The Clio messenger., 1918-10-11

Aunty Rose remained, apparently,
as austere as ever, while Joseph
Stagg 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
thinking Of sunny-haired, blue-eyed
"Hannah's Car'lyn" with increasing
frequency.
"Didn't you ever have any little
girls, Aunty Rose?" Carolyn May ask
ed the housekeeper on one of these in
innate occasions. "Or little boys?
mean of your very own"
"Yes," said Aunty Rose in matter
Of-fact tone. "Three. But only to
have them In my arms for very little
while. Each died soon after coming
to me. There was something quite
wrong with them all, so the doctors
said"
"Oh, my dear! All three of then? 2"
sighed Carolyn May.
"Two girls and a boy. Only one
are all buried behind the church yon-
der"
The next morning early Carolyn
May, with Prince, went over into the
churchyard and found the three little
stones in row. She knew they must
be the right ones, for there was big
ger stone, with the inscription, "Frank
ndxy hnl nf
nedy." upon 1t.
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. tall
man in black-looking rather 'weedy"
himself, IL the truth were told-came
across the graveyard anl stood beside
her. He wore 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
his tone kindly.
I'm Car'lyn May, If you please"
she replied, looking up Mt him frankly.
"Carlyn May Stagg" he asked.
you're Mr.. Stages little girl? I've
heard Of you"
"Car'lyn May Cameron" she correct
ed seriously. "Tm 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.
''Do you know who I ann"
T-I think" said Carolyn May,
doubtfully. "that you must be the un-
dertaker."
For a moment the gentleman looked
startled. Then he flushed little, but
his eyes twinkled.
"The undertakerY he murmured.
1'Do look like that?"
Excuse me, sir" said Carolyn May.
81 don't really know you, you know.
Maybe you're not the undertaken"
"No, 1 am not. Though our under
taker, Mr.. Snivvins, Is a very good
man."
"Yes. SIR" said the little girl, po-
litely.
II am the pastor here-your pastor,
hope" he said. putting kind hand
upon her head.
"Oh, know you nowl" said Caro-
lyn May brightly. you're the man
Uncle Joe says Is going to get stran-
gle hold on Satan now that vacation
is over"
Rev. Alton briggs looked rather odd
again. The shocking frankness Of the
child came pretty near to flooring
him.
"I-ahemi Your uncle compliments
me-" he said drily. "You don't know
that he Is ready to do his share, do
your"
"His shareT repeated the puzzled
little girl.
Toward strangling the Evil One,"
pursued the minister, wry smile curl
ing the corners Of has lips.
HAS he got a share In 1t, tooT
asked Carolyn May.
II think we all should have" said
the minister, looking down at her with
returning kindness In his glance.
''Even little girls like you"
Carolyn May looked at him quite Sc
riously.
"Do you s'pose," she asked him con-
fidentially, "that Satan is really
wicked enough to trouble little girls7"
1t was startling bit Of new philoso-