The state herald., 1920-01-02

- Il old man, to get % q lady for our
homer He somehow could not say
the word mother lightly. though 1t had
been FIVE long years since Tommy's
mother died. 1T would be nice. Have
you found any one. spoken to any one
yeti"
"Id like to have the lady wiv the
shiny eyes That takes me to school
mornings" admitted Tommy. II asked
her once was she a muvver, and she
said no. just only little boys aunt.
I spect she's 10 busy being aunt that
abe wouldn't have any time to be a
muvver," and the child sighed defect
edly. II wisht you'd ask her daddy.
Won't you2"
"Why, / don't know Miss Woodburn,
old man," The father smiled little
ruefully as he remembered that he had
thought to strike up an acquaintance
through the child, but Miss woodburn
had coldly repulsed him, though she
had long been a fast friend OF Tom
my's. stopping for him to slip his hand
into hers as she hurried to her SCHOOL,
room. which was IN the same building
a the Kindergarten. II think we have
pretty good times together. after slL
Shall daddy BE- the bear tonightr
"Tm most afraid I'm sick, daddy"
murmured the boy; II spect I'd better
60 to bed"
Mr.. Birney gathered Tommy. .Trot up
solicitously and prepared him for bed.
II wisht your lap fitted me better.
daddy. I'm going to get the New Year
lady's lap to At like Benny Jones'
muvver's does" complained the child.
drowsily.
The next morning Miss Grace Wood
burn slackened her pace. expecting
Tommy to come running as usual. then
she retraced her steps, walking slowly
past the house. The door swung open
and Mr.. Birney. coatless, an apron
tied about his neck. frantically ex-
planned that Tommy-Trot was very
sick with the Group. that the doctor
was trying to get nurse, but he
feared the child would die before they
could get help. as the woman who kept
their cottage was away.
Fortunately Miss Woodburn had
taken q nrst-aid course; also. in her
strenuous business Of being an aunt.
she had helped 10 take little Nephew
Peter through a very severe attnck Of
Group. She knew that every minute
was precious. She began drawing o6
her gloves and unfastening her wraps
as she hastened after Mr.. Birney. Che
telephoned her assistant to take her
place till further orders, then reached
out her hand for the apron. Lovingly
chs bent over Tommy-Trot, whs held
out his hand to her; deftly she
smoothed his pillow. asking quick
questions as to doctors orders and
showing the bewildered father how to
follow them. all the time talking In
soothing. comforting little sentences
to the child. "we're good pals. aren't
we. Tommy? And we're going to have
some awfully good times together.
aren't wei And will you make . bar
gain with met When my little Petse-
kins WAS sick be did Just what want
ID him 70 do. WIN you do that daE-
ling1 II you viii you may call ne
Aunt 0race, Just - b. does. WIN you.
dearestr
"Ravver call you muvvef.. whis-
pered the child hoarsely.
The color flooded Miss Woodburn's
face. but with \ little life hanging In
the balance there was no time to hesi.
tate. "All right. little man. it's bar.
gain and you'll take the bad medicine
Just as II It were good"
Patiently she worked, sending the
grateful father flying on crrands, or
telephoning the doctor to ask for fuller
directions. No man has any concep-
tion Of a woman's resourcefulness till
he sees her trying to save the life Of
some one dangerously Ill. Mr.. Thomas
Birney watched. fascinated, the move
ments Of this highly competent young
woman who seemed never to give him
Q thought except to order him about.
Noon came-the afternoon was almost
spent before the child was sleeping
calmly In her arms. the crisis passed.
We've wont" she announced to the