Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-08-31


fore her The woman continued to stare at her. and
as she did SO recognition dawned in her eyes.
you're Maude,' she said. duly "Dr. Went
worths little girl. What you doing here, alone,
at this hour?"
Geneveve Maude did not know. and pumped her
consciousness for knowledge. Mus do dood deeds"
she finally evolved after the effort dimy remem-
bering something of her mission. The woman did
not hear her. Her head had sunk again upon her
breast, and sudden return Of memory had shaken
her soul
And Enor is here" she walled turning and
beating the new grave with bare. desperate hands,
here beside her father. Both here. leaving me
alone" She turned again the little girl Don't
you remember Elnor?" she asked "E-nor who
played with you in your garden only last week?"
She grasped the childs too firmly in her aga-
ton, and Genevieve Maude rather coldly withdrew
It. Surely you remember Enor?" she repeated
almost violently. Genevfeve Maude nodded. She
not brilliant conVersationalist and, after
seeking in vain for words, she fell back her first
inspiration. Mustn't c'y," she crooned, resuming
the patting mustn't c'y. Maudie loves you"
Elnor's mother caught her fercey in her arms.
To this, too, Genevieve Maude accustomed. "Oh.
you blessed. blessed baby!" walled the mother
"Elinor's little friend! What sent you here. won
der7"
casion She could not answer the questions Mrs
Chambers asked. but there other casual topics
She made great effort.
"Buvver's there" she announced, indicating the
mus all be there Addie says Papa an
ma, an Oracle, an me, an'-an you" she added
generously. with an impulse OF true hospitality
The woman groaned.
Eyes, shall be here" she said, DULY, land soon
little Maude, soon" she repeated in a whisper;
Every SOON"
Genevieve Maude wriggled in her arms.
Tate me home" she commanded. Tired"
The woman looked at her, at first unseengly
then with slow comprehension she set her
her he at last
"of course you tired! How will you get home?
can't take you. I'm not going back"
Genevieve Maude ignored this remark, which to
her had no bearing on the case. She was getting
irritable and sleepy
Wants to go home" she remarked Grossly, and
then, wheedlngly, "Pe-ase tate me-
The woman reflected, her eyes upon the
made grave. Il can't" she gasped half aloud. 4
can't leave Elinor-I never leave here any
And yet-if l don't" She looked at the child at
the dog at the gathering darkness. Il must. Of
course" she told herself. "Elinors little friend
come back again later She rose abruptly.
Come, she said. But you're too tired to walk
must carry you" She lifted the exhausted child,
who, finding herself again on the surface of
woman's breast, snuggled contenty against il.
tightening the clasp OF her arm around the Others
neck and continuing the rhythmic pattinE on the
back which her panacea for all human ills. She
a heavy burden but the bearer did not know
It, She had child in her arms again but not her
Her features twisted with anguish as shs
walked slowly toward the gate, turning her back
the new-made grave.
Mustn't c'y" repeated Geneyieve Maude, drows-
lily but distinctly mus do dood deeds mus liver
others; mus save soul.
She was asleep. But to the woman, in her aw-
full spiritual travail, the words natural from the
child's lips in her last waking moments came with
the force OF command from on high. She stopped
short and looked at the sleeping baby, ner legs al
most giving way under her That such message
should have come in such way. at such time
he be chance. raised
her head to the calm twilight sky, IN which the pale
horn OF an early moon was shining. The whole
scene around her ndescribably peaceful and
soothing; and to her mind this setting, In her utter
despair by her baby's grave and from the lips OF
her baby's friend. had come words she felt she
must heed She stood quite still for long time
Then she drew deep breath at is not chance"
she told herself at last. 1T is a command. l must
obey it."
The little procession moved slowly out Of the Gene
terry along the country road, and back to the town.
where excited citizens already seeking Gene
We've Maude. 1t was tire trio that met Pastor
Wentworth that night but the face Of the won-
an. she handed the sleeping child to her father
expression the minister had not dared hope
TO there again for a long, long time.
Don't be anxious about any more" the wom-
said when she had told him all Il bear it now
because | must And l shall never forget that
strength came to Me in this wonderful way, through
Enor's little playmate
Late that night Geueyieve Maude was awakened
from her innocent slumbers by sudden pull at her
shoulder Gulping with surprise, she sat up in her
crib. blinking protestingy in the dim light OF the
nursery lamp Her sisters, chastely Altered I'm their
nightgowns and with tightly braided p'g'ail5 stand
ing stfny ont from the back of their heads, con-
fronted her With impressive men.
''Wake up, Maude,' commanded Helen Adeline.
stcrnly "Woye got to ask you So. Cth.rg We
didn't have time when you came in so late and were
so busy getting fed and put to bed. Uil yNu do any
good deeds today"
The seep-laden eyes OF Genevieve Naute sur
veyed the two with intense dsapproyal
Don't yant do dood deeds" she announce cd. sull-
lily. Won't do dood deeds Then as she lay back
and closed her eyes thus senifyng thar the audi
ended further satisfying remark oc-
Cured to her
Didn't do dood deeds" she announced with in
solent triumph.
But the mother of Elinor knew better