Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-05-24

md the day after that there was bak-
ing to be done. and 1t was while Bar
bara was rolling out little cakes that
Toddlekins appeared at the back door.
by big brother and want you to
come down to the beach and play" she
announced. land make forts and
things"
But. darling" Barbara pleaded. II
am making cookies"
Obi" said Toddlekins. rapturously.
Then she peered around the corner of
the porch. "Oh. dear Brother Bobs
come here, my lovely lady is making
cookies"
He came rather sheepishly. "Toddle.
kins was yearning for him." he ex.
planned.
Il should like" Toddlekins ven
tured, ito ask for q cookie. May l.
Brother Bobs?"
They're not baked. dearie." Bar
bara said, but in ten minutes they
will be ready. II you don't mind wait
ing?"
Il would walt ten years." he said
with alacrity.
The little cakes were served in the
arbor outside. with pitcher of cold
milk TO accompany them.
Il want you to meet dad" Barbara
said. as she brought the good things
out on a tray Mother isn't we'll"
The shabby cad man greeted the
wayfarers heartily.
stopping at the big hotel?" he
asked. We'll, now, you must come
over often, mustn't they, Bahs?"
lis that what you call herr" Toddle-
kins asked, curiously. why. call
my big brother Bobs. It's just as IL
their names were made for each. isn't
it?"
They laughed at that and big broth
er Bobs said:
Il feel as II we had imposed on your
hospitallty-but we couldn't resist the
| cookies. And now you must let me
take you out in my car This after
noon, shall it be-"
Barbara sat beside the driver and
he told her of the death of Toddle-
kins' mother. his favorite sister, and
of the tragic drowning OF the child's
father a year later, and so the little
one was In his care. and that of
nurse.
Il try to be everything to her." he
said.
But you have money--everything
is easy. with plenty of money"
Money will not bring back mother.
love and father-love to Toddlekins."
Forgive me" Barbara said quickly,
but lately It has seemed as II there
isn't anything worth thinking of but
money. Last year the peach crop
failed, and that's our living. so had
to come home from school and help"
Life ought to be made easy for
you" he said.
six weeks later he asked her to
marry him.
She looked at him with startled
eyes. ooh, what must you think OF
me? have talked of my poverty. of
my needs Of money-but never
dreamed of this"
81 think of nothing but my happi-
ness"
She shook her head 81 would al
ways feel that had been bought"
Then you don't love me?'
Il don't know. oh, please go away
and don't ask me-"
After that Toddlekns came alone
Barbara. plodding through the
dreary days, made up her mind to
many things.
dad, ! am going to see II can't
find something to do" she announced
one morning. 81 am going to the city"
"Oh, girl"
She told him of the love she had
put out of her life, so he asked for
the last time: You think you couldn't
marry him. girlie?"
"Oh, must not: / must not"
The next day she sought work in
the great town. She ate her dinner in
a cheap restaurant for she dreaded to
go to the poor room which she had
rented for a week.
How am | going to stand IT." was
her thought
Somebody sat down opposite her,
but her eyes were so blurred with
tears that she did not see who It was.
Then some one said. "oh. Babs. Babs.
have found you"
do you think VIII let you drag
your life In such an existence?" no de-
manded later. as they walked through
the electric lighted streets. you love
me. Babs. 1t was In your eyes when
you looked up and saw me-"
But
There are no butts If you knew
was poor. Babs. II you knew that
marriage would mean struggle and
hardship and sorrow. would you say
nor"
They dined later at a wonderful and
exclusive hotel. and Babs' shabbiness
was relieved by the resplendence Of
large bunch Of violets, and by dia-
mond circlet on her third finger.