Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-10-13

And ] could have Rugged him; but
] d. Int dare.
We had tea there in the Board rooms.
oh, Mag, remember how we used to
peep into those awful, imposing Board
roomsl Remember how strange and
resentful you felt-like poor little red
haired niger up at the bloek-when
you were brought in there to be shown
to the woman who'd called to adopt you!
1t was all so strange that | had to
keep talking to keep from dreaming. ]
was talking away to the matron and the
bishop about the playroom I'm going
to fit up out of that bare little place up
stairs. Perhaps the same child doesn't
stay there very long, but there'll always
be children TO fill it-more's the cruel
pity!
Then the bishop and | climbed up
there TO see it and plan about II, But
couldn't really see ii, Mag, nor the
poor. white-faced wise-eyed little waits
that have succeeded us, for the tears
in my eyes and the ache al my heart ard
the queer trick the place has Of being
peOpled with you and me, and ths by
with the gouged eye, and the q e,
and the rest.
He put his gentle thin old arm aAg,,.
my shoulders for a moment when >
saw what was the matter with me. Oh,
he understands, my bishop! And then
We turned 10 go downstairs
oh want want 10 do some
thing for them" | cried. q want to do
something that counts, that's got a
heart in it, that knows You knew,
didn't you. ii was true-what ] said
downstairs? Iwas-l am a Cruelty girl.
Help me to help others like me-"
My dear" he said. very stately and
sweet, IN be proud to be your assist
ant. You've kind. true heart and"
And just at that minute, as was pre-
ceding him down the narrow steps, a
gil in red coat trimmed with chin
chilla and in a red tOque with some Of
the same fur blocked our way as she
was coming up.
We looked at each other You've seen
two peacocks spread their tails and strut
as they pass each other? Well. the
peacock coming up wasn't in it with
the one going down. Her coat wasn't
so fine, nor so heavy. nor so newly.
smartly cut. Her toque wasn't so big
nor so saucy, and the fur on it-not to
mention that the descending peacock
was a brunette and well. Mag.
had my day. Miss Evelyn Kingdom
paid me back in that minute for all the
envy I've spent on that pretty rig of
hers.
She didn't recognize me. of course,
even though the two red coats were so
near as she stopped to let me pass. that
they kissed like sisters, ere they parted
But Mag, Nancy Olden never got
naughty that there wasn't fall waiting
for her. Back of Miss Kingdom stood
Mrs. Kingdon-still Mrs. Kingdom
thanks to Nance 0lden-and behind
her, at the foot Of the steps. was a
frail little Old-fashioned bundle Of
black satin and old lace. | lost nv
breath when the bishop hailed his wife
Maria, he said-sOme men say their
wives first names all the years of
their lives as they said them on their
wedding day. want you to meet
MISS Olden-Nance Olden, the come
dian. She's the girl wanted for nv
daughter-you'll remember, it's more
than year ago now since began TO
talk about herr"
held my breath while waited for
her answer. But her Door. short
sighted eyes rested on my hot face
without a sign.
It's an old joke among us" she
said, pleasantly, about the bishops
daughter"
We stood there and chatted and
the bishop turned away to speak 10
Mrs. Kingdom. Then | seized INV
chance.
I've heard, Mrs, Van Wagenen," !
said, softly, and oh, as nicely as
could, of your fondness for lace We
are going abroad in the. spring. my
husband and |, to Malta among otner
places. Can't | get you a piece thee
as souvenir of the bishops kindness
to me?"
Her little lace-mittened.. parchment.
Ike hands clasped and unclasped witn
an almost childish eagerness.
oh, thank you, thank you ye,y
much; cut if you would give the same
sum to charity"
i will" laughed She couldn't
guess how glad was to do this thing
And I'll spend Just as much on vour
lace and be so happy if you'll accent
it."
| promised Henrietta a box for IN
night Maggie, and one to Mrs. King.
don. The dowager told me she'd love
to come, though her husband is out
OF town, unfortunately, she said
But you'll come with me- won't
you, bishop" she said, turning to him
And you, Mrs. Van?"
The bishop blushed. Was he think
ing OF Beryl, | wonder. But | didn't
hear his answer, for it was at tina,
moment that | caught Fred's voice.
de bad told me he was going to call
Tor me. think he fancied that the