The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-04-21

palms of hls upturned hands. In from
of him, on another chair, was tn,
youngster Robbie. crying.
what Is the matter with him
nowT" the old man asked himself wea
rlly. The child yelled The foster "a
ther clawed HIS ears with his wrinkled
hands and hoped I'm n despairing fash.
ion that Mrs Halstead would come TO
the rescue. Then he dreaded her look
Of disapproval at the mess around the
child. Toys Of every descriptlon-pic.
lures and picture books. his watch,
fancy bottle shoppers, about everything
not nalle6 wns there. Still the imp
cried: "Mnmma. Mamma! Yobbie
wants mammal Yelll Yell! Y-e-l.ll
The little spmster dressmaker who
lived in the hall room passed the door
Just as Robbie achieved brilliant
chef d'oeuvre Of yells. She skipped by
in q scared manner, hurricdly inserted
the key I'm her door and vanished. Pc
ters and she had never exchanged a
word, although he had occupied his
room ten years and SHE had been IN
hers q year before. He was preiudiced
against her In those early days because
she ran a sewing machine sometimes
at night. The cause had ceased to ex-
list, but the prejudice still chung to him
although he never protested against
her. She on her part had grown to re.
gard him as gruff old ogre past
whose door she always hastened.
This afternoon he actually yearned
for her or Mrs. Halstead or any wo
man to soothe the youngster. lie sat
there wondering II she knew anything
about children. He hesitated. Robbie
began to take in air for another out
burst. Peters darted into the hall and
knocked timidly at her door.
A few minutes later the child was
sobblng on her breast, pouring out hii
tale of woe in indistingushable sylla
bles, while the distrusted Peters walk
cd the floor, eylng the imp apprehen
slvely. Miss Robinson held the child
tenderly, absorbed I'm her office. The
foster father was entirely out of the
picture. The little woman loved chill
drcn dearly.
Mr.. Peters read the letter and heav.
ed a sigh OF relief II was from his
niece and contained an invitation &c
make his home with her He had
never seen his niece until the executor
Of the estate introduced her at n meet.
ing of the heirs.
Mrs. Halstead came in person "a
make his bed The signs displayed nj
the breakfast table had actually made
her blush and the boarders stare. Such
looks, such smiles!
"NIrs. Halstead." he began brlskly-
her portly form was beGc with tuck
Ing in the clothes-"I am thinking OF
making a change in my life-a great
change" He paused for encourage
ment.
"YesY sweetly.
"Now-you see-Robble and this
woman next door--Miss Roblnson-shc
I supposed women have-hem-great
ways with children" War clouds gath
cred on the Widows face. "And r.
''Not Miss Robinson7" exclaimed the
landlady.
"Bless me, yesp He looked at hel
in astonishment.
"Well, / declarew Out OF the door
she fiounced, with blood in her eye.
"Now, what is the matter with herT
he asked himself, rubbing his glasses
and peering down the hall. "What
strange creatures women arer'
He had intended telling her thai
from the way Robbie took to the spin
ster 1t seemed best to provide female
care for him in the person of his niece
"Papa,"s called Robbie. The old mar
started. The boy had kicked the GOV
ers from his cot. Mr.. Peters looked
gravely down at him.
The boy grinned back, tossed his
bare fat legs and chuckled.
"You-you little imp" commented
Peters, with smile "Do you know
His niece went out of the room Will
her nose held high in air He shook
his fist with latent rage at her vanish
ing form. The idea! Send the boy
back because, forsooth, she didn't like
childrenl
The muffied sound of sobs came to
his ears from Miss Roblnson's room
He felt the hush of "the great idea"
'T-Mrs. Halstead-ordered me-tC
move" the spinster explained fearful
ly when she answered his knock. at
seems so like-llke home"
Then he managed to get out "tht
great idea" She? oh-well-for love