Griggs courier., 1892-03-18

she supported herself and Fredric,.
The deep, intense love her little daugh-
ter bore her was the light Of her life.
Fredrica was old for her yearA She
was her mothers companion. except
when the latter was at her work. and
sympathized with, her in everything.
The stories and Sketches Agnes man.
aged to write ''between whiles'' were .
source of delight to the child; the story
returned that morning, one that really
betrayed talent, was her favorite. No
wonder the little heart swelled with
indignation at the man who had re.
jected it!
As she thought about IL after her
mother was gone, Fredrica came to .
sudden, bold determination. Running
to q closet, she took down her hat.
Going to the door and opening itsoftly,
lest Mrs. johnson should hear and stop
her, she stepped out and closed the
door very quietly. She ran quickly
down the steps and disappeared around
the nearest corner.
Almost miraculously the child was
saved from accident and pursued her
way along the busy streets, until .
large sign on q building opposite her
attracted her attention. .'That looks
like the place mamma told me-" she
said to herself. stopping moment on
the edge of the pavement to spell the
name on the sign. 1t was laborious
work, but when finished she clapped
her hands in joy. ran across the street,
and entered the building.
Eric Boynton sat writing profound
editorial at his desk in his private office.
Suddenly the stiffness of the room was
broken BY clear, piping little voice
saying: ''You are q bad man! A perv
bad mani"
The busy editor dropped his pen full
of ink on the half finished page. and
looked around in astonishment to find
the owner of the accusing voice.
Turning in his chair, he saw dimin-
utive 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
cornposure was disturbed and her voice
quivered, rs, making an effort to be
brave, she began again: why do you
send back my sweet mamma's pretty
stories and make her cry? She shan't
never, no, nerer, send you any more,
and I've come to tell you you're a
naughty, bad mana bad californian.
There!"
The quivering voice had gained
strength, aad the violet eyes now
looked defantly at the astonished Eric.
What do you mean, little one?" he
asked. kindly. trying to draw Fredrica
towards him.
But she resisted. "You made my
mamma very unhappy;" she cried, land
she don't teuer cry?" she said, illogically.
''Tell me all about it, dear, I'm sure
I'm not the bad, ugly man you're look
ing for" he begged, smiling down on
her mothers brave champion. Drawn
irresistibly toward him, Fredrica told
her story, and before it was finished
she was on Eric's knee, her little hand
clasped in his big one, her burdened
heart unaccountably lightened. At
the end of her recital the big editor
gave growl that frightened Fredrica
greatly. and almost made her jump off
his knee. But when she looked up he
was smiling.
''Tm 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 were at home. for sonnet body
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 60 down to the next corner and
the next one. the same alike. and
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 by the
hand and passed out of the building
Fredrica talked gayly on the way,
telling 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 mans
promise that he would ''see about" her
mothers stories, and she was sure all
would be right.
Boynton halted at q florists and
bought pretty bunch of roses for her,
that sent Fredrica into . perfect &C.
stacy of happiness Arriving at the
house he rang. although Fredrica de-
sired him to run around to the side
door with her. s..
A lovely young woman, with an anx-
ious look on her face, opened the door
before the bell ceased to ring.
''Fredrica," she cried. show could
you frighten mother so!'' she stopped
down and clasped the child passionate
" to her breast Fredrica threw her
arms around her mothers neck.
'Liebchen." she whispered, audibly,
"1've brought the bad editor.man with
me, all except he isn't bad"
Puzzled and confused Mira T,e(,harl /.