The Delta independent., 1895-11-06

| to the station. He also added: IL
| Hannah Patten is in Denver, send her
along" He had photographed to New
castle and found she was not there.
When by special order the train
| stopped at the lonely brown house, DR..
John was on the watch. He went daily
| to the track for papers, having estab-
lished communication with different
conductors. He had received no an
swer 20 his message sent the day be-
fore, and he surnised that Oliver, with
| his usual attention to business, had
| sent lawyer directly the message was
received. The station was only n night
| and part of days ride from Denver.
To his surprise and dismay, Oliver HIM
self stepped down from the train,
turned and assisted tall lady to de-
scend, a lady much burdened with par
cells and carrying a large basket.
There was no chance to speak until
the train had gone; then Miss Patten
said, calmly:
"Where is she?"
| The doctor pointed to the house. Il
| must tell her first" he said in n whis-
per; "she Is still very weak, and the
surprise might upset her. Where did
| you come from?"
Boosting. I've traced her, but went
on to Denver instid, an was in Mr.
| divers office when the telegram
come. Him being a lawyer, I per-
suaded him to come too"
While she spoke the basket in her
hand tilted up and down, and n mystic
rious whine came out of it. Mrs.
Minny, wide awake, was being enter
tanned by the white-headcd trio; they
were discussing whether they would
rather have baby or dog to play
with; they decided in favor of the lat
ter, for they never had q canine friend,
while there was new baby every year
or so; in fact, the Oldest girl had a care
worn look on account of her duties as
nurse. In the door of the house ap-
peared q white-headed child, who
called out shrilly:
Lady wants to know what's squeak
ing out here"
''says she's going to get up and see,
| il DR.. A-corns don't come and tell her."
! shrieked a second whitehead.
Miss Patten opened the basket, and
fluffy mass of disapproval bounced
out, spun around, and made vicious
dash at Miss Patterns ankles, while
| she stood statue of patient endur-
ance.
I'm used to it. He hates the basket"
sbr said, shaking him off. ~ can't
blame him, for I've fetched him clear
| from Bosting."
''Says she just knows it's her dorg,"
| yelled the third white-head; and the
| doctor, with various inane cajolemcnts,
| coaxed the dog to the house. Luckily
| Mrs. Macon removed the infant, for,
with n wild bark, Skye lcaped on the
| bed, kissed his mistress wan face,
her hands, uttering joyful little barks,
and then, remembering old days, curled
! himself in a little round heap at her
feet, looking at her with affectionate
| eyes.
"Put the baby down and see il he'll
growl," commanded Mrs Minny.
"You heartless thing!" scolded DR..
John.
Mrs. Macon gingerly laid the baby on
the bed. Skye sat up, all interest and
amazement, then with depressed de-
| meanor skunk to his feet and scuttled
| over the side of the bed out of the
room. How Mrs. Minny laughed! Miss
| Patten heard her.
"Its many long days since I could
laugh" she said, grimly.
"She is only child" said Oliver. He
wished he had not come; he should have
| sent his clerk.
"Is Aunt Hannah out there?" asked
Minny, softly.
"Yes. She brought the dog"
as she very, very angry with me?"
piteously II did not want to be caught
and made to go home. l want to tell
her, though, il she worried how sorry
am"
"She can come If you will be quiet
and let her do the talking" cautioned
DR.. John.
I'll be good" she answered, eagerly.
"You know I do everything you tell me
to. What will she think of him?"-
with Il look of pride at the red-faced
bundle. after that she can never
call rue frivolous again. Why. she's
quite a young thing in experience be-
side me. Wasn't she good to bring my
dog2"
Aunt Hannah meant to be severe and
cold, perhaps to speak her mind lit
tle she had not forgiven the long,
anxious months; but the sight of the
girl lying there white and frail, the
baby in her arms, softened the stern
odd face, and with sob she knclt down
and gathered both to her breast.
| CHAPTER VII
"Craig," said DIR. John, sitting down
on nail-keg, why did you come
here?"
because you sent for lawyer and
for Miss Patten. i connected the mys-
terry with the young lady had assisted
to run away, whose fate has been u
good deal of trouble to me ever since.
wanted to help her, II need be. Is
she very ill?"
Getting better fast. 1t was mad
folly to start on journey sick as she
was l don't blame you, Craig, for
that long ride and the risk you ran;
She is very winning, this troublesome
little lady, and brave too. 1t is won