Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-12-16
CHAPTER l.
"Tony"-For Short,

brought from the South the red;breast-
ed robins and thousands of other birds
to build their homes in the Forest
city, as Ithaca, N. Y, is we'll called,
for to the south. the east, the west,
and even to the north where the lake
cut sharply around corner, broad
forests stretched their lengths and
heights of leaf and bough on minia-
ture mountains.
One evening on the western side Of
the railroad tracks. girl stood before
a small building over which, like ropes
of green, draped the branches of
weeping willow tree. This building
was different from any Of the other
habitations near 1t in that It was we'll
painted, and the door stood open all
day.
Twas q strange little girl that
gazed up with searching eagerness at
the two lighted signs that had arrest
ed her attention. In her arms she
held diminutive guinea pig. and the
way she Rugged 1t close demonstrated
her love for it.
THE SALVATION ARMY" she
spelled out and thoughtfully consid-
cred 1t.
Everybody is welcome here" she
read slowly. That meant that anyone
could enter If he wanted to, she de-
cided. and as Tonnibel Devon did
want to go in. she softly tiptoed up
the steps and peeped into the room.
AS there was nobody in sight. she
sidled in and looked about.
"Welcome" was curved in letters of
red above a table, and the silent young
stranger sighed. She couldn't under.
stand how girl could be really well
come anywhere. OF course her moth
er liked her and missed her when she
was away. but Tony knew of no other
place where she was really wanted
hut the canal boat, called Mary and
Dirty Mary for short. which had been
her home ever since she could re-
member.
"Glory be to God in the highest"
swung In letters Of gold across the
right wall. and to the left, "Stand Still
and See the Salvation of the Lore" "
Kent her attention little longer. She
didn't know what they meant, but the
varied colors shining brilliant in the
bright light Gained her turbulent
spirit and made her happy. She
Rugged the pig closer. bent her head
and kissed the top Of its ear.
II guess we're in church. Gussie."
she said aloud. "and you mustn't grunt
or squeal like you do on the Dirty
Mary. It's awful nice and quiet, amt
It. honey?"
"Were you speaking to met" said q
voice from near the door.
Tonnibel Devon struggled to her
feet. turned around and saw young
man looking at her. flame Of red
rushed over the tanned skin, but be.
cause he was smiling and kindly. she
smiled back. dimple coming to life
at each corner of her mouth.
'Nope." she flung out in confusion
II was taikin' to Gussie-Piglet here
Mebbe her and me hadn't ought to be
here. You can kick US out If you
want to-"
Philip MacCauley, the captain Of
the Salvation army in Ithaca. bowed
and then he laughed.
'fCvery one Is welcome here" he
quoted. coming forward. "Where'd
you come FRONT I've never seen yor
before"
"rm staying up Hoghole way" re
piled Tony. VI amt been arount
ithaca long. This is an awful nict
room, amt It. huhf'
Eyes, very. We like It." replied tn,
young man. "Sit down; don't be In {
hurry. ! want to talk to you.''
Tonnibel did sit down but not yer!
comfortably. She was embarrassed Il
the presence Of this handsome youni
stranger. abashed in the glamor Of hi
uniform, and all the beauty Of him.
With boyish admiration he was con
templatlng the sparkle Of her gra!
eyes. shaded by long lashes as ebon.
black as her hair which hung in ring
let's to her waist. He decided tina
she was very pretty. and that he like
to have her in the Salvation arm
quarters.
Cant you stay for meeting thi
EVENING"" he asked presently. wv
have singing here"
Tony's eyes deepened almost to lus
trous black.
"Oh, I'd love that" Then she shool
her head. "Nope." she went on, II go
to 60 home to mummy. She's al
alone! Mebbe when my daddy get
back. I'll come some time and sit cleal
through the night"
For an instant the smile stage
about the boys lips. then gravity Sc,
tied once more over his earnest youn
face.
"What's done in this placer" sh
questioned after while.
''Oh. we sing and read and pray,
replied the hoy. 1--WE do everythin
we cab to help people. There's such
lot Of misery In the world"