Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-12-22

N was walking slowly on Or
M mond Beach, gazing listlessly
at the white sand dunes or
4 out across the sea, and occa-
s~ionally pausing to pick up a SHE'LL
which she was almost sure to cast aslue
indifferently a moment later. she was
stopping 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 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 a number enjoying the surf just as
though it were not the day pefore
Christmas, and along the beach between
then and the hotel were q 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 a
few months before, and for that reason
she was here: not to forget, but to find
new scenes to awaken her interest.
Presently a child Of five or six sep
arated from her companions, and came
racing up the beach in pursuit OF a hat
which was rolling merrily along before a
gust of wind. Mrs. Stevens reached
out her parasol and intercepted the run
away
"Thank you!" gasped the little girl,
out of breath, but looking up with a
roguish smile on her bright face. Il
shall whip it when l get home" Then.
instead of returning to her companions.
| sthe grasped a finger of her new friend.
May I walk with your 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 in
yestigate 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 6rmer,
and she looked down.
II suppose your mother Is here" she
said. Is
The child in her turn became grave.
II haven't any mamma" she, an
swered; land my papa doesn't walk
with me like he used to-" She hesi-
tated a little, and then went on, with
childish f%rankness: "He-he talks
| IOuu " LAX SoLlSlihASS, II 80" ANSo
gets red, and-and he strikes me. l
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 try
ing 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-
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 Ormond souvenir"
He turned bach to his shell, only to raise
his head again quickly. "By the
way, I forgot to tell you about a man
I met on the street to-day. You re-
member Seaton, the bookkeeper, who
ran away with $4,000"
Eyes"
"Well, it was he. but 80 changed I
hardly recognized him.. In his case,
crime has certainly proved it's own pun
ishment. Two years ago he was reck-
less, but was very scrupulous about his
personal appearance; now he is only a
slovenly, red-faced topper" Mr.. Stevens
paused, n ran his fingers through his
hair in an irritable, Disguised sort Of
way. at isn't the man Icnre for" he
grumbled, but a fellow of his stamp
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 use2" a little
~apologetically. H has gone through
the money-and through himself almost.
When he saw me he was too scared to
speak, and just stood there trembling.
I asked a few questions and found that
the money was all gone and that he
] owed a months board at the Coqulna.
| He even confessed that he was think.
Ing Of running away and leaving the
child"
"How old Is the child?' Mrs. Stevens
asked. eagerly.
"Oh, ave Or six: and she is q very
nice little girl"
Mrs. Stevens rose from her chair
with an unwonted light in her eyes.
Eyes, she Is 4 nice little girl. Now
may I 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, whatever
you like"
'Then I will take the little girl to be
our own" I
He half rose in his establishment, but
the look on her face prevented even the
appearance Of e~xpostulation. Every
well, dear" he said; I'VE will 80 for
her In the morning..-Farm and Fire
side. s
-
Chrlss.as the Real Turkey Day.