Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-12-21

ridge above the road was the Coquina
hotel, isolated and lacking paint, but
having a reputation for good viands
and excellent table service. 1t was
popular with those who desired quiet
and bathing, and there were even now
number enjoying the surf just as
though it were not the day before
Christmas, and along the beach be-
tween them and the hotel were dozen
or more children, some playing in the
water and some in the sand.
Mrs. Bigelow Stevens paused and
gazed at them with dimming eyes.
She had lost her own little girl but
few months before, and for that rea-
son she was here; not to forget, but
to find new scenes to awaken her in
terest. Presently a child of five or six
separated from her companions, and
came racing up the beach in pursuit of
a hat which was rolling merrily along
| before gust of wind. Mrs. Stevens
reached out her parasol and intercept
ed 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 l get home" Then,
instead of returning to her compan-
ions, she grasped a finger of her new
friend. May | 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 Gu
rious 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 frmer,
and she looked down.
Il suppose your mother is here"
she said
The child in her turn became grave.
Il haven't any mamma" she an
swered; "and my papa doesn't walk
with me like he used to-" She hesi-
tated a little, and then went on, with
childish fTankness: "He-he talks
loud to me sometimes, and his face
gets red, and-and he strikes me.
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
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
from a nautilus shell he had been ex-
amining "One of them will make
nice souvenir of Ormond. However,
if you do not care for them, you may
select anything else you like. This
! year | am going to give you two pres
ents-my usual one and one of your
own choosing as an Ormond souvenir"
He turned back to his shell, only to
raise his head again quickly. "By the
way, forgot to tell you about man
| | met on the street to-day. You re-
member Seaton, the bookkeeper, who
ran away with $2,000?"
Yes"
"Well, it was he, but so changed I
! hardly recognized the man. In his
case, crime has certainly proved its
own punishment. Two years ago he
was reckless, but was very scrupuous
about his personal appearance; now
he is only a slovenly, red-faced topper"
Mr.. Stevens paused, and ran his fingers
through his hair in an irritable dis
! gusted sort of way. "It isn't the man
care for" he grumbled, but fell
low of his stamp seems to drag so
much good into the mire with him.
Fortunately his wife is dead, but there
| is a child left"
did you have him arrested?" Mrs.
| Stevens asked
No; what was the use?" a little
apologetically. 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 | asked a few questions
and found that the money was all gone
and that he owed a months board at
! the Coquina. He even confessed that
he was thinking of running away and
! leaving the child"
How old is the chlld?" Mrs. Stevens
! asked. eagerly.
oh five or six; and she is very
/ nice little girl
! Mrs. Stevens rose from her chair
with an unwonted light in her eyes.
"Yes. she is nice little girl Now
may hold you to your word. and take
/ whatever ! like for my present my
/ Christmas souvenir"
why, certainly dear" with glad
| tenderness, as he detected the new m
terost IN her eyes and voice, whatever
| You like"
"Then viii take the little girl 10
/ bo our own
lle half rose in his astonishment.
/ but the look on her face prev0nte1
| even the appearance Of eXpostulation.
VERY we'll dear be said. eve vii 90
| fnr Ear Nm lie nlnrnIne - Enrm AMI