Wichita eagle., 1889-06-19
SHE TOOK CARE OF THEM

tlOn NaUcI pulleQ OUT ner uIllo reQ DOrOeTeO
handkerchief, and cried There, in the car
window, was Fay, her dearest friend, moving
farther away from her each minute. For a
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 Is 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 itF' he said.
The man standing next him nodded. "And
it seems only the other day they were mar
ried p he answered. How proud and happy
they were! What was the trouble, do you
known
mo" said tho other, with q wrinkle of the
eyebrows "Sone nonsense, guess. Ralph
always was quick tempered fellow, and she
was an only child, you know. | never
thought they'd separate, though-and such a
sweet little girlv'
His companion smiled a little. "Did you
nOIlc0 UQ0 OtueT OleI' Ne dSkeI
CoIburn's young 'un. Fay and she are as
thick as peas. tn be lonesome for Mabel
now"
Mabel was already lonesome as she walked
away from the station with Fay's mamma.
When she looked up, however, and saw the
tears In Mira. Eenwick's eyes she winked
very hard 10 keep back her own tears She
did not know that the reason Fay had been
%A,r M n,a1
had separated now, but she felt very sorry
for the parents left behind, and had promised
Fay to take good care Of them.
II 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 ne" and Mabel had promised
that she would.
Now she took Mrs. Fenwicks hand as she
trudged along by her side.
II will be your little girl now till Fay
comes back" she said. The sad face smiled
child thoughtfully.
Thank you, dear" she said.
Mabel's active little brain had already de-
vised plan.
Every morning on my way to school L
will stop and see you" she said, after
minute, "and-let me see-every afternoon
when l don't have too many lessons, and
when my teacher does not keep me after
school, will stop in the store TO see papa"
"Papal" cried Mrs. Fenwick-
She had hardly listened to the child, but
started then, for Mabel's papa, poor young
Jack Colburn, had died some years ago.
Mabel laughed merrily.
IF am your little girl" she said quickly,
s'then Fay's papa Is mine"
Mrs Fenwick flushed a 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 at US just as
pleasant, and says Step right in, little
ladies"
Mrs Fenwick 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
ut home, for the two children walked 20 school
together.
GOOD morning" said Mabel, smiling
Good morning (" said Mrs. Fenwick. Come
here and kiss me-"
The little girl did so and rubbed her chubby
little check against Mrs. Fenwick's.
u wish / could stay with you," she said
sadly. but daren't be late at school. Its
very lonesome without Fay, isn't It'll"
Yes answered Fay's mother, her eyes
filing with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in silence.
ION NV way back from school," she said,
finally, III go in and see Fays papa"
You're very thoughtful" said Mrs. Fen
wick.
Mabel laughed.
al 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 como
back she said.
Mrs Fen,yick stood at the window watch
ing the little figure so 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 Tor Mabel
Usually Fay sat by her side and at 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 u 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 before 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.. FenwiclS had his little Office at the
end. As she pulled back the heavy door and
stepped inside one Of the hardware men, who
had black streak across his forehead, smiled
at her from over the counter and asked:
What do you want, little girlf'
Mabel smiled too as she walked past him
I'm going in 10 see Mr.. Fenwick,n she |
aid
The nuIn, who had only recently come in
the store, tried TO stop her. She only laughed
h reply.
''Oh. he win see me-" she answered. and !
pushed open the Office door. Mr.. Fenwick
turned around ct the sound. There he SAT on
the same high stool, with his books open be-
lore 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
stuaffo h.i l.