Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-25

know, ana too much indulgence VIII be sure
to spoil her. am afraid the responsibility
will be too much for me, and that must send
her back in tho end"
The child slipped down from her place and
stood before Mrs. Lee with folded hands.
'Mabel DO dood now" she said gravely,
'Mabel love oo-don't send Mabel 'wayl"
Her lip quivered ominously.
Poor child,n said Mrs Lee, moved against
her will "No, Mabel shall stay if she will
be good"
The next afternoon the Indies left the house
to pay promised visit. leaving Mabel seated
on the floor quietly engaged with new pic
ture book, with big Bruno for company.
'nEs. Mabel be dood, she said in reply to
Mrs. Lees query, ''she loves co."
"What is your opinion now, Augusta"
asked her mother as they walked along.
"Just what it always was, mother" replied
Mrs. Lee, smiling. There cannot but be q
difference between a child with the noble
blood of generations in her veins, and one
with the inheritance Of the igpobae traits OF
as many generations Now, Elsie would have
had as great horror of deceit and dishonesty
as have myself" Mrs. Lee sighed deeply.
"But YOU must admit that there are excep-
tons. Augustaf'
Exceptions that prove the rule. No,
mother. it would take some stronger argu-
uent than you can produce, l am afraid, to
make me change my opinion"
1t was dark when they reached home. An
excited servant met them at the door. "The
doctor said it must be kept quiet" she whis-
pered
I, 1v~;nI
both ladies in a breath.
At this moment the doctor made his ap-
pearance.
"Will she die, doctorm asked Mrs. Lee,
clutching at the railing for support.
'eNo, madam, no." said the doctor. 'She
is not at all hurt-only frightened little.
Il seems you had told her not to leave the
room. and after the lamp was lighted the
dog ran against the table and tipped it over.
l. didn't break the lamp, but the flame
caught the muslin drapery, and when the
servant returned after a short absence She
found the child standing in the middle Of the
floor crying for 'Auntie,' while the dog had
fed down stairs She will be all right by to-
morrow"
Mrs Lee did not hear this last assurance,
being already half way up the stairs. Mrs.
Taunton was not far behind her.
"Auntie," cried the little one as Mrs. Lee
Suffered the room, ''tant Mabel have her
ownty mamma nowl Mabel was dood-
B'uno was bad doggie. Pease, aunty," she
pleaded.
Mrs. Lee held out her arms. ''My dar-
ling" she said, 81 viii be your mamma, your
'ownty' mamma Say mamma darling,
she cried, the tears running down her cheeks.
"My oHnty mammal Mabel so happy
Mabel so seepy." The blue eyes closed, and
they left her sleeping with a smile on her
lips. The servant met them in tho hall.
please, am, tnere's poor body wait
ing to see you. | was sort o 'fraid o her,
mann, and didn't want to let her in, but she
said twas important business"
Mrs. Lee followed her down stairs.
"What can do for you, my good woTnan?'
she asked.
aver can't do nothin' fer me-" said the
woman, roughly, 'bu5 I kin do fer you.
Thar's some clus what belongs ter ye: they're
yer young uns."
Mammal cried little voice. "Me 'ants
nv new mamma. Obi"
A child's scream Of terror. "Bad woman
send way, mammal Mabel 'fraid." She hid
her face in Mrs. Lees dress.
''Wha-what do you meany cried she
breathiessly.
~ mean, mum, tibet stole FER an then guv
'er away 'Ere's 'er things she he'd on. Thet's
what l mean, muln-she's yer own. Good
day, mum"
The hardened woman closed the door softly
behind her, wiping a shamed tear from hor
eye at thought of the picture she had left iii
the IN II behind her. the ficrlIre of n Sohllin ,
woman kneeling on the cold stones, and
claspng close to her thankful breast little
wondering child.
"What do you think of your theory, now,
Augusta" asked Mrs. Taunton, when she had
heard the whole story.
IL think 1 haven't any, mother" she
said, laughing through happy tears.-Kate
A Bradley in Detroit Free Press.