The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1890-12-26

rags with a dirty baby on her lap, after
she had heard Mrs Rsynor's request
DO as ye like about 1T" said the
fond father. young ans are most too
thick around here"
We'll, We ken take her." said Mrs
Hunter. nOdding to Mrs Raynor, AN
If she don't like it over there among
your young uns she can come back any
day" This was said in the most indie
pendent and airy fashion, as though
there was every possibility that Ruth
might not like life In the Raynor fam
lily at all.
Mrs. Raynor smiled as she thanked
Mrs. Hunter, and then she took Ruth
home with her.
The child was overioyed. Nice clothes
and kindness soon developed her self
respect. and she loved her benefactress
as only a young sewage can love. She
was bright and quick, and learned with
surprising rapidity. The winter went
by and she still remained at the Ray
nora. The summer and another winter,
and year after year slipped away and
she was still there
At last Ruth was twelve years old.
and very sweet and lovely Ruth she
had grown 70 be. Her comfort and Joy,
however, were soon to end One day
her mother came over to the Raynors
and told Ruth that they, the Hunters,
were about to move tout West" and she
must go with them. Tears and en-
treaties were of no avail The misera-
BILE, ignorant woman had long been
jealous of Ruth's affection for Mrs
RaynSr, and she now declared that Ruth
must come home and share the fortunes
of the family. So the poor child went
away with her unlovely family into =
life that was hateful to her For time
she wrote frequently to Mrs Raynor,
but as the years went by letters came
less frequently, and at last, after the
Raynors removed TO another town, they
ceased to hear from Ruth altogether
limo moved on and brought SAD
changes to the Raynors- One by one
the rosy-cheelSed children sickened and
died, and Mr.. Raynor soon followed
them. Mrs. Raynor found herself alone
and penniless. for her husbands affairs
were in bad way, and his property
had been seized by his creditors.
She struggled for time, but sickness
eventually overpowered her, and, as she
was destitute, she was taken to the
almshouse.
Here, on New Years morning she lay.
helpless and sick at heart She put her
thin hand over her eyes to hide the
tears of humiliation which triciSled
slowly over her cheeks. Silently she
asked herself how she had sinned that
she must be punished thus? Had she
not always given out kindness wher-
ever and whenever she could? Had not
her heart always been full of pity,
mercy and charity, and her hands ready
to help the needy? Yet here she was,
i'll, old and pauper recipient of pub
lie aims. lit is greater than I can
bear" she groaned, as the full force of
her humiliation came upon her.
Somebody began to sing in the next
room. 1t was poor old Nancy. one of
| the county's feeble-minded children.
/ In a qua vering voice she sung:
Bread upon the waters cast
Shall be gathered at the last"
Tho words biazed before the brain OF
Mrs. Raynor and she repeated them
doubtingiy:
| Bread upon the waters cast
| Shall be gathered at the last"
| All, but it was not true-the promise
/ in these words was not true, it was not
/ true. Had she not cast her bread upon
| the waters in deeds of kindness, again
and again? Yet here she was, forsaken.
The tears gushed forth anew-tears OF