The morning call., 1891-08-21
HOW MABEL TOOK
CARE OF THEM.

handkerchief and cried There, in the car
window, was Fay, her dearest friend, moy-
ing farther away from her each minute.
For awhile she could see Fay's hand and
handkerchief moving from the window, but
when they had passed out Of sight Mabel
sobbed aloud. Right by her side stood Fay's
mamma. She, too, stood watching the little
white signal till it was lost in the distance.
Then she turned and held out her hand to
Mabel
Come, Mabel" she said, in a voice that
trembled somewhat, "let us go nome now
LAS they walked away together, sympa-
thetic eyes of the bystauders followed them.
One soft-hearted paggageman shook his head
sadly.
Hard, isn't ?" he said.
The man standing next him nodded.
And it seems only the other day they
were married !' he answered. "How proud
and happy they werel What was the
trouble, do you know"
No." said the other, with wrinkle of
the eyebrows. Some nonsense, guess.
Ralph always was Quick-tempered fellow
and she was an only child, you know |
never thought they'd separate, though-and
such sweet little girl y
His companion smiled little.
"Did you notice the other one?" hs asked.
"Thats Colburn's young one. Fay and
she are as thick as peas. tn be very lone
some for Mabel, now
Mabel was already lonesome as she walked
away from the station with Fay's mamma.
When she looked M, 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 behind, and had
promised Fay to take good care of them.
Il do not think my mamma is happy"
Fay had cOnfded to her, Tor she cries
great deal. ! am very sorry to go away just
now, only Aunt Lotlie wants me so much
And papa is not very well, l think. Some
times he is cross, and things are all differ
ent 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. Fen
wick's hand as she trudged along by her
Il will be your little girl till Fay comes
back" she said. The sad face smiled lit
lie as Mrs. Fenwick looked down at the
child thoughtfully.
Thank you, dear" she said.
MabePs active little brain had already de-
vised plan.
Every morning on my. way TO school l
will stop and see you" she said, after a
minute, "and-let me see-every afternoon
when don't have too many lessons, and
WIen my leacuef uOeS not Keep me dlleI
school, will stop in the store 10 see papa.
Papa cried Mrs. Fenwick.
She had hardly listened TO the child, but
started then, for MaOelS papa, cor young
Jack Coluurn, had died some years ago.
Mabel laughed merrily.
"If l am your little girl" she said
quickly, then Fay's papa is mine."
Mrs. Fenwlck flushed a little.
Mabel talked on without stopping.
sometimes we wentinto his store coming
home from school," she continued, land
know Just where to find rundown III the
little Office at the end, sitting on high
stool. and the man outside always SMILES at
Us Just as pleasant, and says:
Step right 10, little ladies'"
Mrs. Fenwick choked little. How many
times had she been in that little Office her
self-but now she would not go any more.
That evening she was ali alone. No tired
husband cane home to tea, and Fay was far
away with Aunt Lottie. Some of the neigh
borS thought Of tie 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
ut home, for the two children walked TO
school together.
Good morning, said Mabel, smiling.
"GOOd-mOrnlng, said Mrs. Fenwick.
"Comr here and kiss me-"
Tho little girl did so and rubbed her own
chubby cheek against Mrs. FenWick's.
| wish ! could stay with YOU" she said,
sadly, but daren't be late at school. Its
very lonesome without Fay isn't it?"
Yes." answered Fay'S mother, her eyes
filing with tears.
Mabel walked around the room in silence.
"Ou my way ba from school," she said,
finally. I'll SO in and see Fay's papa"
You are very thoughtful" observed
Mrs. Fenwick.
roI la on
lam taking care of you two till Fay
comes back" she answered.
Then she picked up her esson-books and
kissed Mrs. Fenwick good-by.
Take good care OF yourself till come
back" she said.
Mrs. Fenwick stood at the window watch
Ing the little figure go down the street. She
would turn around every minute and throw
3 kiss at the window. as Fay used to do.
School was very lonesome for Mabel
Usually Fay sat by her side, and at noon
they ale their lunch together under one OF
the big trees in the school-yard. Some oil
the other children came up to Mabel II low
but she turned away from them all with a
little sigh. Had she not promised Fay that
she would be true to her and take no other
place? At noon she put her little lunch.
basket on the desk before her and ate alone
The afternoon seemed very long, but
when school was dismissed at last Mabrl
was the first to leave the building. Up the
street she ran, around the corner by the
green lamp-post, and never stopped till she
reached the hardware-store where Mr.
Fenwick had his little office at the end. As
she pulled back the heavy door and stepped
inside one of the hardware men who had a
black streak across his forehead smiled a,
her from over the counter and asked:
What do you want, little grip"
Mabel smiled, too, as she walked past him
''Pm going to see Mr.. Fenwick," she an
swered.
The man who had only recently come inc
the store tried to stop her. She only laughed
In answer.
"Oh, he will see me-" she said, and pushed
open the office door.
Mr.. Feuwick turned around at the sound
There he sat on the same high stool with
his books open before him, but there
were great rings under his brown eyes, 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,
"Bow are you getting along?"
Mr. Fenwick smiled.
who sent you here?" he asked.
Mabel drew her little form up proudly.
Nobody sent me. l thought you might
be lonesome without Fay"
$50 am" cried Fenwick, getting dowr
from his stool and lifting the little girl il
being lonesome, did you?"
YES" said Mabel, moving her soft hant
over his dark hair. II am to be your Iittl,
girl while Fay is away; Do you think tina
abe will be gone long?"
Fenwick hesitated. He did not care IL
tell Mabel that Fay would not come bacl
TIL II had been legally decided which paren
should have charge OF her.
Its very pleasant where she is" he saj(
finally. 81 shouldn't wonder if she didn'
some back right away"
Mabel brushed away tear.
tits very hard ON me-" she said. "but
suppose it's hard, too, on you and Sh,
was going to say ION mamma" but thinkin.
he might not understand. finished, land OF
your wife"
Eyes, 1t is"
"We'll have to all keep each other from
being lonesome" Mabel said, as Penwicl
at last placed her on one of the stools by hi
SIDE.
For some time the clerks in the hardware
store cast frequent klances through tn,
glass 1OOr thar pn1nlnCar in bia offio