The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-07

BnMh
THE LITTLE LONELY GIRL

bed and knelt to open the tiny hsm-
per. Its surely a mistake she MUIR
INJURED.
But 1t was not q mistake. for under
the oiled paper was a bunch OF white
v.olets, with card, For Babies
breakfast table" scrawled on It, Then
there was a grape fruit, six very small
white rolls, a little Jar Of marmalade
and another of potted chicken. a pat
Of sweet butter and a bottle Of milk.
There was no name. but Babbie knew
tile writing. She glanced hastily from
the window, but no one stood on the
doorstep. And though. when she was
dressed. she made many excursions
down the stairs, she did not come upon
him.
Every day there came a small ham
per; sometimes it was sent from the
delicatessen SHOP around the corner.
and held hot meal. and again 1t was
from the FISH market, with oysters
cold in their shells, or lobster with
all the accomplishments OF pickles and
crackers and mayonnaise, or from the
fruit shop, with nuts and apples and
oranges. and grapes and figs.
While her price rebelled at these
gifts. she could never find the donor
to ask him to stop. Her timidity and
to the shopkeepers, and in the mean
time she grew rosy and strong with the
good feod and the knowledge that she
had friend
The eharwomah. whose lot was
cheered somewhat by a share in the
good things which came to Babbie,
offered pertinent advice.
If you've got man that thinks
enough OF you to send you such things,
you'd better tie to him.
Babhie shook her head. Il mustn't"
WHY mott"
sudden impulse came over the airi
10 conflde in this shrewd woman.
Do you think II Is right for a wo-
man TO marry when she thinks she in
herits an incurable maiady? My
father died of one and have always
been afraid. The man who sends these
Things wanted to marry me then, but |
was still afraid. One can't helm thtntt,-
ing Of what may happen. YOU know.
SO ! came here and have sewed and
managed to exist"
The eharwoman's keen eyes rnat
hers. do YOU know what ! think"
she asked.
No"
fou've been left te think about
Yourself too much. Probably Your pa
eodoied you. and got your mind in the
wrong way, / don't believe you're any
! more sick. than I am"
But Bahbie began
Look here the good woman said
| you so down To the hospital with ne
IN the morning. They have a big man
there who does make mistakes about
such things. and he'll tell YOU the
truth"
bahhie promised. bat thu trim was
hsser made. for that night the big
man, who was n lannon's aof,.r
Dwight
| TIM not going TO have auv ,,o-.
/ robustness. Bshhie," Richard said
anietly as he came in 1--WE had -
wall all these days until the doctor
came back from IL trip / didn't want
me opinion Of anyone elHe."
mere was trained nurse with thu
ao'toi aud Richard went away 10 talk
"a a WHISPER TO the charwoman. who
sss an easer listener on the staira
ne doctor. coming down. delivered
his opinion with smile. she i. a.
/ sound az nut"
Hachard went up three stems a.
.'ff,e. And now. Babbie,-> his sa,d
radiantlv. io
She held out her hand. !, h,r
ana now but he did no, 10. h.-
s',t'su her sentence, for his arms vera
about her.
=. t,te wedding tito char~on,an WAS
+ the only spectator. She wa. ra.n,srs"
emf IN new gown. which was tba vs,,
+! - 'he groom. and happy in the prorr
,se OF hef new position as house,
keeper IN Babies home
90 perhaps the sum OF her PRAYER.
/ Tor the bride amounted 10 more inn,,
! the usual formal petitions which ar
sum functions 10 up from critical au-