The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1904-11-10

terrible devoted to each other I reck-
on he's a widOwer-thOugh | dom,
know. I've never spoken a word to
either of EN- I thought you'd tell me
whether 'twould be proper or nOt?'
There can be no question Of tho
propriety. Miss Nab. he said earnest-
". In your kindness of heart yOu
could make no mistake"
. Miss Nab took his protered hard
warmly. Thank YOU she said
thank you SO much'"
Next day she watched for the little
girl who did not appear til about half
past four. and then she came out 10
hon nimbly up and Gown the flight Of
stone steps Miss Nab threw a shawl
over her head and crossed the snowy
street. She had a gracious way with
children which readily reached heir
hearts. The shyness of the child dis
drjpeared while Miss Nab delivered A
nervous invitation YOuu remem-
her" she said gently. what I want
YOU to do. Jest whisper to your
father when he picks you up at tho
street corner that a lonely old woman
who lives across the, street wishes q
bit Of Christmas Fellowship. an if you
'1and he haven't anything else planned
eIhe invites you to come and dine with
her tomorrow TT watch for you 10
3Cme back. an if YOU wave your hand
1aT know yOuU come You can 20
member
'II remember" answered the little
Girl She spoke eravely. but there was
an eager light in her eyes. I'm sure
wen come. Papa and me was talk
ing about Christmas last night and
wishing we we're back in the country
because there were hOres there where
we would have been invited. We don't
4knOw anybody here yet, EXCEPT board
ing house folks. I've wanted so 10 ger
acquainted with your kitty, but didn (
dare come over"
~ You edear little soul" said Miss
Nab warmly; you shan't have am
more lonesome days. if l can help Il
Miss Nab watched anxiOusly the
meeting at the corner. The child dlo
not nestle her head on her fathers
shoulder. as was her custom, she was
talking to him eagerly and pOIntlnS
across the street,t0 the little Brit
house set in the midst of a wide gar
-'Gen. She did not wave her answer
Miss AEab's heart began to beat tumuj-
tuously when she saw the tall m1u
come striding across the street through
the snow. She threw the door open
before he knocked He bowed courte-
Cusly.
My little girl has told me of your
-gaOdRess,' he said. 1T is kind Of YOU.
very. very kind. I do not know how to
thank you We shall be very happy
$40 come I do not mind the loneliness
much for myself, but for Cynthia, left
alone all day in our bare little room,
l'the thought of it stays with me con
Btantly while / work" Cynthia hung
deIightedly over her fathers shoulder
whispering in blissful friendliness to
TIE gray cat
Twas a bold thing to do. invitin
strangers this way said Miss Nab,
apologeticalIy. The scarlet bushes wer
chasing each other across her cheer
full face 'I didn't. say anything
about the little girls mother, because
I didn't just know She stopped hes
$ it4at Az az
was three days old" said the man
slowly: she has had to grow up with
I hardly anybody to care Tor her but heT
father He isn't quite as good as
mother would be is he. deaTest?'
'He's pretty rearly as good" whfs-
pered the child. stroking the careworn
! face
Land sake." cried Miss Nab with
strange choking sob. land sake.
II is hard lines when the father has
to do the motherin'. too"
I'VE are very happy together. aren't
We. Cynthia?" The child nodded en-
phatiCally
The worst is her loneliness: only
she will be going to school pretty
soon: and our Christmas is assured.
I cannot thank you cordially enough,
madam. both for Cynthia and myself.
We will be delighted to come The
child waved a goodnight as they
| crossed the street, and Miss Nab wiped
! her eyes furtively when she sat down
| In her big rocking chair 1T is more
blessed to give than to receive" she
said to herself: somehow. it seems to
bring such warm comfort into your
| own life"
After the dinner had been cleared