Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER xxlI.-contInued.

CHAPTER XXII.-contlnued
1t broke the spell of awe that had
lain upon him, so that he felt for the
moment only a pious horror of her
speech. BE called Christina to take
charge of her, and Martha, the second
wife. to put away her little bundle of
clothing. He himself went to be alone
where he could think what must be
done for her. From an entry in the
little Bible. written In letters that
seemed to shout to him the accusation
of his crime, he had found that she
must now be Ave years old. II was
plainly time that he should begin to
supply her very apparent need OF re-
liglous instruction.
When she had become a little used
TO her surroundings later in the day,
he sought to beguile her to this end,
beginning automatically with other
matters.
Come, tell me your name. dear"
She allowed her attention to be d.
verified from her largest doll.
my name is Prudence" She hest
tated.
"Prudence-what?"
II lost my mind of It." She
looked at him hopefully to be
prompted.
Prudence Rae"
She repeated the name, doubt!ngly,
prudence Rae?"
Yes - remember now - Prudence
Rae. You are my little girl-Prudence
Rae"
But you're not my really papa
he's went far off-oh, ten ninety miles
far"
in heaven, and | am your father on
earth"
But not my papA!"
Listen, Prudence--do you know
what you are?"
The puzzled look she had worn fed
instantly from her face.
I'm a generation of vipers"
She made the announcement with
a palpable ring OF citation in her tones.
looking at him proudly, and as II wait.
ing to hear expressions OF astonish.
ment and delight.
Child. child. who has told you such
things? You are not that!
She retorted, Indignantly now. the
lines drawing about her eyes in signal
OF nearby tears:
Il am a generation of vipers-tke
Bishop said ! was-he told that other
mamma. and l am IT,"
We'll. well. don't cry-all right
you shall be it-but can tell you
10 ,al
a knowing air, as one who withheld
knowledge OF overwhelmin- fascina,
lions.
Tell me-what?"
And so, little by little. hardly know.
ing where to begin. but feeling that
any light whatsoever must profit q
soul 30 benighted. he began to teach
her.
In the days that followed he wooed
her patiently, seeking constantly to
find some favor with her, and grateful
beyond words when he succeeded ever
so little. At first, he could win but
slight notice OF any sort from her
and that only at rare and uncertain
intervals. But gradually his unobtru
sive efforts told, and, little by little
she began to take him into her conii
dence. The first day she invited hin
to play with her In one Of her games
was a day OF rejoicing for him.
And that night. before her bedtime
when he sat in front OF the fire. she
came with a most matter-of'fact un
consciousness to climb into his lap
He held her long time, trying e
breathe gently and not daring to move
lest he make her uncomfortable. Hel
head pillowed on his arm. she wal
soon asleep, and he refuIed to give
her up when Martha camc to put hel
to bed.
Though their intimacy grew durinl
the winter. so that she called him hel
father and came coniidingly TO him a
ali times, in tears or In laughter. ye
he never ceased 10 feel in alo0fnesi
from her, an awkwardnes in her pres
ence. a fear that the mother whC
looked from her eyes might at an,
moment call to him.