The Washington times., 1911-11-14
FOR LITTLE FOLK JUST BEFORE BEDTIME
The Sandman S Stories
THE sTEPMoTHER.

me?" asked his father, coming to the
led and kissing him.
Robert put up his face to be kissed,
but nc lid not look at the lady who
stood beside his father.
make us very happy" said his father
Now you will have mother and never
be lonely again"
....sshe Is a .tep-n,oyver: said Robert.
She will not make us happy; STEP
His father looked at him with surprise
ana tho lady said. You 60 out and
leave Robert and me TO get acquainted
yes" replied Robert. .but nurse Will
not let me have one; she says ! am
enough bother without having dog
How would you like to 90 with me
the, lady, "one that can stand on his
hind legs and beg for food and play dead
dog and say his prayers and do num-
II should like It very much" said
Robert. "but would nurse let me keep
it?"
iYes, indeed" replied the lady; "you
and ! will have things our own way
now."
II have a sled" said Robert. "and I
would like to slide down hill, but nurse
says 1t Is too cold standing out in the
snow. Do you think might slide some
day Il we are to have our own way?"
II am sure Of It," the lady replied.
What have you under the pillow ?" she
asked, for Robert had kept his hand
under the pillow all the time.
Robert hesitated a moment. won't
you take it away from me II I let you
see TT" he asked.
"of course not" replied the lady; IL
shall never take anything away from
Robert slowly drew the picture from
he said, looking at her very hard, "and
l kiss 1t every night; nurse said you
would take away the one in the hall,
You poor little baby" said the lady.
taking him In her arms and kissing him.
NO wonder you do not like your STEP
"The picture IN the hall will always
be there, dear" she said. "and You
frame on the table right beside youI
bed. She shall be the last one you kiss
at night and the first one you see in
Robert looked at her minute.
What Is your name?" he. asked.
,u Alice" the lady replied. do you
Yes replied Robert. Must I call
How would Mother Alice do?" she
IKE tnaI DetteT tntln MISE
Alice" Robert replied, "and I always
kiss people that I like
so do l." replied Mother Alice, hold
Ing him close in her arms.
why, there are tears In your eyes
| said Robert. Are you unhappy"
Unhappy" exclaimed Mother Alice
NO. indeed; never was SO happy in
all my life."
Robert did not want to leave her
long enough to have his bath and be
dressed. and after breakfast they went
for the promised dog. and by lunch
time when they met his father he had
fallen in love with Mother Alice to the
extent of Whispering to his father
that nurse told a wrong story; step.
mowers are not bad. they are the
incest kind Of people,"
Although Robert thought many
times Of the bad stepmother he heard
about. he had never found any trace
Of her In Mother Alice, and one day
he dropped the Alice and called her
mother. and Alice was dropped for
ever.
He never forgets to kiss the pic
ture Of his mother good night. and
the eyes of the picture on the wall
still follow him, but they are always
smiling. and Robert feels sure that
she is glad that Mother Alice has
come to live in his home and in his
heart.
Tomorrow's Story, "Marian's Visitors