The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-01-14
'ut bread-just only bread,

Dear met" said her papa. Where
did you pick up this little ragamufiin,
Maysie?'
why. papa" cried Maysie. indig-
nantiy. He isn't a ragamuffin at all.
sally says he is ladylike than /
am. But can run faster than he can.
and he was afraid of the water at first"
Maysie shifted contemptuously. and
her father laughed outright. Maysie
considered this a good sign, and she
too his hand coaNingly. Papa. how
would you like to sleep in a bed with
the rain all leaking down on it, and
only bread to eat? Teddie's mamma
cries about il. And You don't want
your little girl to be lonesome. do
you?"
You sly little witch cried this good
natured father. But would nothing
less than adoption suit your highness?
1t would give me a great deal of trouble,
you know, even with my limitless
wealth. Now, suppose you and 1 buy
Ieddie something nice and see what
we can do for his mamma. Won't that
do?"'
20, 10, no. that won't do al all. | want
Them TO live with rs. and stay with us
always. Now. papa. do say yes"
But. my dear little girl, that can
not be done. Don't You know that it
is as much as l can do to manage You.
without having another youngSter en-
me- hands? However. we will go and
see them and then decide what is 10 be
done"
Wise little Maysie said no more. She
felt sure that when her papa saw Ted
dies soft, fair curls and Teddie's pretty
mamma he would succumb at once.
When they reached the tiny cottage
he was a little surprised, and thinking
that Ieddie'S mother was perhaps a
servant here, was about to go to the
side door. But Maysie declared that
they lived here. and knocked calmly
at the front door. 1t was opened by
Teddie himself. at sight of whom-for
the little boy bowed with the prettiest
manner in the world-Mr. Garland was
still more aStonished.
This is Tcddie. papa" said Maysie.
And this is Teddie's mamma" Upon
which the little people withdrew to
the front door to discuss matters of
Importance. including the rapidly
progressing castle and the latest news
from the bedside of a sick kitten. May
sic had decided that they could safely
leave their parents to get acquainted.
\ ~fair-haired little omar gowneG in
black. rose to meet Mr.. Garland, and
for Il moment both gazed at each other
IL mute wonder. Then he took a steI
forward.
Kathleen" he cried.
She held out, her hand, and then
smiled sadly. "Yes, it is l. Have /
changed somuch? You have not changed
at all. Jack. You look just the same"
You have changed. Bat Il find you
here. You have been iii. Kathleen.
what is this | hear about your
troubles??"
The childish voice seemed to ring in
his ears again: "Teddie's cries
about it." and suddenly he bent over
her and took her hand in his strong.
tender grasp.
This brave little woman had baitied
with the world in silence. but now at
the first touch of sympathy she gave
way, a sob rose in her throat. two tears
rolled down her pale checks. and in Il
moment her head vas on his arm.
Kathleen. my Kathleen" he wills
pered, passiunatcly- Let us forget our
foolish quarrel. | know you loved me
in the old days, and | have loved YOU
always. Let us begin over again. We
are older and wiser: we will not let GU"
youthful folly stand between us. You
will not throw away your happiness
and mine?."
The children returned some time
later. Mr.. Garland lifted the biue-eyed
hoy in his arms and led Maysie TO the
sofa.
There. dear" he said. kiss your
mamma. 1t is all settled. / have adopt
ed both of them"
oh. l knew you would" said natter
~of-fact Maysie. And now. Teidia,
we'll go and finish the castle."-Ch:-
cago Tribune.