The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-06-26
>>>e>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>s>s>>%<s~>.s>>~
M'DONALD'S DISCOVERY
BY leila M. WALTERS.

rejecting upon the housekeeper.
Most women would have resented it,
but this timid little widow was so
anxious to get the boarder who would
pay in advance that she answered his
questions meekly.
And now, madam, are there any
children in the house?" he concluded.
The little widow hesitated for an
instant and then said: mo, sir
Il think, then, I'll take the room.
The next day he moved into the
room. He found the first week that
the breakfasts were going to suit, and
the widow, instead of being talkative
and inquisitive, was very quiet.
After the first few weeks of salts
faction and self-congratulation he be-
gan to notice little Mrs Burt. She
was good to look upon and well worth
any mans notice.
Coming home one day he saw two
children playing under tree in Mrs.
Burt's garden. He thought they must
be trespassers for, when he opened
the gate, the boy started up with
look of terror and seized the wee sis
ter by the hand.
Hello, youngsters" said Melon
aid, stopping to pat the baby's curls.
Hello, said the boy.
Does Mrs. Burt let you play here?'
he questioned, for the lad seemed anx-
ious to be gone.
Yes, sir, but | must go now" was
the answer, and they hurried away
The next day he saw the same chill
dren as he was coming through the
little park on his way home. He sat
down on a bench beside them. and put
forth all his arts of entertainment
to interest them. The boy was a
manly little fellow of six, who took
care of the three-year-old baby in
responsible manner When the chill
dren started home he walked with
them. When he turned in the garden
gate the boy led the little one on, but
she hung back, saying positively: ISIS
is where I live She was sobbing
dolefully when the brother finally per-
suaded her to go on.
Mcdonald was puzzled. He sat
down on garden seat to think it out.
He had not asked the children their
names or where they lived Undoubt-
eddy they knew Mrs. Burt. perhaps
were related, and in the habit of com
ing often. But why, then, had he
not seen them in the six weeks he
had been there? He suddenly remem-
bered his abrupt question on the day
he had taken the rooms. Could it
be that she thought he hated all chill
dren?
His reflections were interrupted by
a whisper behind him. Looking
around he saw the two children com
ing down the walk When they saw
him the little lad stopped and looked
as if he were about to run away
Mcdonald arose and, taking child in
each hand, led them to the door
Mrs. Burt met them at the door
She was very pale and her hands
were trembling. but she held up her
head and looked straight in his eyes
Who are these Children
They are mine
Good heavens Where have they
been all this time?"
They've stayed upstairs when you
were in the house Oh | know what
you must think of me for deceiving
you this way And | haven't had a
peaceful moment since did it. But
knew when you asked me that you
L.. : ~,
children here. Taxes were due, and
| needed the money so badly. | knew
you would pay and | couldn't bear to
see you go You see the children are
very quiet. Their father-wasn't
very fond of children, either, and
they had to learn to be quiet and
not bother him
Mcdonald recalled something he
had heard about brutal husband and
father, and stood aghast to think he
had been put in the same class. Mrs.
Burt was awaiting his verdict, and
the children We're looking on with
scared faces. Without a word he led
the two little ones into his room,
The mother waiting outside heard
loud shouts of glee. In about half an
hour the children burst into the kitch-
en-. still laughing merrily.
oh, mamma shouted the boy,
the man gave me a quarter, and told
me to go up to the store and buy ice
cream for baby and me"
When they were gone Mcdonald
came out where Mrs Burt was still
waiting.
They never made such a noise be
fore she said
No? Well, then it's time they
learned how. Think of those little
things cooped up for six weeks and
never daring to cheep when / was in
the house. 1t makes me feel like an
assassin. l told them to yell as loud
as they could
"Oh-h!" said Mrs. Burt, and then
for some reason she dropped her eyes
and blushed
Then Mr. Mcdonald, who had been
in some doubt before, smiled with
great satisfaction.
Yes" he said, Just that I'm sure
/ m needed to help bring up those chill
dren. And you need someone to take
care of you, and | want some enc TO
take care Of Can you trust me so
much, little woman"
Il don't deserve anything so lovely,
when | have been so wicked" she
whispered, but she was not permitted
to finish that speech.
Copyright by Daily Story Pub. Coz
Man in the Case, Probably.
Alice-"I think Kitty's new hat is
simply a fright" Marie-"Isn't it. |