The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-11-05
CHAPTER TX.
"What Was Your Father7"

ElOW NtaAJ AhAOhSh ~ Ae~'N
strengthen and on. The world
surged by her, the gay, restless, fan
tastic world.
Have you ever reflected what II
must be to emerge from ones own
narrow, familiar sphere into the cal
cium glare of a great city? The
strange faces-oh. the strange faces!
Some grave, some glad, some masks
scrutable-masks which tell you
nothing of the heart below-whether
It pulsates to the jubilent music OF
TIE Deum, or throbs TO the funeral wall
of de profundis.
The hours crept by and in blind,
dull sort of way, Laurie Isle noticed
the things around her.
Four Ave. and the day shivered and
grew chilly, ami drew closer around
her draperies OF dusk.
And that slender. black.clad figure
walked slowly-more straightforward
the deepening twilight. And at last 1t
paused altogcther--paused and leaned
heavily against an iron railing. and
looked up and down the quiet street
with bewildered, childish eyes.
Oh, she was tired-so tired!
In house directly opposite her the
curtains were still undrawn, and she
could Gee into the room beyond.
Such a pleasant room it was
nj No ilro--VVith
Its cheerful, blazing fire, and its sweet,
I indefinabie suggestion OF security and
rest.
A girl was fitting lightly around the
room. She arranged little table and
placed thereon a shaded lamp and
some magazines. Then she drew UP
beside 1t big Turkish arm chair. The
door opened and an old gentleman
came slowly in. She sprang forward
TO meet and welcome him.
To the lone watcher on the pave
ment without came strange, sick
ening faintness. To her it was mem
DRY and mockery-a beautiful, taunt-
ing, miserable mockery!
She put up her hand and in faint
protest brushed the hot, slow tears
away. And then the girl beyond came
over TO the window-still chattering
and laughing, and looking backward
as she came-and drew the crimson
curtains close.
So--Laurie Isle drew a long, shud-
dering breath--that was shut out-that
glimpse of home and heaven!
The dawn of night broke over the
city, and "the lights flashed out in the
silent street" In the CLEAN OF the
lamp at the corner men and women
hurried by to happy fresides.
All, no wonder eyes light and hearts
throb and feet hasten at this evening
hour, at the thought of gentle, wait
ing face, of children's boistercus, low
ing welcome, of all that sweet and
simple sanctity which forms the crown
OF home.
ghe reused herself with low moan.
Where would she go? Where could
abe go? God guide her-where?
Again she resumed her weary walk.
And now the pavements were almost
deserted. but within lighted rooms
she caught sight of snowy. sparkling
tables and cheerful family groups,
Harkl What was that? child's
cry-shrill. terrified, half-dehant.
She ran as heetly as her tired limbs
would bear her In the direction
whence the sound came.
Under the light of street lamp at
the next corner stood a little boy
clasping tightly in his arms a shaggy
dog. And surrounding him complete
~, bowling and beIligerent as SO many
small Indians, were half dozen lads
of the genus gamin.
"Give him to us!" one was saying
ferociously--"give him to us! He's
not your dorg. anyway, he amt, Give
him to us!"
That's big. big story!" the vail
ant little master of the dog cried, in
dignantly, though his eyes were filed
with tears. You stolded him and
followed you. And you won't get Fun
my, you WON'T"
Wont WEI" shouted one of the
ciminutlve demons beside him. raising
his grimy fist for blow.
"Stop!" Laurie Lisie cried, severe
~. "You boys ought to be ashamed
OF yourselves to strike little char
like that You are older and bigger
than he Who owns the dog?"
For the moment she quite forgot her
own sad isolation. For all her girlish
ness, a very warm, womanly heart
beat under her quiet gown.
The small culprits fell back and
looked from each other to the lady be
fore them in shamefaeed dismay.
Hes my dog!" the boy who still
held 1t asserted, with positive pro
prietorship. He's my dog-Funny is
Oh. here's papa! here's papa!"
He raced to meet gentleman who
was coming rapidly up the street.
ooh, papa, they stolded Funny. an
Invent after him, an got him; an they
was goin' to hit me an this ladl
wouldn't let them. an"
He paused. out OF breath. HI.
father lifted him to his arms, dog ant
all. and turning to Laurie. rased hi
hat.
He was short, rather stout man
scrupulously neat in appearance
with a clean-xhaven, fiorid face nrc