The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1911-05-18

come down 70 the beach and play, she
announced. and make forts and
things
But. darling" Barbara pleaded. Z
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. 'tToddie-
kins was yearning for him." he ex-
planned
4 should like" Toddlekins ven
tured, TO ask for cookie. May |.
Brother Bobs?|
They're not baked, dearie, Bar
bara said, but in ten minutes~ they
will be ready. If you don't mind walt
ing?" She put the question to the
smiling young man.
Il would wait 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 wells
The shabby old man greeted the
wayfarers heartily
/ Stopping at the big hotel?" he
asked. Wen, now, you must come
over often. mustn't they, Babs?'
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
err Bobs said;
II feel as II we had imposed on your
hospitality but we couldn't resist the
cookies, And now you must let me
take you out in my car. This after
noon, shall II be?"
It was a pleasant thing to see dads
shabbiness and mothers WEAKNESS
and Barbaras responsibilities forgot
ten as they sped away in the big au-
tomobiIe.
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 childs
father a year later, and so the little
one was in his care. and that OF a
nurse.
II 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.
bat lately II 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. oh. what must you think Of
me? have talked Of my poverty. OF
my needs OF money--but never
dreamed OF THIS.
Il think Of nothing but my happl-
ness"
She shook her head. Il would al.
ways feel that had been bought"
"Then you don't love me?'
Il don't know. oh. please so away
and don't ask me"
! After that Toddleklns came alone,
Barbara. plodding through the
dreary days. made up her mind to
many things.
Dad. am going to see II | cant
find something to do" she announced
one morning. Il am going to the city.
eoh, 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
cheap restaurant, for she dreaded to
40 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. "0h, Babs, Babs,
have found you"
20 you think win let you drag
your life In such an existence?'' he 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 II you knew
| was poor. Babs. II you knew that
marriage would mean struggle and
hardship and sorrow. would you say
MOI"
They dIned later at wonderful and
exclusive hotel, and Babs' shabbiness
was relieved by the resplendence OF a
large bunch Of violets. and by dia-
mond circlet on her third fnger,
Much oulnlno for Brazil.
40 ton Of quinine. divided into 20
grain does, recently formed part OF
~. ........ - = -4.a,,,ahir from phila.