Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-06

suggestions to offer. l dare say he
will want me to go into one OF his
charity institutions Perhaps he Will
send me to the workhouse."
She laughed at this, and so, think
ing and bordering. she grew drowsy
by degrees, and sleep came to her just
as the day "a clear, bright, frosty day.
began to creep into existence.
It had been arranged between Mrs.
Brenton and Haverford that Miss
Granger should go to him early in
the morning, but when her maid
brought the news that katherine was
still sleeping, Mrs. Brenton sent him
telegram, asking him to call that aft
ernoon instead.
1t was nearly half-past nine before
her unexpected guest Joined MRS.
Brenton at breakfast The girl was
greatly upset.
81 never slept late in my life be-
FORE" she said. 81 am generally
awake about six, and l always get up
soon after I wake"
You're like me, expect said Mrs.
Brenton II never sleep very well
the first part Of the night when | am
in a strange place, and then, of
course, I am drowsy in the morning"
81 was so excited said Katherine,
81 could not go to sleep. 1t was so
strange and delightful to be in such
nice room. | am not used to luxury
l think I know now how the children
feel on Christmas eve, when they
hang up their stockings. or when they
expect birthday. | kept ny eye on
the chimney, almost expecting Santa
Claus to appear every other moment.
| She laughed as she warmed her
hands by the fire.
perhaps he did come, after all, .
! the older woman said gently, and
there is something nice waiting for
| you today
Miss Granger turned and looked at
the speaker. Her thin face was full
of color.
"You have already filled my stock
ing" Mrs. Brenton noticed that her
eyes were not black, but dark, very
dark blue "It was your goodness 10
me last night that made everything
so wonderful, so delightful. I never
knew that any one could be SO kind
as you are. I have a much better
opinion of the world this morning"
LET us talk about yourself" said
Mrs. Brenton, as she poured out the
coffee "Of course, you are not going
back to Mrs. Daynhurst!
"No," said Katherine; she was sill
ent a moment. and then she said mo
a second time But" she added, 81
don't quite know what am going tC
do" She stirred her coffee, and col
ored again. When she had that color
in her face she looked much younger
and rather attractive. 81 have been
wondering if you would advise me-
she said, with some hesitation. g
don't think I have the right to ask
you, especially as you are SO wonder
fully kind to me; but people who arc
kind always have to pay some pen
atty found out that much when
was very tiny child
"How old are you?" asked Mrs
Brenton.
The girl knitted her brows.
81 believe l am about nineteen. Blu
don't really know. | only go b,
what Miss Beamish told me. That il
the woman who kept the schoo
where lived for such long time,
she explained; "and she always sale
that l was about four when l frs
went to her.
-Four years DID, said Agnes Bren
ton, quickly. She felt sharp pan!
of pity for that little forlorn four-yea'
{ old child of the past. THAT wa
starting life early with vengeance.
Yes" assented Katherine Gran
, ger, "but we all have to begin som
| time or another, and as, apparently
f there was no one to object. l bega
, at four" She spoke quite cheerfullN
Then she smiled. miss Beamish ha
/ often told me that was very diff
I cult child They could not get me t
l eat anything. She declares that yer
/ often she had to sit up half the nigh
? and nurse me, because | would not g
| to sleep in a bed" The smile ripple
5 into laughter 81 have often tried
: imagine Miss Beamish nursing me.
e you had known her you would reals
how funny 1t sounds
e "Funny!" said Agnes Brenton
e herself.
She busted herself attending to tn
l. material comfort of her guest for
;. minute or two. Then she said:
l. "Of course will advise you, Mis-
e Granger. and l shall be only tc
e glad to help you II can. Just te
o me what you think you could d
). What would you like to do?" Nj
It Brenton asked, going straight to tn
v point, In her practical way.
t The girl paused and pondered
n moment: then she said: cit is diff
{, cult, for I don't quite know what
can do. | have no accomplishment