The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03


wild haste up the garden, across the vel
vet lawn, out of the open gate into the
road.
81 can go most as fast as a buttlefy,"
said Joan. land I'll find Man Daddy at
the nice place where Fido was took when
he was lost, where there were such a
heaps and heaps of dogs. 1 know Man
Daddy'Il be there. with a gleeful
chuckle that brought the dimples laugh
ing to her cheeks. Mother never
thought OF that. I b1ieve 1t was the
lilies what put the therink in my in
SIDE
Along the hot, dusty road, meeting no
one in this peaceful dinner hour, she
trotted her sunbonnet dragging behind
and her yellow hair rivaIing the glowing
cornfields on either side
In her desire to emulate the butterfly
she got over the ground at a surprising
into her endeavor, as she always did
into everything she undertook Life to
Joan was deep and earnest thing She
hardly knew that her short legs were
aching or that her curls were sticking
to her damp little brow. By the time
the village dinner hour was over the
village was left far behind by Joan's
determined legs. She began to meet
people, and few asked her where she
was going. Joan's beaming. moist smile
and her answer, Man Daddy-jus'
there with a grimy forefnger pointing
apparently TO the end of the road or
lane, or field, satisfied them But pres
emily Joan stopped to talk to a great
sunflower nodding it's golden head at her
over the railing of a little garden 1t
was when she caught sight OF it's friend
ly face that she knew how her legs
ached.
You see." she said, sitting down just
for one minute beneath the sunfiower
and gazing up at it wistfully, I'm not
really a butterfly, and-my legs hurt
little"
Its a long way" said JOAN. 1--WE
run miles and miles, pretty gold lady
oh, miles and miles-mfies"- voice
trailed off into drowsy murmur-''
miles," she said, with a sudden Jerk
and sitting upright. She gazed up at the
sunfiower reprcachfully. Il mustn't go
to sleep" she said. I've got to find
Man Daddy N the big place where they
took Fido when he was lost. It's JUS
there" pointing down the road. Good
by, gold lady. I must be quick, cause
Man Daddy will be lonesome without
me and mother, you see. and mother will
be lonesome, too
She started at a run. then looked back
over her shoulder at the sunflower with
troubled little laugh My legs won't
on. The sun had gone behind great
threatening clouds. but Joan took no
heed All her mind was conferred on
getting on. She took no more rest till
she came suddenly upon a group of pop
pies growing in the grass at the way
side; by them her legs stumbled and
gave way, and she sank down on to the
grass. She whispered TO them in a little
voice that was breathless and full Of
tears. Il want mother and Man Dad
dy," she said. and then she lay still and
set all her teeth together to keep the
sobs back. But presently she sat up.
"Deys coming" she gasped. her gram
mar growing weak IN her extremity. A
sudden CLEAN lit her face.
Grown up angels cry 10 give the fow-
ers water she said. as a great tear
rolled down her cheek. and. kneeling,
she bent over the peoples and sobbed
her heart out. while the tears splashed
on to the flowers. But other drops came
and mingled with hers-great angry
drops from dark clouds overhead-drops
that beat the poppies shuddering to the
earth The angels are crying. too. !"
murmured Joan. sleepiIy, and rolled
over and lay still.
The angels crying was long and We
hement. 1t woke Joan several times.