The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-25

was ! stalwars blue.coatcd policeman. ex-
changing the complsmsnta Of the day with
some chsfry-cheeksd and cherry-ripnonea
housemaid. Here some rubicund cook WAS
taking III Tho mornings milk and there
some ssaabbies" on q stand we're indulginR
IN rough horse play or hitting themselves
and ono another Tremendous whacks upon
the chest to promote vigorous circulation.
Time and patience make q pretty Hooa
4snm and AZ last I reached ths directors
homo. His generous heart responded TO
my pitiful story at once. "Hurry, my good
sir, hurry" were his farewell words a. ne
shook my hand in the hall. Mother and !
and this beyy OF little maids are all an1i
Gus 70 nee thsn. Why, dsstis. WON ma
oh, its for Nell, Ia it? Now, sir. don't for
Rst. Nell and Mollie both. and those child
rem shall have such q dinner thls Christmas
day az. please God, shall blot out the
memory Of many q hungry pang. Poor
things. poo things.'"
The sun was brssking through the fog
al I aes out TO keep my appointments with
tho children. Underfoot the ground was
greasy and sloppy, as the fcsuls OF the
midnight storm. bat the Frightening sky
overhead had set the holiday world annoy
ing in full force. As l swung Into the
Strand at a rapid rate ! found myself snail.
ing pleasant greetings to faces known and
unknown. But pretty soon, be-
wildering Visions of lumbering drays and
vicious hansoms, hoarse omnibuses and fu-
nereal four whselers, l catch sight OF two
little figures far way down the strses
And yes, ips Nell, and the little toddling
mite by her side. hand clasped In hand.
must be Mollie. of course. Poor little
waifsi What a happy change for
them before they sleep tonight. Now
they rome nearer and Neil has q
treasure trove, q piece of faded ribbon that
faunts and hutters oddly among those
woful rags. Poor little maid. can its
shabby brightness have whispered to her
somehow or other a message OF brighter
cheer, al some playful eddy daneed with 1t
this Christmas morninRI Quick Dyes, those
Of Nelrs. Now she has spied me out. She
steops to speak TO little Mollie. and the
baby's bright eyes begin searching my side
Of the street. Know me. too, for the tiny
hands are clappsd together and Nell 10
smiling approval. At last We are opposite
and ! beskon to them to stand still and wait
for me, while / seize anopportunity OF dart
ing to them between the busy wheels.
Uncle Rosis's voioc grew aaddsr, a. he
resumed: 1T nl happened in q momsnt.
A woman's CRY Of alarm checked nay pro-
gross for a second. One sidelcng glance
and there was Mollie coming straight and
ssarlessiy towards me with babbling baby
lauXub6E &Hu OutbtxohVno0 AuhAps AaN
that same glance showed me, oh raerciful
heaven. the horse of a ken cabman al
most over the baby's head, One dart and
] grasped the wheel of that fatal cab to aid
the wTetchsd drunkard in his useless effart.
TIL glove ! wore 10 in your lap new. Mary"
"But another had been quicker than !.
Man though / was, a feeble girl had out
stripped my effort. One moment. brave as
tho bravest knight that poets ever SANG or
ladies ever loved, Mollie's sister had dashed
10 the rescue. the next, oh gallant Nell!
that wild rush has saved the baby's life.
and the next-pisy,. pity. pity. one OF the
truest heroinos into whom God ever
breathsd the breath of life. was beneath the
deadly hoofs of that aceursed horse, and
Nelrs life blood was dabbling the soiled
red ribbon she had worn"
"They took her to the nearest hospital.
Only q few minutes I had paced the ample
corridor, whom the door of the accident
out. No hope,' he said. with an ominous
shake OF the head in answer to my inquir-
ing Rlano 90. You are interested? Well, 60
In, &c in, you cannot do her either good or
harm. An hour will end it ALL"
"Revsrently / stepped into the presence
of death. No need to ask where our Nell
lay. Little Mollie, her head buried in the
bed-clothss. 10 sobbing as if her tiny heart
would break. Nothing can harm her sister
now. The kindly nurse has other duties to
perform and willingly leaves rae to watch
by the bed side. No. sir she says. never
been conscious since they brought her here
What a frail. little body, thus done to
death! What a sad, wan face! The min
utes tick monotonously on and Mollie sobs
herself to sleep.
At last, one little hand trembles outside
the c~ovsrlet and the eyelids are quivering
in their attempt to rise. The first con-
scious look is for Mollie, the next for me.
And the poor bruised lips are trying so
hard to say something TO me. What is it.
Nell ?" / ask as l stoop gently over her face.
Promise the words some faint amid gasps
of pain. 'promise-take oare-little Mollie.'
God helping me, Nell, I shall, as I hope for
heaven"
THE weary eyes close again with glance
of contentment, and once more oil is
still. Monotonously the clock ticks on and
the baby moves restlessly in her sleep.
Hush! the eyes are open and the look Of
pain has gone Softly, as in a dream, float
forth the words. see Mollie. see baby,
green fields NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., dear,
dear mother-oh. happy Christmasp"
Jacks voice was husky as he hurriedly
rose to say good night, and down Mary's
face the tears were streaming as she stopped
to kiss her uncle's cheek and to whisper In
his ear. 'Inasmuch as ye have done IL unto
one Of the least OF these. We have done ii