Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-06-30

I
"Great heavens! Don't you know
better than to let children go into her
room during her absence; go bring it
down."
"Hit don't hurt nothing"
eco bring it down." with terrifying
emphasis.
And the darkey, valuing his position
| obeyed.
When he returned, Carter was look
ing ito see whether it was black or
white" In his surprise, the servant
almost dropped the beautiful child he
was carrying.
"Lor, sir" he stammered, you've
done a dangerous thing"
"Not at all. DR.. Waller took 1t off
while he was here this morning 1 re-
placed it only temporarily. Put the
child down, John. Will you come to me,
little one?"
as there fings in the way, man?'' de-
manded the sweet little voice. Zoos L
can't see, and l might fall over 'em."
Carter stif1ed the exclamation that
rushed from his lips, and said, careless
~, '"That is all, John; you may 60"
John hesitated.
"Sha'n't 1 carry 'er ba-"
mo! You may 60"
And John, being Of an observing mind
and frugal disposition, went.
Carter crossed the room hurriedly,
and knelt by tile chiId's side.
tCVVf1I Won foil mo rybo
ling?" he asked, gently, "and how came
you hereY
II am Berthe Harlan, and sister
brings me here"
"Is Miss Harlan your sisterY'
EYES," she said gravely. Don't you
think she is pretty?
Every beautiful, BERTHE, and very
good"
'She has to be good. She works for
horrible old man, with an awful
beard, who is as cross as an old bear.'
Carter lifted her into a big easy
chair
''Sit there just a minute, little BERTHE
Here is my watch to play with-hear it
tick! I want you to stay here until
sister comes back. Well surprise my
Lady Charity-Miss Harlan"
He took the child in his lovingly
strong arms.
"Now, BERTHE darling, sit on my lap,
and we'll tell stories until sister comes.''
She settled back in his arms with a
| sigh Of content
'I am glad I fink 1t Is awful lone
some upstairs"
The sound of childish laughter came
in at the open WINDOW from the street
below.
do you hear 'em?" excitedly. "Do
you hear chillens?"
"Yes, hear children. They are play
Ing think"
81 used to play" said the child, So
berly, when there was light. Yes, 1t
used to be light, but one day 1t turned
dark-and 1t never come light any more
1T never come light again" with a
pathetic hesitancy.
Just as the child was saying those
words, Mr.. Carter stood as If dumb,
for he knew that was why Miss Harlan
wanted the money-and how hard he
had made 1t for her, piercing her with
his half-felt, half-assumed ill-humor, as
he might have impaled some curious In
sect while he studied characteristics I!
How puerile and selfish he had been to
| her!
"Sister bringed me to DR.. Waller, and
he took me to the big doctor In New
York, and then he bringed me back. The
| light is away far off over the big wat
ers, sister says. If we had dollars
enough we'd go over there and find it,
Carter repressed a groan. Dollars
enough, and he had a million!
1--WE had lots er dollars before papa
died; when he died, the other man
looked them all, sister says. l fink he
was biggern sister, cos sister couldn't
| take em away"
The door opened softly and Charity
stood before them, puzzled over the
| scene before her.
Then perceiving the child, she cried,
reproachfully: ooh, BERTHE, 1 told you
to stay in my room"
twas too much for me. One bringed me
down here-this one said I must stay
until you coined. love this one" put
ting her hand on Carriers face with
| loving, tender touch.
Carriers adoring smile, as he looked
from the child in his arms to the girl
before him, was answered by a bright
flush Of those violet eyes.
"You must forgive Bertie's disobedt-
ence, Miss Harlan. I heard her up
stairs, and sent one Of the servants to
bring her down. 1 knew at once that
she must be related to you from the
resemblance to you"
She turned away, and Carter put the
| Child in the chair and followed her.
"Oharity, don't you think you like
the place-well enough to gtaY-al-
ways?"