Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1906-11-30

l@0HEY were interrupted. Elsie,
with her golden hair and big
Ill blue eyes, pink cheeks and
~ parted lips, appeared on the
stairs. All that was visible was her
head. She looked like one Of Murillo's
angels.
"Please. can Mamie n me see the
man" she asked. a trifle awed. She
did not expect to encounter q stern
faced official In uniform.
"What man, dearier' he said. and
instantly the child gained confidence,
with that prompt abandonment to a
favorable first impression which marks
the exceeding wisdom of children and
dogs.
She directed an encouraging soto
voce down the stairs:
"Come right long, Mamie"
Then she answered, clasping the
hand Pyne extended to her, but eying
Brand the while:
"The man who brought the milk"
She wondered why they laughed, but
the lighthouse keeper caught her up in
bis arms.
HE has gone away, sweetheart" he
said, but when he comes In the morn
ing I shall send for you, and you will
zee him. You are the little girl who
was injured, eh? Are you getting bet
terY'
Elsie, having seen Mamie safely ex-
&acted from the stairway, became vol
uble.
MY elbow Is stiff, but 1t doesn't
hurt. was feelin' pretty bad fore
the milk came, but Mamie an me had
Z lovely lot an some beautiful jelly.
Fine, wasn't 1t, Mamie?'
"'Squizzitv agreed Mamie.
II think I'd like being here II there
was more ROOM" said the child. AN
why isn't there any washin'? Mamie
an me is always bein' washed 'cept
when we're here"
Surely you have not kept your face
a. clean as it Is now ever since you
left the shipT
"Oh, no." put in Mamie. "We've Just
been rubbed with q hanky."
"And sent out to pay q call7'
"N0t 'zactly." said truthful Mamie.
~Mr. Pyne told US to wait near the
door
That's an old story now" inter-
vened Pyne quickly. "Climb up on
my shoulder and have a look at the
sea. Perhaps there may be a ship
too
"What did Mr.. Pyne tell your whis-
pered Brand, pretending to make q &C.
cret Of it with Elsie
There didn't seem to be 'nuff to
eat" she explained seriously, $50 Mr..
Pyne KEEP bit of biscuit In his pocket,
an Mamie an. me had q chew every
time we saw him."
"H'mw murmured the man, glanc-
ing up at his young friend as he
walked around the trimming stage
with the delighted Mamie. II suppose
he asked you not to tell anybodyT
I'VE wasn't to tell Miss Constance
or Miss Enid. An they tole US we
wasn't to tell him about the sweet stun
they put in our tea. That is all. Fun
ny. isn't it?"
Brand knew that these little ones
were motherless. His eyes dimmed
somewhat. Like all self contained
men. he detested any exhibition of SEN
timent.
II say" he cried huskily to Pyne,
you must escort your friends back to
their quarters. No more idling. please"
AN you will really send for US to-
morrow to see the milkmanT' said Ell
sie Notwithstanding his sudden gruff-
ness she was not afraid Of him. She
looked longingly at the great lamp and
the twinkling diamonds Of the dioptric
lens.
Eyes. I will not forget. Goodby.
now, dearie."
The visit Of the children had given
him timely reminder. As these two
were now, SO had his own loved ones
been In years that might not be re-
called.
The nest would soon be empty, the
young birds flown. He realized that
he would not be many days ashore be-
fore the young American to whom he
had taken such a liking would come
to him and put forward a more endur-
ing claim to Constance than Mr.. Trail
made with regard to Enid. Well, he
must resign himself to these things,
though no man ever lost two daugh-
ters under stranger conditions.
When Pyne returned, Brand was
ready for him. The struggle was
sharp, but 1t had ended.
Il would like you to read your
uncle's letter." he said. II am clear In
my own mind as to the right course to