Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-01

SoUATTING," SHE WHISPERED.
through the gate. "And-your mother:'''
Mothers dead too
oh! Then you're mother and father
and everything: eh?'
Il try to be-"
Il think you succeed. judging from
your-nice little home"
1T isn't mine, really. People call US
squatters. 1t isn't a nice name. but !
don't care, so long as l can stay until l
raise my family. 1t belongs to Mr. Bur-
ton. He's had trouble, death or some
thing, and stays away. l don't think he
really knows what trouble is.
He should have family to raise. with
no place to raise it in. and nothing to
raise it on, and-oh. well. never mind.
stays away for ages. We couldn't be
squatters If he came back"
The nice gentleman stayed quite a
while. Before he left he knew all about
the committee and why she had become Il
squatter. AS he walked up the road she
looked after him and hoped she would
see him again.
She did, the very next day. And she
heard news which put the first cloud on
her face that had been there since her
old gentleman was Mr.. Burton. And she
had told him he didn't know what trouble
was, and the dear knows what not about
keeping his cottage. Her cheeks burned.
was one thing she could do and must do.
She Immediately equipped herself for the
doing by visiting the bank.
Half an hour later she stood before
so bills on the table at which he sat.
Please" she said, quickly, there's the
rent for the last four months. I was
told $40 a month was fair rent. If it's
FIT seeu VIII sSe esdsa With
She was frightened. for Mr.. Burton had
switched away from her. and she felt
he was angry. She waited a moment.
Il didn't mean any harm-squatting,
she whispered.
Mr.. Burton got up quickly, dropping
his hands on her shoulders I'VE won't
talk business now. little girl" he said.
I'm coming to meet your family pres
emily; then we'll see."
He came that evening, but there was
nothing said about the rent of the cot
tage. and when he left she found the
$40 in her workbasket. In the days which
followed when he had them either up at
his home or out in his automobile she
could not bring him to talk business. She
thought him the kindest man in the
world, and they were all so very, very
happy.
committee called and told her the time
had come for her to leave the cottage;
proper care must be given the children.
Mr.. Burton had been consulted, and
lHouSHI 50, 100. one was TO come to the
mayors Office that afternoon.
When she entered it her eyes turned
wistfully to Mr.. Burton. She went to
him and whispered: I've taken care OF
your cottage and we're SO happy! Won't
you please tell them to let us stay?"
He smiled at her kindly. I'm afraid
not little Kitty" he answered, and she
turned away hopelessly. Then Mr. Bur
ton began to talk. At first she listened
DULY. but shortly with eager. joyous
eyes. MIR. Mayor" he began. Il agree
with you that Kitty has too heavy a
burden for young shoulders. 1 feel it
should be transferred to broader ones,
and so You all remember the little
girl lost in the same week with INV
wife. Ladies and gentlemen. I want to
say now that had she lived and had half
the pluck. the honesty, the nobility of
your little squatter. Kitty. I'd be the
proudest man on earth. And so. it's
not only in memory of the little girl who
left me, but for Kitty's own brave little
self. that want to adopt her and her
family. l hope. Mr.. Mayor, Won will
have the papers drawn up at once"
CTHE END.)