Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-03

the steps is broke down"
go back to the kitchen and ask the
cook for some milk" he interrupted
hastily and frowningly. II 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 everyNdeter-
mined word. Sarah Jane amt no beg
gar-an' even II faint but little, you
can put 1t away an keep It. Maybe it'll
come in handy some day"
There had been 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
beautiful lawn, and among the flowers,
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 the
boy-the boy was everywhere-a child
lsh 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-there's 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 a 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 it; but
she did not. Then he arose and walked
slowly past the cottage, determined that
If 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 it had beensome kind
of magic talisman; and the magic Of it
was this, that the merest touch Of 1t
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 man think
of nothing but rent?" he said sternly,
searching with a trembling finger for
the pulse in the thin wrist. Have you
had doctor?"
can how could have doctor?"
sobbed the woman, IAN me with no
money to dare to send for 'im!"
'T will telephone for doctor" he
said; but as he was going out she called
after him desperately:
"Oh, then, get cheap one--for ye
know how it is with the poor"
He was gone but very few minutes;
but in that time he had called doctor,
rung for messenger boy and sent tele-
gram. The message was very simple
one. It was addressed to David Lawler,
in western city, and read:
Twill you come home to see your faith
er? John Lawler."
The doctor Mr.. Lawler called was not
a cheap one. He came in his automobile,
and was in truth little surprised at the
house which required his august pres
ence; but Mr.. Lawler went in with him,
and in a moment he was leaning over
the frail little form on the bed.
"she is partially conscious" said the
doctor long time afterward. 81 think
she is distressed by the mewing OF that
cat. Can't something be done with it?"
The mothers tears flowed afresh, so
that she hardly noticed the knock at the
door, which Mr.. Lawler answered.
"Sure. an don't know what to do
with the cat!" she cried piteously.
"Kaite's always fed it her own self, aft
er ways Of her own, an it won't eat for
me an that's the truth Of tan she
was fist gettin' ready to feed it this
mornin' when she was took"