The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-02-03

wife with half remorseful look OF inquiry
as though he were asking il these things did
not atone for his denial of her plea of a week
before
She understood him, and tried to appear
satisfied; but her arms were empty, and her
heart longed for the child
As evening approached he grew restless,
and presently drew her away from the parlor
up TO Georges nursery. Grace shrank a lit
tie, and the tears came into her eyes as they
approached it; but Charles, with his arm
around her, drew her on. They entered the
room with slow steps, and hushed breath.
Grace kept it as nearly as possible as it had
been when her darling lived There was the
lace covered crib with Georgie's playthings
beside it, there stood the low rocking chair
which Georgie's form had often pressed, and
across the room was a ehilds bureau, and q
carriage with Georgie's hat and cloak across
it, Charles Horizons eyes went reverently
over each trife, and then he turned to Grace.
Gould you bear, my love, to see another
child in our darlings place."
"She would not be in her place, dear
Grace said gently.
Charles drew long breath.
Would it make you 80 very happy to have
that poor orphan, Grace? Would you rather
have her than the presents have made You
today?"
You are very kind, Charlie, and the pres
ents are beautiful; but-but-you won't fee
hurt. dear?"
Not a bit; out with It'll Shall | send the
things back and give you that little starve-
ling instead?"
All ii you would' Grace said, and it was
evident that she meant it, though she looked
hall frightened mt her holiness.
Horton WINGED little, but he bent his
head and kissed her and then stood stroking
her hair with his hand.
/ "Why, you don't really love this little Grip
I ple?" he asked
George would have been cripple, you
know; and she is so gentle and tender, and
seems to love me, and would go to no one so
readily to me. Yes, ! love her, dear, and
| want to do her what we would have had
some one DO for George if she had been left
So"
Charles WINGED again Grace felt it and
drew his hand down to her lips
"If you care so much aboutit, sweetheart"
he began.
Grace's face frightened and then clofded
again.
you are very good, dear-but she has gone
away. Shall we go down stairs? 1t is too
latenow. The door-bell rang some time ago"
Charles suffered her to draw him toward
the parlor again, but at the door he paused,
as he said
"Are you sure you would rather have the
child than anything else?"
Yes, Charle-but it's too late now" she
repeated.
He kissed her again and opened the door.
In the very center OF the parlor stood new
rockingham, and smiling from it's depths,
stretching up its loving arms to her, was the
child-the child that looked like Georgiel
II Charles Horton had doubted the expedi-
ency OF overcoming his own prejudices for
the sake OF gratifying his wife in a very laud-
able matter, he was inclined to yield the doubt
when Grace turned toward him, the child
clinging to her, and saying only, 20 Charliel''
laid her head upon his shoulder and sobbed
as she had not done before since her baby
died.
Other children came to them in turn-iair
and noble children-but never one that was
so much blessing to all the house as the
child that Cooked like George"