Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-11-05
CHAPTER IL.
what Was Your Father7s

On, anu On ana ON, I'LL nGF step
grew weary through her lack OF
strengthen and on. The world
surged by her, the gay. restless. fan
tastic world.
Have you ever reflected what 1t
must be to emerge fron ones own
marrow, familiar sphere into the cal
cinm glare Of a great city? The
strange faces-oh, the strange faces!
Some grave. some glad, some masks
acknowledgements which tell you
nothing of the heart below-whether
it pulsates to The jubilant music of G
re Deum. or fnrobs to the funeral wall
OF a de profundls.
The hours crept by. and In a blind,
dull sort Of way, Laurie Isle noticed
the things arouad her.
-Four, FIVE. and the day shivered and
grew chilly. and drew closer around
her draperies Of dusk.
And that slender. black-clad figure
walked slowlg-more slowly--through
the deepening twilight. And at last it
paused altogsther-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 a house directly opposite her the
cnrtainr were still undrawn, aud she
could zee into the room beyond.
Such n pleasant room 1t was
bright. and cosy. and homelike-with
its cheerful, blazing fire. and its sweet,
indefnabls suggestion CT security and
rest.
A girl was fitting lightly around the
room. She arranged a little table and
placed thereon a shaded lamp and
some magazines. Then she drew up
beside II d big Turkish arm chair. The
doo- 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 a strange, sick
ening ~faintness. To her it was a mem
DRY and q m~ockery--a beautiful. taunt-
ine, 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--stin chattering
and laughing. and looking backward
as she came-and drew the crimson
curtains close.
So-Laurie Isle drew a long. shud-
dering b~reath-that was shut out-that
glimpse Of home and heavenl
The dawn or night broke over the
city, and athe lights flashed In the
silent street" In the CLEAN Of the
damp at the corner men and women
hurried by to happy nresides.
All. no wonder eyes light and hearts
throb and Feet hasten at this evening
hour. at the thought OF a gentle, wait
ing face, OK children's boisterous, low
fng welcome, OF all that sweet and
simple sanctitg which forms the crown
OF home.
She reused herself with a low moan.
Where would sho gog Where could
she gog God guide ner-vhereg
Again she resumed her weary walk.
And row the payements were almost
deserted, but within lighted rooms
she caught sight OF snowy, sparkling
tables and cheerful family groups.
Hark! What was that? A child's
~cry-shrill. terrified. kalf-deiant.
She ran as fieetly as her tired limbs
would bear her In the direction
whence the sound came.
Under the light or a street lamp at
the next corner stood q little boy,
,clasping tightly in his arms a shaggy
dog. And surrounding him complete
ny. bowling aud beliigerent as SO many
small Indians. we're half q dozen lads
OF the genus gamin.
give him TO us!" one was saying,
ferociously--give him to usi He's
mot your dorg. anyway. he ain't! Give
him TO usi"
That's a big, big atoryi" the vail
gRnt little master OF the dog cried, In
kignantly. though his eyes we're filed
with tears. You stolded Kim and l
Followed YOU And you won't get Fun
ny, you WON'T"
Wont we?" shouted one OF the
ydiminutive demons beside him. raising
Ais grimy asst for a blow.
"Stop!" Laurie Lisle cried, severe
~. "you boys ought to be ashamed
OF yourselves to strike q little chap
1ike that. You are older and bigger
than he. Who owns the dog!"
For the momen she quite forgot her
own sad isolation. For all her gidish-
mess, q very warm. womaniy heart
beat under her quiet gown.
The small culprits fell back and
Cooked from each other to the lady be-
fore them In shamefaced dismay.
Hes my dogi" the boy who stifl
held 1t asserted, with positive pro-
prietorship. He's my dog-Funny ia.
on. here's papa! here's papai"
lie raced to meet a gentleman who
was coming rapidly up the street.