Evening star., 1915-04-04

oOlOSH voice
FASTER morning dawned with all the
soft brilliance of the springtime in
April. The children were up early; but no
earlier than Kenneth, who had an invitation
OF SIX weeks standing to come and help find
the Easter eggs cunningly hidden in remote
places, the mysterious woolly rabbits that
hhopped h at the end Of string and the yellow
fuffs of toy chickens that nested where
chickens never before nested The shril,
sweet voices of the children ushered in the
glow of the morning, Hubert's gay laughter,
and kenneth's gayer still. He had been
quiet and sad boy when he first came into
that garden. Now he was the merriest
youngster imaginable.
Presently Elizabeth stepped out on the
balcony and called to Kenneth. The boy
came limpng into the library, bringing with
him little pot of Easter lilies, bought with
his scanty pennies.
"1t's for you,' he said bashfully to Eliza
beth-he was not much experienced in
making presents.
"'Thank YOU replied Elizabeth, taking
the pot Of lilies, and putting it on the
mantel Then, taking the boys hand, she
said to him quietly, Kenneth, your father
and know all about you now"
The boys face grew ashy pale, and his eyes,
darkly beautiful, were wide and frightened.
"Why,' asked Elizabeth, "did you keep
it from us, after your Aunt Edith went away,
and told you to tell us9"
Because answered the boy, trembling
and brokenly, II was afraid you didn't want
me. There are so many children already
here--and am lame. And l never meant
to tell anybody; but when Esther-lny little
sister-was ill-oh, l was SO frightened! l
almost told you!'
Elizabeth raco11ej tho c+ro,ro o,,d t-a,,,,,
lous distress Kenneth had shown at that
time: "Did you think she asked, still
gently, "that we would not be kind to you?"
"No, no, no!' cried Kenneth. at was be-
cause you were SO kind. Pm only a boy, and
l can't explain things; but-but-you can
understands
Elizabeth understood well enough-so
well that she remembered the boy had re-
mained cold and hungry and alone for many
weeks, after he knew that he might have
abundant warmth and food and place in
the family nest, safe and warm. She said
something of this to Kenneth, and the boy
he said, he was only boy.
ut was cold, he sobbed, clnging to Eliza
beth, "and often hadn't enough to eat, and
at night it was so awfully quiet and 50
lonely! But wasn't in anybody's way
kept on saying that to myself when it was
so cold couldn't 60 to Sleep
",That is all over now,' said Elizabeth,
taking Kenneth's hand. "Come with me
your father is waiting for you.'
Still holding the boys hand she led him
to the door of Mowbray's private study,
little room from which all were excluded
except Elizabeth. Mowbray, as pale as
Kenneth, opened the door,
"Here is our boy,' said Elizabeth, with
heavenly smile to Mowbray, and, softly clos
ing the door, she left father and son together.
THEN, going into the garden she called
the children round her, and told them
briefly what was necessary they should
know of Kenneth and his history.
Hubert shouted, "Do you mean, Mother,
that Kenneth isgoing toll livehere Hullygee!'
Little Esther, who listened as if she un-
derstood everything, caught sight of Ken
meth sitting gat the open window of Mowbray's
study, talking earnestly with his father.
"rhere's my Kenny!' she cried. trotting
along the graveled path toward the window.
For the first time Mowbray's study was
ruthlessly invaded. Hubert dashed across
the flower beds and swung himself into the
window; Christine and Sophy ran pell1nell
into the house; while Esther, seeing her.
self outdistanced, sent up wall for "my
Kenny Harold, the thoughtful, held Esther
up to the window. Kenneth caught the little
one to his breast.