The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-02-17

Of some one in the dwellings, child
who was, during the daytime, and
while her parent was absent at work,
taken charge of by the wife of the
caretaker below. He had first seen the
child about a month before, when she
had climbed the stairs and mistaken
his room for her mothers.
"Come in, little neighbor; I am al
ways glad to talk to you"
he slipped the revolver stealthily
into his pocket and advanced toward
the child.
She came in, shutting. the door be-
hind her as quietly as she. had opened
it, and sat down on the chair before the
fireplace.
"And I'm always glad to talk to you,'
she answered. Il don't like talking to
anybody but you and mamma. The
others don't talk, nice"
What shall we talk about?"
about yourself. What were you
doing as I came in?"
The man started.
What was doing? II was start
ing on long, long journey"
"You are going away! Oh, I am So
so sorry. But why are you going
awayw
Because answered the man, trying
to conquer his emotion, and speak
lightly. because can no longer stSS
here-there is nothing left for me but
to 60"
will you" the child hesitated,
will you tell me where you are going?'
81 am going" said the man in a voice
which trembled in spite of his efforts
to control it, II am going to a place
where there is no more misery or
wretchedness; to 4 place where the
weary can rest in peace, where sorrow,
and deceit, and disappointment are un-
known"
The child clapped her hands.
"And you will be happy there"
The man bowed his head.
"Yes, l hope So"
But" persisted the little one, where:
is this placer"
why do you wish to know?" he
asked.
because I should like mamma to go
there, too. Poor mamma, she does not
wish to stay here. She is so sad seme-
times, and works so hard. Couldn't
she go to this place you are telling me
about?"
"She will one day, but let US hope not
for long, long time"
why do you say that?
"For your sake. If she went as I am
going she would leave you behind
alone"
The child knitted her little brows and
sat thinking. Then suddenly she
lokked up and said:
when do you mean to go"
"To-night"
Cant you put off your journey. till
tomorrow"
"Why?"
"Cause l like you so much, and l
want to see you again. It'll be ever so
long before you come back, won't it!'
II shall never come back"
The child came to the mans side and
took his hand. II shall never like any
body so much as 1 do you," she said,
looking at him wistfully; Il shall cry
when you are gone, Won't you wait
till tomorrow. please"
The mans figure shook with the emo.
ton which was stirring his soul.
II will wait III Tomorrow" he re-
piled, at last; "for your sake will wait
till tomorrow"
The little figure trotted to the door.
81 am so glad" the child said, softly,
and disappeared down the stairs in the
twilight.
+.
John Branscombc has waited in vain
all day for the promised visit from mis-
little neighbor. Face to face though he
was with the great crisis Of his life, he
had not thought for moment OF
breaking his promise to the child. But
morning had passed, the afternoon was
on the wanc, and night would be uron
him in an hour or SO. All day he had
sat silently and patiently waiting for
the last interview with his little friend,
Food lie had none, nor did he'think of
any. He only wondered why she had
not come-had she forgotten?-was she
iIl?-was she gone.
The afternoon passed into evening,
and still she had not come. A church
clock outside doomed out the hour OF Z
and startled him. At last he came to
the conclusion he mad waited in vain.
He would listen for the clock ard when
it struck s.
The sound Of light footstep on the
stair aroused him. Then the door
opened and the child came in, excited
and breathlesS
You are here. l was afraid you
would go without me seeing YOU
You didn't forget, then:" said the
man. Il have waited all day. Where
have you been?''
MRS. Tucker, who minds me for
mamma, took me out with her, and we
have only just got home, and, oh!
please, here's letter for you. The
postman brought it as we came in"
"A letterr'
John Rrapscombe merhanirallr took