The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-05-04
Il like YOU said Cabs seriously.

II like YOU" said Cabs seriously.
The man to whom the ~5-year-old
grille said this smiled encourag!nsly.
"Thank YOU he said, equally seri-
ously.
II will give you a kiss-if YOU like"
said Babs, With just the suspicion of a
smile creeping over her baby face. The
kiss was at once accepted and given
several times over. You funded me-
said Babs, when ! was lost. And
mummy always tells me to be polite
Gerald Challoner had hard work to
keep a smile from coming upoa his
handsome face.
You lean little mite" cried Chal-
Toner. bending down to kiss the sweet
little up-turned face yet ono again; II
wonder if ! shall ever see Your dear lit
strangely of one i once used To know"
But Babs did not hear. She had fled
mp the garden path of the cottage, and
WAS lost TO sight.
1T had been a strange meeting. that
Of Bah and Gerald Cllailoner. He, ON
a walking tour. alone. and With KNAPP
sack on shoulder, had found Babs sit
ting by the Wayside. with big tears in
her baby eyes and, being tender
hearted, had essayed TO comfort her.
All she could say was that she was
lost. But q Very brief walk. during
part of which Gerald Challoner carried
RabS in his arms, contrived to bring
the little maid into recognizable re-
gions. and she soon found home
Home was a tiny little cottage.
with a quaint, old fashioned garden in
front, and a wicket gate. 1t was near
lN dusk on this June afternoon. but
Challoner had both time and opportu-
nlty-he made them-to observe the
~4uaintness of the cottage, the White
curtains at the windows, and the neat
ness of the tiny garden.
Instead of walking on 20 the town of
Stanworth, where he had intended to
put up for the night-it was barely two
miles further on-he decided in that
minute to remain, if he could find de-
tcnt accommodations in the place, in
Winterton.
Challoner, walking on a little way,
ram, upon the Green Lion" which
offered everything that he desired.
Before retiring he went into the
smoking room of the Green Lion,
where he speedily made himself much
IT home. The WORTHLESS Of the little viii
age We're smoking and drinking in the
Warmth of a blazing fire. and, though
at first a little shy at the intrusion of
4 stranger into their select village cir
gle. when they discovered that he could
iell a good yarn" and was not averse
TO being friendly, he was heartily made
welcome.
1T is curious, gentlemen" he said. at
iooN, Oul d SlIdIRc dccluenC mas made
me a visitor here tonight. l happened
TO meet with a little maid of five, who
lives at Vine Cottage, close at hand.
II L remember right; and dusk coming
on, she had wandered rather further
than h knew, and was lost"
NO one spoke for a few moments.
Then the burly landlord took his pipe
from his mouth.
That's Mrs. Summers little maid"
he said.
She was so tired that 1 carried her
nolne to the gate Of the cottage" went
on Challoner, and then she knew she
was at home once more"
Again that strange silence fell upon
the room. This time Gerald Challoner
noticed it.
Can anyone tell me-" he said, who
her mother is? Is She"
Better not ask" interrupted a voice
from the far end Of the room. Il, was
Eanist.
Nobody knows" he went On. orao,l-
larry, land SO far as we're concerned
nobody wants to know
But her husband?" he queried.
".Ah,' said the organist. And the
simple exclamation conveyed volumes.
She's a widow woman" said the
landlord, in explanation.
Perhaps" sale the orgarist, unkind-
Gerald ChallOner, E2rrister. out or Il
walking tour for the benefit of his
health. slept in the lavender-scented
sheets at the Green Lion" splendidly.
Blu his first waking thought in the
morning was Of Babs and her mother.
Something-he did not know what ii
was-seemed to persuade him TO re-
main in Winterton-and see Babs again.
OF course he stayed-and he saw
Babs the very next morning. She was
fin the garden, and he spoke to her.
called her by her name.
The little mste came running to kiss
hint was a happy and pleasant trait
in Gerald Challoner's character that ali
children loved him at first sight.
Mummy is not We'll" said Cabs most
solemnly.
II ara so sorry,'' said Challoner.
Here's mummy" she said. Hearing
voices, mummy had come out, and
was standing, a lattice-franed picture,
at the threshold of the cottage.
Come, mummy" said the little voice.
And 'mummy' came down the garden
path.
"You." said Challoner, lifting his hat;
"of all people in the world"
And his old sweetheart, who had jilt-
ed hiya for q richer man. was facing
him.