Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-01-10

Selika used to think that when Ton.
tou got old enough Gordon and ha
would go about together; but now 10
was still too much Of baby for Cor.
don to be troubled with him.
She had never limited to Gordon
that she sometimes longed for few
! hours Of freedom, even from Touton,s
sweet prattle.
The bells had ceased ringing when
Toutou and his mother went into fho
beautiful stone church, and Touton
ran his hands over the wall, saying.
"Toutou so hot-wan Diet tool-Tm.
tou shirty-"
Ssh -sh,n whispered Selika; ..you am
in church now, Toutou, you must BE-
still"
Toutou shook his head so bard thu.
each little golden curl flew out Dor.
pendicularly, and his feet battered
noisily up the broad aisle; his mother
pulled him into a seat and gave him
a book to play with.
While Selika listened, Toutou
stretched himself out at full length
on the soft cushions and went to sleen
/ 1t was the first time that he had ever
slept in church, and it flashed unon
her that here was a special proyi.
dence" coming divinely to her assist.
ance.
She felt self-reproachful when the
thought of the sleeping Toutou kent
obtruding itself upon her, even as she
partook of the bread and wine, and
she wondered what she should do IL
he woke, and cried for her, or came
toddling to her, calling, ''Mumma
mum-mar'
she could imagine the coldly re-
proachful glances hurled at her, when
she would try to catch him in her
arms to silence his noise-but that
wonderful special providence must
have preserved her from such NORTH
cation, as not a whimper disturbed
the stiffness.
Selika rose from her knees and
walked back. looking In every pew for
Toutou-she walked back almost to
the open door before she realized that
he was gone!
He must be out on the street. and
she FASTENED out after him, but she
scanned the hot, empty space in vain
no sign of the curly golden head.
An electric car whizzed past, and
she pressed her hand to her head, cry
ing:-"Oh, Touton, my baby! Where
are your
tsb n tr1i of
a little white form toddling on the
other side away toward the river, and
regardless of curious glances she ran,
calling as loud as she could.
"Toutou-Toutou-c back!"
Once she stopped long enough to
notify a policeman. and give him a
description of the child. Then she ran
on, crying louder and louder
'Toutou!-stop
"Selika!"
gentleman stretched out his arms
and stopped her: 1t was Gordon.
"Selika-my God!-what is the mat
ter? Where is Toutou?"
Gordon" she gasped, IL thought
you--you-were-"
"Never mind,' impatiently, II was
left. Where Is Toutoug
"I-don't--know--" duly, and leaning
heavily against him.
1t was some time before she could
make him understand what had hap
pened.
81 believe he is in here" Gordon
said firmly, and together they went to
the church, standing in the door and
peering into the gloom.
Then Seiika started forward, and a
little white form on the altar steps
stood up and said sweetly:-
-Toutou hid from mum
ma. Toutou hid way back, den Tou-
tou tummed here for desc pity
shings,' opening his hands full OF
withered flowers.
ooh, Toutou. oh, you naughty
naughty boy" she laughed, kissing
him rapturously. Gordon. | ought to
have had faith-I ought to have be-
lieved In the special proyidence-and
waited"
He made no answer as he gatherer the
child up in his arms; but the next Sun
day he stayed at home till Toutou was
dressed In fresh, beautiful white, and
then took him out to the park full OF
grand old oaks, while Selika went to
church
1t might have been special proyi-
dence after all-Times- Democrat
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