Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-06-06
SHE'S ALL THE
WORLD TO ME-.
By HALL 0AINE,
Author Of "T'hc Mdnrman," The Deem
Ster," etc
PRoENL


with ruddy cheeks and laughing lips anG
sparkling brown eyes. She wore a clean
white apron that covered her skirt, which
was tucked up and pinned in fishwife fash
ion in front. Her head was bare. She
carried basket over one arm and straw
hat that swung on the other hand. The
basket contained flowers, which the child
was selling: "a ha'penny a bunch,
ma'am, only a ha'penny" The little
thing was as bright as the sunlight that
glistened over her head. She had made @
song of her sweet call and chanted the
simple words with q rhythmic swing:
"sweet violets and primroses the sweetest" !"
"Ruby," cried gentleman at the door
Of house facing the sea. Here, little
one give me a bunch of your falderolls.
What-no, not falderollsS Is that it, little
one, ehP"
It was Mr.. Kerruish Kinvig.
The child pouted prettily and drew back
her basket.
"What-not sell to me this morningi
oh, see. You choose your customers,
you do, my lady. But I'll have the law on
you, will"
Ruby looked up fearlessly into the face
of the dread iconoclast.
II don't love you," she said.
"No-ehp And why not, nowp"
because you call the flowers bad
names"
"Oh, do, do II Well, never mind, lit.
tie one Say we strike peace, ehr'
"I don't like people that strike" said
Ruby, with avorted eyes.
swell, then, cry truce-anything you
like.
Ruby knew what crying flower or a
fish meant.
"Here, now, little one, here's penny.
That's double wages, you know. Don't
you think tho law would uphold me If
asked for al
"a what?" asked the child, with inno-
sent eyes.
"Well, say kiss"
The bargain was concluded and the pur-
chase ratified In another minute the lit
tie feet were tripping away, and from o
side street came the silvery voice that sang:
"Sweet violets and primroses the sweetest" "
At the next corner the lassie's childlike
tones were suddenly drowned by lustieI
voice which cried: Mack rel Macker-el
Fine, ladics-fresh, ladies-and bellies as
big as bishops. Mack-er-el"
1t was Danny Fayle with board on his
head containing his last installment of the
seasons mackerel When the two street
vendors came togethE, they stopped.
saw now, the fresh you're looking this
morning, Ruby vegas fresh as a dew
drop, my chreep'
The little one lifted her eyes and laughed
Then she plunged her hand into her basket
and brought out bunch of wild roses.
"That's for you, Danny" she said.
"Och for me Is it nowp Aw, and Is i
for me 1t isY" said Danny, with wondering
eyes. 1.-THE clean ruined it would be IL
half minute, though, at the likes of me
Ruby veg. Keep it for yourself, woman.
Louder: "Mack refine, ladies-fresh
ladfes-macker-elr' Then lower: "Av
now, the sweet and tidy they'd be looking
In your own breast, my chree-ths swee
extraordinary
The child looked up and smiled, looket
down and pondered, then half reluctant
ly, half coquettishly, fixed the flowers II
her bosom.
DANNY, I love you" she said simply.
The object of Ruby's affection blushet
violently and was silent.
"And SO does Sissy" added the littl
one.
"Mona9" asked Danny, and his tongu
seemed to cleave to his mouth.
eyes, and mamma too"
Danny's face, which had begun t.
brighten, suddenly lost its sunshine. Hi
lower lip was tagging woefully.
eyes, Mona and mamma and-an'
everybody" said the child, with ungrudg
ing spontaneity.
"No, Ruby yen.'
Dannys voice was breaking. He trie,
to conquer isxweakness by shouting
aloud, "Mack- -erkmack" Then in
softer tone. "Not everybody, my chree.
"Well," said the child in earnest dc
Tense, everybody except your uncle Kis
seek.
"Bin? Billp What about Bill2" sal
Danny hoarsely.
"Why don't you fight into him, Danny
You're big boy now, Danny. Why DON
you fight into him?"
Danny's simple face grew very grave
The soft blue eyes had an uncertain look
"Did Sissy say that, Ruby vegs"
"No, but she said Bill Kisseck was g.
was a.
"a what, Rue'"
"a brute-to you, Danny"
The lads face trembled. The hengin
lower lip quivered, and the whob countt
nance became charged with sudden energy
Lifting his board from his head and tai
: ing UP the finest of fish, he said:
"Ruby, take this home to Mona. Herr
now, it's at the bottom of your basket II
putting 1t"
"My flowers, Dannyl'' cried Ruby ana
iously.
saw, what's the harm They'll IL take {
allp There, there fixing some seawee
over the mackerel-" nice, extraordinary
nice, nice!'
"But what will your Uncle Bill sa.
DannyP" asked the little one, with Il
shadow of fear in her eyes.
"Bill2 Bil2 Oh, Bill" said Damn.
turning away his eyes for momen
: Then with an access Of strength as he lif
ed his board on to his head and turned
q go, IF Bill says anything, 1'l-In"-
6 mo, don't, Danny; no, don't, j." erie
Ruby, the tears rising to her eyes.
"Just q minute since" said Damn
"there came sort Of flash, like that
Il Che swung one arm across his>eyes), "ar
9 all of sudden knew middling well VIII
. to do with Bill
n "Don't fight, Danny" cried Ruby, b
II Danny was gone, and from another sire
d came: "Mack 'rel-fne, ladies-fresh, ladi
n and bellies as big as bishops. Mac
Ia er--ell'
'e CHAPTER ".
N Later in the day the final preparation
were being made for the departure Of t
I herring fleet. Tommy Bill-beg, the harb
), master, in his short petticoat, was bap
;. ing all over the quay, first at this man
the harbor and then at that Bill Kisse
:. was also there in his capacity as admiral
l. &ho Aoaf IN ipct1lor otfica for which