The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-09-02
LITTLE MOTHER
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,.

Lady opened the door. and peered
down the dusky hall. her eyes filled
with welcome for the little figure
hastily approaching
"Oh, I'm so glad you came" whIs-
pered the winsome Lady. drawing the
tiny figure within the room and clos
Ing the door.
The frail hands caressingly stroked
the brown hair. For a moment there
was silence, then the Lltuest 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 Man?"
The girl raised her head quickly.
'Marry him2" she scoffed. 'rd sooner
dlel"
'You say things so beautifully. But
talk TO me-" begged the Wlnsome Lady.
as she resumed her former position.
IL think you need n love story. 1t
sometimes proves cure for certain
sickness. I'll tell you my own love
story"
"Yoursl ~ smiled the girl, her brown
eyes filled with tender light.
1T was long ago." began the Lit
tlest Mother. bending her white head.
'when l was a girl. l lived In Ire
land, by the sea. / loved and wasU
loved by Tammas Wynne. One lovely
moonlight night as we strolled hand
In hand up the side OF woodland hill,
l told Tammas that l was sure there
were fairies about"
'Falrles--lttle men T." mocked he,
"'there are no such thingsr"
'We heard a peal of shrill laughter,
! but could see no one. Then Tammas
turned boyishly to me and said: Wait
for me. Ellen. walt for mer With
this he was gone waited for a long
time and then, being childlshly afraid,
l went after him." Here the speakers
voice broke, but she continued gravely
as II grown weary with the telling:
"At the top of the hill found Tam
mas-dead. Dead, with smile on his
| face, and In his hands-a tiny silver
button The fniries had punished him
and left their sign"
The girls eyes were luminous with
unshed tears. But you don't believe
that-do your" queried the girl as they
both arose.
"Of course! Everyone believed It'll
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
Ito be a teacher; but l came here.
out OF pity. l think today is my birth
day. and I've saved enough to buy
ticket to Ireland don't feel like
cleaning--ln fact don't feel very well
=" She hesltated as the door opened
and revealed the handsome debonair
doctor.
II heard the story" he announced.
flushing, "and Ruth, forgive me- I'm
not In the service, because | belong to
the secret service.
"Oh. my dear" and the girl kissed
him. "Why didn't you tell me? I
thought you were a slackerl'
And the Llttlest Mother. being
worldly wise, slipped quietly out, into
the crowded street.
Suddenly she heard her name called.
She turned and confronted a 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 "sIck un," as
the girl was famed, had been caught
stealing again.
AN it's me as VIII give 'er her
docs" he grinned.
Let me whisper in your ear, Tim"
commanded the Llttlest Mother, as II
she did not mind the curious throng
"Sure an WILL" shouted Tim,
strengthening up; 'ye air saint. Take
her II ye can find good In the loIkes
of her"
The wee lady's eyes twinkled like
stars as she drew the girl into door
way. while Tim dispersed the crowd.
'"rake this" she said, giving the girl
a roll OF bills, "and try to be a better
girl"
The girl looked shrewdly after the
I disappearing figure. "God-what a
fool !" she sneered, and fed.
The Llttlest Mother reached her
cheerless room at last, and sank wear
lily down IN chair facing the distant
sunset.
Below the window stood wanderer,
his violin tucked lovingly beneath his
chin. Seeing the weary figure, he start
ed to play haunting melody.
The weary look fed and the Littlest
Mother. CHANGING to raise her eyes.
gave cry of rapture. For there, hung
on the faded wall, was picture Of
the Madonna and Child-the birthday
gift OF her friends.
"Tammas." whispered the Littlest
Mother, "see the baby-and look--the
mother smiles at me-"
She stretched out eager, trembling
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