The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1905-12-22

Ms Biglow Stevens was walking /
slowly on Ormond Beach, gazing list !
lessly at the white sand dunes or out
across the sea, and occasionally paus-
ing to pick up a shell, which she was
almost sure TO cast aside Indifferent
" a monument later. She was stop
ping at the Ormond, and a carriage
was now waiting her signal at a notch
in the dunes which marked the road
On the sand ridge above the road was
the COquina hotel, isolated and lack
ing paint, but having a reputation for
good viands and excellent table serv-
ice 1t was popular with those who
desired quiet and bathing and there
were even now a number enjoying the
serf Just as though it were not the
day before Christmas, and along the
beach between them and the hotel
were a dozen or more children some
playing in the water and some in the
sand
Mrs. BiglOw Stevens paused, and
gazed at them with dfmming eyes.
She had lost her own little girl but
few months before, and for that rea-
son she was here; not TO forget, but
I to find new scenes to awaken her in
I terest- Presently a child Of five or
and came racing up the beach in pur-
suit Of a hat which was rolling merri-
/ " along before a gust Of wind Mrs
Stevens reached out her parasOl and
I intercepted the runaway.
Thank yOu!'' gasped the little girl,
out Of breath, but looking up with a
rOguish smile on her bright face 81
shall whip it when get home" Then
! instead Of returning TO her cOmpan-
/ ions, she grasped a finger Of her new
\ friend. May 1 walk with yOu?" she
/ asked, beginning to swing along as
/ though the permission was granted.
She was silent for some minutes,
\ her lips tremulOus with recOllectiOns
\ Of the past, and during that time the
\ little girl made excursions from her
\ finger TO investigate escaping crabs
/ and curious shells, and even the last
efforts Of waves that sent long lines
/ OF shallow water Curving up toward
\ their feet At length Mrs Stevens lips
] grew firmer, and she looked down.
Il suppose your mother is here"
she said
The child in her turn became grave,
l Il haven't any mamma" she an
I swered; and my papa doesn't walk
I with me like he used to-" She hest
tated a little, and then went on, with
! childish frankness: ''He-he talks
loud to me sometimes, and his face
gets red, and-and he strikes me. I
don't have anybody to play with now"
That evening Mr.. Stevens was look
ing over some new curiOsities he had
| purchased. He did not care much for
such things, but this winter he was
/ trying to cultivate an enthusiasm for
I them in hope Of interesting his wife.
/ There are some really fine Florida
/ sketches in that studio in the new
/ block he said, presently looking up
i from a nautilus shell he had been ex-
/ aiming. -One Of them will make a
/ nice souvenir Of OrmOnd- However,
] if you do not care for them, you may
! select anything else you like This
/ year I am going to give you two pres
| ents-my usual one and one Of your
/ own choosing as an OrmOund sOuven-
\ IT." He turned back to his shell, only
/ to raise his head again quickly. by
the way, I forgot to tell you about
man L met on the street today. You
| remember SeatOn, the bOOkkeeper,
\ who ran away with S2,OOO?"
Yes"
well. it was he. but so changed
/ hardly recognized the man. In his
| case, crime has certainly proved its
own punishment. Two years ago he
was reckless, but was very scrupulous
about his personal appearance; now
/ he is only a slOvenly, red-faced topper"
\ MI Stevens paused, and ran his I'm
gers through his hair in an irritable,
I disguised sort of way. ct isn't the
man I care for he grumbIed, but a
fellow Of his stamp seems to drag so
much good into the mire with him.
/ Fortunately his wife is dead, but there
/ is child left"
Did you have him arrested?'' Mrs
Stevens asked
NO; what was the use?'' a little
/ apOiOgeticalIy. He has gone through
/ the mOney-and through himself al
most. When he saw me he was too
scared to speak, and just stood there
| trembling. I asked few questions
and found that the money was all
gone and that he owed a months
/ board at the COqUina- He even con-
/ fessed that he was thinking Of run
ming away and leaving the child
How old is the child % Mrs Stevens
/ asked, eagerly.
"Oh. I'VE or six; and she is a very
nice little girl"
Mrs. Stevens rose from her chair
with an unwOnted light in her eyes.
| yes, she IS a nice little girl Now
/ may hold you to your word, and take
/ whatever I like for my present-my
/ Christmas souvenir %
why, certainly, dear" with glad
/ tenderness, as he detected the new in
/ terest in her eyes and voice. what
I ever you like
Then viii take the little girl to
/ be our own"
He half rose in his establishment.
! but the look on her face prevented
/ even the appearance Of expoStulation-
/ Very well. dear" he said; I'VE VIII
I go for her in the morning Farm
and Fireside.