The suburban citizen., 1900-03-31


so strong-and it grew stronger each
time-aud sure enough, there was Dot
coming down the path. Only, a gen.
tleman held her hand as she skipped
and danced.
"Sophy," Dot cried, while yet fifty
yards away, "I fetched Mr.. Bosley to
see you. That's Sophy, Mr.. Bosley.
Mr.. Bosley was tall, stout man,
very quiet in manner. He had great,
soft, blue eyes aud round, shaven
face. There was nothing handsome
or dashing about Mr.. Bosley, Yet a
wealth of Kindness and comfort showed
in his every move and speech.
"I hope you will not think me
rude" he said. "Dot insisted that I
should come to see her Candy Lady
And Dot manages to make me do
everything, except leave her, Think. "
"Dot has managed quite happily
this time, Mr.. Bosley," Sophy re.
turned, timidly. "My name is Van
Twistern. I've been at the Mountain
House three days, but L made the ac-
quaintance of Miss Dot only this
morning"
"AIr. Bosley, kin I have another
cracker, pleath, pleaded Dot, delying
into his coat pocket.
"That's the last one, Dotty-eat it
slowly" he said to her as he took of
his cap and mopped his bald brow.
"Ouchl Look at the yaller butter
fly" Dot burst out, and the next in
stant she wac leaping down the slope
like fawn.
Mr.. Bosley and Sophy watched her
frantic chase. Then when she began to
dodge in and about the shrubbery they
fell TO talking about the charm of the
mountains; then of hotels; then-and
Sophy was most inquisitive to hear
this-Mr. Bosley began to tell what
he knew about Dot.
"I came intending to remain three
weeks" he said, "and Dotty has per-
suaded me to remain q fortnight be-
yond that time. I don't know now
when 1 shall go back to the city. I
almost wish somebody would send me
q telegram saying I must return at
once, and yet"
He went on to relate that he had
found out that Dots mother had come
of farmer folk back in the hills. She
was waitress at the Mountain
House. She had run away with one
of the guests, who, of couse, had use
for her only as summer expert
ment.
"You can guess the rest, Miss Van
Twistern," Mr.. Bosley continued
more sadly, with his eyes fixed upon
the ferrule OF his cane, which ho was
rolling in the dust. "The child was
an impediment to the mother, who
had taken a course from which there
is no return. At two years Dot was
sent to the Mountain House, The
mother sent board money and the old
housekeeper took care of the little
thing. After while no money came,
and the result was that"
A shrek from Dot make Mr.. Bos-
ley and Sophy jump to their feet. He
hurried down to the hollow, whore a
mountain brook ran noisily. Before
Sophy could catch up with him he
was climbing back. In his arms lay
Dot, sobbing and olinging to him.
"She fell into The brook" he called
to Sophy. "I think she's more
frightened than hurt"
"There's a cut over her eyel" cried
Sophy, coming nearer. 'You had
best carry her back to the house."
When they reached the hotel they
found tho proprietor on the ver-
andah.
"Hellol" he grunted. "What's
Dot?"
''She fell into the brook" Mr.. Bos.
ley explained. sect some clean
clothes for her and some cold water"
"Hey, JimW the proprietor yelled
to the stage driver. "Dot's hurt her
self. Take her back to the barn aud
put her to bed"
"Mr. Dorm, " Sophy broke in qnietly,
81 think Dot needs care. I'll take her
to my room. Send her clothes up
there"
y Mr.. Dorm looked aghast for mo-
ment. Then he saw an extra dollar
for him in it, and answered unctuously:
Gust as you like, Mas Van Twist
ern," and walked away with poor
opinion of the lady's sanity.
"Give her to me, please, Mr.. Bos-
ley" said Sophy.
He laid the trembling, sobbing bur-
den in Sophy's arms,
"Miss Van Twistern," he MUIR
INJURED, "you put me as much in your
debt as you do the little one 1 thank
you."
Sophy gazed at him as he walked
lhoughtfully down the road. He
mopped his brow feverishly, and as
he turned Sophy fancied that his
capacious white kerohief was thrust
10 his eyes.
Sophy forgot oil about this that
evening when she found Dot in q