The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-02-14

morning droppinf and picking up par
GELS. But Priscilla. catching sight of
the woman in whose. care she had left
her little charge, rushed past her, grab
bed up the child and commanded Ger
aid to follow>her.
Imagine Mrs. Horrigan's surprise a
half hour OF so later. when she came
in from her days cleaning, to find
seated by a cracking hot stove, with
little Jim in her arms, an 'illigant gin
tleman wild q fur coat at the back "
I'm, and, more than that. shtandin'
near I'm, shtirring cruel as if her life
depended on it, a beautiful young lady
with cheeks CLOWN like roses"
The oma listened like one spell
bound to the explanations that follow
ed, only half comprehending how it
was that a gentleman who had become
interested in little Jim from buying pa
pers of him night and morning should
for that reason be now holding the
child in his arms 'f'r all the wor4rld."
as she afterward told the neighbors,
"as II he vas Jim's father that's dead.
bless his sowl." Nor was Priscilla'S
part in the fairy story perfectly clear.
either.
However, there was one thing Mrs.
Horrigan grasped with true feminine
instinct.
you was saying you was looking
fr some wan to cook yer New Years
dinner for ye tomorrow, miss, an l
was Just afther thinkin' If you'd thrust
me-
"Oh, would you help me out. Mrs.
Horrigan?" begged Priscilla CRATE
fully.
Until this moment Priscilla in her
excitement had forgotten the utter
failure Of her domestic quest.
"Shu-re I'll help We out, MISS" re-
turned Mrs. Horrigan, beaming. BE
fore Pat died an there was plenty to
do wild l could make tn best things to
ate av any woman 70 ivir saw"
'1'm sure of 1t. Mrs. Horrigan," Ger
aid agreed enthusiastically, shut You
can't cook anybody else's New Years
dinner tomorrow. You've got to cook
your own. Just look at the things
piled up on the table there. and
therell be a fat turkey waddling over
tomorrow. Miss Ballad doesn't need
you. She and her family are coming
to my house to dinner"
"Why, Geraldv' interposed Priscilla
incredulously.
Eyes, you are. l shan't accept any
excuses. l wanted you to all the time,
only l didn't dare ask you. Now, let's
get started for home and give Mrs.
Horrigan a chance to hold her own
child"
AS they hurried along in the fast
falling darkness outside both looked
most remarkably happy, even taking
into account that tomorrow was to be
New Years day.
"Oh, l Just love that little Jim Hor-
riganw Priscilla suddenly exclaimed.
Don't you. GeraidT'
"Oh, I'm not losing any sleep over
him. But there's some one else that
I do love, Priscilla. What do you say
to our announcing our engagement at
dinner tomorrow"
Gerald beamed under the e6ulgence
of his inspiration and gave Priscilla's
hand an ecstatic little squeeze.
81 didn't know We were engaged
| demurely commented Priscilla.
But don you think we could ar
| range to be by tomorrow, dearest!"
"Well,' answered Priscilla conde
scendingly, suppose you come ovel
| this evening. and we'll e what WI
| can do about it. It's SO very sudden
II should say Yes Gerald. would
| you promise to give little Jim Horri
| gan q turkey every New Year?"
Every New Year and birthday ant
| Christmas promised Gerald indul
gently.
And Tim got his turkeys.