The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-11-11

ter, walking up Main street, felt
again a tiny hand in his. and looked
down upon Mans yellow curls and
big, brown eyes.
@Good morning. said Nan, po-
lltely.
No answer, but scowl, yet the
little hand Atill nestled closely.
Presently, still walking beside her
friend by election of one, Nan said:
"Tm pretty well, thank you, .
as in reproachfuI reminder that her
greeting had not been answered.
The tone said:
"It you are too rude to inquire
how / am, | am polite enough to
tell YOU
Still no answer, and the heavy
beard hid the quivering lips. Then
che baby voice said imperiously.
aCandyi1
"Candy2" said the bewildered
bachelor, stopping, obedienb to the
pull.
"Candyl Nan wants somelp and
the wee finger was extended to. a
tempting row of molasses- candy
pans in the window of the only cake
and candy store in Snowville.
A silver piece was put in the rosy
palm by Mr.. Carpenter, amazed at
himself and hoping nobody was
looking But Nan was still holding
fast to his hand.
"You come, tool
mo, no. he said, hastily; "get
your candy and run homel' And
gently disengaglng himself, he hur-
ried of.
But silver piece bought moro
candy than Nan had ever before
possessed, a great sticky parcel her
baby hands could scarcely grasp.
Eager to show her prize, and to
share it, she ran quickly down the
lane leading to Mr.. Carpenters
house, and reaching it, thumped on
the door with all the strength of her
baby fist. Jonathan Stubbs was
out, and nobody came. Nan pound
ed till she was tired, and then her
restless eyes spied little round
window wide open.
1t was such a small window that
burglars could find no entrance
there but it was over water-butt,
and under the butt was bench.
How Nan scaled the water-butt and
wriggled in at the window, without
losing the precious paper of candy,
must ever remain a mystery. But
she dropped through, on the floor
of a wide hallway, and looked about
her.
Door after door yielded to her
sticky grasp; and at last Mr.. Carpen-
ter was startled to see, right before
him, Mans little figure and tiny
hands holding a great parcel of
sticky sweetness.
"Seel" cried the baby voice, in
glad triumph; "Nan got all that.
Mans brought you some."
Would anybody in SnowvilIc
have believed it if he had seen Nan
perched on the bachelors knee,
forcing bits of candy between his
lips, prattling happily and receiv-
ing such gentle caresses as won her
baby heart forever. Nobody saw
them, the strong man and the little
child, as they exchanged kisses.
Nobody heard them as they talked
freely of nursery experience, and
gave each other views of the merits
of "stupid dollies that can't talk,
and nice, dear little chickies and
kitties that play"
Day after day Nan wriggIed
through the little window, missed
only by Jane, and coming home be-
fore the weary little mother complet-
ed her daily round of teaching.
Snowville began TO wonder .what
had come to Mr.. Carpenter. The
rough, shaggy beard gave way to a
pair of silky whiskers, that didn't
scratch Mans face when he kissed
her. The shabby clothes were re-
placed by suit of cheviot, because
Nan turned up her dainty nose at
the fringe on the trousers and the
grease on the coat. White linen
took the place of gray flannel, al
Mans request to "look like the pic
ture," after discovering a photograh
taken years before.
Nobody guessed how the baby
fingers were tearing away the crust
woman's treachery had spread
over a tender, generous heart, and
letting in the sunshine of protect
ing love. Jonathan guessed, but
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