The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-25
Mrs. Fenwick's hand as she trudged along

Mrs. Fenwick's hand as she trudged along
by her side.
II will be- your little girl until Fay comes
back she said. The sad face smiled q lit
tie as Mrs. Fenwick looked down at the
child tnoughtfully.
'"Thank you, DEAR she said.
Mabel's active little brain had already
devised a plan.
EVERY morning on my way to school l
will stop and see you" she said, after n
minute, 'and-let me see-every afternoon
when l don't have too many lessons. and
school, I will stop in the store to see papa"
"Papa!' cried Mrs. Fsnwick.
She had hardly listened to the child, but
started then, for Mabel's pap poor young
Jack Colburn, had died some years ago.
Mabel laughed merIjly. >,
quickly, "then Fey's papa is mine"
Mrs. Fenwick flushed a little.
Mabel talked on without stopping.
Sometimes We went into his store COM
ing home from school," she continued,
land l know just where to find rundown
high stool, md the man outside always
smiles at us just as pleasant, and says:
"'Step right in. little ladies'"
Mrs. Fonwick ohoke a little. How
many times she had been In that little Office
herself-Eut now she would not go any
more.
That evening she wal all alone. No tired
husband came home to tea, n Fay wasfa
away with Aunt Lottie. Some of the neigh
bors thought of tho 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 tc
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 own
chubby cheek against Mrs. Fenwick's.
| II wish l could stay with you," she said,
I sadly, .'but l daren't be late at school. III
very lonesome without Fay, isn't it?"
Yes" answered Fay's mother. her eyes
filling with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in silence.
ION my way back from school" she said,
finally, ''l'l go in and see Fay's papa"
you are very thoughtful" observed
Mrs. Fenwiok.
Mabel laughed.
II am taking care of you two till Fay
comes back" she answered.
Then she picked up her lesson books and
kissed Mrs. Fenwick goodbye.
Take good care OF yourself till l come
back" she said.
Mrs. Fenwick stood at the window watch
ing the little ngure go down the street
She would turn around oyery minute anC
throw n kiss at the window, as Fay used
to do.
School WAS very lonesome for Mabel
Usually Fay sat by her side, and at moor
they ate their unoh together under one OF
the big trees in tho school yard. Some OF
the other children came up to Mabel now,
but she turned away from them all with .
little sigh. Had she not promised Fay
that she would be true to her and take ma
other placer At noon she put her little
lunch basket on the desk before her and
ate alone.
The afternoon seemed very long, bu
when school WAS dismissed At last Mabe
WAS the hrst to leave the building. Up tn,
street shs ran, around the come by tn,
green lamp-post, and never stopped till sh'
reached tho hardware store, where Mr.
Fcnwick had his little Office at tho end. Al
she pulled back the heavy door and stepped
inside one OF the hardware men who had