Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-09
CHAPTER XII.
Nettie at Home.

she was fond of reading and other quiet
amusments, for the doctor gave orders that
she must remain in the house for several
days.
On the morning after the accident, with
her arm in sling, she was curled up in
corner of the couch. and was deep in the
bewitching story of the Snow Queen,
when she heard a heavy step coming up
the stairs. She listened; yes, 1t stopped at
their door, and there came short, quick
rap. All sorts of visions foated through
her head Perhaps that rough boy had
found out where she lived and had come
there to look for Topsy. But the next mo-
ment she laughed at this foolish thought
and went quickly to the door. What was
her surpriseto see Mr.. Brady the park
policeman, standing there smiling and hold
ing the three lunch baskets in his hands.
o. she said, do come in. I'm awfully
glad to see you. How good of you to bring
the baskets home yourself. It's such a long
way from your home too.
Not exactly" said Mr.. Brady. as he took
the chair she placed for him: the fact is
l live only three blocks from here. / go
out to the park the street car at nooIS
every day. You see, l have Il daughter
teaching school not far from here, and a
son in a machine shop; we live near their
work, because they have to pay if they Tide
on the street car, and | don't. But where is
your mother? Surely you're not all alone?
No, we have girl here to stay with me-
but shes in the kitchen now. Mamma, you
know, is at the library all day
why, that is SO; I wondered and Won
dered where l had seen your mothers face
before. j knew of course. the librarians
name is Howells, but somehow l ddn put
the two things together. But where's your
little dog? Do you know, l think that is
the prettiest little thing in the shape of
dog that l ever saw? l should think you d
be almost afraid to let it out of your sight
for a single minute"
Yes, she is beauty said Nettie, smil
ing with pleasure at this appreciation OF
Topsy, but she isn't mine; she belongs to
two nice ladies, friends of ours"
20, l see, and you borrow her now ana
then, Well it seems to me they ought to
let you have her now while you shut up
TINS way especially. since you got hurt on
her account
They are invalids, and they live on the top
floor of big boarding house and there is
no way for Topsy to have an airing unless
her friends take her OUT
But don't your friends go out some
times?"
90. dear me, no. they are not able to-
Miss Verro can walk about a little. but she
never goes downstairs and Miss Julia is
always in bed. She has something the mat
ter with her backbone, l think but they
don't call 1T that. Let me see, now what
did mamma say it was?'
Nettie puckered her forehead and was
silent moment.
Spinal trouble, maybe said Mr. Brady
That's it., exclaimed Nettie, that's the
very word; now l don't mean to forget that
again." and she repeated the words over
several times.
Are your friends poor?' asked Mr.
Brady.
20. dear no. they have fine home in
Virginia, and some kind of mines Let me
see, know that word for | looked it up in
the dictionary. o, yes, manganese that
1t, and they came on here to try famous
doctor, but Miss Ferro isn't very much bet
ter, and mamma says she thinks Miss Julia
is growing worse every hour
Mr.. Brady then told of wonderful doctor
he knew who kept a sanitarium and who
had cured some very sick people; and ne
gave Nettie a card with the doctors name
on 1t. and told her to give it ito her friends
90 said Nettie joyfully, now, if they
try this doctor and get well, L shall always
be glad / broke my wrist, because |
shouldn't have known you if hadn't been
hurt
At this moment there was another rap at
the door. and when Nettie opened it. there
stood Joe, Mrs. Mullard's bellboy and in
his hand was box and a note
Nettie gave a little gasp, and the color
flew from her face. Joe was quick to see
these signs of the childs fear of him, ana
he said, spitefully:
20, it's you these are for, is it? Well. if
I'd knowed that, I'd never coined; Ia
played sick first. And now that L m here, [
dunno I'll give 'em to YOU: guess IN
Nettie found her voice at this threat
GU don't dare do that she said. brave
ly; give me the things this minute" and
she reached out her well hand
" Don't dare Ell? That's big word for
a little girl like you. What's the matter
with your other hand?' he continued his
curiosity getting the better of his love for
teasing.
No matter" persisted Nettie, you give
me those things
20, my! how big she is, just hear her:
well, now seeing you amt got but one hand
to help yourself with, l guess I'll lust open
the box for YOU and he began fumbling
at the string
Don't you dare said Nettie, more en-
phatically than before: but Joe silently
worked away at the string Mr. BRADY
thought 1t was now time for him to inter-
fere. He rose from his seat behind the door
ana IN a moment was towering behind Net
ties tiny form. Joe gave one glance at the
po1cemanS uniform. and dropping the box
and note at Nettie's feet he was out OF
sight In turning of the hall before a word
could be spoken.
Well" said Mr.. Brady. with a hearty
laugh. as he picked up the box and note,
what a change the blue coat and brass
buttons make. sometimes. It's a lucky
| thing l happened to be here. But now,
don't think any more about him. he added
kindly. as he saw Netties pale face; sit
right down in this big chair and open your
box. see the boy has the string united
all right for YOU
box before reading the note?'
"Of course said the policeman isn't
thar a pretty good way? First find out
what is sent to you, and then you can have
the fun of guessing who sent it,
When Nettie took off the cover of the box
| a delicious fragrance filled the room
20, O., exclaimed Nettie, what lovely
roses. I don't believe any one but the
Misses Verro could have sent me those
beautiful things. Now, Mr.. Brady I'll let
| you hold them while 1 get some water for
| them
She returned in a moment with pretty
| vase, and the sweet gift soon standing
| on little table in the center of the room
Now" said Mr.. Brady, Il must GO and
| you will not be lonesome with your roses
| and your note
The note was a short one, just a page or
| two from Miss Ann and few lines in LEAD
| pencil from Miss Julia. But it was very
| sweet and kind, and Nettie read it through
! three times, laying it down beside the roses
| at last with happy smile on her face.
What lovely times am having, even II
! have a broken wrist, and in spite OF that.
| bad boy, joe she was saying to herself,
| when there came another rap the door;
| and before she could step to open it Daisy
| bounded into the room.
why, Daisy she said, haven't you
| been to school?'
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