The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-25

black streak across his forehead smiled at
her from over the counter and asked:
"What do you want, little girl?"
Mabel smiled, too, as she walked past
him. Inn going to see Mr.. Fenwlck," she
answered.
The mar who had only recently come into
into the store tried to stop her. She only
laughed in nswer.
'Oh, he will see me-" she said, and
pushed open the Office door.
MIR. Fenwick turned around at the sound.
There he sat on the same high stool with
great rings under his brown Dyes, and Mabel
thought he looked tired. AS his eyes fell
upon the intruder Fenwick started.
"Hello, Mabel,'' he said.
She walked up beside his high chair and
looked up at him smiling.
How do you do?" she asked cheerfully.
"How are you getting along?"
Mr.. Fenwick smiled.
"Who sent YOU here?" ne asked,
Mabel drew her little form up proudly.
Nobody sent me. | thought you might
be lonesome without Fay"
from his stool and lifting the little girl in
his arms. $50 you came to keep me from
| being lonesome, did your"
eyes," said Mabel, moving her soft hand
over his dark hair. II am to be your little
girl while Fay is away. Do you think that
| 606 Will Dc gone kOuEg
Fenwick hesitated. He did not care to
tell Mabel that Fay would not come back
till it had been legally decided which parent
should have charge of her.
cts very pleasant where she is." he said
finally. II shouldn't wonder if she didn't
come back right away"
Mabel brushed away a tear.
Its very hard on NO." she said, '.but ]
suppose it's hard, too, on you and" She
was going to say ION mamma" but think
ing he might not understand. finished, land
on your wife.
eyes, it is."
"We'll have to all keep each other from
at last placed her on one of the stools by
his side.
For some time the clerks in the hardware
store cast frequent chances through the
| glass door at their employer in his Office
and the little girl at his side.
"Its Colburn's girl" said one of them;
''she used to come in here with Fay Fen
wick. l guess it makes Fenwiok feel bad.' u
When Mabel came out of the office they
all smiled Mt her. She spoke to MIR. Fem
wick as she closed the glass door.
II will try and come tomorrow" she
said; take good care of yourself"
"All right" answered FenwicA. smiling;
"thank you"
He sat for some time after she left him
with his head on hls arm, 80 only the dark
locks were seen through the door. The
men outside felt very sorry for him.
Its too bad." they said; land they
were SO happy together.
When Mabel reached home she told he'll
mamma what she had done. Mrs. Colburn
kissed her and said:
"All right, darling"
She thought IT could do no harm, and
possibly the child might comfort them q
little. So every morning Mabel called OH
the forlorn little mother, who grew thinner
and pRler each day; every afternoon II SEQ.
ond stool was placed beside Mr.. Fenwich
for his little visitor. The hardware mer
looked forward to her calls with pleasure
One gave hcr n pencil once with n big rub
Der on the n i which left a black mari
after IL every time she used il. but Mabe
always smiled on the poor fellow because h
did not know about the rubber. probably.
One afternoon she came to tho store in
hurry and ran into MIR. Fenwick's Office al
out Of breath.