Daily public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1892-191?, 1896-06-06

came running aIter WINNIE Wnen Sho
had started on her way again, and
thrust a tremendous big apple, which
he had Just bought of the woman, into
her hand, and then sped away with IN
ear-splitting whoop to join the other
boy.
When Winnie came within three doors
Of her own door she saw the telegraph
messenger leave message with Mrs.
Alden. Mrs. Alden stood in the door
way after reading IL, with perplexed
and troubled expression, and glanced
at Winnie as IL she had half mind to
say something to her.
us il bad news, Mrs. Alden ?" ventured
Winnie, alphabetically.
Then Mrs. Alden spoke quickly
enough. EYES," she said, my sister is
i'll, and l ought to so to her on the
very next car, but let my girl so away
for the afternoon and evening, and Ia
thcr isn't feeling well, and I don't dare
leave him alone"
"Why, will come in and stay with
him." said Winnie, heartily. I'D just az
lief as not--I'd like to-"
would you?" said Mrs. Alden, the
troubled look vanishing. 81 should DO
so much obliged"
"Tll run home and tell mother, and
be back in ten minutes" said Winnie,
hurrying along,
When she returned Mrs. Alden was
coming out of the gate with bonnet
and cloak on. you won't have to stay
more than On hour" she said, as she
put on her gloves, "for Mr.. Alden will
come home at SIX" and giving Winnie
few directions, she hastened away.
Old Mr.. Alden was in one of his mel
ancholy moods, and insisted, in spite OF
Winnic's protestations, that he had out
lived his usefulness;' that he took no
comfort in life. and was only burden
and expense; that everybody would be
better off and happier If he was out of
the way; that he ought to have died
years before, and the Lord had surely
forgotten him.
Winnie knew the old gentleman was
fond of telling stories of his younger
DAYS, and so, when there came little
pause in his lamentations, she artfully
led up 20 the subject of those same
younger days, and it was hardly any
time at all before the old man was tell
ing with great gusto the storyof IA
vorite horse he had once owned, and
Winnie was listening as interestedly as
though she had not heard already tho
same story at least three times.
II was long in the telling, and when
the end was reached and old Mr.. Alden
was laughing in great glee over the cli-
max, il was time to get his tea. VIM
ME toasted his bread and made the tea
by the sitting-room fire. Then, when
young Mr.. Alden did not come, old Mr..
Alden said Winnie must eat something.
so she toasted more bread and ate it
while he started new story, which she
had heard only once before.
This was a longer one, and 10
branched off into so many other stories
that it was almost eight o'clock be-
fore IL was finished.
Just then young Mr.. Alden came. He
had been delayed and was exceedingly
tired and dispirited, having been sore
ly tried by foolish witness and lost his
case-for he was lawyer. He had
dreaded coming into his own house TO
see his fathers mournful visage and
hear his querulous complainings.
When, therefore, he found his father
fairly radiant with cheerfulness, with
smilng-faced girl sitting beside him,
he sank into chair and drew deep
breath of relief.
When Winnie explained why she was
there and rose to go, he rose also TO go
with her, though she told him she
wasn't the least bit afraid. Indeed, she
would have preferred to go alone, for
young Mr.. Alden was so polite and dig
Eifled and knew so much that she stood
good deal in awe of him.
AS they walked along she wished
she could think of something to say to
him. The stars were shining and il
suddenly occurred to her that she had
forgotten the names of three very
bright stars that were always close to-
gether in a line, and so she asked hin,
timidIy about them.
Now it happened that astronomy had
always been favorite study with
young Mr.. Alden, and he not only an
swered Winnie's question gladly, but
stood for several minutes after they had
reached the gate, telling her about the
| different consultations.
Then he thanked her courteously for
staying with his father, bade her good
night and went back, looking up at tho
stars and feeling rested and refreshed.
Winnie tripped up the walk and into
the house, also thinking OF the stars.
After she had had little talk with
her mother and gone to look adoringly
at the baby sleeping in his crib Winnie
lit lamp and went upstairs to her
room TO bed.
So ended the day for Winnie Smith.
and she fell asleep, never suspecting
that she had a gift or dreaming that
she was otherwise than n most or
binary. commonplace kind of a girl
Outlook.
A Dialogue In the Night.
| The man in the INNER berth leaned