Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1900-05-18
RECONCILIATION

Seating himself upon bench in the
park Charles Leighton let his head
fall wearlly into his hands and gave
rein to his thoughts. Six years ago
this very day he had welded the pret-
ty Miss Marchmont How happy they
had been for a few months. and then,
his mother, cold, naughty proud of
her son and her fortune, came and re-
preached Kathleen bitterly for ensnar-
ing her husband who (she said loved
another wealthier girl, and who only
married her Kathleen on account Of
her pretty face. but his heart really
belonged to this richer girl.
Kathie Marchmont was young and
impulsive, and without waiting to
hear more she packed her few little
belongings and left him, after writing
note in which she promised that he
should never be troubled with her
again and that he was now free to
wed "the other girl"
Suddenly leighton felt little cold
hand touch his and heard a childish
voice say: Have You got headache
too?'
Looking up he beheld the sweetest
little fairy of child clad in a soft
white dress with blue ribbons futter-
ing in the morning. breeze who stood
inspecting him with serious brown
eyes
yes, / have little one" he said
smiling at the serious little face be-
fore him.
In a trice she had climbed upon the
settee and softly gently drew her til
ny hands across his brows. The touch
of those baby fingers sent a thrill
through him.
"Better?' she asked looking at him
with those wonderful eyes of hers.
Lawyer Leighton assured her that
he was quite cured and then asked
where her mamma was.
'MammaT asked the child in sur
prise. "Why, mamma is writing, Of
course. Nurse brought me out, and -
with a mischievous twinkle in her eye
and a quaint shrug of her little shoul-
ders, 81 lost her"
'You lost herT' asked the lawyer
"Why, yes" continued the child.
you know, nursey met a policeman
and she had so much to say to him
and l got tired playing right there,
So" with another shrug, Il ruined
| away"
what is your name, little oneY he
asked, looking down at her as she
danced along at his side.
Sunshine" came the answer, and
Lawyer Leighton thought 1t distinctly
appropriate for this golden-haired
sprite.
"Where do you live Sunshineg' he
asked, but the child only said, "a big
house"
"If you got lost did not mamma
| teach you something to sayY he sug-
gested.
ooh, If I got lost" answered the
child, 81 must find a policeman and
show him this"
"rhis" proved to he little tag sewn
on the inside part of her little dress.
/ leighton read: Mrs. Marsh,- Dart
mouth street"
Together they started for Dart
mouth street, but Sunshine soon
! Jagged behind, and after a hasty
glance around Lawyer Leighton took
the pretty bit of humanity in his
strong arms and bore her to her home
There was a frou-frou of silken
skirts as the door opened, and before
| his astOnished eyes stood Kathleen,
his wife
Leighton's arms dropped helplessly
TO his sides as Kathleen caught the
child to her breast and covered her
little face with caresses.
"How can | thank your she began
when she recognized the man before
her. The color left her face and heI
body grew rigid as she drew her head
up proudly.
For a moment they stood thus; ther
with n sudden yearning the mar
stretched his hand toward her, say
ing, "Kathie."
Her tender mouth twitched a little
and in the glance she flashed him he
saw her eyes were filled with tears
"Kathie," exclaimed the man, gOins
TO her, chow could you believe that
wicked story? There never was bu
one girl in this world whom / 10 ve(
or could love, and that was You ]
have searched for you night and daN
since that terrible day when you lef
me. Will you not believe me that
loved you then. and love you now, /
it were possible, more than ever?"
ooh, Kathleen" pleaded he, witt
the child in his arms, Twill you no
cme back to me and let me make III
to Sunshine at least for the wrong El
mother did you? My mother is dea'
and | will devote my life to you IN,
Sunshine to make up for the injustice
to you. VIII you come, darlingT
Eyes, do come with nice Mr.. Leigh
ton, mamma. / love him so. Don't yOI
and he brought me back TO you
And Kathleen leighton came dow
the stairs and was drawn to her hus
bands loving heart while she whis
pered with the light Of great un
quenched love in her eyes, "Yes. viii
come"