The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-02-27
"GlADDIE"
BY JEANNE L. DARLING.

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&C. 1870. BY Mcclure Newspaper syndieAie.l
Hillcrest people have not yet for
gotten the eccentricities of Peter
Tromp. When he built his house, the
best situated in the village. II had two
fronts. One, with a big piazza. faced
the street: here Katie. his wife, sat
and sewed or visited. The other fac
ed the meadows behind the hill town;
here. silent and moody. Peter used to
sit and gaze at the PARKWAY blue out
tines of beautiful eastern mountains.
They were not as friendly as hus-
band and wife should be--Peter and
Katie weren't. There were no chill
dren to bind their hearts together;
then. too, Katie loved her neighbors
and Peter did not. He would not
even go to the little meeting house ON
Sabbath days, and Katie's heart was
bitter about this. The minister once
expostulated. but Peter led him
through his house and onto the back.
or rather the trent porch.
THAT there's my church. and good
enough for me-" he answered, point
ing toward the mountains. which lay
serene, majestic. understanding. In the
purple-red colors Of sunset, and no
more would he say.
Two days after Emma Simonds died.
Katie went into Peters garden and
found Emma's four-year-old daughter
there playing ''mudpies" with Peter.
They seemed the best Of chums.
At sight Of Katie Peter drew the
bare-footed. roguish-eyed child down
beside him. His great. gaunt body
trembled with tenderness.
II shall keep her, he said defiantly
Katie looked at Gladdie's irrespon
sible face and shuddered.
''The idea r. she objected. you're
crazy. Peter. Her aunt Ellall have Il
take her. It's mighty risky takin' 9th
er folkses' young uns to bring up. Be
sides. don't have no time to look nj
ter a child. anyway. And what woult
the neighbors think?''
Peters eyes blazed.
| "Hillcrest amt my Judge" he an
swered shortly.
Peters wife smiled sardonically
swell. s'long 3 she don't bother me
she can stay" and she went back int
the house.
hand, on the steps.
Daddy" she said joyously. nm
stroked his face. He gathered her IN
to his arms and sne cuddled u
against his breast ana slept. The su
went down and the mountains too
on vague. haunting outlines In III
darkenlng distance; peace lay owe
I the valley world, ana feter's eyes hur
| grily took In the sight until his so,
was satisfied. and he. too. slept. HI
, head against the porch railing. The
were still there when Katie. returniu
from an evening call. came out an
found them.
, $50 this is the way you're goin'
, take care Of her, is II. Peterf" 81
, fiared. "Shes probably got her deaf
OF cold" Oh, yes, Kate knew how b.
words were hurting the man she ha
married. "She'll go 10 her Aunt Ella
tomorrow, just ms sure MS the 81
7 comes up"
She took the sleeping child M
: bundled her into the house. Peter Il
lowed. crestfallen. conscience struc
Not for worlds would he have harm,
+ the child he was learning to love pm
n sionately. In time he got back son
< of his dignity.
= ''You let me have her" he col
E manded firmly. II want TO look aft
l. her myself. and I'm goin to keep HI
too" he added not so firmly.
h It'll mornin'," Katie agreed griml
: and went out to sit alone on her pore
@ Gladdie was wide awake now al
y her happy laughter came out 10 Kat
II Somehow II drove the anger out Of h
II heart and filed II with a strange d,
olate feeling.
whats that. Daddyi' Gladdie "
!, asking. Gladdie's up-DriIging h
been woefully deficient In some lin
"A nightie-gown? Is II Gladdie's. ds
:. dyY"
: ITS Giaddie's tonight" she bea
;" Peter say. gently. "we'lI get Glad.
one of her own tomorrow"
~ who has II when Gladdie al
here" the child persisted.
II Katie" grufily.
e "who's Katie. Daddy7"
- "She's-she's." Katie knew her h
Gu band was cropping for words. Ssh
your new mamma"
az Katie rose angriiy. To put such
u items into the child's head!
!" .Peter." she called. you harm
W Ned and take that young un To
We aunt Elias right off. She Amt &c
IN to stay here another minute. d.
hear me. Peter?"
IN Peter came out 10 the porch.
IS II Amt goin' to take her ba
OF Katie" he breatbed heavily.
~ u wants to kiss mamma good mis-
re- too" plaintive voice said and a
ac- tie white figure. holding up a III
ne nightgown. stumbled between III,
lr- fumbied for Eatie's skirt and M