Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-10-17


all the other little Kidneys piled on
the floor of the. stoop. awaiting her
motherly ministrations.
The waning moon that climbed over
the Bluff at midnight shone softly
across the sill Of the wide window in
the lean-to and found the wilted Bios
som white and suffering, each labored
breath shaking the little body with
pain; but as the minutes licked them
selves away she lay more quietly and
was able to keep back the cough.
Miss Cynthia crouched by tho bed
on low stool. her hand still clasped
by the tiny fingers. and Miss Selma
Lue sat brooding over them both.
Her face in the dim light seemed to
Mr.. Alan, who kept watch from his
post by the door. the personincation
OF all the strength and wisdom and
love Of motherhood. whose heritage
is pain. In the hollow Of her strong
hand she seemed to hold the frail life.
and with the humbleness Of . woman.
and the faith Of q child in her eyes.
she was asking for II from Ono who
listens. Once she laid light cover.
ing over the tiny feet. and once she
bent and drew Miss CynthiA's bowed
head to her breast for Q second.
Then came the dawn. quiet and
gray. As the soft light shone into the
room the baby turned on her side and
filled her lungs deep with . breath.
then fell asleep, every muscle relaxed,
and faint rose flush on her pale
cheeks.
For = few GREATNESS minutes they
watched her and then Miss Selma Luo
bent her head on her hand and Mr..
Alan covered his eyes while Miss Gym
thia sobbed:
"He's done made 10 . present Of
her, children; and I've got his promise
to help me git her ready against the
time he calls her again." said Miss
Selma Lue after moment, with shin
ing face. and eyes wet for the nrst
time. Nov I must 60 heat tho milk
for her before she wakes: she oughter
be strength ,ned a. soon - can be"
And she slipped quietly out q the
room.
But with her head bent on hss arms.
Miss Cynthia quivered with sup
pressed sobs; the agony had besn too
long for her endurance and she was
completely Frustrated In tho reaction.
Then 4 very wonderful thing hap
pened. She found herself lifted in
strong arms, her head laid down on
pressed to her tear-hushed cheek.
And the strangest part OF It was,
that 1t didn't seem ut oil strange
only comfortins-and festful-and
right.
Now, that's Jest the thing. Mr..
Alan" said Miss Selma Lue In .
smiling whisper from tho doorway.
Pet her up. for she 10 plumb wore
out. Don't nothing put heart In .
broke.down woman like a little loving.
and that's a rule to act by fer the rest
of your life."
Miss Cynthia turned in the strong
arms and with blush that matched
the dawn across the river she
stretched out her hand to Miss Selma
Lue. And then Mr.. Alan reached out
his disengaged arm and together they
drew her into their embrace. Nov.
you're getting the benefit Of your own
advice" said Mr.. Alan. as he shyly
kissed her on the exact spot on the
cheek that Miss Cynthia had finished
caressing in the same manner.
We'll, don't see how the old roof
on the grocery is going to hold down
so much loving happiness, with tho
baby Citing well and you two dxed
up so satisfyinE-ljke. They amt moth
ing in the world to draw loving to .
head like a pinch of trouble. and love
what's felt such q pinch Is likely to
stay by you fer q spell"
"Oh, Miss Selma Lue-" began Mr..
Alan. but suddenly Miss Selma Lus
remembered fact Of most material
Importance.
Land alive. Mr.. Alan" she said. II
come to tell you II we didn't both for.
git to feed and water Charity last
night! What will the critter think
OF our being so keerless Of her CON-
fort7 Run and tend to her. please,
while I open the grocery. Blossom =
deep asleep, SO you can 60 with him.
Miss Cynthie, fer Charity will be glad
to see you two so smiling together"
AS Miss Selma Lue softly Grew the
shutters together to keep out the
light. Miss Cynthia followed in tho
wake Of Mr.. Alan and the bucket OF
bran through the garden and up TO
the barn. 1t is to his credit that he
served the aggrieved though COM
placent old lady before he threw down
the bucket and drew Miss Cynthia to
him.
Tell me-" he questioned, when It
happened to you? 1t was all over for
me that first minute when saw you.
past Carrots red head, standing in the
grocery door,"
THAT dinner-you didn't taught"
Miss Cynthia hid her head ON his con-
venient shoulder.
"Ah. but I loved you 20 I could
have"
~Then?
Eyes, then-and before-since tho
world was young"
"Moo-moo," said Charity patiently.
for dry bran Is not an agreeable
breakfast, and the water barrel stood
convenient.
DO finish feeding the dear thing"
insisted Miss Cynthia alphabetically.
"Then you can walk up the Hill with
me. want to freshen up little
and come right back to watch by Bios
som. She will need very particular