Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-02-26

find the owner Of the accusing voice.
Turning in his chair, he saw di-
minutive figure before him; tiny
maid with deep blue eyes, with halo
OF golden hair that curled round her
head, her dainty white frock soiled
by the dust of the city streets, stood
gazing up at him.
The small hands were clasped and
unclasped nervously as she felt the
keen gaze of the editor upon her
Her composure was disturbed and her
voice quivered, as, making an effort
TO be brave, she began again: why
do you send back my sweet mamma :
pretty stories and make her cry ? She
shant never. no. never. send you
anv more. and I've come TO tell YOU
you're naughty, bad mana bad
editor man. There
The quivering voice had gained
strength, and the violet eyes now
looked defantly at the astoni.hed
Eric.
What do you mean, little one 2
he asked kindly, trying to draw Fred
RIGA towards him.
But she resisted. You made my
mamma very unhappy; she cried
and she don't ever cry = she said IL
logically.
Tell ne all about it, dear, I'm
sure I'm not the bad, ugly man you re
looking for he begged, smiling
down on her mothers brave cham
pion. Drawn irresistibly toward
him. Fredrica told her story, aud be
fore it was finished she was on Eric :
knee. her little hand clasped i'll his
biz one, her burdened heart unac-
countably lightened. At the end OF
her recital the big editor gave
growl that frightened Fredrica great
lv. and almost made her jump of his
knee. But when she looked up he
was smiling.
I'm not the man who sees the sto-
ries. Fredrica," he said, but We VIII
see about your mamma's story, and
make it all right 1t is high time now
Won were at home, for somebody vii!
be terribly alarmed if she gets back
and finds her little Fredrica has mys-
teriously disappeared. Do You Know
the way homeT'
"Oh. yes" Fredrica replied, you
lust 70 down to the next corner ana
the next one, the same alike, ana
another, and maybe another, and
you're there
Eric looked grave, but found that
she knew their address, although she
could not tell very accurately how to
reach it. He took the child 10y the
hand and passed out OF the building.
Fredrica talked gaily on the way, tell
iny about Mrs. Johnson. the twins
across the way, and of mamma; OF
the latter she could not say hall
enough OF praise aud admiration.
Her heart was full Of JOY, for she had
the big mans promise that he wou'u
''see about her mother stories, ana
she was sure all would b" right
Boynton halted at a florists and
bought a pretty Lunch OF roses lor
her. that sent Fredrica into perfect
ecstacy OF happiness. Arriving at the
house. he rang, although Fredrlca
desired him to run around to the side
door with her.
A lovely young woman, with an
anxious look on her face, opened
the door before the bell ceased to
ring.
"Fredricn." she cried, how could
YOU frighten mother so!' and stopped
down and clasped the child passion
atelv to her breast. Fredrica threw
her arms around her mothers neck
"Iiebcheu, she whispered audibly.
I've brought the bad californian
with me, all except he isn't bad. y
Puzzled and confused, Mrs LeCharl-
ton arose and looked at Eric Boynton'
who stood. hat in hand. his face soft
tened by the scene Of mother and
| child.
Il must thank you" she said sweet
Iv. extending her hand, 'for bringing
NV little Frpdrica to me. ! had just
come home. and had searched the
rooms for her in vain, and was terri
bly, alarmed. 1t is not like her to do
anything to distress me.
"Fredrica and have something to
tell you, if you will allow me to come
| in. 1t il about little matter OF bus
mess your daughter has brought TO
my notice, said Eric.
Wouderingly, Agnes LeCharlton
bade him enter, and he followed her
into the little home that was destined
10 become cherished retreat to the
busy man of the world.
During the talk that followed,
Agnes learned that Fredrica new
friend was an editor and one OF the
proprietors Of the big evening paper
TO which she had sent the story which
was returned. 1t was not part oil
his work TO examine such matter, so
Mrs. LeCharlton's manuscript had
not come under his notice. This he
explained as be asked her to show
him her work.
She brought out the story and some
other sketches with inward pertur-
baton. and gave them TO him. Be
fore he had half finished the first.
there was the light Of approval in his
eyes. and Agnes felt that he found
something Of good in her writing. His
words of praise were few but sincere,
=. 1, Il