The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-10-18

.ou try II awhile. rreckon this house Z.

10 talk to. l know where / can get you
,one-right aroun' at that house where
the steps is broke down"
60 back to the kitchen and ask the
cook for some milk" he interrupted
hastily and frowningly. Il don't want
your money-keep IT."
The child walked slowly down the
steps and past the corner, keeping
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 every deter
mined word. Sarah Jane amt no beg
gar-an' even IL 'tain't but little. you
can put 1t away an keep 1t. Maybe it'll
asme in handy some day"
There had been a 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 ho ve, from room to
room What a 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
Ish 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. a 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 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
II 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 1t had been some kind
of magic talisman: and the magic of II
| was this. that the merest touch of II
brought back he1ittle lad who had gone
out of his life.
| At last, one morning. he went out al
the gate, and looked down the street tc
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 a woman sounded from with
in. He was there in a moment-througt
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. II wal
Mr.. Lawler who took the little form
away and laid II on the bed.
"Oh. we've come after the remit" criet
the mother wringing her hands. "oh
don't ye be coming after the rent. wher
| III
all this week, an now took like this"
BE quiet, womanl Does a man thinl
Of nothing but rent?" he said sternly
searching with q trembling finger fo
the pulse in the thin wrist. Have yol
had q doctor?"
"An' how could I have a doctor? !?
sobbed the woman. "an' me with NJ
money to dare to send for 'im!"
. ct will telephone for a doctor" h
said; but as he was going out she calle'
after him desperately:
"Oh, then, get a cheap one-for y
know how 1t 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 simpl
, one. 1t was addressed to David LawleI
in a western city, and read:
"will you come home to see your faith
I er? John Lawler."
= The doctor Mr.. Lawler called was NO
a cheap one. He came in his automobile
7 and was In truth little surprised at tn
b house which required his august pres
ence: but Mr. Lawler went in with hin
o and In a moment he was leaning owe
+ the frail little form on the bed.
= "She Is partially conscious" said tn
doctor a long time afterward. Il thin
she is distressed by the mewing Of ths
cat. Can't something be done with it?
: The mothers tears flowed afresh. S
a that she hardly noticed the knock at th
: door. which Mr.. Lawler answered.
4 Sure, an / don't know what to
!, with the cati" she cried piteousl,
A "Kaite's always fed II her own self. af
I er ways Of her own. an ii won't eat fc
me. an that's the truth Of it-an' sh
4 was fist gettin' ready to feed II tn
\ mornin' when she was took"
\, Mr.. Lawler stood in the door with
> yellow telegraph slip in his hand; an
/, both Of those who looked up at him sa
that years had fallen from his face.
, Coming on first train.-Davie."
. cried. exultingly. not knowing that
= spoke aloud. ''Davie! His mother a
ways called him that. II is a pleasar
=, name,-what's the matter?-the cat?-
Are you hungry, Sarah Jane?-here-
. give me the milk, and spoon. thin
I know Just how it's done. Now star
up and eat. Sarah Jane. and don't yC
!. spill q dropi"
= He was down on the fioor-he WI
" gravely offering a spoonful Of milk
Sarah Jane. Ah-this was somethir
like, Sarah Jane sat up. grasped Il
= sides OF the spoon with both paws ar
:, drank. with much joyous rattling Of
~ red tongue.
And then. all at once there was a shri
cackle OF laughter from the bed. ar