The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-10
THE LOCKET MAN.

Babette thrust hatpin into Marie An
toinette's thinly-clad sawdust body. I'm
so lonesome" she said, appealingly. But
Marie Antoinette's classical china face re-
NAMED stolidly Indifferent. can we can't
have any supper till mademoiselle gets those
vests done. We didn't have much for din
ner," she added, refectively.
Mile. Cecilia, sewing by the window,
smiled bravely at the childish face above
the faded brown pinafore. Then she
looked at the pile of heavy vests on the
chair beside her and sighed:
"Not yet, cherie," she said. "Have pa
thence. Well have good supper after l
get the money for them; perhaps some
sweet crackers, too"
Babette nodded gayly. She closed her
door again and went back to her seat on the
top stair.
This was favorite resort of hers, this
seat on the staircase. Here she would spend
hours at time with Marie Antoinette as
her only companion. The doll was not a
handsome one, but it brought to the lonely
child as much comfort in its possession as
many more expensive one does to more
fortunate child.
eve mustn't bother mademoiselle when
she's so busy, an besides it hurts her to
| talk" she carefully explained to Marie An
| toinette.
All! Yes Babette remembered how
mademoiselle used to sing in a church and
at concerts, and earn such lot Of money
| till she lost her voice.
s"That's after she 'dopted you and me.
| We're waits, you know, Marie"
| Marie Antoinette listened with resigna-
ton.
can she spent all her money, an they
didn't make her voice well again, an now
| there's a big doctor come an she's not got
any money to go an get cured" Babette's
unchildlike eyes grew big and solemn. AN
she don't tell us bout the 1oclSet man any
more. He's nice man. When he was a
little boy he lived right next door to made
moselle, way off in the country"
She rocked her knees and sang part of a
| lullaby to Marie Antoinette, but Marie An
toinette wasn't sleepy.
1 Babette grew tired of the stiffness and
the darkness She wondered if it was too
cold to go out. She opened the door again
1 and looked coaxingly into Mile. Cecilia
tired eyes.
"Were going up to the corner, me and
Marie, to see the BIRDS" she said.
4 Mademoiselle nodded.
Cali right, cherie, run along. Don't sc
4 any further, and come back soon."
Out upon the streets boys were playing
A marbles, their dirty hands blue with the
cold, and the first hand organ of the season
was grinding out wheezy dance.
Babette listened moment, then, tuck
ing Marie Antoinette securely under one
arm, went on up the street and stationed
herself contentedly before the windows o
bird store.
!, People smiled at the odd little figure
Some gave few pennies, more passed
Babette took courage. Now it was quaint
Easter carol, now a lullaby, now an uneven
], chant She began to grow tired, ane
Marie Antoinette hung head downward il
detected fashion.
She was growing hungry, too, and TIL
afternoon faded into dusk. Mademoisell'
would worry if she didn't go soon; bu
there was SO little money in the cup.
A big tear splashed down the little darl
!. face, and she wiped it away with Mari
Antoinette's sprigged calico skirt.
u Suddenly some one touched her on tn
shoulder