The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-24
joint author of the little bIue-eyed maiden's

little extra solemnity. Gle runned away
Just before l became 4 little girl
Lance became conscious of approaching
symptoms of another fit of laughter, only
something in the fearless violet eyes checked
the rising mirth.
"He must have been very bad man,
then, he observed.
He runned away" repeated the child,
regarding her new-found friend with re-
proachful gravity, 'and mamma loves him,
she does "
"And do You love him, too, little one? p
ayes, love him. too And when | say
my prayers | say, Please bod, bless my
dear runaway papa. and bring him home
agaia, for Jesus sake, amen"
Graham, hard, cynical man of the world
as he was, did not laugh again.
A man must be far gone, indeed, if such
simple earnestncss and touching belief as
this cannot move him to the core. All the
warmth and love in his battered heart went
out to the child in moment.
Il do not know what to do with you,"
he observed. Il do not know who your
mamma is, but must look after you, young
lady"
"Tse not a young lady; Use Nelly. Take
me home to mamma"
''But don't know where she is" said
Graham, forlornly.
"Then take me home to your mamma"
"Confding,' said Graham, laughing
again, mot to say complacent, only, unfor-
tunately, | don't happen to have one"
II dess you're too biz" said Nelly, with
little nod, and then, as if the whole mat
ter was comfortably settled, Garry me-
Suppose [ take you home with me? ?"
Graham observed, having quickly abandon
ed the idea proceeding to the nearest po-
lice station, "and then we can look for
mamma in the morning. / think you had
better come with me" he added, raising
the light burden in his arms.
"All right Nelly replied, clasping him
lovingly around the neck, and laying her
smooth cheek comfortably against his
bronzed face. II fink that will be very
nice. Then you can come and see mamma
in the morning, and perhaps she will let
you be my new papa.
"What about the other one?'' asked
Graham.
"Oh, then can have two" replied the
little lady, by no means abashed; ''we can
play at horses together. Where do you
liveI T.
The speaker put this latter question with
great abruptness, as children will when they
speak of matters quite foreign to the sub
iect under discussion.
Not very far from here, Lance replied
meekly.
"I'se so glad Use drefiy hungry. And
like milk for supper
Mr. Graham smiled at this broad hint,
and dutifully promised that the desired re-
frcshment should be forthcoming at any
cost The walk, cnlivened by quaint ques-
tions and scraps of childish philosophy,
proved to be short one, and, indeed, from
Euston road to Upper Bedford place can
scarcely be called long journey. So
Graham carried his tiny acquaintance to
his room, and installed her in state before
the fire, bidding her remain there quietly
while he retired to consult his landlady
upon the important question of supper.
Little Nelly's remark was not beside the
mark when she confessed to the alarming
extent of her appetite, for the bread and
milk disappeared with considerable celerity,
nor. did the imperturbable young lady dis
dain plate of biscuits suggested by Gra-
ham as follower. Once the novelty of
the situation had worn off, he began to
enjoy the pleasant sensation, and TO note
with something deeper than pleasure his
visitors sage remarks and noticeable alb
sence of anything like shyness. When she
had concluded her repast, she climbed upon
his knee in great content.
''Tell me tale, she commanded; "a nice
ope"
"Yes, my darling certainly" Graham
replied, feeling as if he would have at
tempted to stand on his head if she had
called for that form of entertainment.
"What shall tell you about ?"
"Bears The very, very long one about
the three bears"
''Im afraid | can't remember that,
Lance returned meekly. ''You see, my
education has been neglected. If it had
been tigers now"
"Well, said the imperious Nelly, with
a sigh of resignation, and perhaps little
in depreciation of such deplorable ignor-
ance, "I dess the bears will have 10 wait
Only it must be about real tiger
Graham, obedient to this request, pro-
ceeded to relate personal adventure in the
simplest language at his command That
he should be so doing did not appear to be
the least ludicrous. As if he had been a
family man, and the child his own he told
the thrilling story.
a like tales" said Nelly, when at length
the thrilling narrative concluded "Did
you ever see real lion ~
"Olten. And now, isn't it time little
girls were in bed?''
"But don't want to go to bed. And
I never go till Use said my prayers.
"Well, say them now, then,