The Lamar register., 1912-01-03

came to the landing without having
made a sound And 1t was there he
stopped. listening Somewhere on
that upper floor someone was cough.
ing, He made his way to the end
roop AS he approached the open
door he saw a little figure swathed
in blankets sitting in big chair BY
the window
lie spoke softly; Mary"
She gave little cry and stood up.
Inc heavy covering fell at her feet
ana show ed IRE in a street suit and
aoat. anivering and shaking. her
cheeks hushed her eyes bright
"Oh. Stephen" she said. what will
you think OF me?"
He went up to her and took her
hBnd 81 think this" he said kindly.
that YOU are very cold and that you
must come down and sit BY my IRE"
Il sat there last night" she said
eager.y 1T was SO bitter up here
that when l heard you 90 to bed I
crept In and shared the warmth with
the pussy cat"
The tears came in her eyes - she
said II. and he saw how veal she
was
You must come right down." b
said with authority You'll frssss
here. Mary"
She broke down and sobbed oh
nobody has taken care Of me for
years" she said when my hus
band died | tried to get work. and
then ! was III. and At last I came
ko, l. L.. ~ 80
here I saw the light shining out. and
wanted to stop and ash your
mother to take me in: but I watched
and saw she wasn't here. and %
crept into the other part Of the house.
I remembered the way We used to
get In when We were children. ses
phen."
And II was your handkerchief
found on the hearth" he said. Some
how | felt that II was your. Mary"
He helped her down the stairway
and put her into his own big chair.
Then he went for Mrs. BrinkIey
Mary Dean has come back She's
sick with a cold and she needs i'm
mediate attention" he stated you'll
oome won't your"
Mrs. Br!nkisy's chocolate cake
burned to a crisp while she went on
her errand Of mercy. but she did not
care
She sent Stephen for the doctor
Then she kissed Mary and cried over
her and lsctured her. and ended by
saying. Stephen 10 the very best man
in the whole vide world
oh don't I know it," Mary asked
1T seemed TO ne. Mrs. Brinkley.
that II could only ct back here and
see stephen once more wouldn't
-are " 7 died"
But you are net going to die" said
Mrs Brinkisy briskiy. You're 20
ing to get we'll and marry Stephen"
"Oh. moi" HaSy's face famed
He'll never forgive me. Mrs. Brink
ley"
You get WE'LL said Ars. Brinkley.
and see how quickly. he'll forgive
YOU stephen needs you He's .
lonely man-Ionsiy because OF his love
for you"
In the days that followed stephen
and Mrs Brinkisy and the doctor
fought for MaryS life One morning
Stephen brought her out and Pot her
into the big chair on the hearth.
You'll be perfectly we'll IN . few
days" be said. heartily.
Mary looked st him hstiessiy. ~
then" sne said. = must 20 away.
you are going to marry ne. hs
said. quietly.
She would not shs protested. nos
after the way she had treated him
He urged and argued until At last he
brought Mrs. Brinkiey in to convince
her
Tell her how need her" he said
MARY Dean" said Mrs Brinkisy.
revereiy. are you going to condemn
Stephen Strong to keep house with
a pussy cat for the rest OF his days!'
And then Mary gave in. and Mrs
Brinkley baked the chocolate cake
for their wedding feast.