The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11

"Ah, Miss Dot, you nave baDy, as
usual"
"why, of course! We are insepara-
Bile, and loye her So"
He saw the wistful, yearning look
that she cast on the child, so full of
anxiety, too, that he felt something was
amiss
what is the trouble, Miss Dot? Isn't
baby wellP" And he took the curly
headed fairy up in his arms. He, too,
had learned to care for the blue-eyed
stranger.
YES" hesitatingly, baby is well;
but, oh, Guardyl l want to talk to you.
May ~" and she looked at him anxious
ly, entreatingly.
"why, childl What do you meanP
Why ask if you may? Am not always
willing?"
Eyes, Guardy, yesl But 1t is about
-Lucie. Oh, don'tI' and she grasped
his arm with both hands, as she saw
the look of mingled rage and conster.
nation that had swept over his face.
Dorothy
"Oh, Guardy, don't look sol Be pitt
full" and the tears welled up into her
brown eyes, while his face softened
slightly.
"Thinlk of all these years. and not a
word from Lucie. Don't yoS want to
see her?"
"No!" Distinctly and hprshly the
word fell, and he threw of her hands
and walked to the window,
One moment the girl looked after
L, 30 f,,1 u, i,
followed. This time she lid not touch
him, but laid one hand on the head OF
the child clinging to her dress.
'Guardy, l do not Lelieve yol.
know you do want to s3e her."
miss Dorothy!" and Earle looked al
her in amazement.
81 mean it. Since baby came you
have relented toward your sister. o.
Guardy, forgive her fully"
dot, L cannot. Think of mother
You know and l know that it was
Lucie's disgraceful conduct that killed
her. Forgive her! Never"
Think of your mother in Heaven
pleading for her homeless child. She
loved and would have forgiven her, in
spite of all. Guardy, for her sake, call
her back"
With stifled groan he staggered 10
a chair, burying his face in both hands.
Dot cast herself down at his feet, lay
ing one hand on his bowed head.
'Guardy!" There was a depth OF
pitying tenderness in her young voice.
"Let me tell you what know OF Lucie.
She is in b alone. Her husband is
dead, and she is longing to return home.
long to have her Her husband was
true, Guardy, and she loved him to the
end. Think of that Oh, say something
to me! This awful silence frightens me
So"
He lifted his head slowly.
Let me think, Dot. | am bewild-
ered," and he passed his hand over his
forehead.
eyes, think, Guardy! Think of the
long years that have rolled by since she
last saw her home-her brotherl And,
oh, Guardy, think of the long, heart
broken year that has passed since she
held her baby in her arms. Think how
she is yearning to feel the touch of
warm, baby lips once more. Knowing
all this, can you refuse to allow her to
return home?"
Her baby!''
eyes, baby! This is hers. Her own
Alice, named after your mother. Oh,
don't send her away" and the girl
sprang up, clasping both arms closely
around the child.
"This-Lucie's child? Am dream
ing?"
mo, it is true" and she placed the
baby girl in his arms. Without word
he dropped his head over that of the
wandering child.
"And you knew it, Miss Dot?"
Eyes, knew it," she repeated, hum
bly,; 81 hoped you would learn to love
baby, then, for her sake, would forgive
Lucie. VIII you do SO, Guardy?"
Let me think. Leave me for min
ute, Dot"
He kissed the child, gently replacing
her in Dots outstretched arms. And
her heart ached as she saw the panied,
worn expression on his face.
"Will you forgive me for my deceit
and intrigue first?"
II have nothing to forgive, little Miss
Dot" and her eyes frightened as the
old pet name fell on her ear.
She closed the door gently, throwing
one backward glance at him as he sat
with bowed head
A few minutes later the door was
pushed OPEN He did not look up,
thinking it was Dot, and he half ex-
pected to feel her light hand laid on his
head The silence oppressed him. He
lifted his head
'Lucie!" he sprang from the chair,
took two steps towards the slight,
black-robed figure, then turned from
| her.
mo, Guardy! Not thatr' and another
| form flew across the room, grasping
his arm, and Dots fearful, pleading
face looked up into his. For baby's
sake; for mother's-for mine-forgive
her."
''Lucie!"
"Earle!"
The long-parted brother and sister
were in each others arms.
Little Miss Dot"
YES Guardy"
81 want a little payment for all this
skillful strategem on your part. Can
have it?"
Tell me what you want first" and
once more the roguish dimples danced
about in merry glee.
81 want little Miss Dot for my own
my wife. Even though am old and"
A soft hand was laid over his mouth.
"But shall be Mrs. Dorothy then"
and her sweet, ringing laughter rang
through the room. And Earle Wellman
was content,-Lillian NJ. Leslie, in
Boston Globe.