Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-03
Mother, this is Mr.. Graham" said

hand under your pack so, ana now
this hand here. Now, If you'll put
your. arms around my neck-yes, h a
way-no, don't be q bit afraid. I'm
perfectly strong, and I won't drop
you.",. ~, ..$...
Little Mrs. HOLSTER cast q fright
ened look at her daughter and another
at the fine, strong face bent above her,
felt herself lifted like 'thistle-down
before She had had time to protest,
and found herself obediently putting
her weak arms around his neck and
resting her frightened head against a
strong shoulder. A second more, and
she was lying on the sofa cushions of
the car and the young man was piling
pillows about her and tucking her up
with soft, furry robes.
Are you. perfectly comfortable?"
he asked %anxiously. II didn't strain
your. back or tire you, did II"
"Oh, no, indeed!" said the be-
and 1 hardly knew what you were do
ing till l was here. 1 never dreamed
of anything like this. Shirley didn't
tell me about it," -
NO." said the young man, smiling,
'she said she wanted to surprise you;
and I'believe she thought you might
worry a little If you heard the details
Of the journey. Now, kitten, are you
ready to get in?" He turned a smil-
ing face to Doris, who stood solemnly
waiting her turn, with an expression
of one who at last sees the gates of
the kingdom of heaven opening be-
fore her happy eyes :
"Soor!" said Doris in a tone as like
Harley's as possible. She lifted one
little shabby shoe. and tried to reach
the step, but failed, and then sur
rendered her trusting hands to the
young man; and he lifted her in be-
side her mother.
"'Sit there, kitten, till your sister
comes out" he said, looking at her
flower face a~dmiringly.
Doris giggled.
II amt a kitty" she declared; Use
a little gurrul!"
well, little girl. do you like to go
riding?">
said Doris. ooh! There goes
muvver's bed!" as the drayman came
out carrying the ~headboard.
Shirley meanwhile was working
rapidly, putting the last things from
her mothers bed into the box, tossing
things into the empty clothes-basket
that had been. left for this purpose,
and directing the man who was TAX
ing dow the bed and carrying out the
boxes and baskets. At last all the
things were out Of the house. and she
was free to go. She turned for one
swift moment. and caught a sob in
her throat. There had not been time
for it before. 1t had come when she
saw the young man stoop and lift her
mother 81 tenderly and bear her out
to the car. .
But the children were calling her
I~,,II,p - 5000 CA>
dab at her yes with her handkerchief
to make SUR no tears had escaped,
and went out of the little brick house
forever.
A middle seat. had been turned
down for Carol and Doris was in her
lap. Graham turned the other middle
seat down for Shirley; the boys piled
into the front seat with him; and
they were off. Mrs. HOLSTER in her
wonder over it all completely forgot
to look back into what she had been
! wont to call in the sitting days of
summer her "frying-pan," OF to won
der whether she were about to jump
into the fire. She Just lay back on her
soft cushions, softer than any she had
ever rested upon before, and felt
herself glide along away from the
hated little. dark house forever! It
was a wonderful experience. 1t al
most seemed as if a chariot of fire
had swooped down M gathered all
her little flock with her, and was
carrying them to some kind of
be found at last. A bit of hope
sprang up within her, utterly unpre-
meditated and unreasonable, and per-
sisted SO that she could not help
feeling happy. AS yet it had not come
to her to wonder who this handsome
young man was that presumed to lift
her and carry her like a baby, and
move her on beds of down to utterly
unknown regions. She was too much
taken up with the wonder of it all.
If Doris hadn't been prattling, asking
questions Of her, and the light breeze
hadn't tapped a lock of hair into her
eyes and tickled her nose, she might
have thought she was dreaming, SO
utterly unreal did it all seem to her.
And now they passed out from the
narrow streets. through crowded
thoroughfares for a brief space, then
out beyond and free, into the wider
reaches. Fair houses and glimpses of
green were appearing. The car was
invalid not going at high speed; and
she could see on every side. The
trees were in full leaf; the sky was
large and blue; the air was filed with
freshness. She drew a long breath:
and closed her Eyes to pray, "Oh, my
Father!" n then opened them again
to see whether 1t was all true. Shirley
sensitive for her to the slightest
breath, turned and drew the robes
closer about her mother, and asked
whether h were perfectly warm and
whether she wanted another pillow
under her head.
Graham did not intrude himself
upon the family behind him. He was
absorbed in the two boys, who were
entirely willing to be monopolized
He told them all about the car, and
discoursed on the mysteries Of the