Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-01-25
THE .LOCKEN MAN.

SIOlluly AL We
can't have any supper till mademoiselle
gets those vests done. We didn't have
much for dinner" she added. reflect
lively.
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
patience. Well have a good supper
after 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.
''We mustn't bother mademoiselle
when she's so busy. an besides it hurts
her to talk" she carefully explained to
Marie Antoinette.
All, YesI Babbette remembered how
mademoiselle used to sing in church
and az concerts, and earn such lot Of
money-till she lost her voice.
That's after she e7dopted you and me.
We're waits, you -EYw, Marie"
AIar!e Auta.zssse Listened with rs<slg-
nation.
AN she spent all her money, an
they didn't make her voice well again.
an now there's 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 'locket man any more.
He's a nice man When he was little
boy he lived right next door to made
moiselle, way off in the country"
She rocked her knees and sang part
of lullaby to Marie Antoinette, but
Marie Antoinebte wasn't sleepy.
Babette grew tired OF the stiffness
and the darkness. She wondered If 1t
WAS too cold to go out. She opened the
door again and looked coaxingly into
Mile. Cecllia's tired eyes.
We're going up to the corner. me and
Marie, to see the BIRDS she said.
Mademoiselle nodded.
"All right, cherie, run along. Don't
60 any further, and come back soon.''
Out upon the streets boys were play
ing marbles. their dirty hands blue
with the cold, and the first hand organ
of the season was grinding out a
wheeZy dance.
Babette listened moment, then,
tuclring Marie Antoinette securely un-
der one arm, went on up the street and
stationed herself contentedly before
the windows OF a bird store.
People smiled at the odd little figure.
Some gave few pennies. more passed.
Babette took courage. Now 1t was a
quaint Easter carol, now a lullaby, now
an uneven chant. She began to grow
tired. and Marie Antoinette hung head
downward in a detected fashion.
She was growing hungry, too, and the
afternoon faded into dusk. Made
moiselle would worry If she didn't go
soon: but there was so little money in
the cup.
A big tear splashed down the Iittle
dark face. and she wiped 1t away with
Marie Antoinettes sprigged calico
skirt.
Suddenly some one touched her on the
shoulder.
Babette looked up into the brown
eyes bent upon her. She noticed the
pointed beard and curly hair. and n
light came into her eyes.
Why" she said. Its the locket
man.
The locket man smiled family.
WHO'S the Iocket mann" he said.
"Why, it's you-it's Richard. you
know. IN the locket-in mademo.se,.-
locket You're the little boy she use:
20 roll nd M1rfa fhnnt m % r..
'dopted, me an Marie"
What are you begging this way for:
Mademoiselle must earn good deal of
money singing" he said harshly.
Babette looked up into his face.
"Oi but she sews vests now. an We
don't have nice things any more, an
She cries lots of nights. She's lost her
voice. you know"
Lost her voice-Cecilia?"
Babette nodded wearily.
An she paid out all her money. az
they couldn't make her well again. az
We c,me 10 Poverty Flats. an there's
a doctor who'll cure her. only all her
moneys gone-an' I'm so hungry"
Babette's tired little voice broke. He
looked down at her.
Come" he said; take me home with
you
Yes" he sad confidently. It'll b.
all right now"
Mile. Cecilia, sewing by the lh,i,
window that looked out over blackent;
roefs and tall chimneys, cried little ID
herself that afternoon. She wonderpC
what was going to become Of her ant
Babctte.
If she only hadn't Babette! But she