The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-09-17
MABEL's CARE.

tie red-bOrdered handkerchief and
cried. There, in the car window, was
Fay, her dearest friend, moving
farther away from her each minute
For awhile she could see Fay's hand
and handkerchief moving from the
window, but they had passed out of
sight Mabel sobbed aloud. Right by
her side stood Fay's mamma. She,
too, stood watching the 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 60
home now
LAS they walked away together,
sympathetic eyes OF the bystanders
followed them. One soit-hearted bag
gageman shook his head sadly.
Hard, isn't it?'
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, doyou know"
mo said the other, with a wrinkle
OF the eyebrows. "Some nonsense, I
guess. Ralph always was a quick tenn
pered fellow, and she was an only
child, you know. I never thought
they'd separate. though-and such a
sweet little grill"
His companion smiled little.
Did you notice the other one?" he
asked. ''That's Colburn's young one.
Fay and she are as thick as peas. It'll
be very lonesome for Mabel, now"
Mabel was already lonesome as she
walked away from the station with
Fay's mamma. When she looked ND,
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
Fenwlck had separated now, but she
felt very sorry for the parents left be-
hind, and had promised Fay to take
good care OF them.
II do not think my mamma is hap
py," Fay had confded to her, :.4sfor she
cries a great deal. / am very sorry
to 60 away just now, only Aunt Lottie
wants me so much. And papa is not
very well, l think. Sometimes 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.
Il will be your little girl till Fay
comes back" she said. The sad face
smiled little as Mrs. Fenwick looked
down at the child thoughtfully.
"Thank you, DEAR" She said. 81 =,
Mabel's active little. brain had al
ready devised a plan. az
Every morning on my way to
school will stop and see you" she
said, after q minute, "and-let me see
every afternoon when 1 don't have
many lessons, and when my teacher
does not keep me after school, will
stop III the store to see papa"
''Papan' cried Mrs. Fenwick. >ss@ :
She had hardly listened to the child,
but started then, for Mabel's papa,
poor young Jack Colburn, had died
years ago.
Mabel laughed merrily.
eff am your little GIRL" she said
quickly, "then Fay's papa is mine"
Mrs. Fenwick flushed a little.
Mabel talked on without stopping.
sometimes we went into his store
coming home from school," she con-
tlnued, land l know just where to
find rundown in the little Office at
the end, sitting on a 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 had she been in that little
office, but now she would not 20 anv
more. M" 80 :
That evening she was all alone. No
tired husband came home to tea, and
Fay was far away with Aunt Lottie.
Some of the neighbors thought of the
lonesome little mother, but none
ventured to intrude upon her in her
sorrow AZ h&vs" ~ n ~ ID.
In the morning Mabel came in as
Mrs. Fenwick was eating her break
fast. This was an everyday occur
renee when Fay was at home, for the
two children walked to school to-
gether.
Woodworking" said Mabel, smil-
ing. ...-.z... .E2Ea ~ |g. +
"Good-morning, said Mrs. Fenwick.
"Come here and kiss me-"
The little girl did so and rubbed her
own chubby cheek against Mrs. Fen
wick's. a@@>
II wish I could stay with YOU" she
SAID sadly, .'but l daren't be late at
school. It's very lonesome without
Fay, isn't itW
eyes" answered Fay's mother, her
eyes filling with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in
Silence. .*@
"On my way back from school,, she
said, finally, I'll go in and see Fay's
papa" II.
You are very thoughtful" OBJ
gerved Mrs. Fenwick.
Mabel laughed.
II am taking care OF you two till
Fay comes back" she answered. !,