The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-12-13
CHAPTER vi Continued.

=
Aunty Rose remained, apparently,
as auStere as ever, while Joseph
6tagg was quite as much Immersed In
business as formerly. Yet there were
times, when she and the child were
alone, that Mrs. Kennedy unbent, in a
greater or less degree. And on the
part Of Joseph Stagg, he found himself
thtnking of sunny-haired, blue-eyed
"Hannah's Car'lyn" with increasing
frequency.
Didn't you ever have any little
girls. Aunty Roser Carolyn May ask
ed the housekeeper on one of these in
innate occasions. "Or little boys? I
e of your very own"
YES" said Aunty Rose in a matter
of-fact tone. "Three. But only to
have them in my arms for a very little
while. Each died soon after coming
to me. There was something quite
wrong with them all, sc the doctors
said" tr''".
ooh. my dear! All three Of them?"
sighed Carolyn May.
1.-TWO girls and a boy. Only one
lived to be three months old. They
are all buried behind the church yon-
der"
The next morning early Carolyn
May, with Prince, went yer into the
churchyard and found the three little
stones in q row. She knew they must
be the right ones, for there was q big
ger stone, with the inscription, Frank
Kennedy, beloved spouse of Rose Ken
nedy." upon It.
The names on the three little stones
were Emeline, Frank, Jr., and Clarissa.
Weeds and tall grass had begun to
sprout about the little, lozenge-shaped
stones and about the taller one.
While she was thus engaged, a tall
man in black-looking rather "weedy"
himself, If the truth were told-came
across the graveyard AMI stood beside
her. He wore a broad band Of crepe
around his hat and on his arm, and
was very grave and serious-looking.
"Who are you, little girl?" he asked.
his voice being quite agreeable and
ais tone kindly.
I'm Car'lyn May, If you please"
she replied, looking up at him frankly.
"Car'lyn May StaggT' he asked.
you're Mr.. Stages little girl? I've
heard Of YOU"
"Car'lyn May Cameron" n correct
ed seriously. I'm only staying with
Uncle Joe. He is my guardian, and he
had to take me, Of course, when my
papa and mamma were lost at sea-"
"Indeed?" returned the gentleman.
ado you know who / ann"
FL think" said Carolyn May,
doubtfully, "that you must be the un-
iertaker."
For a moment the gentleman looked
startled. Then he flushed a little, but
his eyes twinkled.
"The undertaken he murmured.
~Do I look like thatT
Excuse me, sir" said Carolyn May.
~I don't really know you, you know.
Maybe you're not the undertaken"
mo, / am not. Though our under
taker. Mr.. Snivvins, Is a very good
man."
"Yes. sir" said the little girl, po-
iitsly.
II ana the pastor here-your pastor,
hope" he said. putting a kind hand
upon her head.
"Oh. / know you now |" said Caro-
Ign May brightly. you're the man
Uncle Joe says IL going to get q stran-
Gle hold on Satan now that vacation
= ever" s>v.
Rev. Alton briggs looked rather odd
again. The shocking frankness of the
child came pretty near to flooring
him. -.
T-ahemi Your uncle compliments
me-" he said df.ly. "You don't know
that he Is ready to do his share. do
Iour
Ills ssArsv' repeated the puzzled
little gin.
toward strangling the Evil One"
Duvsue1i the minister, q WY smile curl
~ the corners OF his lips.
Has hs got a share In It. tool"
aAked Carolyn May.
Il think we all should have" said
NE minister. looking down at her with
RstuEnins kindliness in his glance.
Even little girls nke you"
Carolyn May hooked at him Quite -
sApnsly.
do Jon s'pasa." she ashed him con-
A1sntially, that Satan II really
o1nksd enough ~ trouble httae girisf'
= wss O stastllng bit Of new phiioso-