Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-07-16

Her Pretty Niece.the Thayers.
Its so hard for man 10 look after
child sighed Mrs. Jones, reaching
for her embroidery cotton. We must
keep an eye on Elaine"
INDEED we must!" agreed the
chorus heartily.
And they did. Elaine got cookies at
the Smith house and cake at the
Joneses'. incidentally acquiring an at
tack of indigestion.
"Of course, you know best, Mr..
Thayer." said Mrs. Smith, pausing in
the door of Elaine's room on one of
the times she had run in to see the
invalid, but are you sure you require
her to eat the proper foods? Maybe
that is the trouble
I'm sure ] don't know" confessed
Elaine's worried father. IL guess she
just eats what she wants and lets it
go at that ! don't suppose it is the
best thing for her TO tell the truth.
however, I'm not quite sure that ]
know what is best in the food line"
That was how good-natured, busting
Mrs. Smith began making out menus
for the Thayers' cook. When her pref
~ niece from the west came to visit
her and developed amazing skill in
manufacturing desserts and salads for
the Smiths il was only natural that
she should frequently send in portions
to the lonely man and the small girl
next door.
I'm not matchmaker" she said
severely in reply to a remark Of her
husbands, but it's nearly year
since his wife died, and | don't know
a better man, and he has plenty of
money. | don't see at all why you are
laughing"
1t was about this time that Mrs.
Jones began shaking her head over
the careless manner in which Elaine
braved bad weather in clothes which
were too thin or otherwise wrong
THAT child certainly will have
pneumonia, Mr.. Thayer," she said one
day when she had met father and
daughter on the front walk.
II thought she'd better wear her
heavy coat" confessed Thayer, but
she didn't seem to want to do so. She
said she felt warm enough
do you know why?" asked Mrs.
Jones in a whisper which excluded
Elaine. Because she likes the bright
buttons on this one You must be
firm, Mr.. Thayer! Children are up to
all sorts of whims and tricks, BY the
way, ! know your sewing girl comes
next month-wsuld you like TO have
me pick out some ginghams for
Elaine? ] don't want TO be officious.
but"
That would be mighty good of you.
Mrs. Jones, Thayer said heartily. IF
you'd just buy what you think she
needs I'd be more than grateful"
lnasmuch as Mrs. Jones unmarried
sister, who was staying with her. was
skillful with the needle, perhaps it was
not unnatural that the prettiest dress
Elaine had, thin white one with lots
of lace, should have been the work of
Mrs. Jones sisters own hands instead
of the sewing girls.
II don't like To say anything" said
Mrs. Smith on discovering this. but
Ahdl was actually UcSlSuluS. n man
is so helpless in such situation!
Anyhow, Mrs. Jones sister never
would make the mother to that poor
child that Abby would, if Abby Is my
own niece! She's so fond of children!
And Elaine seems TO like her so much.
] must have her make an extra custard
pie to-day and III send it over"
ITS only for the sake of Elaine"
Mrs. Jones said when her husband re-
preached her for laying snares for the
feet of the lonely Thayer. II really
don't care whom he marries. provided
it is some one who will look out for
that poor, neglected child"
MIR. Thayer,' remarked Mrs. Jones,
with dignity. lis a very appreciative
man and realizes the spirit in which
we do things for the child. A man Is
so helpless"
Thayer was polite TO both Mrs.