Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1895-07-04


fait hful breast and fall asleep. IS
Every day Alice would come to the
gate to.inquire after baby health, and |
to bring her some childish toy, but she
would not venture nearer. II
One bright morning she came to the |
gate as us ual, when she noticed the
open door, and toward it toddled a
little, curly haired, dimpled child.
For a moment she was SO stunned
she could not move, but recovered her
self as quickly as she could. then with
her hands over her eyes, she ran until
ske reached home.
When Harold came In he found her
lying on the bed, so nervous and fever
isf that he became alarmed.
What is it?" he asked tenderly.
She only hid her face in the pillows
and wept for an answer.
Harold did all he could to comfort |
her, and at her request went for the |
| first time to inquire after Elaine.
AS he started to go home, he caught
glimpse of baby's golden curls, and
laughing blue eyes watching him from
the window. He hastened away.
Such multitude of thoughts rushed
upon him. Never before had he saw
the folly Of his deed as he then did.
Then he pictured to himself the misery
he had brought upon her, who, despite
all his faults, still loved and cared for
him. And he, too, had suffered. Every
day he regretted his rash deed and
prayed that he might be forgiven. Il
have yearned so much to feel the clasp
of baby arms about my neck" he said
sadly.
Then he grew cold at the thought
that baby might not know or care to
, live with them.
One evening as he came from his
! office be saw through the open window
Alice, in the same dress she had wern
three years ago when she had carried
Elaine away. Her cheeks were flushed,
l and her eyes cleaned with an unnat-
. ural glitter.
He did not ask her what she meant
to do-he had wished so much for this
/ time to come.
t She stopped to kiss him, and started
D in the direction of Mrs Rowan's home.
Q and throbbing heart.
He saw her open the gate, pass up
the walk and enter the house without
u knocking, then stood at the window,
e breathlessly watching every move
within.
8 AS Alice entered, Mrs Rowan came
IS up to her, weeping bitterly, but heE
g own sorrow was so great that Alice
took no note of this, and passed or
% into the room, where she knew Elaine
d slept.
? There, on the little white bed, witt
\, eyellds closed, cherub lips apart, an(
dlmpied arms thrown above the curly
s, head, lay little Elaine.
10 Alice staggered forward, clasped he
At hands, and raising her eyes TOWARD
er heaven, knealt by the little couch.
She placed her pale cheek agaIns
le baby rosy one, and wound her arm
N around the little form, as she had s.
W often done before.
The child stirred, opened it's blu
he eyes, and, with a little sharp cry, hun
id its arms around its mothers neck an
le held her tightly.
1t 80! my mamma! my own dear nam
III ma! that l dream so much about!' sh
cried, still clinging to her.
tv THANK God, whispered the tearfu
ed mother, and with her precious burde
oy she left the house, not needing th
ne tears and sorrow of the foster mother
ht Harold saw all from without, and i
his heart thanked God for His lovin
as kindness.
d, He met Alice at the gate and claspe
II, the hand she gave him. They wake
ng in silence to their home.
sr, Never did they seem so happy j
each others love, and that of the
~, child
nd That night Harold drew his chair o
IN the spot where, three years before, b
he had spoken SO much misery TO the
he lives, and called Alice to his side an
er took Elaine upon his knee, then humbl