The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1902-01-31

III he loved US why did he leave
u.s." asked the child with that logic
which exists only In the unwarped
minds Of chlldren-Of all ages.
Even harder 10 answer than that I'M
answerable question we're the sincere
blue eyes raised with questioning look
10 her own; and Alice Newcomb, as
n seeking an answer 10 give the trust
ing child. whose head nestled 80 low
lngly on hor bosom. looked out OF the
window 10 the sunshine and the birds
and all the pretty growing things and
sought IN vain for an answer
Why had he left thom7 The ques'
ton that had mover Ion her mind BY
night or day for Eve years; the har-
assIng. singing. burning question
which Il seemed 20 her was branded
into her very soul Her last thought
each night. her first at dawn, haunt
ing her dreams boy night aud her work
by day. never forgotten, always unan-
swerablo why bad he left them?'
The village had known no happier
home. had never contained within rs
boundaries prcttlor or c08ior nest
than tho cottage where now sat tho
lonely woman with the winsomo child
IN her lap Tho sunshine peoped
through the honeyauckle and into the
room whorothcao two sat. just a. John
Newcomb bad known Il would when
with hls own hand ho had planned and
built the little home. full OF hopes and
purposes for the future.
Their married life had been OF I'M
usual aud perfect content Lovers for
many years. they had waited until
Johns prospects AZ a partner In the
frm OF NewcOmb a Miller. carpenters
ana builders. gave them assurance OF
financial safety and then they had
married and settled in the prettlest OF
cottages almost before Alice could be-
lieVe II true. Three happy years had
they spent In their home. during which
an added Joy had come TO them-ths
little golden-halred girl whom they
had named Madeline She was beau
tlful aud an ideal child. born OF the
love OF perfect and a happy home
and her coming had filled 10 the brlm
the cup OF happiness which life held to
che llpa OF John and Alice Newcomb.
SOhn Nowcomb was a manly man: As
Che men said who worked for and with
him. he was every inch a man" And
with every inch OF his many inches. for
he was more than six feet tall. did he
love his GIRL" Alice. and his baby.
MADELINE, To all that was rough and
buriy and hearty In him. did the
dainty little girl appeal with tho I'M
conscious strength OF childhood. The
nrat word and the first stop and the
inst tooth were events never TO be for
gotten In John Newcomb'a life. 40
tightly about his heart did the little
Madeline weave the mcahoa OF love.
giant mcshes woven by baby hands.
Tho Partnership prospered. the cot
lage was almost entirely paid for. and
Johns reputation for the practical part
II his work. aa well AZ the theoretical.
Tor he had been known as an excellent
iraughtsman. grew apacc. and was the
source OF some modest pride to John
and Of much wlfoly pride to Alice. The
homecoming OF John at night was the
Joyful part OF the day 10 all OF them.
aud as the little one grew 10 more OF
The pretty ways and words. OF baby
hood and childhood. more and more
aid John look forward 10 the rcstful
evening time at home.
One night. Il was soon after Madeline
had reached her third year ana had
had n "bcofday party" something har
pened that had never happened before,
John did not come home.
Never before had such thing oo.
currod lie was experimenting the
work OF handsome school building In
n neighboring city II was contract
the Arm had been proud TO get. and he
had gone down TO supervise tho work