated. She never
asked h w she came to get away; she
never thought OF anyth ng except that
she had her. She stopped every other
minute to kiss her and Groom to her;
she laughed and cried. low she gave
way tn her feelings: she was almost be-
side hcrsef. She had the child all warm
and fell and comforted by the kitchen
fire, when she heard steps outside, and
she knew at once what was com ng,
and q fierce resolve sprang up in her
heart; they should not have that child
again tonight. She cast a hurried
glance around; there was hardly sec
ond's time. In the corner of the kitch-
en- was a great heap of herbs which she
had taken down from the walls where
they had been drying; the next day she
had intended to pack them and send
them off. She caught up Myrtle and
Gov red her with them. ''Lie still, dar-
Ing" she whispered. ''Don't make a
bit of noise, or your grandmother will
get You again. Myrtle crouched I'M
der them. trembling.
Then the door opened; MIR. Simonds
stood there with q lante n. Il hat lit
tie girls run away" he began -..slip-
ped out while tie old lady was out OF
the room minute. Beats all how
such little thing knew enough. She's
here. amt she?"
No" said Aurelia, '.she amt"
"You don mean it," i
"Yes."
"Ain't you seen her, though"
"No."
Mr. SiToOnds who woa faf and