Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-10-21


one-right aroun' at that house where
the steps is broke down"
go back to the kitchen and ask the
cook for some milk" he interrupted
hastily and frowningly. Il don't want
your money-keep it,"
The child walked slowly down the
steps and past the corner, keeping
troubled eye upon him; but when she
came back presently her step was alert
and her manner resolute. She set the
bucket down on the bottom step and
mounted toward him.
Il wouldn't take the milk without
payin' for it," she said, the sharp little
voice mounting higher with every deter
mined word. Sarah Jane amt no beg
gar-an' even If faint but little, you
can put it away an keep it. Maybe it'll
come in handy some day."
There had been a sudden motion of the
little bird-claw hand toward the book
that was lying open and unread on his
knee, and she was gone. When he
looked down presently, there on the open
page lay copper cent.
He arose and wandered about the
| pCoutiiul ldWl, duu dIuOUB Iue uOWtIS,
and through the house, from room to
room What strange thing memory
was! He could see his wife coming down
those stairs now, as plainly as he had
ever seen her bodily presence; and tho
boy-the boy was everywhere-a child
ish babe in the nursery-a little lad.
bursting in from school-a tall youth,
his handsome face pale. going out OF
that door with only "Good-by, father!"
And then the long years.
Willis" he said, awkwardly, little
later, to the astonished cook, I'VE have
great deal of milk, believe-more
than we really need. Would you mind
taking enough for two-or more, per-
haps-a little more-theres the cat
down to that cottage at the corner
every day, Willis. please?"
AS the days passed Mr.. Lawler sat in
the great portico every evening, feeling
the loneliness of the house enveloping
him like cloud. He sat facing the little
cottage now He felt sure that the child
would suddenly start up beside him some
evening when he least expected 1t; but
she did not. Then he arose and walked
slowly past the cottage, determined that
II he should see her he would ask her to
come up and sit on the steps; but she
was not to be seen. Sometimes he fin
gered a common little coin in his vest
pocket, as though 1t had been some kind
of magic talisman; and the magic Of IL
was this, that the merest touch Of It
brought back the little lad who had gone
out Of his life.
At last, one morning, he went out at
the gate, and looked down the street to
the corner at which he always caught the
car; and then turned to go past the row
of cottages, which was much the longer
way; and as he passed a scream and the
wailing OF woman sounded from with
in. He was there in moment-through
the gate, bursting in at the door. The
weeping mother was down on her knees
gathering up the insensible child from
the floor where she had fallen. 1t was
Mr.. Lawler who took the little form
away and laid 1t on the bed.
ooh, we've come after the remit" cried
the mother wringing her hands. "Oh
don't we be coming after the rent, when
I'm that distracted, with Katie ailin'
all this week, an now took like this"
BE quiet, woman! Does a man think
of nothing but rent?" he said sternly
searching with trembling finger for
the pulse in the thin wrist. Have you
had a doctor?"
AN how could have q doctorT
sobbed the woman. AN me with nc
money to dare to send for I'M"
"1 will telephone for a DOCTOR" he
said; but as he was going out she called
after him desperately:
. "Oh then, get a cheap one-for "
know how 1t is with the poor!"
He was gone but very few minutes;
but in that time he had called a doctor
rung for messenger boy and sent tele'
e gram. The message was a very simple
pne. 1t was addressed to David Lawler
: in western city, and read:
: "Will you come home to see your faith
er? John Lawler"
:. The doctor Mr.. Lawler called was mo-
a cheap one He came in his automobile
and was in truth little surprised at thu
= house which required his august pres
ence; but Mr.. Lawler went in with him
and in a moment he was leaning ovel
o the frail little form on the bed.
g "She is partially conscious" said thu
u doctor a long time afterward. 81 thinl
! she is distressed by the mewing Of tina
cat Cant something be done with it?'
a The mothers tears flowed afresh, s,
q that she hardly noticed the knock at tn,
e door which Mr.. Lawler answered
q Sure, an l don't know what to d.
u with the cat!" she cried piteously
D "Kaite's always fed 1t her own self, aft
q err ways Of her own, an it won't eat 70
me, an that's the truth of tan sh
was jist gettin' ready to feed it thi
d mornin' when she was took"
n Mr.. Lawler stood in the door with
IL -.ilass- +olanran clir In his q n