The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-11-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
MRS. PEBBLES BABY
BY WALTER NIXON wiLL,AMa

Wuibtito anu nONteo, anu beemeo ~
spin around all by itself In mad
dance. and the sparks from the los
lsaped up to Join It.
Janice PEBBLES watched them dream
lily. doaily. II one may use that word
IL was wonderfully cosy irf the old
sitting room. Her favorite low rock-
er WAS drawn up beside the open fire.
and her sisters on the other side.
There were two small low threelesged
stands each covered with a crocheted
mat. and on each mat an open work
basket
On the pink and white rug lay Beau
y. the Maltese cat The warm cur
tains were drawn over the outer
shades Miss Dinora was already
asleep. and the little stout wooden
clock on the mantel gave the time a.
quarter OF nine. very late hours for
Durham Centre.
For q years the two PEBBLES girls.
as they were still called. had
lived on peacefully In the home
stead. on their modest allowance.
and the hum Of the great world
never even reached them They
took the weekly farm Journal
that their father had. and the monthly
magazine their mother had liked besi.
And they bad never had q quarrel or
. falling out" In all that time. They
held firmly to all family traditions.
and each had the greatest respect
for the other because she was PEBBLES.
Yet tonight Janice. the younger one.
felt vaguely lonesome. II was the
night before Thanksgiving. and she
did wish they had some real home
folks Of their own to visit back and
forth. and eat turkey.
Dinora always said they would not
need a turkey. SO they always had .
roast pullet Janice watched her sleep
ing for Q few minutes. and then vent
to the window. and peered cautiously
out There was no snow. only . great
bare windswept waste of land under
the cold moonlight. Several lights
glowed over In the Adams house. She
WAS glad they had that rented at last
II WAS the nearest house and II vas
comforting TO even see light near at
night.
And all at once she ciasped the cur.
tain tightly. listening with all her ears.
II must DO the cat! But no--Bsauty
purred on the rug before her ss1
there were no others. The sound came
again. nd louder. II was . thin vail
on the night wind. and something In
its cry brought all the womanhood Of
Janice up to what she would have
called the lighting mark. She caught
shawl from . hook BY the door. and
went hurriedly out TO the porch entry
whsrs the cry had come from. The
door WAS locked and boltsd. but she
opened Il, and even before Il gave
way abe knew that little hands we're
beating Il feebly.
Well. you poor little bit Of .
thing" exclaimed Janice. bending to
lift her visitor. why. you're Just .
snow bird, I declare"
She brought her In beside the IRE.
and undid the long knit wooleo com
forter that was wound about her head.
crossed on her breast. and tied 30
hind her back. About three she vas.
q very mite Of Q lassie. with tangled
blonde curls. and frightened blue
eyes, full OF tears. and . Quiverfng red
face.
Lost" she kept saying. digging
her knuckles into her eyes. Berries
losted."
mo. you're not, precious" COM
forted Janice. gathering her close TO
her heart. Are you hungry. dearisr"
It appeared she was most half
starved. Janice went out into the cold
buttery. and skinned on some cream
In bowl. then poured on II some botL
ing water from the singing tea kettle.
and found some biscuit TO break up In
Il.
And all at once she heard Dtnora
give . cry Of establishment, sitting
bolt upright and staring at the
picture.
Land Of rest" where did you get her.
Janice?" she asked.
On the doorstep. sister; please
don't be nervous bit She just came
to US. and it's q blessing. too. Where
do you live. Bertier'
Berthe was very busy with her sup
per. but she waved the spoon In =
general fashion. and said she lived
way OF on the train.
DO you suppose for . minute that
she's s-a-foundlingf" Dinora said
thoughtfuliy. I've heard Of such
things. They leave them around on
doorsteps. We ought to notify the So
lectmen."
In 10 minutes Janice's whole scheme
of life had been readjusted. since she
had felt those clingins baby arms
around her neck. She spoke with nrm-
ness and dignity. and Il was the frat
time she had ever disagreed with her
sister.
Il think l shall keep her. Dinora. my
self"
Keep herf You're out Of your mind.
child" Dinora said plscidly. We
couldn't have q child ciuttering up the
place. Where would she sleep. and
who'd tend herf"
Il would" Alphabetically. but dog
sedly she said Il. I'D love to have
her and bring her up properly. TOO.