The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-08-27
Selected Storp.
She Took Care OF Them.

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
handkerchief moving from the window,
but when they had passed out of sight
Mabel sobbed aloud. Right by her
side stood Fay's mamma. She, too,
stood watching the little white signal
till it 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 90
home now"
AS they walked away together sympa-
thetic eyes of the bystanders followed
them. One soft-hearted baggage-mas-
ter 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 married!' he answered. " How
proud and happy they were! What
was the trouble, do you know?"
mo-" said the other with wrinkle
of the eyebrows. "Some nonsense,
guess. Ralph was always quick-tem-
pered fellow, and she was an only
child, you know. l never thought they'd
separate, though-and such sweet
little grill"
His companion smiled little. "Did
you notice the other one?" he asked.
"That's Colburn's young 'un. Fay
and she are thick as peas. It'll be
lonesome for Mabel now"
Mabel was already lonesome as she
walked away from the station with Fay's
mamma. When she looked up, how
ever, and saw the tears in Mrs. Fen
wick'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. Fen
wick had separated now, but she felt
very sorry for the parents left behind,
and had promised Fay to take good
care of them.
I" l do not think my mamma is happy"
Fay had confded to her, " for she cries
great deal. l am very sorry to 60
away just now, only Aunt Lottie wants
me so much. And papa is not very
well, think. Sometimes he is cross
and things are all different from what
they used to be. You must be good to
them, Mabel, so that 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 little as Mrs. Fenwick looked
lnnp OF ha ,ho,-L,f,,l..
"Thank you, DEAR" she said.
Mabel's active little brain had already
devised 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, l will stop in the
sore 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 merrly.
If I am your little girl" she said,
quickly, "then Fay's papa is NINE"
MIs. l. cuWlCh lluSneu u llltle.
Mabel talked on without stopping.
Sometimes we went into his store
coming home from school," she con-
tinued, "and 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 choaked little. How
many times she had been in that little
otfice-but now she would not 90 any
more.
That evening she was all alone. No
tired young husband came home to tea,
and Fay was far away with Aunt Lot
tie. 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 everyday 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 did so and rubbed her
chubby little cheek against Mrs. Fem
wick's.
Il wish could stay with you" she
said, sadly, "but / daren't be late at
school. It's very lonesome without
Fay, isn't it?"
EYES," answered Fay's mother, her
eyes filling with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in
silence.
con my way back from school," she
said, finally, "I'll go in and see Fay's
papa"
You're very thoughtful" said Mrs.
Fenwick.
Mabel laughed
l am taking care of you till Fay
comes back" she answered. Then she
picked up her little lesson books and
kissed Mrs. Fenwick goodbye.
"Take good care of yourself till |
come back" she said.
Mrs. Fenwick stood at the window
watching the little figure go down the
street. She would turn around every
minnie and throw n kiss Mt tho min