The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-01-09
CHAPTER VI Continued.

y
Aunty Rose remained, apparently,
ms 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 Stage, he found himself
thinking OF sunny-haired. blue-eyed
"Hannah's Car1yn" with increasing
frequency.
Didn't you ever have any little
girls, Aunty Rosef" Carolyn May ask
ed the housekeeper or IA OF these in
innate occasions. "Or little boysl 1
mean 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. 80 the doctors
said"
"oh. my dearl ALI three Of themf"
sighed Carolyn May.
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 over into the
churchyard and found the three little
stones In a row. She knew they must
be the right ones, for there was n big
ger stone, with the inscription, Frank
Kennedy, beloved spouse of Rose Ken
nedy." upon 1t.
The m on the three little stones
were Emeline. Frank. Jr., and Ciarissa.
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. II the truth were toId-came
across The graveyard AMI stood beside
her. He wore n broad band OF crepe
around his hat and on his arm. and
was very grave and serious-looking.
"Who are you. little girif" he asked.
his voice being quite agreeable and
his tone kindly.
I'm Car'1yn May. II you please"
she replied. looking up at him frankly.
"Car'lyn May S;aggf' he asked.
you're Mr.. Stages little girlf 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 m tuEn rno ne eArra xphan vru
papa and were lost at sea-"
..indeedf' returned the gentleman.
'Do You know who I ann"
IL think" said Carolyn May.
doubtfully. shat you must be the IN
iertaker."
For a moment the gentleman looked
sstartled. Then he flushed n little. but
bis eyes twinkled.
THE undertakerf' he murmured.
"Do l look like thatf~
Excuse me. sir" said Carolyn May.
81 don't really know you, you know.
Maybe you're not the undertaken"
No, l am not. Though our under
taker. Mr.. Snivvins. II = very good
man."
Yes. sir" said the little girl. POI
iltely.
Il am the pastor here-your pastor,
] hope" he said. putting a kind hand
upon her head.
"Oh. i know you now I" said Caro-
lyn May brightly. You're the man
Uncle Joe says Is going to get a stran-
gle hold on Satan 0 that vacation
II over"
Rev. Alton briggs looked rather odd
again. The shocking frankness OF the
child came pretty near to flooring
him.
"I--aheml Your uncle compliments
me-" he said drily. @You don't know
that he IL ready to do his share. do
your
His sharer" repeated thu puzzled
little girl.
Toward strangling the EVIL One,"1
pursued the minister. q wry smile curl
ing the corners of his lips.
"Has he got . share In II. toor'
asked Carolyn May.
II think we all should have" said
the minister. looking down at her with
returning nidiassss S:sSSs. !
-Eveu little girls like you.
Carolyn May looked Ut him quite se-
-Do you s'pose.~ she asked him con-
ndenfially. shat Satan Is really
'<eked enough y trouble little sirls1'
nasrswneura~