The Ely miner., 1915-12-31

him. A rustic sounded beside her
and she started. afraid to look about.
for fear lest she disturb the vision
that had risen so clearly before her.
Slowly she turned, looking into q
child's inquiring eyes, the eyes of the
baby her husband had held that day.
Don't be afraid, lady," Billie said
encouragingly. II won't hurt you"
A little laugh, half hysterical,
sprang from her lips at the infantile
assurance. Then, in the relief of the
moment, impulsively she reached out
and grasped the friendly arms of the
child that were extended toward her,
v.
"No, I won't hurt you. I'm not a
burglar. '1'm Billie" the youngster as
serted when he had been sufficiently
welcomed.
81 know" she nodded brightly.
"You just came to pay me a call. didn't
you"
Billie frowned, cogitating deeply.
"No-o, not 'zactly that. Mamma
went to sleep and I just came here.
I come to play with the boy. Where
is the boy?" he started suddenly erect
in her arms, looking about eagerly.
what boy, Billie?" She knew in
advance what the answer would be,
yet could not refrain from barring her
soul to the hurt.
why, the boy-your boy-the boy
what belongs here"
But there is no boy here" She
wondered at herself, purposely letting
the lash Of this innocent child's
tongue thus scourge her.
mo boy! Why, thought there
was a boy in every house-just like
home. I'm the boy in our home"
Some quick instinct caused him to
reach out and clasp his arms about
her neck, the neck of this beautiful
creature whose eyes were so sad and
longing. "Did he get losted?" he
whispered sympathetically.
"No-o, Billie. Yes she suddenly
smiled through the tears that sprang
- her eyes. Eyes he got lost little
5i,. He just wandered on the way.
Don't you understand, Billie?"
Like mamma will think I got lost
ed when amt losted at all. knows
where am"
Together they laughed delightedly
at the merry joke they played, this
grownup and this child.
why, lady, you're crying! What
you crying for?" Billie tugged a bit
tighter at her neck, roughing her
perfectly coiffured hair in his gusty
sympathy. "Ain't you happy, LADY,"
That's why I'm crying, Billie-rm
so happy" she murmured.
With a sigh of contentment at this
somewhat hazy explanation, Billie
curled up In her lap like the healthy
little animal he was and proceeded to
go to sleep.
Tenderly, an hour later, with light
in her eyes which no one had ever
seen there before, she relinquished
her precious burden to the mother,
smilingly pleading forgiveness for the
sleeping truant And then she turned
to meet her husband. just stepping
from the car.
Linking her arm In his. she led him
to the library, designedly selecting the
same chair to seat him In which he,
on another day, had seated her; de-
signedly perching upon the arm. toy
ing with his hair while she struggled
for words, words that were the harder
to utter because of the cold, puzzled
look he gave her.
I'm sorry, Jim," she whispered,
finally. 'It hasn't been home, has it?"
He did not answer, staring moodily
into the leaping flames.
Rita followed the direction Of his
eyes. It had all seemed SO easy when
Billie was in her lap, the breaking
down Of her barriers, the complete
surrender that she might reconquer
this mans love and cling To it tighter,