The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-05

and when Matilda, red with NexaIlOn,
FASTENED into the station. her husband
met her with a vexed look on his face
The train has been gone just three
minutes, pulling out his watcn- ~ nat
was the matter2"
Don't say a word, Mater she ex-
claimed. dropping into a seat The car
always breaks down if ] want to catch
a train am so tired"
'-Oh, well, there's another train in an
hour Mr.. Cranes brow cleared. It
was one of his best points-a graceful
yielding to the inevitable. There IS q
later train on the branch, and I can wire
Steve to wait for us, so don't fret, Ma
tilda.'s
Mrs. Crane resigned herself to wait for
the next train, while Mr. Crane read the
morning paper-that solace Of every or
binary woe in a business mans life Peo-
pie surged in and out and the tram crler 5
stentorian drawl echoed through the room
suddenly Mrs. Crane .polked her husband
corner-quiclz, Nate or you'n lose herl
It's Lettie-Im sure of iti
Bless my bones. I believe It Is Go
and speak to her Matilda and I'll watch
on this side if she should be coming TINS
way"
Lettie started with nervous fear. as her
aunts hand touched her arm. She was
dressed in shabby garments, and had a
three his face a copy, despite its thin,
pinehed look, Of his mothers when a
face with an expression of fear pitiful to
see; then, as she recognized the friendly
around her neck in a clining, despairing
embrace as she sobbed out, "Oh, Aunt
There is Uncle Nick right over there,
and one shall harm you" Mrs. Crane
said. The child stood with widely opened
Why didn't you come to US, dear
SobS became less violent.
7 was trying to find you. auntie. but I
had forgotten your number, and-and-l
was afraid you would not want me-
Indeed we do want you, dear child We
are going on the next train to spend
Christmas at your home, and you must
''oh, no, no! dare notl'' L.ettie shranl1
back Interior. Il have no home for my
father would never receive me as his
child. He told me so in the only letter
ever had from him since L was so wicked
Then we will come back to the city
together, won't we, Mater
Mr.. Crane had approached in time to
hear IettieS shrinking reply, of which
he at once guessed the Import '.Of course
We will he replied heartily, taking the
little, thin hand in his with a tender kiss.
And you shall be our own little girl,
as we always wished you WERE
While Lettie was telling her pitiful story
of abuse and wrong at the hands of the
Martha Crane in the old farm house was
making such preparations as she had not
Her step was light and brisk as she pat
tered across the wide kitchen, and the
great range oven was filed to overflow
ing with tempting dainties
When Stephen started for town he was
heated soapstoneS and extra wraps into
the rOOny old carriage to her hearts con-
tent ma 1A5tll 4 always nad cold feet she
SAID, ana Nate hllnSett IS older by some
years than when we saw him last"
she aVEoke from a short nap an hour
later and looked at the clock How I
have slept Why, they ought to be here
this moInent!T But no carriage was yet in
half a mile Of the road. Another hour
passed and the familiar team appeared in
the distance.
she was at the door when the horses
trotted into the yard in the gathering
dusk, and Nate called out cheeriiy: Hell
10. Martial Is supper ready?s
1t was too dark to see clearly the look
in her husbands face. but she looked on
helped Matilda to alight; next a little
child: then another She was Just won
dering who it could be. when a voice
oh mother-motheri Dear Motherr'
And 1ettie fell almost fainting into her
mothers arms
Poor childl It meant so much to her.
cold, no more blows or abuse for her
child, and Stephen looked on as his wife
wan face as if she could never get enough
of love, with a smile of great happiness
upon his rugged face.
1T is the Lords dealings Martha. and
amt worthy of it,, he said huskily.
don't believe l shall ever fret and
worry again over missing a train.'' said
Matilda as she, with Martha and the
tie and the child had long ago been tucked
into a warm bed to rest ssSuch a mercy
a 81 II was IN TINS case! For # Lettie had
found our empty house, she had no
money and no friends in the city. poor
child, and what could she have done?''
He gave His angels charge concern
ing her. answered Stephen Crane.
''They tell me- said the soft shell crab.
that you were always wise beyond your
years
I early learned responded the lobster.
that dissipation is losing game.
avoided excesses and thus kept myself out
.sF3ut. the crab Dersisted did xro, nor
in the greenness of your youth ever long
for the gayer life2''
lobster with a little sigh. Il had no salad
days"
And he painfully ratified away on his
rheumatic claws.-C1eveland Plain Dealer.
Young Stone-'I spoke to the chemist,
and he advised me that I should
Doctor Gnterrupting)-"Oh he gave you
some idiotic advice, 1 suppose" Stone
He advised me to see Xou!,'-Tit-Bits.