Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-18

"It's very pleasant where she is, /" he said,
finally; 81 shouldn't wonder II she didn't
come back right away
Mabel brushed away tear.
ats very hard on me,n she said, 'but
suppose it's hard, too, on you and"- She
was going to say ION mamma, but thinking
he might not understand finished, land on
your wife"
"Yes," said Fenwick, cit isl"
"We1l have to all keep each other from
being lonesome" Mabel said as Fenwick at
last placed her on one of the stools by his
side.
For some time the clerks in the hardware
store cast frequent Chances through the glass
door at their employer in his Office and the
little girl at his side.
"Its Colburn's girl, said one of them, ''she
used to come in here with Fay Fenwick-
guess 1t makes Fenwick feel bad"
When Mabel came out Of the Office they all
smiled at her. She spoke to MIR. Fenwick as
she closed the glass door.
81 will try and come in tomorrow" she
said, "take good care of yourself"
"All right" answered Fenwick, smiling,
"thank you"
He sat for some time after she had left
with his head on his arm, so only the dark
locks were seen through the door. The men
outside felt sorry for him.
"It's too bad" they said, land they were
so happy together"
When Mabel reached home she told her
own mamma what she had done. Mrs Col
burn kissed her.
"All right, darling" she said Surely"
she thought, lit can do no harm, and posi-
bly, the child may comfort them a little"
So every morning Mabel called on the for
lorn little mother, who grew thinner and paler
each day, and every afternoon a second stool
was placed by the side of Mr.. Fenwick for his
little visitor. All the hardware men looked
forward to her calls with pleasure. One gave
her pencil once, with a big rubber on the
end which left black mark after it every
time she used it, But Mabel always smiled
on the rough fellow, because he did not know
about the rubber, probably.
One afternoon she came into the store in
hurry and ran into Mr. Fenwick's office, all
out of breath
What is the matterfn he asked She held
up a little three cornered envelope 1t was
tinted pink and on the back was picture of
a tiny white dove with letter tied around
his neck.
''Seer cried Mabel, ''here is my letter from
Fayin
Fenwick took 1t eagerly. 1t was Aunt
Lottie's handwriting ON the outside, but
when he took out the little pink sheet his
heart throbbed, for he knew that his own
little girl had written that
Read it" said Mabel
1t was written we'll for 1O-year-old little
girl, and had cost Fay much time and
trouble
.'Dear Mabel Che read, it is a very nice
place here Aunt Lottie is very good.
The conductor was very good 1 hope
you don't eat dinner with Annie Dobson.
How are my dear papa and mammal want
to see them very much and | want to see
you. think l will come home before long
Write soon. FAY FENwICK."
Ralph Fenwick put the paper back in the
envelope Then he kissed it.
'When you answer this, !" he said to Mabel,
''you tell Fay that papa kissed her letter"
Mabel laughed
Somebody told you" she said, "Fay's
mamma kissed it too"
Fsnwick's color deepened somewhat.
Ibid she see it toof" he asked
"Why, yes" said Mabel, when I went to
school this morning"
docs she know you come here!" said Fem
wick.
Mabel laughed again.
"Why, yesi" she answered
"And is she very lonesomei" said Fenwick
again.
You both ask me the same questions, ~
said Mabel when I go to see my new
mamma she says. DO you think Fays papa
Is very lonesomef"
sis that sol" cried Fenwick
Mabel nodded
81 am going to see her now" she said after
a minute
'WhoI" asked Fenwick
"Whove we been talking aboutg' said
Mabel, smiling, my new mammal She had
a headache this morning, and thought I'd
go twice today"
THAT'S right" said the new mammals hus-
band, and then after pause, WAS she very
mr
81 think she was" answered Mabel
Fenwick ran his fingers through his dark
locks.
Suppose, said Mabel, you send her some
thing by me-"
"Whatn cried Fenwick-
Mabel nodded
Don't you remember when Fay and /
took the tin candlestick, and how pleased she
wasp
Fenwick walked around the little Office.
Eyes, yes, he said, II remember
You might send a pair of scissors con-
tinued Mabel, ''only that INIT a good sign.
Something awful might happen"
'Ohl well-then / won't send those,n said
Fenwick, with faint smilA
81 suppose flowers are what the sick should
have" said Mabel, but you don't have flow
srs in your store"
Fenwick paused in his walking A bright
spot burned in each cheek.
sYou wait here" he ssid, 'and I'll be back
In minute"
He took his hat from behind the door and
went out of the store. Presently he returned
with little bunch of vioiess in his hand. He
looked somewhat confused then. Here are
your flowers" he said, holding them out to
her. 'Give them to her II you want to-"
Mabel took them with cry or delight
''Violets!" she said, land know a nice lit
tie verso to say when give them to her
Wouldn't that be nicer
"Very nice, :" said Mr. Fonwick
Mabel ran away ioyfully. She could hardly
wait now Every little while she lifted the
fragrant flowers and srnelled of them.
'They are different from our little vi'lets,n
she thought; bigger, with more leaves, and
they smell more"
She saw Mrs Fenwick In the window as
che reached the house and ran in without
ringing.
''See!' she cried, holding out the little bou-
quet.
English violetsl" said Mrs. Fenwick. She
raised them to her nostrils. English violets
had tender associations for her
''They are yours" said Mabel, putting her
hands behind her "Fay's papa sent them,
and he said he thought it would be very nice
to say this verse with themt
''The rose Is red,
The violet blue-
Do you love me
As love yrniYn