Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-06-10

h teapot fresh and fragranu-and
the surroundings cheerful.
After breakfast Rufus Grote was
forced to go away on business. And
on that day he concluded arrangements
for the leasing Of a building which
was to return him ten thousand dol
lars a year: and he had meant when
the business was done, that he would
be poorer than ever, and live on less
than heretofore, so that he might lay
up more. On this same day one of
his houses was vacated up town-a
dwelling on one Of the broad streets
where the green trees grew. He saw
his agent and ordered him to let the
house as quickly as possible.
That evening, while Mrs. Sanford
was out, Flora came to Rufus Grcte's
side, and looked earnestly up into his
face.
"Uncle," she said, with quaint seri-
BUSINESS, don't you want me to get
up into your lap?"
"Why do you ask that?" demanded
| the old man.
Mamma said I mustn't. She said
you wouldn't like it."
what made her think 1 shouldn't
like it?"
Because she said you wasn't happy;
and she cried when she said that her
little girl mustn't make her Uncle
Rufus dislike her."
"And what did you say to that?"
asked Rufus Grote, with awakening
interest.
81 told mamma that l would put my
arms around your neck, and hug and
kiss you, and see If | couldn't make
you love me. And If you loved me l
knew you would let me sit in your
lap"
When Mary Sanford came In, half
Uncle Rufus lap, her sunny head pill
lowed upon his bosom, and his strong
arms entwining her.
The seed had fallen, and had taken
root!
Three days afterward Rufus Crote
| saw his agent, and told him that he
need not hurry about renting the
empty house up town.
On the evening of the same day
| Mary Sanford came in with a letter
in her hand, and found Flora nestled
in her uncle's arms.
"Uncle Rufus" she said, 81 have
received a letter from Mrs. Maynard.
She will be at home day after to-mor-
row."
"And she wants youNto take charge
Of her house?"
"Yes."
VERY well. Wait till she COMES"
And the old man held the little child
in his arms until it was time to 60 to
bed.
On the following morning Uncle
Rufus told Mary that he wanted her
to take a ride with him during the
forenoon.
She said she would be at his serv-
ice.
And later a fine coach drew up be-
fore the door, and Uncle Rufus came
in and babe Mary make ready, and to
make Flora ready also.
They rode up town, and when they
stopped Uncle Rufus handed them out
before a house with great chestnut
trees growing In the yard and upon
the sidewalk. And he led them into
the house. And in the broad, hand
some parlor he turned and spoke, hold
ing Flora by the hand.
MARY" he said, this little child
has promised to make her old uncle
happy, and 1 will not give her up.
This house is mine. If you will come
and help me take care Of it. l will
live in it. What say your"
What could she say? She saw the
new light upon her uncle's face; and
when he took the child in his arms
and held the sunny head close upon his
bosom, she saw the blessing Of the
coming time. She said, with q burst
of tears
Dear uncle, if Flora and 1 can
make you happy, you may command
us both"
There was wonder up town and
there was wonder down town when
Rufus Grote appeared a well dressed,
smiling, happy man.
And in the mansion beneath the
shade of the great chestnut trees there
was peace and joy. An angel, in the
shape Of a little child, had touched
a human heart long buried in cold
darkness. and brought it forth to love
and blessing.-Waverley Magazine.
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