Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1898-01-20

of the pleasant dining room, and the
faces around the table were healthy
and happy; while the snowy bread aiid
delicious newmade butter, with thin
slices of boiled ham and fresh new
milk Just out of the ice-box, the dell
cate frosted cakes and above all the
Strawberries, picked less than an hour
before and buried In cream, formed
feast that even the daughter OF q
millionaire might have called perfect,
and this little orphan girl, who had
known much more fasting than feast
ing, almost thought 1t table from
fairyland.
After supper Mrs. Winslow allowed
her to brush the crumbs from the
snowy cloth and wipe the pretty china,
and when this was done, they all went
out together and she made the ac-
quaintance of the cows. and pigs and
poultry and the gentle, kind-eyed
horses, after which she romped with
Grace under the trees. while the older
members of the family sat upon tho
veranda and lpoked on, smiling at
them.
Perhaps you've found just the kind
of girl you've been wanting. Jennie.
said Mrs. Winslow's mother; "she
seems careful and gentle. and Oracle
takes to her, you can see."
YES" said Mrs. Winslow, "Cracic
evidently likes her. How glad would
be IL 1 knew could trust her and she
wanted to stay with us right along
Katnie was delighted with her little
chamber. Mrs. Winslow's mother had
gone up with her.
Your room is right next to mine,
dear" she said. II know you'll like
1t, and / want to show it to YOU"
And when she had seen how pleased
the little girl was with 1t she kissed her
and said good night and left her to
look around and enjoy it to her hearts
content. 1t was all blue and white
and had two large windows looking out
upon the green. grass and tall trees
and of across the fields to the river.
There were books such as children love
upon the table, and everything that a
Next day was like dream of fairy
land to the little orphan. She helped
with the dishes and amused the baby
aud they all went for a drive in the
afternoon-that is, the two ladies,
Oracle and Kathie-and everything
seemed too beautiful to be real; sever
al times Kathie pinched her arm slyly
to be sure she was awake.
"She seems like one of the family al
ready said Mrs. Winslow's mother
that evening when the children were
playing together. II don't know when
l have taken to a child as l do TO her"
"She seems to take to you as much, =
said Mrs. Winslow, smiling. "But, then,
l don't know who could help IT,
"Oh, you're partial, of course she
said but really believe Kathie is Just
the girl you want, and 1t would make
such a good home for her. You're
abundantly able to have her, too"
Just then the children came running
in.
Where would you rather live,
Kathleen the city or in the country
asked Mrs. Winslow.
A wondering look came into the
child's face, as II she had never thought
there could be two opinions upon the
subject.
"In the country, of course" she
answered, simply, and there was SO
much of longing and pathos in her
voice that both ladies turned their
eyes away.
At the supper table next evening Mr.
Winslow asked:
did you read about the hyena that
got away In Chicago the other day!"
mo. Where did it get away from!'
asked Mrs. Winslow hurriedly.
From Lincoln Park" was the an
swer.
"Oh, DEAR" cried Mrs. Winslow
what IL 1t should come out here!
"Oh, l guess IT ism as bad az t,.at,
said Mr.. Tinslow. laughing. "it would
lie carght or shot before it got SO faI
as this"
"But it might not be-" persisted Tho
wife.
There would hardly be much dan.
ger in the day time anyway" said Mr.
Winslow "A hyena is cowardly beast
you know. 1t might take some OF the
poultry. Why, Kathie, child, how biz
your eyes are! l shouldn't have men
toned it. But there isn't any danger
you may sleep just as snug as II Mr.
Hyena was back in his cage, as perhaps
he Is now"
But Kathie was sensitive child, ant
all night long she dreamed of hyena'
and other wild beasts, and of trying t.
save Oracle from them, always finding
when she started to run with her little
charge in her arms that she coult
barely crawl along, while her pursuer
were just upon her. She came dowl
in the morning rather pale, but sh'
said nothing about her dreams or he
fears, and no one spoke of the hyena
J Perhaps Mrs. Winslow could not &c
1t entirely out of her mind, for she toll
, Kathie to play out in the back yar'
, with Grace, and not go far away from
: the house.
"Mr. Winslow is in the barn." sh
/ said, "and l would rather have you on
e that way"
About half way between the hous
Q and the barn was an old shed whicl
Mr.. Winslow intended to tear down
d All at once, in the midst Of their play
Oracle started for this shed running a
fast as her little fat legs would carr
her. and Kathie started after her, call
} ing to her, but the little rogue onl
r screamed with pleasure and ran tn