The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24

tragedy began to shape itself In his
brain.
lis the letter from papa and is he
torn!ng home and bring my dnIIi"' the
glrl asked slipping two cold. little arms
around his neck lie arose without
answering her and began to start
Are. The. child took the baby In her
arms and held II 10 the stove. 1t began
to whmper. and chung to her. fright'h-
ed There now" she soothed. baby
mustn't cry: big man loves baby ana
viii e.t him some milk" lie heard IN"
whispered words. Love babies no.
he hated them: for had they not been
the cause of all his trouble: and again
he was back In his childhood h"n"
The quarrel. the parting. his mothers
white. set facial rose 50 vivid-and
l!ttIc Hcssie-yos he had loved her even
when he had abused her. He began to
realize how mean he had bccn-but was
he any better yet; even this baby
feared him; and he glanced towards
the children Was he dreaming? Why
that was Bessie there holding baby
Elsie. How well he remembered that
, quaint motherly way she had OF rock
ng to and fro. He brushed his hand
across his eyes and asked abruptly.
What is your name? Bessie"
Papa calls me Bonnie B"ss, but my
real name Is Eliza beth" she said
slowly. and baby's name Is Henry:
Is Ave years old and brother-sanin
| 81. 60. mn II m
| mamma and brought me big dolly.
| but bad boy broke her pretty head ="
He remembered another boy that had
| lone the same thing. 81 wish | could
| thrash them both" he murmered. Let
ne hold the boy awhile" he said.
reaching for the baby.
NO. will keep him. You take that
bucket and get him some milk; tan't
| : ou see he Is hungry" she demanded.
Il suppose l will have TO run an
orphan asylum whether l want to or
| lot" he growled shutting teh door. He
| 'ould not see ten feet away: the COW
| had broken her tether rope and stood
Audd died by the horse.
| "Tarnal glad l did stop he ac-
knowledged Il couldn't have gone n
mile in this storm" For the first time
the condition OF the children arose be-
fore his eyes; the thought awed him
and softened his heart; In that instant
he was a changed man. Mighty lucky
stopped" he continued. perhaps old
| Henry Bronson Is some good yet
| Blest II don't get plenty OF milk for
those children II I can keep my finger'
timber long enough: II that youngsteI
was a calf could get this down him
better; the girl can do It though. I bet
seems smart enough for two her size
| TIE baby drank his milk and went tC
sleep Immediately. He lifted him tt
his cradle and awkardly covered him
taking the girl on his knees he sale
kindly. Now. Bessie. can you tell ms
the names Of any OF your folks?"
oh. yes" she exclaimed. there Il
papa. and mamma, and grandpa. anS
l." but he stopped her impatiently.
NO. no." he said. II want thei
other names"
Why. dat is ALL" she answered.
We'll, can you tell me where yo'
llived?"
II dess fordot." size unused. der
was lots OF houses. and mamma wa
sick. and the doctor man said she mus
go away off and stay. Grandpa erie
and said no. but papa said yes. SO W
toned away on here: den my sic
mamma dot well and papa went ava
of to work and det money to buy m
dollie: but he Is tomin' home toda
and bring Santa Claus
Seeing he could find out nothing b
the child he ceased questioning her.
No. little one. that letter said ths
your papa was not coming home and
am sure old Santa can't come out
this storm. The little face becan
sad. He wished he knew what to sa
E then the words Of his mother sounds
! In his ears but We can have Chris
/: mas without Santa Claus" he r,
q peated and again happy plans We
: made for that blessed day. until Il
: ltired head lay heavy on his arm ar
, the sparkling brown eyes were close