The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1892-02-25

her story, and before it was finished
she was ON Eric's knee. her little hanC
clasped in his big one, her burdened
heart unaccountably Hghtened. Al
| the end OF her recital the big editor
gave growl and frightened Fredrica
greatly, and almost made her jumr
off his knee But when she looked ur
he was smiling.
I'm not the man who sees the
stories, Fredrica," he said, but we
will see about your mammals story.
and make it all right. 1t is high time
now you We're at home, for somebody
will be terribly alarmed if she gets
back and finds her little Fredrica has
mysteriously disappeared Do you
know the way home?"
'Oh, yes" Fredrica replied, you
just go down to the next corner and
the next one, the same alike. and an
other, and maybe another, and you're
there"
Erie looked grave, but found that
she knew their address, although she
could not tell very accurately how to
reach it. He took the child by the
hand and passed out Of the building.
FTedrica talked gaily on the way, tell
ing about Mrs. johnson, the twins
across the way, and OF mamma: Of
the latter she could not say half
enough of praise and admiration. Her
heart was full Of joy. for she had the
big man promise that he would .'see
sL,-,+'' l.,,. ,,,.+ha,,'r. Oh L
was sure all would be right.
Boynton halted at florists and
bought d pretty bunch of roses for
her. that sent Fredrica into perfect
ecstacy Of happiness. Arriving at the
house, he rang, although Fredrica
desired him to run around to the side
door with her
4 lovely young woman. with an
anxious look on her face, opened the
door before the bell ceased to ring.
Freirica.' she cried, ''how could
yoH frighten mother sol" she stoop-
ed down and clasped the child pas
sionately to her breast. Fredrica
threw her arms around her mother 5
neck
Liebchen," she whispered audibly,
I've brought the bad editor man with
me, all except he isn't bad"
Puzzled and confused, Mrs. LIE
Charlton arose and looked at Erie
Boynton, who stood, hat in hand, his
face softenel by the scene of mother
and child.
Il must thank YOU" she said sweet
ly, extending her hand, for bringing
my little FTedrica to me | had Just
come home, and had searched the
rooms for her in vain, and was terrib-
ly alarmed. 1t is not like her to do
anything TO distress me-"
'.t'redrica and [ have something to
tell you, if You Will allow me to come
in. It IS about little matter of bust
ness your daughter has brought to my
notice said Eric
Nonderingly, Agness LeCharlton
bude him enter, and he followed her
into the little home that was destined
u become cherished retreat to the
busy man Of the world
During the talk that followed. Ag
neS learned that Fredrica's new friend
was an editor, and one of the proprip-
tors Of the big evening paper to which
she had sent the story which was re
turned. 1t was not a part of his work
to examine such matter so Mrs. Charl-
toms manuscript had not come under
his notice. This he explained as he
asked her to show him her work.
She brought out the story and some
other sketches with inward perturba-
ton, and gave them to him. Before
he had half finished The first, there was
a light of approval in his eyes, and
Agnes felt that he found something
Of worth in her writing. His words
Of praise We're few but sincere. and
the criticisms be made were grateful
ly received.
When Eric Boynton left them after
an afectionate farewell from little
Fredrica, he carried the story with
him. promising to use his influence in
getting it accepted. Within weeks
time the story appeared in the col
umns of his paper. 1t was a simple,
but skillfully drawn picture of life in
the South where Agnes had spent her
girlhood. 1t pleased the public who
were satiated with the sensational. un-
real tales that were flooding the peri
oiicals.
Thanks to Boynton's influence, Mrs,
LeCharlton soon become a regular
contributor to the paper Their bust
ness relations-or what Eric Boynton
insisted upon calling their business
relations brought them together fre-
quently. He became a familiar visi-
tor at the little home. Ere long
Frelrica was almost as fond OF him
as Of her mother. and the remem-
brances of fruits, flowers and bon
bons which he always brought her.
did not diminish her affection.
One day when she sat upon his
knee III the little drawing room. Eric
said to her. "F'redrica, will your 'Lieb-
chen do what you ask her to do?"
Yes, indeed Mr.. E,ic Why?"
asked the child
Then go to her, dear, and ask her
to bring you and come and live with
me, in my great big. lonely house"
The big editors voice was full Of
something which Fredrica could not
understand; she looked al him to see
what he meant, bat his eyes were fixed
on her mothers face. which was bent
low over some flowers she held in her
hand.
Slipping from his knee, Fredrica
obediently advanced to her mother 5
side, and repeated his words. Then
Erie followed: kneeling beside her. be
took her hand in one Of his, and
Fredrica's in the other. agnes" he
pleaded, let the child be my cham
pion, as she was once yours before me
Come with her and i'll my life and my
home with the light Of your presence
by days shall be devoted to making
you happy"
As Agnes gave him the answer h'
/ longed for, wave Of happiness swep
over her. She felt that the man whose