Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-06-16


"Not-one!" He found the sympathy
of the baby voice delightful. mot ever
little-wee dirl-little as me?"
mot little girl-nor big girl! MOI
-anyone!' he ended, in sudden desire
for still warmer sympathy. And there
was not glimmer of smile in his eyef
when he spoke.
I'm most awful sorry for you!" she
said, sweetly. Her plump little body
leaned against him. His hand slipped
from her shoulder to her pink sash, and
he drew her closer. THANK you! Now
tell me, why were you looking for eggs
in my rooms?"
Don't you know" 1t was plain that
only hereditary good breeding re-
strained open expression of pity for one
so extraordinarily ignorant. why
hens always lay colored eggs Easter
mornin'. Least they do where they's
little dirls-an' boys. Some of the eggs
are real inside, but they're not good tc
eat. An other ones is tandy-an' they're
Just fine.
''They laid everywhere in my NAM
mas house. Some" with a gleeful
chuckle, "some was under the clock, but
l found dem!"
"Gracious!" exclaimed Dunreith
properly astonished.
She nodded assentingly, and dis
missed the subject.
"Now, tell me-" she commanded, why
you haven't any: dirl ct your own. Let
me up. Use tired" A big yawn veri-
fled the assertion. II dot up so early
for fear the rabbits would eat all the eggs
the hens laid. Go on"
Dunreith lifted her to his knee. He
was recalling what racket there always
was in his sisters house Easter morn
ing, when her small sons were hunting
for eggs, and the wreckage of motley
hued shells and candy that followed in
their triumphant wake He had been
stupid to forget.
"Well, maybe it is because the big girl
I liked best went off and married an.
other man." he explained.
did she know you dubbed her q
lot?"
mo. was going to tell her. But l
was afraid it would not be any use. So,
l didn't"
The shining head against his breast
was slowly shaken. "You ought to told
her. I always tells my mamma. She
likes me to tell her. She likes to be
lubbed!"
Dunreith laughed-a short laugh that
was half a sigh.
"You blessed BABY" he said. And sat
still and silent-thinking thinking.
, The appearance of his Japanese serv-
ant between the portieres reused him.
He raised his hand, enjoining silence.
For the white lids had dropped over the
forget-me-not blue eyes, He was re-
lieved by the fact. Those eyes remind
ed him too wildly Of other eyes that he
had loved-and lost
The door had been open, the servant
whispered, when the child came along
the hall. She had asked to come in and
look.for eggs. He knew his master would
not object. She was the daughter of the
lady; to the north on the floor above.
They were newcomers in the apart
ment building: Should he carry the lit
tie one to her mother:
NO" Dunreith answered. "1'll take
her. He rose cautiously, not to waken
her. He passed out into the corridor OF
the fashionable apartment house, and
stepped into the elevator. The boy
smiled in a friendly fashion as he pulled
the cable. On the next floor Dunreith
got out, and passed across the polished
floor to the fiat on the north. He touched
the electric button, and waited.
He felt as though he were about to part
with precious possession-one that he
had long treasured. He was looking
down upon the flushed little face pressed
to his breast, when the door soundless-
~ opened. And, before he was aware of
her presence, the woman on the
threshold had surprised in his face a
look Of that child-love and childdesire
that lies deep in the heart of all good
men.
"You found Rosemarie-" began a
charming voice.
Victor Dunreith Strengthened up
holding out his Easter guest.
''She found me, in the first place." he
said, smilingly. "She was-good Heav-
ens-Vera!"
The young woman. standing before
him, tall, and graceful in her pearl
gray gown, with the valley lilies at belt
and bosom smiling back at him in the
old, sweet way.
Come in, Victor? Are you'a neigh.
Dor of ours here-or only visiting a
friend?"
The bright hair was rebellious as ever
the red lips just as provokingly kissable
he thought, as he followed her. like 9
H.