Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-10-19

and she had turned out the gas, so
that Mollie was in the dark. Mollie
had never minded it. Indeed, the dark
ness had been rather welcome than
otherwise; but now did that other
mother love her child so much better
than her mother loved her? "She is
determined that her child shall al.
ways remember that she has had a
mother" repeated Mollie to herself
Didn't her mother care whether she
remembered it or not?
Mollie thought about it all the rest
of the day, and, when bedtime had al
most come, she said soberly to her
mother
Mother. don't you want me to re-.
member always that I've had moth
er?''
Are you likely to forget it," asked
her mother, amused.
Il shouldn't If you'd hold my hand
till go to Sleep"
What nonsense, Mollie!' .-
''But it isn'e nonsense persisted
Mollie, seriously Marion Vane's
mother does it every night She
doesn't want her to forget"
THAT would be a pity" said Mrs
Gray. with tinge of sarcasm which
did not escape Mollie's sharp ears.
But, mother, If you only would,
then I'd be sure to remember" The
little face was very earnest, the eyes
were pleading.
The mother hesitated. Then she
said, smiling a little to herself:
We'll, deary, I should be dreadful
tn a q
me, so we'll try 1t tonight. But there
must be no talking-the light must be
out, and you must 60 to sleep as fast
as you can"
Mollie promised, and they went up
stairs. The process of undressing was
not a long one, then Mollie knelt and
said her prayer, and then the light
went out, and mother seated herself
beside the bed, and took the small
hand in hers. ~.
20 mother" said Mollie, this is de-
licious"
mo talking!" was the quiet reply.
But Mollie fondled the hand and
kissed it, until that too, was forbid
den..
Go to sleep, Mollie, as fast as you
can" said her mother.
Mollie tried, conscientiously, but
sleep seemed to have forsaken her
eyelids. They we're wide open. II can
see you sitting there, mother, if it is
dark" she said at length.
Hush, Mollie."
Silence again, but silence full Of
thoughts and fancies. Mollie was an
uneasy little body and twisted and
turned many times before going to
sleep. Usually this didn't matter, but
tonight she couldn't bear to relinquish
mothers dear hand, even for second,
so she lay quite still and sleep seemed
farther from her eyes as the minutes
passed.
All at once came rap at the door,
and Cousin Sophy entered. Cousin
Sophy often helped Mrs. Grey with
her sewing.
They told me you were here, 50 I
came right up, said She MAY I light
the gas? I've brought Mollie's dress.
It's all done but the trimming, and
that won't take long"
She lighted the gas, brought the
dress to the bed, and spread it out be-
fore Mollies appreciative eyes. Then,
noticing the clasped hands, she ex-
claimed:
els anything the matter, Aunt
mo. indeed, I'm only putting Mollie
to bed"
Putting her to bed?" repeated
Sophy. why my little sister Margaret
goes to sleep all by herself"
$50 can go to sleep all by myself"
remarked Mollie, stung by the i'm
piled suggestion Of inferiority.
II want her always to remember
that she's had mother" said Mrs.
Gray, demurely.
Mollie's. cheeks burned. Cousin
Sophy looked perplexed.
well" said she, "I'll leave the
dress, you can easily put the trimming
on this evening"
"I'd like to- replied Mrs. Gray, "but
I shall have to sit here until Mollie
goes to sleep, and she seems very
wakeful tonight"
well of all things!' Cousin Sophy
didn't say any more. She laid the dress
upon convenient chair and left the
room.
The gas was extinguished again. The
hands were clasped as before, but
every nerve in Mollie's little body was
tingling. At last she could bear it no
longer. She withdrew her hand.
Mother" said she, you may go
down stairs now. I'm too big to be a
baby. l have to have both hands for
myself"
Mother stopped and kissed the little
face. Then she stood up beside the bed.
"Mollie.' said she, ''are you sure
that. you'll always remember that
you've had a mother?'
Mollie sat up very straight in the
bed and clasped her mother tight in
her soft little arms. II couldn't forget
it, never" she cried. "Sit down here,
just a minute, mother.
Mother sat down, and shower of
kisses fell on cheeks, lips. eyes, and
anywhere that a little girl could put
them in the dark.
IT don't think you'll forget all about
me-" said Mrs. Gray, as soon as she
co,,1d sneak "C0me darling 7 must