The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-16

1 y
came. We are building beautiful
castle now, such grand one, with
rooms and rooms, but If Teddie goes
away we can't ever finish it. They are so
poor, you know, papa, that they can't
stay here any longer. And l told him
that l would just ask you to adopt
him and his mamma. We are rich,
aren't we, papa? And there's lots of
room in our house. And you know,
papa, you often say II only had a
mother to manage me. And sometimes
/ get so lonely without anyone to play
with. Teddy is lonely, too, and when
he goes home he won't have anything
to eat but bread-just only bread.
papa"
Dear mel" said her papa. Where
did you pick up this little ragamutiin,
Maysie?"
"Why, papa" cried Maysie, indig-
nantly. "He isn't ragamuffin at ALL
Sally says he is more 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
took his hand coaxingly. Papa, how
would you like TO sleep in a bed with
the rain all leaking down on it, and
only bread 10 eat? Teddie's mamma
cries about it. And you don't want
your little girl to be lonesome, do
your
You sly little witch" cried this good
patured father. but would nothing
less than adoption suit your highness?
1t would give me great deal of trouble,
you know, even with my limitless
wealth. Now, suppose you and | buy
Teddie something nice and see what
we can do for his mamma. Won't that
do?"
20 no, no, that won't do at all. want
them to live with us, 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 | can do to manage you,
without having another youngster on
my hands? However, we will go and
see them and then decide what is TO 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 little surprised, and thinking
that Teddie's mother was perhaps
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 FROM door to discuss matters of
including the rapidly
castle and the latest news
from the bedside of sick kitten. May
sic had decided that they could safely |
leave their parents TO get acquainted.
A fair-haired little woman, gowned in
black, rose to meet Mr.. Garland, and |
for moment both gazed at each other
in mute wonder. Then he took a step
"Kathleen!" he cried.
She held out her hand, and then
smiled sadly. "Yes, it is |. Have |
somuch? You havenot changed
at all, Jack. You look just the same"
You have changed. But to find you
here! You have been i'll! kathleen,
what is this l hear about your
troubles?'
The childish voice seemed to ring in
lis ears again: ''Teddie's mamma cries
about it," and suddenly be bent over
Ter and took her hand in his strong,
ender grasp.
This brave little woman had battied
With the world in silence, but now at
he first touch of sympathy she gave
vay sob rose in her throat, two tears
oiled down her pale cheeks, and in a
moment her head was on his arm.
Kathleen, my Kathleen" he whis-
'ered, passionately. Let us forget our
oolish quarrel. l know you loved me
n the old days, and l have loved you
lways. Let us begin over again. We
re older and wiser; we will not let our
outhful folly stand between us. You
Till not throw away your happiness
nd mine ?r