The Ordway new era., 1910-07-01

CHUBBY
By LE1TlE WEBER


wagon, too. but Chubby was not per-
mitted to leave the yard and they had
grown tired OF fire district confined
to a solemn circuit of the flower-bor-l
dered path.
Chubby had vaguely intimated that.
presently Jane might come along with
hot gingerbread. but they had not
listened to the suggestion.
II they say Chubby eating ginger
bread they were prepared to swarm
back again. but. in the meantime. they
preferred tho opposite side OF tho
street. where Browns empty stable
made splendid fire house. and they
could race clear to the corner and
back In answering an alarm.
Chubby's plump face was drawn
into the suggestion OF whimper as
he contemplated their trenchery. But
he was too game to cry and presently
the lines relaxed and Sue Sanderson.
coming down the street. received
smile In answer to her greeting.
"What are you doing here all
alonc?" she cried briskly. "Why don't
you play with the other little boys.
Chubby?",
His under lip quivered little.
"They won't stay in the yard and ma
won't let me play in the street." ha
explained. "They were here. but they
took my wagon and went away"
Sues face grew soft. Chubby's
mother was woman famous In the
club world. She was too busy to play
with her little boy. 1t was enough
thnt he had plenty of toys.
She rescued the wagon from tho
boys. but the dcsertion of his play.
mates still grievcd Chubby and she
took the disconsolato little fellow In
her arms and. sitting down on tho
steps. proceeded to tell him fairy
story.
So Interested did they grow In the
romance she was weaving that neither
noticed that someone had stopped out
side Of tho gate until. with a shout.
Chubby wriggled out OF her arms and
bumped down the steps to greet his
Uhcle Hurry. IT
II came to see II Chubby wanted to
go for n drive" he explained rs he
came up the steps with his small
nephew on his shoulder. Il don't Ike
to interrupt your rtSit.
Il just stopped because he seemed
20 lonesome" she explained. 'The
boys had taken his wagon and were
playing with It on the other side of
tho street. I was sorry for him md
was telling n story"
"Tell It to us both" the man plead.
ed as he looked toward the buggy. II.
will be fine drive over to the lake
and back"
I'm sorry for tho little fellow
said Harry Klnsmnn. as they drove
slowly homeward. Il suppose II any.
one told Nell that she was not n good
mother there would be n mighty row.
but she Is SO occupied with her club
affairs that Chubby gets little mother.
Ing I come around as often us I can
and take him out. but this has been
rcd.lcttcr day with you along"
1T was very good of you to ask
me-" she said. as she glanced down
at the little fellow sleeping with his
head against her shoulder.
II did not know before that you
cared for Children he said slowly. rs
his glance rested on her face. some
how. I've always seemed to think OF
you rs one of the society butterflies"
when you are In Rome" she quo
ted. lightly.
That's So" he admitted. wonder.
ingly. II suppose It's because I've
only met you ut teas and things. But
when came up the walk this after.
noon your face looked like n madon-
mas"
The madonna Of tho marcel wave7"
she asked. with n little laugh. ''rm
afraid that was not dressed for tho
part"
Il didn't sec your hair or your
clothes" he denied. Il only saw your
face and wondered how It would seem
to Chubby II he had n mother who
could look like that
"You are unfair to your sister," shc
protested. because she Is n very
busy woman II does not follow that
she Is always engrosscd with her pa
pcrs."
Il suppose not" he admitted. but
YOU don't know how you looked. II
was Ike meeting n stranger whom you
felt that you must have known for n
long time. | cant just explain. I've
always liked you. but somehow when
I saw you on the steps this afternoon
I just wanted to take you In my arms
and tell you how much loved you.
don't know how I've kept from blurt
ing It out before now. It's not much
like n real proposal. Sue. cant get
down on my knees and ask YOU to bc
mine, but do want you. dear. and so
does Chubby. VIII you marry the two
of us. little girl7"
She looked down into tho face OF
the sleeping child and then shyly into
her lovers face.
"I think Chubby needs me-" she
p,iJ softly.