Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-01-28
NUMBER 4.

dom needed in this quiet neighborhOod.
Finally pity overcame discretion, and
Jack grasped small hand and led the
runaway toward the cottage over
which he had but lately been gloating
in misery. He unlocked the door and
led the culprit to the kitchen, turned
on the water and awkwardly washed
the astonished denizen Of Diggle's
court.
"There! When get few layers Of
dirt off I'll take you to the nearest po-
lice station, and they can locate your
ma. But I'll be hanged If I'd drag
such connecting link as you were
through the streets"
A fresh handkerchief was sacrificed
on the altar of cleanliness, and then
Griswold started toward the door with
his unexpected charge. But here an
other surprise was in store for him.
The skies were overcast, and lightning
was playing along the horizon. There
was nothing to do but wait till the
storm passed by.
Griswold sank into rocker in the
tiny parlor, and Mis- Brennan's Kid"
clambered famliarly upon his knee.
The afternoon was sultry, the little
head sank lower and lower on Girls
wOld's immaculate flannel suit, and
soon a soft, even breathing filed the
quiet room.
The storm gathered and burst, but
the child slept on, and Griswold, with
half closed eyes, lived over again the
happy days when he and she had plan
ned and furnished the cottage.
A sudden fash Of vivid lightning and
a shrill feminine shrek.
ooh, Mrs. Brennan, IL only had
key we could get in here. And porches
and trees are so dangerous!
Jack rose to his feet, the sleeping
child still clasped in his arms. There
was no mistaking that voice. For an
instant he hesitated, then threw open
the door.
Two women crouched in the portal.
One was middle aged and haggard, her
sleeves rolled up to her elbow and her
apron tossed over her head. The 9TH
er was young and dainty and fair to
look upon even in her fearful fright.
They rose and faced the sudden vision
I'm the doorway.
The older woman gave scream, half
of anger, half of JOY.
Its me Kid. Where did We foind
him." Then, without waiting for reply,
she jcrked the sleeping child from Girls
wold's arms and fell to weeping and
scolding over him in true Irish fash.
ion.
Ten minutes later the storm died
down as suddenly as it had risen and
Mrs. Brennan and her kid" duly pro
vided with car fare, were vending theit
way toward the nearest trolley line.
The younger woman still stood at the
window. staring upon the weeds
which hung heavy with moisture. She
tapped her fingers mechanically on the
window pane.
81 had gone over to Mrs. Brennans
for shirt waist needed" she re-
marked suddenly, as if she felt that an
explanation was obligatory, land she
was nearly crazy about the Kid |
felt so sorry for her, and we kept walk
ing and walking, and every one had
seen the little boy, they said, and we
followed the trail till we got here
and
She turned suddenly and faced Girls.
void. who was regarding her anxious.
ly. The contrast between his grave,
pleading face and his generally de.
moralzed attire was ludicrous. The
departing kid had left as mementos
of his short stay liberal stains of lico'
rice and mud on Grswold's soft flannel
suit. One grmy hand had evidently
found a resting place on Jacks smooth
shavcn check.
Meta Harris stopped laughing and
exclaimed:
"Oh, to think you'd be so good to that
miserable Kid You've made me feel
$3.50 mean and Insignificant" llei
face was very sober now. "Do you
think, Jack, you could forgive me,
and
"Bless that Kidr" exclaimed Jack
as they walked home In the twilight.
Meta had rcsolutely refused to board
trolley car In consideration Of Jacks
soilcd raimcnt. when we get settled,
the little chap can play up here every
Saturday"
"Yes," mused Meta, 81 always said
that boy would do something worth
while"