The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-03-30

do you know what dny II sr' shs
asked. presently, feeling her WAY care
fully.
ayes. that's why ] died to-dsy."
vas the answer, still with tight.shut
eyes.
To-day Is the day that Christ rose
from the dead 10 teach Va that ~ lie
rose 40 shall we all rise" began Mrs.
Whitaker gently.
Ruth was looking Rt her now "Rut
can't rise" she said plaintiyslyi
cause you keep 'sturbins me"
"You miFht'-Auuc Whitaker drew
long breath, was u sacrilegiouN?--
"you nigh, play you had been dead
and"-shc paused.
4 CLEAN Of interest shone In Ruth's
face. "Dut this Isn't Heaven abe
protested.
'rhr Kingdom Of Heaven is within
you" Mrs. Whitaker quoted, with
both freedom and truth as she ap-
preached the bed ysiih ouisprrad shawl.
1T isn't usaYrn bui We might :. i5..;s;s
and make II seem like Heaven" 3
The child put up her hand as TO
ward'off the shawl,
"Hut God isn't here and mamma
isn't here"
God j. everywhere, i" answered Mrs.
Whitaker; and Ruth looked about
hnif STARTLED 'i;u; ~ i= 8 sT!-!., =aa
YOU can't sec Him" She dropped the
shawl over the child now. and as she
wrapped u about her she finished more
softly; "Your mamma isn't here. but
you might piny for little while that
was your other mother"
Not my real mother2" Ruth asked,
wlstfully.
"Oh no." Mrs. Whitaker said,
hastily; "only q play mother"
The child said no more, hut let her
self b. wound up In the shawl and sat
quietly on the edge Of the bed while
Mrs. Whitaker brought out pair Of
her long wooden stockings and drew
them over the little, unrcsisiiHg feet,
There was sill slight disuppoiutmcut
IN Ruth's face when the great gray
shawl was fastened with safety pin
firmly beneath her chin.
"Now be careful when you 20 down
stairs and keep tight bold Of the hnnis-
tcrs;" and Mrs. Whitaker came fiep
behind with firm clutch on the ANAL,
gru,-shuwled shoulder.
She placed the child In the great
rocking chair In front Of the stove and
laid out ell her goodies on the table;
apple tarts and cookies and preserves
and cold meat and bread aud butter and
rich. warm milk. Then she went up
stairs aud brought down an old sacque
o. her own that Ruth might put on. aud
70 have her arms free; and they both
actually fell to laughing o. she rolled
and rolled and rolled up the long hang
ing sleeves.
Mrs Whitaker was amazed and fear
ful when she saw Ruth cat; the little
girl, whose mind seemed fixed On
heavenly things, had hearty appetite.
AZ last. for fear the child might. in
deed. die from oyereating, her hostess
suggested that they rock together In
the chair before the fire.
II always said that ,loor farm wasn't
rightly managed, shs thought lndiF-
nantiy; "they don't have enough to
cat. don't know but ia better let
myself be put on that committee"
NJ this moment little Ruth looked
up with a smile on her face from which
all trnccs ~ disappointment we're fast
vanishing II think this must be al
most ~ nice a. Heaven; iust but for
mamma"
Mrs. Whitaker smiled Rrimly. ~
guess Heaven r. q good deal within us.
even with the poorhoufe next door"
Hannah made an unusually long call
on her family. So Mrs Whitaker
thought. holding the little. shawl
wrapped figure in front OF the dining
room FIRE But wheE at last she en-
tered, her mistress commands were
ready
Hanna, you 20 over to the poor
farm and tell them that Ruth's over
here and going to stay. and III send
John for her things In the morning"
Hannah stood still, gaping. In the
eining.room doorway. We'll. never"
abe announced, with her usual free
dom; what on earth have you ben
doin'?"
Anne whitaker smiled with her lips
against Ruth's dark locks. Well"
she said, slowly we've been having
n resurrection. You see. this little girl
came over here to- she was about to
add Ito die" but changed 1t suddenly
Ito live, e,"-Frances Bent Dillingham;
in y. Y, Independcut.