Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-04-27
CHAPTER ViIl.-Continued.

Mr.. Kent gave up the walk down
the river road to met Miss Cynthia
that had been in his intentions for
the last few moments, and set himself
to the task of holding Mrs. Kinney out
OF the ~lcan.to.
"Howdy. Mr.. Alan?" she remarked
in a lugubrious tone Of voice. Amt
It too bad that Miss Seliny Lue have
got to suffer SIGH a afliction?"
well, Mrs. Kinney, | don't think
that Miss Selma Lue feels as"
"Oh, course she don't feel 1t like 1t
was her own. They cant nobody know
the feelings Of a mother, lessen It's a
f~ather-about half way"
II think | should say that Miss Sc,
lima Lue doesn't miss much
That's a light view of the case, Mr..
Alan. OF course she misses not hav-
ing children of her own. It's a wom-
ans duty to have children and hus'
bands and"
We'll, | think we can all acquit Miss
Selma I.ue of any failure to do her
duty BY the rising generation, Mrs.
Kinney" remarked Mr.. Alan in a
dangerously uav voice. He doubly
welcomed the sight of Miss Cynthia
hurrying down the street accompanied
by the anxious messenger, as he was
on the verge of a few disastrous OBJ.
servations.
Leaving Mrs. Kinney to attend to
the needs of the various supper.shop-
pcrs that were approaching the gro.
Gerry, Mr.. Alan led Miss Cynthia to the
door of the lean-to and there posted
himself as a vigilance committee to in.
sure quiet.
Vie watched the girl bend over the
bed and touch the tumbled curls with
a caress that was rs light as that Of a
butterhy's wing, while she slipped her
other hand into the one of Miss Selma
I.ue's that rested on the pillow.
when did she seem not so well?"
she asked, and her voice was low with
tenderncss-and fear. The Blossom
opened her eyes and with a little sigh
PUT her tiny pale hand up to the beau,
tiful face bent over her.
There, now, chats the first time
she's taken any notice today" whis,
pered Miss Selma Lue as Miss Gym
thia slipped to her knees and carried
the baby's hand 10 her lips. Jest iooi
at that, Mr.. Alan. II Blossom ain,
smiling! | do declare, Miss Cynthia
and her act like they was twins.in
heart. ! suspicion she have beer
pining fer you all the day, honey
same as the rest OF us, only she
couldn't ask fer o like we can"
well. she shan't miss me again, fol
am going to stay with her until sh,
is better. What did the doctor say !?
Cynthia questioned Miss Selma Lu,
with a panic of fright In her voice. BE
yond, from the door, the dark eye
sent her a sympathetic message.
He says she is plumb wore he
heart out with coughing, but II W
can keep her quiet tonight so as t
git q little strength, she might com
through by morning" answered Mis-
Selma Lue quietly.
ut Is the crisis, and I suppose h
counts on her fighting past tonight
The danger is from her heart. He
coming back at ten to see." answere
Mr.. Alan in a voice as low as that G
Miss Selma Lue.
And so the pale Blossom lay in tn
circle of Miss Selma Lue's arm wit
one little hand curled around Mis-
Cynthia's finger, and fought her fgt
inch by lnch-such a desperate pit
GUS fight for the tiny woman. Tn
tall gray figure at the door never lie
its post, and at a motion of his han
the grocery was quiet beyond any pr
yiCus experience.
"As for me-" said Mrs. Dobbs
Mrs. Simmons. to whom Mr.. Alan ha
quietly delivered the sleeping GLENN
along with the Flarities. to keep uni