Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-18
SHE TOOK CARE OF THEM.

ton Mabel pulled out her little red bordered
handkerchief, and cried. There, In the car
window, was Fay, her dearest friend, moving
farther away from her each minute. For
little while she could see Fay's hand and hand
kerchief moving from the window, but when
they had passed out of sight Mabel sobbed
aloud. Right by her side stood Fay mamma
She, too, stood watching the little white sig
nal till 1t was lost in the distance. Then she
turned and held out her hand to Mabel.
'Come, Mabel" she said in voice that
trembled somewhat, ''let us go home now"
As they walked away together sympa-
thetic eyes of the bystanders followed them
One soft hearted baggage man shook his head
sadly.
Hard, isn't it?' he said.
The man standing next him nodded. "And
It seems only the other day they were mar
ried ~ he answered "How proud and happy
they were What was the trouble, do yon
known
''No," said the other, with n wrinkle of the
eyebrows. ''Some nonsense, guess. Ralph
always was quick tempered fellow, and she
was an only child, you know. l never
thought they'd separate, though-and such
sweet little grill"
His companion smiled a little. "Did you
notice the otter oneln he asked That's
Colburn's young 'un. Fay and she are as
thick as peas. TIN be lonesome for Mabel
now"
Mabel was already lonesome as she walked
away from the station with Fays mamma
When she looked up, however, and saw the
tears in Mrs. Fenwick's eyes she winked
very hard to keep back her own tears. She
did not know that the reason Fay had been
sent away was that Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick
had separated now, but she felt very sorry
for the parents left behind, and had promised
Fay to take good care of them.
81 do not think my mamma is happy"
Fay had confided to her, ''for she cries
great deal am very sorry to go away just
now, only Aunt Lottie wants me so much.
And papa is not very well, think. Some
times he is cross and things are all different
from what they used to be- You must be
good to them, Mabel, so they will not be too
lonesome for me-" and Mabel had promised
that she would.
Now she took Mrs. Fenwick's hand as she
trudged along by her side.
81 will be your little girl now till Fay
comes back, she said. The sad face smiled q
little Mrs. Fenwick looked down at the
child thoughtfully.
''Thank you, dear she said
Mabel's active little brain had already de-
vised plan.
every morning on my way to school
viii stop and see you" she said, after a
minute, .and-let me see-every afternoon
when / don't have too many lessons, and
when my teacher does not keep me after
school, l will stop in the store to see papa"
"PapaI" cried Mrs Fenwick.
She had hardly listened to the child, but
started then, for Mabels papa, poor young
Jack Colburn, had died some years ago.
Mabel laughed merrily.
'If am your little girl" she said quickly,
''then Fay's papa is mine"
Mrs. Fenwick flushed little
Mabel talked on without stopping. "Some-
times we went into his store coming home
from school," she continued, land / know
Just where TO find rundown In the little
Office at the end, sitting on high stool, and
the man outside always smiles ut us just as
pleasant, and says, step right in, little
ladies'
Mrs. Fenwicl choked little. How many
times she had been in that little Office herself
but now she would not go any more.
That evening she was all alone. No tired
young husband came home to tea, and Fay
was far away with Aunt Lottie. Some of
the neighbors thought of the lonesome little
mother, but none ventured to intrude upon
her in her sorrow.
In the morning Mabel came in as Mrs.
Fenwick was eating her breakfast. This
was an every day occurrence when Fay was
at home for the two children walked to school
together
Good morning." snid Mabel, smiling
GOOD morning, +" said Mrs. Fenwick. "Come
here and kiss men
The little girl did so and rubbed her chubby
little cheek against Mrs. Fenwicks.
II wish / could stay with you" she said
sadly. "but daren't be late at school It's
very lonesome without Fay, isn't itf'
Eyes" answered Fays mother, her eyes
filling with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in silence.
ION my way back from school," she said,
finally, I'm 60 in and see Fay's papa"
"You're very thoughtful" said Mrs. Fen
wick.
Mabel laughed.
~ am taking care of you two till Fay comes
back, {" she answered Then she picked up her
little lesson books and kissed Mrs. Fenwick
good-by.
take good care of yourself till / come
back, >" she said.
Mrs. Fenwick stood at the window watch
ing the little figure go down the street. She
would turn around every minute and throw a
kiss at the window, as Fay used to do
School was very lonesome for Mabel
Usually Fay sat by her side and Mt noon they
ate their lunch together under one Of the big
trees In the school yard. Some of the other
children came up to Mabel now, but she
turned away from them all with little sigh
Had she not promised Fay that she would be
true 10 her and take no other girl in her placei
At noon she put her little lunch basket on the
desk befor6 her and ate alone. The afternoon
seemed very long, but when school was dis
missed at last Mabel was the first to leave the
building. Up the street she ran, around the
corner by the green lamp post, and never
stopped till she reached the hardware store,
where Mr.. Fenwick had his little Office at the
end. As she pulled back the heavy door and
stepped inside one of the hardware men, who
had q black streak across his forehead, smiled
at her frem over the counter and asked:
"What do you want, little girlf'
Mabel smiled too as she walked past him.
''I'm going in to see Mr.. Fenwick," she
said.
The man, who had only recently come In
the store, tried to stop her. She only laughed
IN reply.
"Oh, he viii see me-" she answered, and
pushed open the Office door. Mr.. Fenwick
turned around at the sound There he sat on
the same high stool, with his books open be-
fore him, but there were great rings under
his brown eyes and Mabel thought he looked
tired. As his eyes fell on the little intruder
Fenwick started
Hello, Mabel" he said
She walked up beside his high chair and
looked UP at him smiling.
"How do you DOR she asked, cheerfully.
How are you getting alongT'
Mr.. Fenwick smiled.
who sent you hereT" he asked
Mabel drew her little form up proudly.
Nobody sent me-" she answered 81
thought you might be lonesome without
Fay"
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