The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-03-16
COME N. DoN'T"-

giaEna. you put on an extry Plate this
mOrnin'. Got company for breakfast"
The hOusekeeper was surprised.
For breakfastY' she repeated
Land of goodness, who's comm for
breakfast? l never heard of company
droppin' in for breakfast"
Its "a friend of mine. Well. not
exactly a friend. maybe. He's up in
the spare bedroom"
whats his name?"
What difference does that make?
don't knows his name makes any odds
about gettin' his breakfast for him"
OH she shifted is that the way
you feel? All right. | can mind my
own business, thank you" She
flounced over to the range
I'm kind of our of sorts today" he
said "GOt some headache Why. his
name is-is-yes. it's Smith. come to
think of it-John Smith Funny you
should guess right. want it?"
The captain was in the dining room
when Bos'n appeared.
Good morning. Uncle Cyrus" she
said. You've been waiting. haven't
you? Am late? didn't mean to
be-"
mo, no! You amt late-early. If
anything. Breakfast amt quite ready
yet Come here and set in my lap. l
want to talk to you"
He took her on his knee. She looked
up into his face.
whats the matter. Uncle CyT she
asked What makes you so sober|'
Sober? If you amt the oldest young
one for eight years ever saw! Why,
/ amt sober No. no. Say. Bos'n, do
you like your school as well as ever?"
"Yes, sir like it better all the
time"
do, hey? And that teacher woman
go on likin' herY
The child nodded emphatically. YES
sir" she said And l. haven't been
kept after since that once"
"Sho. sho! Course you amt! So
you think Bayport's as nice as Con-
cord. do your"
"Oh. lots nicer! If mamma was only
here I'd never want to be anywhere
else. And not then. maybe. unless you
was there too"
Hum! Want to know! Say, Bos'n,
how would you feel if you had to go
somewhere else?"
ITO live? Have we got to? I'd
feel dreadful. of course. But If you've
got to go, Uncle Cyrus, Why
Me? No; amt got to go any
where's. But twas you was thinkin'
of. Wouldn't want to leave the old
man. hey?'
ITO leave you-oh, Uncle Cyrus!'
She was staring at him now, and
her chin was trembling.
"Uncle.". she demanded. you amt
going to send me away? Haven't
been good girl?" -
The captains lips shut tight.
''Hellov' said voice. The pair
looked up. The man who had arrived
on the previous night stood in the sit
ting room doorway
Emily saw the stranger and slid
from Captain Cy's knees. The captain
rose
"Bos'n." he said. "this is Mr.-er-
Smith. who's goin' to make us a lit
with him "
The, girl dutifully approached Mr..
Smith and extended her hand. He
took it and held it in his own.
s.Ic thie the no hogan
Captain Cy bowed assent.
"Yes." he said. his eyes fixed on the
gisitor's face "Yes. Don't forget what
you said last night"
Smith shook his head
"No." be replied II amt the kind
chat forgets unless It pays pretty well.
There's some things I've remembered
for quite a few years."
He looked the child over from head
to foot. and his brows drew together in
an ugly frown.
$50 this is her, hey?' he muttered
musingly. "Humph! Well, l don't
know as I'd have guessed it. Favors
the other side Of the house more-the
respectable side, should say. Still,
there's little brand Of the lost sheep,
hey-enough to prove property, huh?
Mark Of the beast, s'pose the psalm
singtn' relations would call it. Din
'em, r.
"Steadyw broke in the captain. Mr..
Smith started. seemed to remember
where he was. and his manner
changed
Come and see me, honey" he
coaxed. drawing the girl toward him
by the hand he was holding. "Ain't
you got nice kiss for me this fine
mornin'? Don't be scared. l won't
bite"
Bos'n looked shrinkingly at Mr..
Smiths unshaven cheeks and then at
Captain Cy. The latter's face was
absolutely devoid of expression. He
merely nodded.
So Emily kissed one Of the bristling
cheeks. The kiss was returned full