Wichita eagle., 1889-06-19
ghe aaaha daily Eaole aaedesdaY orning guue 49, 1888

$50 / am" cried Fenwick, getting down
from bis stool and lifting the little girl IN his
arms
$50 you came in to keep me from being
lonesome, did your
"Yes," said Mabel, moving her soft hand
over bis dark hair, 81 am to be your little
girl while Fay is away. Do you think she
viii be gone longr'
Fenwick hestated. BE did not care to tell
Mabel that Fay would not come back till 1t
had been legally decided which parent should
have charge Of her.
"It's very pleasant where she is, he said
finally; II shouldn't wonder il she didn't
come back right away"
Mabel brushed away tear.
''It's very hard on me-" she said, "but /
suppose it's hard, too, on you and"- She
was going to say son mamma" but thinking
he might not understand finished, land on
your wife"
YES" said Fenwick, sit isl"
"Wen have to all keep each other from
being lonesome" Mabel said as Fenwick at
asst placed her on one Of the stools by his
lde.
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 ColbuIn's girl" said one Of them, ''she
used to come IN here with Fay Fenwick l
guess it makes Fenwick feel bad"
When Mabel came out of the office they all
Eniled at her. She spoke to Mr.. Fenwicx as
she closed the glass door.
~ 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, 50 only the dark
locks were seen through the door. The men
outside felt sorry for him.
"It's too bad, they said, ''and they were
SO happy together"
When Mabel reached home she told her
own mamma what she had done. Mrs. Col
burn kissed her.
"An right, darling" she said. Surely"
she thought, sit can do no harm, aud posi-
bly, the child may cHnfort them little"
So every morning Mabel called on the for
lorn ittlemother, who grew thinner and paler
each day, and every afternoon a second stool
was placed by the side of Mr.. Fenwick for bis
little visitor. All the hardware men looked
her a pencil once, with 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 notkn
about the rubber, probably.
One afternoon she came into the store in a
hurry and ran into Mr.. Fenwick's office, all
out Of breath.
'What is the matterl" he asked. She held
up little three cornered envelope. 1t was
tinted pink and on the back was picture Of
q tiny white dove with letter tied around
his neck.
''Seem cried Mabel, "here is my letter from
Fay!"
Fenwick took it 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 well for 10 year-old little
girl, and had cost Fay much time and
trouble
Dear Mabel Che read, it is very nice
place here. Aunt Lottie is very good.
The conductor was very good. / 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. l think / will come home before long
Write soon. FAY FENwICKn
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 1t too"
Fenwick's color deepened somewhat.
Ibid she see it too?' he asked
"Why, yes" said Mabel, when went to
school this morning"
Does she know you come here!" said Fen
wick.
Mabel laughed again.
why, yesl" she answered.
"And is she very lonesomeg' said Fenwick
again.
You both ask me the same questions, :"
said Mabel when l go to see my new
mamma she says: DO you think Fay's papa
is very lonesomer
is that sol" cried Fenwick
Mabel nodded.
81 am going to see her now" she said after
u minute.
"Whop asked Fenwick
Mabel, smiling, my new mammal She had
"a headache this morning, and thought I'd
so twice today"
That's right" said the new mammals hus-
band, and then after pause, WAS she very
ILL.,"
Il think she was" answered Mabel
Fenwick ran his fingers through his dark
locks
Suppose, +" said Mabel. you send her some
thing by me-"
WHAT" cried Fenwick-
Mabel nodded
Don't you remember when Fay and I
took the tin candlestick, and how pleased she
wasp
Fenwick walked around the little Office
Yes, yes" he said, II remember"
You might send pair of scissors, con-
timed Mabel, 'only that isn't good sign.
Something awful might happen"
"Ohl well-then I won't send those" said
Fenwick. with faint smile.
~ suppose flowers are what the sick should
have,n said Mabel, "but you don't have flow
ers in your store"
Fenwick paused in his walking A bright
spot burned in each cheek
You wait here" he said, "and III 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 violets in his hand He
looked somewhat confused then Here are
your flowers" he said holding them out to
her. Give them 10 her If you want to"
Mabel took them with cry or delight.
an. Il : 7 ~