Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-03

newsboy. who has managed to exist
during his short life almost any way
he could.
No doubt he has been forced to
steal and do other dishonest deeds
In order to get enough to eat" she
said pityingly to herself.
Il am sorry to have recalled any
unpleasant memories" she said, look
Ing seriously at tue child. "Of
course, you need not tell me anything
until you are ready. only asked, dear,
because [ was interested in you. Per
haps some day shall win your con-
fdence. and then you will tell me of
your own accord. But do not think
any more about 1t. Listen now and
| will read you another chapter be-
fore CO."
Everything comes to an end, and
IN few minutes Hiss Randall closed
che book and arose.
Must you go?" pleaded the boy.
Yes, DEAR" said Miss Randall, as
she stopped and kissed the white
cheek. II really must But you
should not complain, for have spent
almost all the afternoon with you"
AS the days passed and each day
Miss Randall spent more time with
Jack, the other children began to
look with envy at the strange boy,
and they wondered why Miss Randall
took such deep int est in him. In
few weeks Jack was able to go
about the ward on crutches, but in
stead Of looking pleased and happy
over his improvement, he continually
wore a gloomy expression in his eyes
and became more silent every day
Miss Randall noticed the change
anxieusly, but was unable to guess
the cause.
One afternoon as she sat beside
him on a bench near the window she
said: Jack, won't you tell me what
Is troubling you SO much? It worries
me to see you look SO sad all the
time and to be unable to help you.
have tried my best to make you feel
that am your friend, but am afraid
] have failed entirely"
The boy laid his hand reassuringly
in her lap, as he said: "You are the
best friend | have n the world, and l
am only troubled because | must lose
you so soon. In few days I must go
away from here. don't know where,
but anyway l shall have nobody to
say kind word to me when I am
gone"
"And so you have been worrying
about me all this time, you dear
child, but you cannot get rid of me
for while yet for / have made ar
rangementa to take you home with me
until you are well and strong again.
And then l am sure we can find you
good position where you can earn
an honest living"
IT is not necessary to tell you how
Jack expressed his feelings of graft
tude and joy to Miss Randall nor how
happy he was during the remainder
of his time at the hospital.
The days spent in Miss Randall's
beautiful home were the brightest Of
Jacks life. He was given large
cheerful room which contained every
thing imagin' bic to interest and en-
terrain him. Miss Randall showed
him how to use her kodak and often
took long walks with him and found
pretty scenes for him to photograph.
Every evening she would sing to him
as he sat beside the plano.
Jack had almost forgotten that he
was not to live in his new home for
ever. One evening as they were in
the library together, Miss Randall
said to him:
Jack, If should go away and leave
you here to live with mother, YOU
would still be contented, would you
not? Mother has learned to love you
almost as much as l, and | am sure
you think great deal of her"
But where are you going?" asked
the boy in dismay.
Il am going to another home, dear.
In few days am going to be mar
ried and then | shall have home of
my own
"Oh, am so sorry" said the bay,
"and." but he didn't finish, for a sob
choked him and he buried his head
on the arm of the chair and gave way
to his tears.
DO not feel badly, Jack" said Miss
Randall, her voice trembling with
emotion. 81 know you want me to be
happy, and l certainly shall be when
/ am married"
But Jack was not so easily consol-
ed. With determined look in his
eyes, he jumped up from his seat,