The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-18

nb'ys" would Be bys" she supposed,
as long as the "wurruld" held together.
Tho boy the policeman had les 60
came running after Winnie when she
had started on her way again, and
thrust o tremendous big apples which
he had just bought Of the women into
her hand. and then sped away with sn.
ear-splitting whoop 70 Join the other
boy.
When Winnie came within three doors
Of her v door she saw the telegraph
messenger leave q message with Mrs.
Alden. Mrs. Alden stood In the doors
way after reading II, with a perplexed.
and troubled expression and glanced.
at Winnie as If she had halt O mind to
say something to her.
rs It bad news, Mrs. Alden ~ ventured
Winnie, sympathetieally.
Then Mrs. Alden spoke quickly
enough. 'sYes," she said, my sister is
III, and / ought TO go to her on the
very next car, but I let my girl go away
for the afternoon and evening, and Ia
thcr isn't feeling well, and I don't dare
leave him alone"
"Why I will come in and stay with
him" said Winnie, heartily. I'D just as
lief as not--Td like to-"
would your" said Mrs. Alden, The
troubled look vanishing. II should DO
so much obliged
"TH 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 an hour" she said, as she
put on her gloves, "for Mr.. Alden will
come home at six" and giving Winnie
a few directions, she hastened away.
Old Mr.. Alden was in n Of his mefl
aneholy moods, and insisted. in spite Of
Winnie's protestations, that he had out
lived his usefulness; that he took no
comfort in life, and was only a burden
and expense; that everybody would be
better oft and happier If he vas 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 q little
pause in his lamentations, she artfully
led up to 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 a fa-
vorite horse he had once owned, and
Winnie was listening as interestedly a.
L 49, l~I - L~nrA r1~@rAww &Ae
same story at least three times.
1t was long in the telling, and wher
the end was reached and old Mr.. Alder
was laughing in great glee over the eli
max, it was time to get his tea. Win
ME toasted his bread and made the ter
10y the sitting-room fire. Then, wheE
young Mr.. Alden did not come, old Mr.
Alden said Winnie must eat in0
SO she toasted more bread
while he started q new stor5
had heard only 5efore
This was a longer
branched of into 80 many other storie.
that 1t was almost eight o'clock be
fore It was finished.
Just then young Mr.. Alden anne. HI
had been delayed and was exceedingly
tired and dispirited, having been sore
" tried by a foolish witness and lost BIZ
case-for he was a lawyer. He haS
dreaded coming into his own house tx
see his fathers mournful visage anC
hear his q~uerulous complainings.
When, therefore, he found his fathet
fairly radiant with c~heerfulness, will
a smiling-faced girl sitting beside him
he sank into a chair and drew a dec
breath Of relief.
When Winnie explained why she wa
there and rose to go, he rose also to &,
with her, though she told him zh,
wasn't the least bit afraid. Indeed, sh
would have preferred to go alone, TO
young MI. Alden was so polite and dig
niied and knew so much that she stoo,
a good deal in w of him.
AS they walked along she wishei
she could think of something to say I
him. The stars were shining and /
suddenly occurred to her that she ha,
J forgotten the names Of three yer,
bright stars that were always close to
gether in a line, and SO she asked hin
! timidly about them.
? Now it happened that astronomy ha'
! always been a f~avorite study witt
young Mr.. Alden, and he not only an
swered Winnie's question gladly, bu
! stood for several minutes after they ha,
t reached the gate, telling her about th
different considerations.
! Then he thanked her c~ourteously 70
staying with his father, babe her goo
|, night and went back, looking up at til
stars and feeling rested and refreshed,
!. Winnie tripped up the walk and int
! the house, also thinking Of the stars.
After she had had a little talk wit
her mother and gone to look adoringl
at the baby sleeping in his crib Winni
lit a lamp and went upstairs to he
room to bed.
So ended the day for Winnie SmitI
and she fell asleep, never suspectin
/ that she had a gift or dreaming tina
she was otherwise than a most o.
! binary, commonplace kind Of q girl
Outlook.
r