The Van Buren press., 1897-09-04

back again; perhaps he was attached Il
some person not now in evidence. How
ever. Dollaire ceased to interest; sh,
could but watch the pathetic outlines o
the face still touching the glass; unless
she were mistaking raindrops for tears
the little fellow was shedding the latter
in that quiet fashion which makes ont
angry with some intangible cruelty
which forbids a child the natural priv
ilege of noisy grief
Just now the entrance of the trait
boy and his wares might have diverted
this unhappy child. But he did not
even look around, turning his head ever
so slightly when the boy touched hi.
arm.
"Have some oranges, kid? Two for
five eentsl Shell out your nickel and
be lively, now"
The fair-haired head. surmounted by
a shabby velvet cap. returned to It's
former position; the hopeless express
sion about the mouth deepened, and
Janet could bear it no longer. She was
hunting nickels In her purse when the
basket reached her; exchanging them
for fruit and box of Lowney's, she
moved down the aisle.
81 am looking for some one TO divide
my orange with" she began, beamine
at the child as he turned suddenly at
the sound of her voice. 81 never do like
to eat a whole one
He took his feet down and pulled of
the old cap.
Excuse me- he said; 81 didn't see
you"
He meant to now, evidently, but while
keeping his eyes on the lady's face he
was extracting with considerable diff
Guilty large handkerchief from small
pocket; there was unmistakable tears
on his thin cheeks.
but perhaps you like whole orange.
OF course, a boy would. Some folks
think" and Janet leaned confdentially
toward him, that a boy can eat any
thing, and two of everything. l have
taken off my gloves, you see"
Somehow, she felt she hated those
gloves as a type of this ill-circum-
staneed life; a sense Of relief possessed
her as they were drawn off.
81 never had a whole orange but once.
on a Christmas tree. and then | gave 1t
to grandma. But she gave me back a
piece of it; she was like you-she could
not eat a whole one; l guess | could,
thought"
Miss Angel noted the carefully-kept
finger nails, but mostly the eager,
thirsty way in which he began to
devour the segment of the orange. Was
the child hungry, too2
eve seem to be the only people trav.
cling alone to-day. May l sit with
you little while? 1t is pleasant tc
talk with some one, don't you think p
Janet played with bit of orange peel;
her throat was too full to allow heI
to swallow anything but her feel
ings.a
Yes, ma'am," he answered. GIVE
been so lonesome l couldn't keep from
crying. And | ate up all my luncheon
yesterday, l wanted an orange so, but
hadn't any nickel, only just dollar
bill, and Mrs. Brown, she said not tt
break it. / s'pose she meant tear it, but
she said break as though Offering
apology for a lack of lucid English.
1t was not far to station, where. nt
buffet car being attached to the trair
until later in the day, Janet snatcheC
such eatables as were available, ant
was so fortunate as to enlist the sym
/ pathies of woman who had a bottle ol
milk in her travelling bag.
II was pretty hungry" he paused tC
say, after long draft of milk. "Tn
awful glad to have something to eat
but l guess I'm gladder to have some
one to speak to me-"
And then Miss Angel leaned over tc
kiss him, no matter who might be look
ing.
The long hours went by; the rain still
fell; people came and went at every sta
tion; the Quebec romance was forgot
ten, but Miss Angel was not having ;
stupid day. A copy of Mrs. Ewing.
'Jaekanapes" was found among tn,
trainboy's trash, to which the languit
child listened with flattering attention
while afterward the reader heard ;
story even more touching than that vel
low-haired laddie's. This hero's nam,
was plain Jamie, and when hot coco;
and chicken had supplemented the ear
lier meal color came into the pal,
cheeks and sparkle to the tired eve.
which made him very attractive hero
As the afternoon darkened his beac
was pillowed on Miss Angells arm.
Il guess you are a good deal like an
angel" having had her name exchanged
for his own. Anyway, guess YOU are
an answer to my grandma's PRAYER
She asked God to let me find friend
wherever had to go. | don't believe
she would have thought l could come
so far alone; she didn't like TO have me
go to the village alone, but Mrs. Brown.
she said | must go to my father"
And the father he could not remember
at all! Poor little wanderer! But now.
whatever might be in store, he slept on
Janet's arm, the sleep of childish trust
and safety.
This was a slow train at best; and
there had been a hot box, and then a
tedious detention on a side track for the
passing of the east-bound train. So il
was growing very late, and no one could
guess what time the city would be
reached, since the right of way was
lost. Judge Adams, Janet's friends
husband whom she had nevpr ess,, ,,.,.