Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-20

| he lifted the little girl up the steps. She
opened her eyes; gasped and tried to stand
| and messenger boy dashed out, not hear
ing Sinclair call, but casting curious
glance at the two figures. IS
With great difficulty he carried the little
| girl upstairs. He was afraid to call Mrs.
| Gregg. the owner of the house. for she
| was as sour as vinegar and would be likely
to scold him soundly for tracking mud in
and would probably turn the little girl out.
SO he laid the little girl on the couch In
his mothers room. famed her, rubbed her
| cold hands and was rewarded in few
minutes by a little gasp, then another, and
| finally her eyes opened.
| "Help!' she called. Hes stealing my"
| Hush said Sinclair gently. He has
gone away and you are safe here"
The frightened blue eyes opened wider
! and gazed about.
did he hurt your" asked Sinclair.
She shook her head. IL don't remem-
ber." she said. IL want my auntie-and
| my supper-and oh, where Is my purse?'
| Tell me where you live." said Sinclair,
| II will see If 1 can catch that cowardly
| boy and get yor purse and tell your mother
where you are"
IL forgot" said the little girl. 81 am
| Elsie Decker, and I live in Colorado, but
auntie lives here, and I'm visiting her
| her by going out alone. My dog Trot ran
off and 1 had to catch him, and now he's
| lost"
What Is your auntie's name and where
does she live?" asked Sinclair.
He had taken off the little girls shoes
and wet coat, and had wrapped her up
snusiy in a blanket.
-"Why-why, she's Aunt Patty" said the
child. "She was Aunt Patty Strong. but
she was married yesterday and new unce's
name is Uncle Jack, but can't remember
anything else'
This was a poser for Sinclair. How was
he to find her aunt?
II want something to eat" added the
little girl. II haven't had supper
incl oi 1yra - 81
Gregg's servants-it was against her strict
rules. But he knew his mother had a
bottle of milk on the windowsill and some
bread in a cupboard. So he heated some
of the milk and made dainty slices of toast
for his little guest Then there We're ginger
snaps and an apple to finish off with.
Elsie was more frightened than hurt and
in a few minutes she was chatting cheerful
ly between bites of the crisp toast, telling
Sinclair about her home in Denver and
how shes had only arrived from there two
days before. with her dog Trot, to spend
two months with Aunt Patty.
AS the last Of the apple disappeared, in
came Mrs. Scott, and a surprised
mother you never saw. After hearing the
story she took the little girl on her lap.
show your aunt's address,
I'm my pocketbook that the boy stole"
she answered. Then-"Why-why, I've got
a letter in my pocket"
Sure enough. there was the address plain
as day, and Sinclair was buttoning his
coat preparatory to going there to explain
when steps on the stairs were heard. Then
Mrs. Gregg's voice:
"I'll thank you, Mrs. Scott to stay at
home and not leave your son alone to do
mischief. and bring disgrace on my house.
making policemen come here. What on
earth will the neighbors think?'
burly policeman stood in the door.
Little girl has been stolen" he explained
to Mrs Scott. "Ah, there she is. And is
this the young rascal
He Is my son. said Mrs. Scott, land
as for stealing
Il wasn't stolen!' cried Elsie. "And
this nice, kind boy found me when 1 was
lost, and you shan't call him q rascalr'
Then the little girl told her story Mrs
Gregg slammed the door and went down
stairs, while Sinclair went out in the storm
with the policeman to explain to Elsfe's
aunt. In short time he came back in
carriage with Aunt Patty" who was re-
ieved indeed to find her little niece in
good hands.
Il won't go home with you, Aunt Patty"
said Elsie with her Queeny air. unless my
boy promises to come play with me every
day."
But 1 can't spare him." laughed Mrs.
Scott. kissing her.
We'll, every week then" said Elsie, and
with that promise she was content to get
into her aunt's carriage and go home.