Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1913-12-11
......'.-I,.,.,...-.,.-.-....v, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES !, !
MRS. PEBBLES BABY

whstled and howled, and seemed to
spin around all by itself In mad
dance, and the sparks from the log
leaped up to join 1t.
Janice PEBBLES watched them dream
lily, dolly, II one may use that WORD
1t was wonderfully cosy In the old
sitting room. Her favorite low rock
er was drawn up beside the open fire.
and her sisters on the other side.
There We're two small low three-legged
stands each covered with crocheted
mat, and on each mat an open work
basket.
On the pink and white rug lay Beau
ty, 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 as
quarter Of nine. very late hours for
Durham Centre.
For 27 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 best.
And they had never had 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. 1t 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 turkey, so they always had
roast pullet. Janice watched her sleep
ing for few minutes. and then went
to the window, and peered cautiously
out. There was no snow, only great
bare windswept waste Of land under
the cold moonlight. Several lights
6lo" GU ONCi III IiC <tualho houoS' ohS
was glad they had that rented at last.
1t was the nearest house and it was
comforting to even see a light near at
night.
And all at once she clasped the cur
tain tightly, listening with all her ears.
1t must be the cat But no-Beauty
purred on the rug before her and
there were 70 others. The sound came
again, Ind louder. 1t was thin wall
on the night wind, and something in
its cry brought all the womanhood of
Janice up to what she would have
called the fighting mark. She caught
"a shawl from hook by the door, and
went hurriedly out to the porch entry
where the cry had come from. The
door was locked and bolted, but she
opened it, and even before 1t gave
way she knew that little hands were
beating it feebly.
Well you poor little bit of
thing" exclaimed Janice, bending to
lift her visitor. why, you're just
snow bird, declare"
She brought her in beside the fire,
and undid the long knit wooden COM
forter that was wound about her head.
crossed on her breast, and tied be-
hind her back. About three she was,
a very mite of lassie, with tangled
blonde curls, and frightened blue
eyes, full of tears, and quivering red
face.
Lost she kept saying, digging
her knuckles into her eyes. "Bertie's
losted."
mo. you're not, precious COM
forted Janice, gathering her close to
her heart. Are you hungry, dearie?"
1t appeared she was most half
starved. Janice went out into the cold
buttery. and SKINNED off some cream
in bowl, then poured on 1t some boil.
ing water from the singing tea kettle,
and found some biscuit to break up in
1t.
And all at once she heard Dinora
give cry of astonishment, 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 blessing, too. Where
do you live, Bertie?"
Bertie was very busy with her sup
per, but she waved the spoon In
general fashion, and said she lived
way off on the train.
DO you suppose for minute that
she's a-a-foundling? Dinora said
thoughtfully. I've heard Of such
things. They leave them around on
doorsteps We ought to notify the se-
lectmen."
In 10 minutes Janices whole scheme
of life had been readjusted, since she
had felt those clinging baby arms
around her neck. She spoke with firm
ness and dignity, and it was the first
time she had ever disagreed with her
sister.
Il think shall keep her, Dinora, my
self"
Keep her? You're out of your mind,
child" Dinora said placidly. I'VE
couldn't have a child cluttering up the
place. Where would she sleep, and
who'd tend herr"
Il would" Apologetically, but dog
gedly she said it. I'D love to have
her and bring her up properly, too.
She's such little dear, Dinora."
She's a slightly child, I'll admit"
Dinora put her glasses on to take a
better look. But her staying here
Is out of the question. You don't mean