The Red Cloud chief., 1898-08-26

looked like that just before he had the
measles?" added Caroline.
He's been 90 quiet all the morning."
said the maid. ITS not like him."
"Gi-gi!" cried the child.
At this point Mr.. jameson entered.
and attention was diverted toward din
ner. This was OF the usual wash-day
order-a Uncomfortable spread OF
remnants. eaten haphazard to a scent
OF soap suds. The hungry man glanced
impatiently around. a slight shade OF
annoyance passing across his features.
The male mind cannot readily grasp
the inwardness of wash-day. and Mr..
jameson was no exception. why
cannot these things be altered some
how" he thought. Never mind: one
OF these days.
The dream frightened his face odec
again. lie bent a~fiectionately and kiss.
cd his wife.
Sister Caroline, poor, ugly, helpful
old sister, looked OF and sighed quietly.
She, too. had had her dream.
After dinner the busy wash still
continued, but by now its back was
well broken. and signs OF It's event
ual subsistence were In the air. The
white linen was all out on the line.
drying as fast as n steady breeze and
fair sun could manage; the "coloreds"
that distressful after-dribble Of wash
days tide-were well on to compile
ton: the tradesmcn were less frequent.
and, surcst sign OF all, there were hints
nf nntnfn nal. fap Tan Iyypp xpagt-llV
can find compensation In potato cake.
And the little mamie shall have n
wee brown cake all to HIMSELF"
crooned Mrs. Jameson. imparting to
baby's dumpy body an affectionate
wriggle-secret only known Of moth
ers!
"Gi.gi!" The glistening eyes still
held the dazzle OF that sometime glory
they had caught.
I'm sure he is sickening for some
thing" said Mrs. Jameson: Il don't
like this flush on his poor little
cheeks"
The child moved restlessly. His head
ached and there was n hot sense OF
tdiscomfort about his eyes. All day he
had felt III. but not being able to cor
rectly sort out his little sensations he
had rclapsed into that pathetic alb
~straction which seems to be the refuge
OF babyhood under such circumstances
Then had come the glittering CONAN
incarnate thing OF desire. giving point
and form to his distress: and now,
amid the feverish restlessness that was
growing upon him. II still shone out
unfortunately upon his imagination
as the thing hoped for, the dream goal,
the resolution OF his suffering. Child
epitome OF grown mankind, he little
guessed his kinship with every woman
that bore babe. every poet that ever
sang from breaking heart. every weary
worker, man and woman, that eve
lived. and desired and struggled and
seemed to lose: nay. he did not know
that at the portals of his tiny hear
were beating the strong wings OF the
Son Of God Himself.
Presently the woeful wash subsidized;
all the clothes were gathered In from
the drying. ready for the mangle; the
kitchen, freshly cleaned and sanded,
became cheerful once again. and the
VII ioohtu " 80 tihO w
tato cakes and all.
But baby by now was Ill indeed, and
the doctor had been sent for. 1t was
not a very serious ailment, only one
OF the timer tragedies OF %babyhood,
which mean q few days hectic cheeks,
q cough, "a tired mothers sleepless
nights-little things, yet these little
things press sorely upon the heart.
"Gi-gi!" Still the p~laintive cry.
1t a a short time after this that
Mrs. Jameson, having occasion to 70
once more to the small box of change
In the cupboard. brought out the very
h%alfpenny Of the child's desire. In the
lamplight II shone like a star. Baby
had refused every other offering in
tended to divert him; with motherly
craft Mrs. jameson made one other
venture.
See, baby" she said, holding up the
cleaning treasure, see, a pretty half
penny"
The child turned n slow. large eye
upon the brightness; lifting up his
hand he took 1t feebly; for a moment
he seemed to waver between desire and
WEAKNESS, then, with a petulant ges-
ture. he put 1t away from him.
"Na-na!" he said.
The evening drew on. The hurry
scurry of wash-day was over. and the
household had sunk to rest, but
through the long hush of night an anx
ious mother sat watching over a rest
less child. The freight flicker half
illumlned the room, showing arount
the cot wherein tossed the tiny suf'
ferer, a few scattered toys and picture
books, whilst In their midst. untouch
ed, u%nvalued. no longer desired, lay
pathetic little coin.-C. Ram enned,
In London Weekly Sun.