The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1915-10-07

Grant and guard my garden"
And so faithfully did Tim perform
this task that Mollie was called hastily
one day by Nora to bandage an offend
ing brothers head upon which Tim
had used his one weapon of correction
the crutch.
Mollie watched each morning with
eyes which tried to be sternly disap-
proving as the master of the lawless
household entered his waiting car. 1t
was difficult to frown continually upon
one so gayly happy.
And the mans own brow would wr1n-
kle perplexedly at the girls forbidding
salute in return to his friendly Good
morning."
Mollie wondered If the suffering wife
in the hospital had no influence at all
over those cruel blows. She heard him
call to the boys quite savagely one
evening. "You stop that" Selling upon
the first excuse for Intervention at
hand. she picked up tray of Nora's
freshly baked cookies and ran to the
garden wall. Here, boys" she called
over its top. 1--WE something for you"
In an eager medley they came ana,
when they had been rewarded. as
swiftly departed.
Mollie found herself looking directly
into the mSp's smiling eyes. "You are
very good 10 my boys" he said. Mol
lie hesitated. in anxiety to say the
right word.
Zone can do so much more, she re-
marked, "by kindness-tha by-force."
81 agree with YOU" The mans tone
was hearty. And" continued Mollie.
little Tim was. no doubt. too frail for
much schooling, but-he has such an
apt mind-if he had but-half a chance
now" Her voice reproved his neglect.
but the man was most amenable. II
know" he said. 81 intend to see that
Tim hasa good education"
Mollie turned slowly away-again
that helpless feeling of defeat. "His
mother" she asked perfunctorily-"is
she doing well?"
every well. they tell me-" the man
replied. He sought to detain her as
she went up the path. I'm going to
take Tim in to see his mother tOmOr-
row." he told her. So. in strange con-
tradiction Of emotions, Mollie gathered
her choicest flowers, and when upon
the morrow the shining automobile
waited before the next house door she
went forth in her white ruffled frock
to place the roses in Tins thin arms.
"You will give them to your moth
err" she said. 1t was hard to recon
cile this tender father who settled Tim.
the little cripple, so carefully among
his cushions with that unspeakable ia
Their whose cruelty had SCARED the
same small body.
In the evening the man came back
alone. Il had to leave Tim there In
the hospital" he explained. 'Tt seems
he was not as well as they. at first
thought. The broken limb has not
mended as it should, and it has to be
forcibly broken again. He wants you.
He says he can bear it better if you are
there, holding his hand" The mans
voice broke off .huskily. and Mollie
raised pale face.
81 shall be ready to go with you In
the morning" she said. So as they
entered the hospital room the boy look
ed up with his own cheerful grin. II
knew you'd come" he told Mollie.
You're a good sport
The girl laughed shakily as she press
ed her tear wet face to his. You must
show me now" she said. what good
sport you can be"
Sure" Tim answered bravely.
When it was all over Mollie turned to
find the mans eyes fixed upon her In
q sort of worshipful alteration. Warm
ly he grasped her trembling hand.
"You are one of Gods angels" he
said softly.
So across the still m0ti0nless body
Of the little lad they gazed wonderingly
into each others face as at the birth
of some new joy.
"Say," murmured Tins weakly re-
turning voice. don't let them keep me
here. Make him take me back to the
country. You-make him. His en-
treating eyes were on Mollie. Hell
do whatever you say. He's dead stuck
on YOU"
Mollie turned about breathlessly.
"Oh," she cried. "he doesn't know what
he is saying. He is quite out OF his
mind" But the man regarded her
quietly.
.Tim does know" he replied, lust
what he is talking about" Then as
Mollie stood staring speechlessly the
boy again spoke. "He is good" said
Tim-.most as good as you are.
Doesn't he come down to the hospitals
where homeless kids are getting better
of different things. and doesn't he pick
out a bunch of 'em and carry them out
to his get well house?' You come
along he says to me. and Ill fatten
You up in the country and my mother
didn't care where was. and my dad
had broken my leg"
"Your father?' breathed the girl in
credulously. Little Tim nodded.
.eThrew me downstairs" he explained
succinctly. "Oh." cried Mollie remorse-