Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-07
She Hrgus Daily Short Story
The Stone Fireplace."-By Temple Bailey.
copyrighted, 1908. by Homer sprague)

The black cat came and cufled I'D
on the hearth, looking at the flames
with fathomless eyes.
"Oh, it's lovely, lovelyr' said Miss
Frazier. ut is like something alive"
81 allus did like fire." said the lit
tie man. 81 came from down south.
and we don't think much of stoves
! there. Not fer bein' sociable. You've
got to see the flames to be real friend
ly"
Il am going to make you cup OF
tea" Miss Frazier said f1utteringly,
and when it was ready she brought 1t
In on dainty tray, flanked by half a
dozen stale crackers. Il wish / had
| something nicer to offer" she said,
but it is so hard to get things."
The little man smiled, and as he took
in the details of the poor room some
knowledge of her plight seemed to
| come to him, and he found a way to
help her.
Il bet you don't know what good
things you kip cook over a fireplace"
he said eagerly.
| Il never heard of such thing" she
| w CUM
well, Brunswick stew is fine It's
got squirrels and corn and onions and
tomatoes. You JUS let me show you
But l can't get those things Her
face famed.
"Of course you can't. 'Tain't to be
expected that Il woman kin kill a
| squirrel. But I'm goin' huntin' to-
morrow, and I'll bring the things
He left her later. and when he had
gone Miss Frazier stood for a long
time looking into the owing Goals
oh. pussy cat. pussy cat" she said
when at last the two of them were
curled up for the night. he nses
dreadful grammar but he is the kind
est man | have ever known"
The little man came the next day
and made the stew. and all that after
noon the savory food simmered and
dubbed, and the black cat watched ii
with eager eyes. Miss Frazier in her
best blue gown set the table for two,
hitting from one room to the other
with all the gayety of a young girl.
The little mans table manners proved
TO be much better than his grammar
and it was at the end of the feast that
he told Miss Frazier the story of his
life, and as he talked his hostess
weighed his dignity, his manlincss
against his defects and found gram
mar losing its relative importance.
He came often after that, and The
black cat learned TO know his footSteI
and to meet him at the door and Il
curl up on his knee as he sat in front
Of the fireplace while the two good
friends basked and chatted in the gold
, en- glow.
And then came the beginning of The
new quarter and with it Miss FraZier's
, remittance.
And next week 1 must co. she tolt
the little man when he came that even
ing.
He looked at her calmly.
"You amt goin'," he said.
, Miss Frazier, thrilling at his master
fulness. asked family, why not?''
Because | can't git along withou
you" said he. II can't, Annabel."
"How did you know my first name?
, Miss Frazier demanded.
, II seen it in one of your books" h,
, said, "and it's a mighty pretty name"
Il Then he reached out aud took he
hands in his. You're such a lionel,
;ittle thing" he said. "and / jes' can
live without you. | think it's settin
:. around this hearthstone that gave M
the feelin' that | wanted to marry you
And you'll never want for nothin', hon
ey. not so long as kin give it,
=. With little impulsive movement. sh
slipped on her knees beside his chat
and hid her face against the rough
/. ness of his coat. 1--WE been so lonel
all my life," she sobbed.
There, there, honey" he whispered
l. with his kindly hand against he
cheek. 'Tou amt goin' to be lonesom
any more" And with that vista Q
rest and peace and happiness pool
tired Miss Frazier was content.