The Ward County independent., 1903-05-27
arms the slim little white figure flying

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arms the slim little white figure flying
down the stairs.
You shall help me, my precious!
she promised. And she touseled the
clustering curls on the dark little head
and pressed with her own the rosy lips
that were ripe for kisses. Breakfast
over, the two settled to work, for
Rosine had decided views of her own
as to the relative merits Of set de-
ence of Miss Charteris for less formal
symbols. And all the time the hazel
eyes sparkled and the restless little
tongue talked trippingly on.
You have to work awful hard, don't
you, Auntie Jean? Did you get Billie's
mothers dress done? Did Billie come
for it? I'd like Billie-if he wasn't
freckled. Nora says you used to be
rich. She says you lived in that big
stone house with the fountain in the
yard. She says my mamma was rich,
too, until after my papa went away
and left her. And then she came to
live in this little weeny house with
you. And then God wanted her. What
made you and my mamma get poor?
And why doesn't my papa come back?
And why wouldn't God let my mamma
stay here? And does she know when
we put all these pretty flowers on her
grave?"
So for the two in the bright little
room, plain to severity save for its
books and green things growing" and
air of indefinable refinement, the per-
jeans sweet face paled and her sensi-
tive lips quivered, these the absorbed
little maiden did not notice at all.
How should prattling child, busy
with wreath, dream that her words
might wound?
They stood at the gate to see the
procession wind by-the hobbling vet
Grams, the women of the Relief Corps,
the townspeople in vehicles and afoot,
the uniformed band, the excited chill
dren running at either side. But the
sun had gone down IN a splendor OF
scarlet and gold, the streets were be-
ing fast deserted, and all the air was
still stepped in amber brilliance, when
Jean Charteris and the little girl car
ried their treasures between them up
the green velvet sward of that sloping
hill, sacred to silence and to sweet,
safe slumber.
The grave yard knew now no pres
ence save their own. On several
graves were 1ags-on the greater
number flowers. But some were bare
of bloom And from one to another
of these the late-comers moved, leav-
ing some sprays on each. Then they
sought a certain corner, where a sim
pie stone recorded briefly young
wife's death.
''You shall place them ALL" said
Jean Charteris. She gave Rosine the
basket, and stood leaning against the
marble shaft, her black, trailing gown
outlining her slender form, her head
drOoping as though in weariness.
With unconscious elation the child
went about her task. And afar in the
road Billie watched her. Billie, stiff
in his best Sunday suit, tortured by
new shoes, agonized by an unaccus-
toned collar. So absorbed was he in
following every movement Of his idol
he did not hear the step approaching.
He turned with hasty exclamation
at touch on his shoulder-turned to
confront a man who was decidedly
stranger.
The latter pointed to the dark figure
by the stone.
Who he asked, "is that?"
That's Miss Charteris. She lives.
in the little old Chiffon cottage now.
She makes dresses
"My God!" the man murmured.
"Has it come to this with Jean?"
Conscious of the boys sharp scrut-
my the man took from his pocket two
pieces Of me.al-one brass, one silver.
Here take these down to the
agent. Give him the check and tell
him to send ny trunk to the hotel. You
may keep the dollar!"
Billie grabbed the money and stimuli
taneuously uttered yell.
"Ro-sine!" He was valiant enough
in this plutocratic hour. "Ro-sine!
Come on! I'm goin' to buy candy!"
A final placing of the last wreath,
an eager question, an answering nod
from the bowed head-then the child
was flying tow ard the road through the
mellowing radiance of the fading light,
shouting questions to Billie as she
came Something in the skimming
fight Of the agile little body. in her