Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-17


that pang that was like homesickness sh
through her, and she smiled at the child wi
face as shy as her own; but, fearful
frightening her, she made no other sign ar
walked on in silence beside Merry until thd
came out on the thick green turf about Il
house. A woman was sweeping off sit
porch and to her Miss Penelope spoke in h
low, clear voice.
TAN you tell me if Mr. James Brompto
- lives here?" For she had resolved |
win answer to her suspicious by one DO
question. This woman with the Stron
kindly face must be Mrs. Brompton. ST
had asked; but in her mind she was qui
convinced.
The woman leaned on her broom and r.
garded the slight, fair haired woman in II
riding habit curiously. "He did," she sait
"but he doesn't now. You, Pen. what al
you doing there? You see," she adde
rather apologetically to Miss Penelope, "ht
mother died last week, and she's been let III
a little wild since"
Miss Penelope threw her arm about hit
Penelope with sudden loving gesture. ST
knew what it was to be motherless. @Yo
poor baby!' she cried. "Who's going to loo
after her now?o'
The brows of the woman on the pore
drew together in a little worried frow1|
"Thats just what's bothering us all" 81
said. "Of course, when Mr.. Brompton wa
killed" Miss Penelope gave little choke
exclamation; but the woman had not nd
t1ced, AIRS. Brompton just stayed on herd
but she never was strong and she seemed Il
60 right to pieces after they brought hir
home that day, and last week she went, sud
den like"
"How was Mr. Brompton killed." aske
Miss Penelope little unsteadily. Her hear
was bounding at sudden glimpse of DID
icious possibility, possibility that took hid
breath away; but she would not welcome /
yet.
"He was thrown from his horse, replied
the neighbor, "and it killed him straight out
so O. course he didn't have time to appoint
trustees or anything. His will just left every
thing to his wife So here's this poor chilli
a relation in the world that anyone know
of"
A sense of disappointment struck Mis-
Penelope. She would have liked it better
the little Pen had had nothing at ALL Bu|
she had money enough of her own not II
care for what people might say-and, afte|
ALL did anything but the child matter?
"Do you know where can get somethin|
to eat for my horse and myself" she asked
and flashed smile at the worthy Mrs. Cum
nings which transformed her into a hos
pltable housewife on the moment.
"If you'll wait until I've closed up thil
house I'll take you straight over to mi
house," she said Il just brought Pen ove
this morning while swept up bit. Weir
keeping her till the lawyers decide what II
do with her; though my husband doesn1
like it, for he thinks I've too much to do now
Land knows six children are care!"
Miss Penelope murmured something SYM
pathetic and watched her hustle away. Sill
children! She glanced up at the little fgur|
within her arm, and met steady, deep blu
eyes. Suddenly her own shone, and sh|
drew her close in quick impulsive clasp
do you think you could try to love md
Dear?" she whispered.
think l do" responded Penelop|
promptly, and leaning down she dropped
fairylike kiss on Miss Penelope's ear. Thu
latter gasped. Emotions were coming thicl
and fast today and she was not accustomed
to having them arise unbidden.
AS she followed Mrs. Cummings acros
the fields to her own modest cottage she won
dered how she would breach the plan re-
volving in her mind, and as she ate the plain
abundant fare that that good woman SCI
before her the difficulties loomed large. Blu
when she sat on the vine-hung porch after
ward, and Penelope, after half tinid loo1