San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-11
SHE TOOK CARE OF THEM

window, was ray, ner uediest iIienei' hio' Ane
farther away from her each minute. For
little while she could see Fays hand and hand
kerchief moving from the window, but when
they had passed out of sight Mabel soooed
aloud. Right by her side stood Fay's mamma.
She, too, stood watching the little white sig
nal till it was lost in the distance Then she
turned and held out her hand to Mabel
.sCome, Mabel" she said in a 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 ity" 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 you
knowp
Mo- said the other, with wrinkle of the
eyebrows. "Some nonsense, guess Ralph
always was a quick tempered fellow, and she
was an only child, you know. | never
thought they'd separate, though-and such
sweet little girl'
His companion smiled little did you
notice the other one!' he asked. That's
Colburn's young un. Fay and she are as
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 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
Iof+ III nd ha1
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 l 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.
II will be your little girl now till Fay
comes back" she said. The sad face smiled
child thoughtfully.
Thank you, dear" she said
Mabels active little brain had already de
vised plan.
Every morning on my way to school
will stop and see you," she said, after
minute, ''and-let me see-every afternoon
when | don't have too many lessons, and
when my teacher does not keep me after
school, will stop in the store to see papa"
"Papa!" 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
"then Fay's papa is mine"
Mrs. Fenwick flushed little.
Mabel talked on without stopping. Some
times we went into his store coming home
J from school," she continued, land l 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
mOLneF, OuI nOue NeuCuIeA w anu NoO uPOH
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" said Mabel, smiling.
Good morning, said Mrs. Fenwick. "Come
here and kiss me"
The little girl dds and rubbed her chubby
little cheek against Mrs. Fenwick's.
81 wish could stay with you," she said
sadly. but daren't be late at school 1t:
l very lonesome without Fay, isn't itf'
Yes" answered Fay's mother, her eye
filling with tears
Mabel walked around the room in silence
ION my way back from school," she said
finally, I'm go in and see Fays papa"
c You're very thoughtful" said Mrs Fen
: wick
!: Mabel laughed.
/; 81 am taking care of you two till Fay come
. back" she answered Then she picked up he
2 little lesson books and kissed Mrs. Fenwicl
good-by.
: Take good care of yourself till com
}, back" she said.
. Mrs. Fenwick stood at the window watch
!. ing the little figure so down the street. Sh
l. would turn around every minute and throw
r kiss at the window, as Fay used to do.
School was very lonesome for Mabe
Usually Fay sat by her side and at noon the
ate their lunch together under one of the bi
Z trees in the school yard Some of the othe
y children came up to Mabel now, but sh
turned away from them all with little sigh
n Had she not promised Fay that she would /