Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1920-10-14
LITTLE MOTHER
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,.

W. AF-V' ny AVSiule NeNhpap'I 0Shu'SAN'''
The old-fashioned clock chimed G.
AS If II were signal, the Winsome
Lady opened the door, and peered
down the dusky hall, her eyes filed
with welcome for the little figure
hastily approaching.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came" whls'
pered the Winsome Lady. drawing the
tiny figure within the room and clos
ing the door.
The fraIl hands caressingly stroked
the brown hnir. For a moment there
was silence, then the Littlest Mother
spoke:
You are dear girl, Ruth, and
love you, I'm sorry you're going. But
it's better, as you weren't made for
settlement work, Are you going to
marry the Doctor Many
The girl raised her head quickly.
Marry him?" she scoffed. I'D sooner
dleV"
You say things so beautifully But
talk TO me-" begged the Wins0me Lady
as she resumed her former position.
~ think you need love story. 1t
sometimes proves cure for certain
sickness. I'll tell you my own love
story"
"Yoursw smiled the girl, her brown
eyes filled with tender light.
ut was long ago" began the lit
TEST Mother, bending her white head,
when / was Il girl. | lived In Ire
land, by the sea. l loved and was
loved by Tammas Wynne. One lovely
moonlight night us we stroled hand
IN hand up the side of a woodland hill,
I told Tammus that l was sure there
we're fairies about"
'Fairles-llttle men!" Knocked he,
There are no such things >"
I'VE beard peal OF shriIl laughter,
but could see no one. Then Tammas
turned boyishly to me and said: Wait
for me, Ellen, wait for me" With
this he was gone. waited for n long
time and then, being chldishly afraid,
went after him." Here the speakers
voice broke, but she continued gravcly
is if grown weary with the telling
At the top of the hill l found Tam
mas-dead. Dead, with smile on his
face, and In his hands-a tiny silver
uutton The fairies had punished him
and left their sign"
The girls eyes were luminous with
unShed tears. But you don't believe
that-do you?" queried the girl as they
both arose.
"Of course! Everyone believed 1t!
But it's children I've always wanted
At night ! dream of them, with their
little hands that they hold out to me,
went to night school for long years
to be teacher; but | came here
out of pity. think today is my birth
day, and I've saved enough to buy
ticket to Ireland. | don't feel like
cleaning-in fact don't feel very well
=" She hesitated as the door opened
and revealed the handsome. debonair
doctor.
Il heard the story" he announced,
flushing, land Ruth, forgive me! I'm
not in the service, because l belong to
the secret service.
"Oh, my dear" and the girl kissed
him. why didn't you tell me?
thought you were a slacker!"
And the Littlest Mother, being
worldly wise, slipped quietly out, into
the crowded street.
Suddenly she heard her name called
She turned and confronted big Irish
policeman known as Tim Reilly. BY
the arm he held a girl with painted
lips and wide, frightened eyes.
In his rich brogue he narrated to
the tiny lady, how the slick un,' as
the girl was famed, had been caught
stealing again.
AN it's me as will give 'er her
doos," he grinned.
Let me whisper in your ear Tim"
commanded the Littlest Mother, as II
she did not mind the curious throng.
"Sure an l WILL" shouted Tim
Strengthening up; we air saint. Take
her if We can find good in the lolkeS
OF her"
The wee lady's eyes twinkled like
stars as she drew the girl into a door
way, while Tim dispersed the crowd
Take this" she said, giving the girl
n roll of bills, land try to be better
girl"
The girl looked shrewdiy after the
disappearing figure. "God-wha, a
foolw she sneered, and fled.
The Littlest Mother reached her
cherries room at last, and sank wear
lily down IN n chair facing the distant
sunset,
Below the window stood n wanderer,
his violin tucked lovingly beneath his
chin. Seeing the weary figure he start
ed to play a haunting melody.
The weary look fled, and the Littlcst
Mother CHANGING to raise her eyes,
gave n cry Of rapture. For there, hung
on the faded wall, was a picture of
tbn NJoI,npo and rhu1-lbn birtb5u,-