The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-02
CHAPTER T.
4

"He won't hurt me again. viii he.
motherP'' the child queried with just
trace OF a tremor in her voice.
"HSo, dearie, know ne won't this
time" Mrs. Laugdon assured her. 'Be
mothers brave little grille"
The buzz ing Of the front door bell
again caused the woman to turn to-
ward the kitchen, and, standing in the
doorway. she pressed the button that
Unmatched the street door, then again
took the little one tn her arms and
paced the dining room slowly.
Suddenly she heard her name and
then the whistle Of the postmau, and
hurried to the hall door, which she
opened
'Langdonr a person called from be-
low.
Leaning over the bauisters she quer-
fed: 'eWell. what is it2'
Package for John Langdon," mans
voice informed her. Eight cents due
On it."
I'm be down in a moment" Mrs.
Langdon hurried within the apartment
again. 70 emerge almost Immediately.
pocketbook IN hand. and descend the
stairs
rs It something for papa?' the child
queried-her mother still held her IN
her arms
eyes, Baby-something for papa" the
mother said sadly.
AIRS. L.angdou took the package from
che Ietterman and, after handing him
The s cents, slowly asCended the stairs
again. Entering the apartment, she
sank YEARLY into an easy chair.
Mother. you look awfuIly tired" the
child murmured. 'I think you need the
doctor nearly as much as I do. OF
course. not quite as much. becauze 7
heard him say a few days ago that
Baby was very sick
yes. dearie, mother is tired-awfully
tired was the reply, as q trace Of q
smile passed over the carewOrn face.
But you are much better now; the
doctor said so last night. If you had
not been, he would have made you stay
ln bed today, instead OF letting you
set up"
But have been in bed a whole week,
mother" the child protested. CDR. Jam
ison couldn't expect me 10 stay there
much longer, could he2"
There are often cases OF illness that
keep people IN bed forever"
And they never get up?'' The child's
eyes opened wide with amaZement
''Never-that IS. until God takes them
60 heaven
This seemed 20 be more than the little
girls mind could grasp. and for some
moments she remained lost in thought.
Suddenly she glanced Up into her
mothers face and Clapped her little
hands IN childish glee-
Mother, we never thought Of it," she
cried THAT bundle may be a birthday
present for me. Today Is my birthday,
YOU know, and some one may have sent
me something"
NO, darling, it IS not that; 1t f. ad-
dressed to papa was the slow response.
But, mother, 1t may be" the child
insisted. f'They may have thought the
postman knew papa better than me,
and SO sent It 20 him Won't you open
It and seer"
A tear trIckled unnoticed down each
II Mrs. LsangdOn's cheeks and she swaL
lowed hard to force back a sob that
insisted upon coming to the surface
..Dearie. 1t is only papa's play re-
tur.5ed by suOther manager" she said
chokinCIy.
'.But Why did he send It bAcz2" the
child queried lnnocently. and whaJ
Is play. mother
"a play. my child, Is she paused
AlEN aalE4 EtLAEA aNfe-AN~t-t--s 1880
earns ever. Oh ever so much money or
else earns nothing at all
And which VIII papa's play doE'
'sEVe-do not-ku0w." Again there was
a SOB OF disappointment, and she added
quickly. But mother must get papa S
supoer. now. Hen bs home soon and ]
know win not forget 20 bring baby a
birthday present"
do I seem four years old TO YOU
m0ther2 II seems 70 rae as If / was
weeks older than that"
But Mrs. Laugdon did not reply. In
stead she leaned toward the table upon
which she had laid the package the
postmaa hat left and undOing the
atriuz. took out OF the wrapper the
manuscript Of the play her husband and
Horace Fanshaw had labored upon FOR
many weeks.
1T is papa's play isn't ftp Baby
said.
eyes. dear, 1T IS papa's play" hen
mother repeated Then she rose slow
" to her feet. "But we must get papa's
supper. You and J. viii set It and when
he comes home, I'll tell him just what
p big help you are TO me-
ARA. Laugdou walked from the living
room 70 the dining room and taking q
pillow from tho couch. went 20 the
little kitchen. Here she placed 1t on q
chair and teuderly sat the child upon f.
NOW, wen get papa's supper" Baby
for that was the only name heI
father or mother ever called heT-au
nounced-
eyes, and you shall tell me Just how
10 do it," her mother declared. 'Y0J
are not well enough % DO anything yet
but as soon as you are we viii surpris'