The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-09-08
wants was soon to be matter of days

wants was soon to be matter of days
or hours. ~
For days Miss Virginia was exceeding
ly busy, "furnishing Maggie's house," as
she smilingly said. Everything was
pretty, cheerful and new, and it was
delightful excitement for me to help her
ia this work. The children were to know
nothing Of 1t before it was ready for them
TO take possession. so for few days we
were with them less than usual.
Then the baby died-quietly, without
warning or apparent pain. Ole morning
when Maggie had warmed the milk for
him and would have taken him up, she
found the tiny figure fixed in immovable
stiffness.
While the baby lay dead the little new
home, al in cheerful orr der for it's expect
cd tenants. stood waiting. The funeral
over we were TO- ia Ike them to see it; but
when the time came Mat bad been rnk-
ing and was unfit for anything; Thea Il +
two Or three days he was both idle anu
sur'y. The romantic visit to which we
had looked forward was time after time
postponed. 1t was Miss Y rginia's plan
TO take the children all there in the after
noon. A merry supper was to be made
ready and at 6 O'Clock, when John and
his father usually came In, Dngald was
to be'in waiting for them at the door and
bring them to eat and sleep in their own
wonderful new rooms.
But Mat had planned his own surprise.
Now for buy work: We're Ill to be
washed and dressed and ready to 20 out
With Miss Virginia In just 40 minutes -
L announced eager ~, coming In the first
day that we were sure Of Mats absence.
But Maggie, looking old and responsible
In q funEoH mn 40 shirt nd hSzrc-
checked apron of her mothers shook her
head.
TIN a-claning up the house," che pro-
tested. ''An' he said, father did-that
we mustn'r stir out, hide nor hair of US,
till he got back. He's gone to Castle
Ct len, he has" she pursued, breathless
Am Aunt Allies a-coming."
"Who's Aunt Allie?' asked in some
CONSERVATION.
"Aunt A LEES the sister of me own
mother-she's coming over from Ore.
l nd
"'N' [ don't want Aunt Allie. Iwant
my pretty lady" piped little Tim. Miss
Virginia had been "my pretty lady" to
him from the date Of her d cat appearance.
! " lsnin' up the house, had involved,
appale emily, q mysterious upheaval from
the innermost depths of such secret stores
as belonged to the Moriartvs. Broken
dishes, old shoes, battered hats, rubbish
in indescribable variety Uttered the two
rooms and filed every rickety chair.
1--WE been examinin' me mothers
things" Maggie explained, with an air OF
the most seriO Importance. s'There's T.
deal ON ny mind this day, Miss.''
|. There's a deal ON my mind shis day !!
1 thought to mys Il. For the night be-
fore Miss Virginia had fully opened to me
her wishes and plans. Ever since she
had been caring for these children had
seen change In her. She had dropped
a certain shel che had grown young; q
new color had come into her cheeks.
We had been spea king of the furnished
rooms, which Miss Virginia had again
visited for a final touch of adjournment.
"But that's not ALL" she added. 81 have
something still worse simmering in my
mind" It was bedtime and we were both
standing near the fire., ready to go up
stairs. II wish you would come In NV
room," che went on, II want to talk to
you in the DARK aaf n. 80 49,
"You know what I want to ts Tx to YOU
about!' che asked softly, when we were
seated in | w chairs before her glowing
bedroom fire.
/ protested that did not. 4za -. .r-
"You're too quick not 10 rave guessed
i dare say you've seen il { II along -
You're r OF going abroad " In the Van
deveersP'
ssNo"
"Fhen it's little Tim
Right. It's little Tim. They muat
give him toue. shall call him Richs RI
Quincy after nv father"
j said nothing.
"Weill" aaid Miss Virginia. after a
lorg silence, broken only BY dropping
coal. i,
"Oh. Mise Virginia Arsn't you afraid
TO NEEDLE With family ties g. whispered.
aYes-I'm afraid, - she answered calm
~. but I'm les afraid to take him away
Gbar am TO leave him thor. Don't you
see ? love the child. Wnen he puts his
little arms around my reck, as he did TO-
day, and saws You mustn't go! You're
nv pretty lady--prettv LADY,, he said.
When ne clings TO me like that feelthat
[ do belong TO him. I would rather give
up ever vthirg else in the wfrld than to
part with my dear little bov. Don't you
seer Its .really his choice, = she contin-
ued In tone Of tender ap peal.
# ventured to press her. hand In silent
sympathy - could not SPEAK.
ST have no, true object in Iife,D Miss
Virginia reaumed.7 1.-THE r. ia respou.
eibilitv in otadoing never IL Il that so
rGr0nGlV DefOFe- For IietIa Tim How
can 10 be right for me TO have 50 much
and for him TO want fer evervthing2 I'll
have q lwaya bad too much, without any
+ sal use for 1t. Nov I can do so much |
for hiun--he shall have 4 II that nv broth
Dr. had. Don't you agree with me r, abe |
asked wistfully. sY on sec thf rass rea lly |
nobody else In the whole world to care |
Por me- =
20, Mas Virginia, Icare ri exclaimed !
aDder NV breath. To my aseOnishment |
'he reached over and kis. ed me.
Dear, good grill Then you'll hole