The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-04-29


circumstances he knew it could not
have been, and before he slept he was
was glad the child had come to HIM OF
her own sweet impulse.
Upon the hard floor, with only sin-
gle blanket for bedding, Rufus Gr0te
did not sleep 50 sOundly as was ms
wont. lie dreamed, ana in his dreams
he saw Il chcrub, and felt cherublc
arms about his necks, with kisses upon
his check. And he said to himself III
his dreams
surely. | cannot be such m ogre II
these sweet beings can love me"
In the morning Rufus GrOte was MP
very early. He had thought the night
before that he had bread and cheese
enough for breakfast, but after the
nights dream-he took new thoughts.
without exactly cOmprchending the
feeling. the sense of utter loneliness
and sclhshncss had given place to
warmer sense Of cOmpanionship ana
fraternity. He put his hand to the
cheek where the impress of the chllds
kiss had fallen, and n new resolution
came to his mind. He went out to
ncighboring street corner ana pur-
chased tea and sugar ana butter, ana
new warm breakfast rolls and small
can Of milk.
lie had just deposited these articles
upon the table when Mrs. Sanford
made her appearance.
Good morning, Uncle Rufus
Had the host caught that sound
when he first arose il would have star
tied him. but it fell very softly upon
his ears now. lie had been exercising
and earned the salute.
Good morning, Mary" returned Iiu-
fus. and so odd was IL that the vNy
tones of his own voice surprised him.
"What can ] do for you this morn
ing. uncle? May | get your breakfast
for you"
Il will build a fire" said the man,
land then, if you please, you may
make a cup of tea
The fire was built and then he
! showed where his dishes were.
Mary Sanford was an accomplished
housckccpcr. and she could aCcOmmo-
date herself to circumstances very mar
row. While she was busy n ray Of
fresh sunshine burst into the room,
lighting up the diugy wall and making
Golden with it's light the atmosphere of
the place. II was little Flora, bright,
Joyous and iubilant, thinking only OF
love In the first hour of her waking
from refreshing sleep. Without Il
wOrd-only a ripple of gladncss drop
ping from her lips--shc went TO where
the old man had just sat down in the
corner, and crept up again into his
lap
II can't reach your check, uncle,
she laughed. without getting up-you
are SO big and | am SO little
And then she kissed him rs she had
done the night before; but not rs OF
the night before did Rufus Grotc
with movement almost Spasmodic-
SO strange was II for him-hC drew
the child back to him, and imprinted
hearty kiss upon her round check
And the words, God bless you. iii
tie onew fell from his lips before h'
knew it,
Verify the crust was broken. Bu
had any good seed fallen upon ih'
heart?
What an odd scene for the miscr'
home! A really good brcakfast-a IA
ble tastcrully laid-thc fumes from IN
teapot fresh and fragraut-aud tn
surroundings cheerful.
After breakfast Rufus Grote wa
forced TO so away on business An
, on that day he concluded arrange
; ments for the leasing of n buildin
{ which was 10 return him $4,000
4 year; and he had meant when the bus
ness was done. that he would be poo
j ed than ever. and live on less tina
heretofore. so that he might lay u
!, more. On this same day one of III
houses was vacated uptowu-a dwell
;. ing on one of the broad streets wheI
the green trees grew. He saw h
Il agent and ordered him TO let the hou'
S as quickly as possible.
s That evening. while Mrs. Stanfoi
e was out. Flora came 10 Rufus Grote
n side. and looked earnestly up into h
e face.
d Uncle" she said. with quaint SCI
4, BUSINESS, "don't you want me 10 <
up into your lapy"
10 "Why do you ask thatT demand,
le the old man.
G. Mamma said mustn't. She sa
YOU wouldn't like IT,"
rs what made her think ! shouldr
'd like itf'
Id Because she said you wasn't ha
In by: and she cried when she said tn
lg her little girl mustn't make her UnC
eel Rufus dislike her"
so And what did you say to that
Sc asked Rufus Grote. with awakeni
ee interest.
ny II told mamma that I would put 7
ed arms around your neck. and hug a
I'D kiss you. and see if that couldn't ma
he you love me. And il you loyed me.