The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-01-24

and never stopped till she had reached
the hardware-store, where Mr.. Fen
wick had his little office at the
end. AS she pulled back the heavy
door and stepped inside one OF
the hardware men who had black
streak across his forehead smiled at
her from over the counter and asked;
what do you want little girl?"
Mabel smiled too, as she walked
past him.
"1'm going to see Mr.. Fenwick," she
answered.
The man who had only recently
come into the store tried to stop her.
She only laughed in answer.
ooh, he will see me-" she said, and
pushed open the Office door.
Mr.. Fenwick turned around at the
sound. There he sat on the same high
stool with his books open before him,
but there were great rings under his
brown eyes, and Mabel thought he
looked tired. AS his eyes fell upon
the intruder Fenwick started.
Hello, Mabel" he said.
She walked up beside his high chair
and looked up at him smiling.
"How do you do?" she asked cheer
fully.
"How are you getting along?"
Mr.: Fenwick smiled"
"Who sent you here?" he asked.
Mabel drew her little form up proud
ly.
Nobody sent me. I thought you
might be lonesome without Fay"
$50 | am," cried Fenwick, getting
down from his stool and lifting the
little girl in his arms. 80 you came
to keep me from being lonesome" did
your"
"Ies," said Mabel, moving her soft
hand over his dark hair. II am to be
your little girl while Fay is away. Do
you think that she will be gone long?"
Fenwick hesitated. He did not care
to tell Mabel that Fay would not
come back till it had been leagally
decided which parent should have
charge of her.
cts very pleasant where she u.s." he
said finally. ~ shouldn't wonder if
she didn't come back right away
Mabel brushed away tear.
cts very hard on me-" she said.
but !! suppose it's hard, too, on you
and" She was going to say ION
mamma" but thinking he might not
understand, finished, land on your
wife,
Eyes, it is"
"Well have to all keep each other
from being lonesome" Mabel said, as
Fenwlck at last placed her on one of
the stools by his side.
For some time the clerks i'm the
hardware store cast frequent chances
through the glass door at their en-
ployer in his office and the little girl
at his side.
otis Colburn's GIRL" said one of the
them; "she used to come in here with
Fay Fenwick. 1 guess it makes Fen
wick feel bad"
When Mabel came out of the office
they all smiled at her. She spoke to
Mr.. Fenwick as she closed the glass
door.
II will try and come Tomorrow"
she said; "take good care of yourself"
"All right" answered Fenwick, smil-
ing; "thank YOU"
He sat for some time after she left
him with his head on his arm, so only
the dark locks were seen through the
door. The men outside felt very sorry
for him.
cts too bad," they said; "and they
were so happy together"
When Mabel reached home she told
her mamma what she had done. Mrs.
Colburn kissed her and said:
Gail right, darling"
Che +bourb+ - oo,1J Io ~ L.
and possibly the child might comfort
them little.
So every morning Mabel called on the
forlorn little mother, who grew thin
ner and paler each day; every after
noon a second stool was placed beside
Mr.. Fenwick for his little visitor. The
hardware men looked forward to her
calls with pleasure. One gave her a
pencil once, with a big rubber on the
end which left black mark after it
every time she used it. But Mabel al
ways smiled on the poor fellow be-
cause he did not know about the rub
Der, probably.
One afternoon she came into the
store in a hurry, and ran into Mr..
tenWick's office all out of breath.
"What is the matter?" he asked
She held up little three-cornered
envelope. It was tinted pink, and on
the back was a picture of tiny
white dove with q letter tied around
his neck
"See!" cried Mabel, "here is my
letter from Fay"
Fenwick took it eagerly. It was
Aunt Lottie's handwriting on the
outside, but when he took out the
small, pink sheet his heart throbbed,
for he knew his little girl had penned
it.
"Read it," said Mabel.
1t was written we'll for girl of 10,
and had cost Fay much time and
trouble. 1t read:
DEAR MABEL: It is a very nice place
here. Aunt Lottle is very good. The con-
ductor was also very good. hope you
don't eat dinner with Annie Dobson.
How are my dear papa and mammal
want to see them and you very much. I
think I will come home before long.
Write soon to your affectionate
FAY FENw1cK.
Fenwick put the paper back in the
envelope and kissed it.