New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-01-04


Z their raptures about e e lorenzo. She.
had made a null dress for Dorothy;
4 she had gone fishing with Eustaee; she
i played the piano for them while they
were having a game of hide and seek,
low or loud as they were hot or
sscold" And they were going to have a
party one Of these days, with luncheon
served under the biggest oak.
but who is this lady who is so kind
to you?"
1sShe's just Florence they answered
in chorus. .sShe's good as real mann
ma, only she plays like she was just a
little GIRL
1 Always he heard these tales, and al
ways, it seemed, the playmate, Flor
ence., was the center and source Of
their joy Later in the season an inn
/ portant business summons made it inn
peratiye that if he We're to see the chill
dren before his trip west he must run
down at once.
/ Walking up the avenue, he stopped
short at the bend of the path, for on
the velvet sward game of tag was in
| progress. A slim, graceful young girl
in "a pink lawn gown was the pursued
You're it, Florence" cried Eustace
triumphantly as he succeeded in touch
ling the fleeing figure. And just then, as
the victim paused, flushed GREATNESS,
her copper gold hair loosened from its
pins and falling in bright shower be-
low her waist, Dorothy caught sight Of
the newcomer and set up a hailing
Ishout. tits papai Here's papav she
cried.
The captive made one wild movement
i toward flight, but the victor manfully
held on to her. And, after laughing
protest, she came over to Carruthers.
where he stood bareheaded, his eyes
cleaning with admiration, and held
out her hand.
I've been doubly caught, I'm afraid,
Mr.. Carruthers! / did not dream you
We're coming today or / should not
have been found engaged in such an
undignifed pastime. My name is Flor
ence Varine''
He leaned forward. Mrs. Varine's
daughter?''
mo" She colored deliciously. 81 am
Mrs. Varine,'' she explained.
..Impossible!' exclaimed Carruthers.
He looked at her. amazed, mystified
Why, she could not be much over TWEEN
ty! And Claridge had said that she
was a widow
II was very distant relative of Mr.
Varines, she explained. s.He wished
to leave me his property, but there
would have been contention and litiga-
ton on the part Of others more nearly
related We're he to do so. But when he
knew he was, dying he asked me to
marry him that he might legally will
me all he possessed. He died an hour
after the ceremony was performed
Mr.. Claridge was present"
But, stammered Carruthers, why
didn't Claridge tell me? Why was l
not to see your
"Oh, / was afraid If you knew how
young and irresponsible was you
would not let me have the children to
take care of. Mrs. Claridge had told
me what darlings they were, and was
so lonely down here. We've had such
good times together" She paused,
gathering up her shining hair. She
looked at him with luminous gray eyes
grown suddenly apprehensiye. on
won't take them away, now that you
know" she entreated
s'Assuredly not!' he made quick re
f ply. ''They are the most fortunate
children in the world For the first
time since the death of their mother ]
have felt quite happy about them
twas astonishing how easily the i'm,
portant business matters of Mr.. Car
rutherss could be set aside. He grasped
at the invitation to stay to dinner as
though that meal We're in truth to save
him from starvation. And when be
finally did discover that if he would
catch his train back to the city he
must exercise all haste it was with pos
tive dismay that he left the three who
stood on the terrace, waving him fare
well.
The next morning he walked into
Claridge's Office
You'll have to take "a run out and
& attend to that Montana matter, Clar
idge,' he said IT can't co.
. Cant, eh? What's up? Something
more Important
VERY much more Important He
was smiling like boy, and his eyes
3 were shining. "Fact is, I've not beer
seeing enough of Eustace and Dorothy
i I'm going to take room at the hote
down there-they tell me there's gool
fishing to be had-and I'll see more o:
the Children
Claridge stared at him. Then he nod
ded and laughed
you've seen that Willful little widow
down at Cedaryille.'
!, Carruthers went off laughing
When he came in few weeks late
the tan of country wind and sun wa
on his cheek. He walked like a con
queror, with his head up, and his vote
had a ring good to hear
Congratulate me-" he commanded
.'Tne children are going to have TIL
loyeliest mother in all the world!
Claridge gripped the others han,
warmly. You're a lucky dog, Ca,
7, orc,