The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-04

Mustn't cy,'' she crooned again. not greatly IN
terested but attending through habit the task be-
fore her The woman continued to stare at her. and
as she did SO reeognition dawned in her eyes,
You're Maude," she said duly. DR. Went.
worths little girl. What you doing here, alone
at this hour?"
Genevieve Maude did not know and pumped her
consciousness for knowledge Mus do dood Deeds"
she finally evolved after the effort dimly 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.
beating the new grave with bare. desperate hands
here beside her father. Both here, leaving me
alone" She turned again to the little girl. "Donl
you remember Elinor?" she asked "Elinor. who
played with you in your garden only last week."
She grasped the childs arm too firmly In her agta,
tion and Genevieve Maude rather coldly withdrew
it. Surely you remember Elinor?" she repeated,
almost violently. Genevieve Maude nodded. She
not brilliant conversationalist and after
seeking in vain for words. she fell back her nrst
inspiration. Mustn't c'y" she crooned resumins
the patting. mustn't cy. Maudie loves YOU"
Elinor's mother caught her fercely In her arms
To this too, Genevieve Maude was accustomed. "Oh
you blessed. blessed baby!" walled the mother
"Elinors little friend! What sent you here. won.
,der?"
Genevieve Maude endeavored to rise to the oc-
casion. She could not answer the questions Mrs
Chambers asked. but there other casual topics
She made great effort
"Buvvers there" she announced indicating the
familiar spot with a fat forehnger Some day we
mus all be there. Addie says SO. Papa an NAM,
ma, an Gracie an me, an'-an' you,' she added
generously with an impulse OF true hospitality
The woman groaned
Yes, shall be here" she said duly land soon
little Maudie soon,' she repeated In whisper:
Every soon"
Genevieve Maude wriggled in her arms.
Tate me home.' she commanded. Tired"
The woman looked at her at first unseeingly
aat hArn
her feet why. you poor baby" she said at last.
"of course you are 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, wheedlingly, "Pease tate me-"
Tho woman reflected, her eyes upon the new
made grave. Il can't" she gasped, half aloud. II
can't leave Elinor-I never leave here any more.
And yet--if don't" She looked at the child. at
the dog at the gathering darkness. Il must Of
course" she told herself "Elinor's little friend.
can come back again later" She abruptly.
Come. she said. But you're too tired to walk.
must carry YOU" She lifted the exhausted child.
who finding herself again the surface Of q
woman's breast, snuggled contenty against 1t,
tightening the clasp OF her around the others
neck and continuing the rhythmic patting on the
back which her panacea for all human ills. She
was heavy burden. but the bearer did not know
it. She had child In her arms agan-but not her
own Her features twisted with anguish she
walked slowly toward the gate, turning her back
on the new-made grave.
Mustn't c'y," repeated Genevieve Maude, drows-
lily but distinctly; mus do dood deeds; mus liver
others; mus save SOUL i. ;"
She asleep. But to the woman, in her
full spiritual travail the words, natural from the
child's lips in her last waking moments. came with
the force of a command from 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 a time
this, she felt could be mere chance. She raised
her head to the calm twilight sky In which the pale
horn OF an early moon was shining. The whole
scene around her indescribably 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 words she felt she
must heed. She stood quite still for long time.
Then she drew deep breath, 1T is not chance"
she told herself at last. 1T is command. must
obey It,"
The little procession moved slowly. out OF the
terry, along the country road, and back the town.
where excited citizens were already seeking Gene
We've Maude. 1t tire trio that met Pastor
Wentworth that night, but the face OF the wom-
an she handed the sleeping child to her father.
was an expression the minister had not dared hope
to see there again for long. long time.
Don't be anxious about me any more" the wom-
said when she had told him all Il bear 1t now.
because must. And I shall forget that
strength to me in this wonderful way through
Elinors little playmate"
Late that night Genevieve Maude was awakened
from her innocent slumbers by a sudden pull at her
shoulder. GuIpng with surprise. she sat In her
crib, blinking protestngly In the dim light OF the
nursery lamp. Her sisters. chastey attred In their
nightgowns and with tightly braided p1gtails stand
ing stiffy out from the back OF their heads con-
fronted her with impressive mien
Wake up Maudie" commanded Helen Adeline
sternly. We've got to ask you something We
didn't have time when you came in 80 late and were
SO busy getting fed and put to bed Did you do any
good deeds today"
The sleep-laden eyes Of Genevieve Maude sur.
veyed the two with intense disapproyal
Don't yant do dood Deeds she announced sulk.
lily. "Yon't do dood deeds" Then as she lay back
and closed her eyes. thus signifying the audi
ence was 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.