The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-27

up their own street with glances across at
the darkened house of Betsy Smith, glad
now she hadn't known of the going.
In the little bedroom they were dis
mantled of their splendor even as they had
been robbed-for some strange circum-
stance understood but uncontrolled by
Grandmother Pollard-of their evenings
joy.
She left them the lamp to go to sleep by
tonight, not even referring to brave chill
dren who did so in darkness.
Tomorrow" she promised, "well do
something to make up
If they'd play out all day nice and not
bother her, she said they might have a taffy-
pull that night and invite any two in the
neighborhood they liked The invitation
had been early personally delivered to the
desired guests and accepted.
"Ah, sighed Valera in resting moment,
throwing herself down beside her sister on
the leafy carpet within the two little juts
of piled wood, won't you call me Pauline,
Narcissa, when we're alone?"
"She 7OGS lovely, wasn't she?" Narcissa
said, her eyes meeting Valora's raised with
a sudden conscious evasiveness, staring afar.
"Narcissa," came Valora's whispering
question, "have you thought Of anything
of anyone Pauline is like2"
After a moment, without looking at her
sister, Narcissa nodded, slowly. Valera
gave a quick little gasp.
GA picture of somebody we both known"
Narcissa still nodded.
"And love?"
Violent nodding from Narcissa.
"Our m"
"Shl" Narcissa motioned violently.
"Paulinep cried Valera.
eyes," said Narcissa, rising, ait is
Pauline" & 80
Curls, yellow and bright, escaped from
the little blue cap with the red wing, and her
cheeks-the deep pink spot glowed there as
brightly as last night. Hands in coat pock-
cts, she stood there before them, eyes star
ing. 81,
Pauline" Narcissa said invitingly. ~
"But, ah--" Valora's delicate body
quivered forward, cts m-mammal"
Out of her pockets and over her face few
the blue-clad lady's hands. She was crying;
her shoulders drew upward, hard sobs shook
her body. .hr ~.
ooh, DON'T" quivered Narcissa, Cant
you come back-is that it2 Oh, mamma,
ho7O we want you'll"
The kitchen door opened, softly. Grand
mother Pollard stood looking out.
cts Pauline" said Valera. W
"Who are your" her grandmother asked
coldly of the woman.
"Im their mother" she sobbed, and then
in an instant added, raising her head little
proudly, land your sons wife"
"Then," said Grandmother Pollard, eff
you mean that" her arms opened, come
into the house"
With a cry the pretty lady reached out
blindly, and Grandmother Pollard caught
her; then, keen little ears catching foot
beat upon cracking leaves, Valera turned
and saw coming through the orchard, with
swift, long stride, ak upon his shoulder
her father.
Already weak with happiness, she raised
and pointed finger. He came on, vault
ing the fence, and into the yard. With a
quick, unbelieving glance he lurched for
ward and stopped.
Swiftly around, the pretty, young, sob
bing, blue-eyed mamma of the twins, was
whirled in Grandmother Pollard's strong
hands. She saw him. Quickly the damp,
wadded little handkerchief she grasped
touched fercely at each hectic cheek. Did
they pale? Who could be sure of any,
thing, anything at all, except the way she
flew to his ready arms2
"You come right in the house now, chill
dren, with tears coursing down her cheeks,
Grandmother Pollard still managed her
authoritative tone.
They slipped in obediently
eco right up stairs" she said, "and put
on clean aprons and let your hair down.
I'll open the piano and light the parlor
lamp"
From their bedroom window upstairs
the twins peeked down at the enchanted
wood-pile. He still had his arms about her.
His hat was off, showing his curling hair
and the white forehead above his tan.
at don't seem they can be a real mamma
and papa and not any older'n that" mar
yelled Valera.
"G-God knowsl" Narcissa felt certain of
this at least
ooh, to be forgiven and taken back like
this-what can l do to make up to your"
their mamma was saying, and their papa
drew her to him and answered:
"Never leave me-never leave me again."
81 couldn't--ever," she answered. IA
And he led her toward the house
"Ah," sighed Narcissa, we've got our
mamma back again"
& s. Y III