The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-17
AlliE EAINIEYa {El0 )i

bridget didn't answer, and the
child amused herself by playing with
the shadow which followed her so
persistently.
Watch, now, mother" she cried.
"See how I'm steppin' on myself! l
can't get away from meself. Now I'm
behind meself. Now I'm CROWN
short. Now I'm no bigness at all.
Now I'm gettin' ahead of meself, an
stretchin' out the length of the post.
See, mother7"
Bridget laughed; and just then
they came to an old church, which
had stood on a slight elevation for
many, many years. How cool and
inviting it looked! The steps were
quite empty.
We'll crawl through the fence, an
go up" said Bridget; and they did.
She had been out washing that
day, and was tired. She drew long
breath of satisfaction, as she and
Honora settled themselves on the
hospitable steps.
"Now we'll rest bit, darlin' It's
nice an still here, an nobody knows
where we are at ALL"
'Tll go way over here" answered
Honora, putting the length of the
step between her mother and herself.
"Oh, I'm so hot''
Bridget wiped her own round face
with her clean apron. There was a
faint rustic in the trees of the church
yard.
There's a breathp she said. And
she learned comfortably back against
the old building, and closed her eyes.
you'll not be gettin' asleepl" cried
Honora, anxiously.
mo, darlin'; I'm just bit tired
wild the work an the heat. Would
ye mind sleeping on the floor the
night?" she asked, after pause.
"I'm SO het up the day that it seems
as if I couldn't bear cen one by me.
Would ye mind it, just for the night?"
"What'll 1 sleep on?" asked Hon
ora, doubtfully.
9TH make up the beautifullest bed,
wild me old shawl an the comforter"
"I'll do it," cried Honora.
'There's good girl. An ye won't
be sorry, I can tell ye; for I'll make
up bed fit for a queen"
San I'm the queen that II be in it, "
laughed Honora. She crept closer to
her mother, as she spoke; and they
clasped hands.
30 mother! Amt it splendid to be
up here, with nobody at all anear
| us?"
But, alas! alas! Jimmy Curley had
watched Bridget intently, as she
soothed the fretting baby; and his
heavy little heart had grown lighter
as he looked. The Sweeneys were
not the only people in the world after
all; and perhaps
But what was this? The baby was
in its mothers arms again, and
Bridget and Honora were evidently
going for walk.
Now it happened that there was a
back entrance to Crescent Court, and
on that side rickety flight of steps
led up to the "Riley's part" If they
came in by that street, how could he
possibly know the hour and minutes
He was prepared to watch vigilantly;
but to watch two places at once
that was quite too hard task for
Jimmy Curley.
He must follow them; and this he
did, as fast as his two little feet would
allow.
Past the pleasant houses, with their
wide piazzas, past the brightly light
ed stores, with their many purchasers,
tripping occasionally against some
unfriendly stick or stone, stumbling
over curbstones, and occasionally
measuring his fat little length upon
the pavement, went Jimmy Curley,
his eyes never willingly losing sight
of the two figures, which still seemed
such long, long way off.
And thus it was that, just as Hon
ora was congratulating herself and
her mother upon having "ne'or one
anear them," little boy crept be-
tween the bars of the fence, and
made his way to the church steps.
Here's somebody comm in it,"
whispered Honora.
cts only little by, dariin'," re-
Piled Bridget. "Whist, nowl Well
mover in the corner beyant."
They scrambled up to the topmost
step, and hid themselves in the dark
ness.
"It's Jimmy Curley," exclaimed
Honora, in low tone. whats he
wantin' up here?"