Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-12-16

in spite of himself at HIS children's
strange request, and he thought if
Dora had grown to be as sweet a
woman as she babe fair to be she
would be the very mother these little
children so, earnestly ionged for.
Here's the money" said Esther.
pressing up closely against her fa-
ther and putting the coins into his
hands. IF you have any more yor
can just give them TO the poor chit
dren."
Mr.. Grahm could not repress the
smile that came to his lips at the
c~hildren's idea OF the value OF a few
pennies they had saved. We'll, lit
tie ones, you run of to bed now, and
after supper ! viii go out and try to
find her"
Mr.. Grahm must have found 1t rath-
er difficult to find the mother, AT
any rate, 1t took him out very often,
and finally he told the children that
IL they wanted q mother he would
have TO go away a few days. The
children consented reluctantly. be
cause itfwould be more lonesome than
ever without papa. and mothers
seemed dreadful hard things to buy"
Roland confided to Esther.
Papa will not be away so long,
after ALL" Roland cried with delight
when on arising the day before Christ
mas he found a telegram from papa
announcing that he and mamma
would be home that evening at Z
o'clock. For Dora had refused TO be
away saying that IF she was
to be q Christmas present h must
be home in time"
Seven O'Clock came. but the train
was delayed, and ii was past 10 be-
fore Mr.. Grahm and his wife reached
home. Opening the door quietly, SO
as not to arouse the servants, who
had given up looking for their master
until the morrow, Mr.. Grahm stepped
into the library. where the light had
been left burning. Going over TO the
fire, in front of which stood q large
chair, he stopped in surprise, and a
look OF tenderness came into his eyes.
Dora, look, they have waited for
their mamma" he said TO his wife,
who had followed him, n now stood
looking down on the two little chill
dren in their night robes, curled up in
the chair, with their arms around one
another, fast asleep. They had been
put to bed, but, feeling that If papa
said he would come he would surely
be there. they had slipped out of bed
and down into the library, where they
had waited until exhausted. Then, set
Ting themselves in the chair, they had
told one another they YOU just shut
their eyes to rest them, but they would
be sure not to go to sleep.
Poor little darlingsi" Dora ey-
claimed, leaning down over them,
while her eyes filled with tears. You
| shall never be lonely again If / can
prevent IT. Gathering the little girl
up in her arms, Dora followed her
husband. who had taken the boy, up
stairs, and placing the child on the
bed, tucked her carefully in, then kiss
ing the little one good night she went
over to the boys bed. What a splen-
did looking child she said; so like
my husband. Good night, my little
man." she whispered, kissing the child
ish lips. Then, turning to her hus-
band, she said: God grant that your
choice of a mother for your little ones
be not in vain" And had you seen the
look OF happiness on the children's
faces the mex morning. between their
parents, you would say it had not
been in vain.-The Evangelist.