Fair play., 1920-03-13
"GLADDIE"
BY JEANNE L. DARLING.

NuCb 'C uuht hVucSt euS
best situated in the village, 1t had two
fronts. One, with 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 faraway blue out
lines 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
hren 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
expostuated, but Peter led him
through his house and onto the back,
or rather the front 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
mOTt WDulu lie Suy.
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.
IL shall keep her. he said def1antly.
Katie looked at Gladdle's irrespon-
sble face and shuddered.
"The idea :" she objected. You're
crazy, Peter. Her aunt Ella1l have to
lake her. It's mighty risky takin' 9TH
or folkses' young uns to bring up. Be-
sides, | don't have no time to look af-
ter child, anyway And what would
the nciGhbors thlnk?"
Peters eyes blazed.
"IIilcrest amt my Judge" he an
Swered shortly.
Peters wife smiled sardonIcally.
well. slong s she don't bother me-,
she can stay" and sne went back into
the house.
Peter and Gladdle sat on. hand in
hand. on the steps.
Daddy" she said joyously, and
Strolcd his face. He gathered her in
| TO his arms and sne cuddled up
| against his breast ana slept. The sun
| went down and the mountains took
| IN vague. haunting outlines In the
darkcning distance; peace lay Ovel
he valley world, ana refers eyes hun
,rily took in the signt until his sou
VAS satisfied, and he, too, sept, hi.
lcad against the porch railing. The.
were still there when Katie, returning
from an evening call. came out ant
found them.
$50 this Is the way you're goin' t
take care of her, is it, Peter?, sh
dared. "She's probably got her dealt
If cold" Oh. yes, Kate knew how he
J words were hurting the man she ha'
married. shell 90 to her Aunt Ella
tomorrow, Just as sure as the SUI
comes up"
She took the sleeping child an
bundled her into the house. Peter fo
owed, crestlailcn. conscience strucl
, Not for worlds would he have harme
/ he child he was learning to love pa.
, ionately. In time ne got back som
y, If his dignity.
You let me have her he con
handed firmly. II want to look afte
Ter myself, and Tn gOln' to keep he
90" he added not so firmly.
Till mornin'," Katie agreed, griml.
nd went out to sit alone on her porcl
} Giladdie was wide awake now an
l her happy laughter came out to Kati
G Somehow il drove the anger ont of he
u 0late feeling
q whats that, Daddy?' Gladdle VIZ
). asking. Gladdies up-brnging ha
|, been woefuily deficient in some line
"A nghtiegown? Is II Gladdie's, da
dy?"
ITS Gladde's tonight" she heal
a Peter say, gently. "Well get Gladd
L one of her own tomorrow"
IS "Who has it when Gladdie ain
It here" the child persisted.
s "Katlc." grufily.
s "Who's Katie. Daddy?"
"She's-she's," Katie knew her hu
band was cropping for words, "slrt
your new mamma"
| Katie rose angrily. To put such n
liens into the childs head.
Peter" she called, you harne
Ned and take that young un to h
aunt Elias right on. She amt goI
to stay here another minute. D'y,
hear me, Pcter?'
Peter came out to the porch.
~ aln't goin' to take her bat
Katie" he breathed heavily.
II wants to kiss mamma good-nigl
too" pluntive voice said and
tie white figure, holding up hu
nightgown. stumbled between the
fumbled for Katie's skirt, and lit
arms reached up for her embrace
Katie sank back into chair,