The Yale expositor., 1921-04-28
LITTLE MOTHER
BY EDNA BOUTWELL,.

W 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
The old-fashioned clock chimed 6.
AS If it were a signal, the Winsome
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 Wlnsome Lady, drawing the
tiny figure within the room and clos
ing the door,
The frail hands caressingly stroked
the brown hair. For q moment there
was silence, then the Littlest Mother
spoke:
"You are dear girl, Ruth, and l
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 him?" she scoffed. "Td sooner
die! I"
"You say things so beautifully. But
talk to me-" begged the Winsome Lady,
as she resumed her former position.
II think you need love story. 1t
sometimes proves cure for a certain
sickness. I'll tell you my own love
story"
yours p smiled the girl, her brown
eyes filed with tender light.
1T was long ago" began the Lit
tlest Mother, bending her white head,
stxxyhn /
land, by the sea. l loved and was
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"
'Fairies-little men y" Knocked he,
"'there are no such thingsv"
1--WE heard a peal OF shrill laughter,
| but could see no one. Then Tammas
| turned boyishly to me and said: Wait
| for me, Ellen, wait for me! With
this he was gone. waited for a long
time and then, being childishly afraid,
l went after him." Here the speakers
voice broke, but she continued gravely
| as if grown weary with the telling:
"At the top Of the hill l found Tam
| mas-dead. Dead, with smile on his
| face, and I'm his hands-a tiny silver
button! The fairies 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 1t !
| 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
to 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. l don't feel like
cleaning--in fact don't feel very well
-" She hestated as the door opened
and revealed the handsome, debonair
doctor.
II heard the story" he announced,
flushing, land 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?
thought you were a slacker!
And the Littlest Mother, being
worldly wise, slipped quietly out, into
the crowded street.
Suddenly she heard her name called
She turned and confronted big Irish
policeman known as Tim Reilly. BY
the arm he held girl with painted
lips and wide, frightened eyes.
In his rich brOgue he narrated tC
the tiny lady, how the "slick un," as
the girl was famed, had been caught
stealing again.
"An' it's me as will give 'er her
doos," he grinned
LET me whisper in your ear, Tim,'
commanded the Littlest Mother, as II
she did not mind the curious thrOng.
"Sure an l WILL" shouted Tim
Strengthening up; Eye air saint Take
her If We 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.
"Take this" she said, giving the cir
roll Of bills, land try to be better
girl"
The girl looked shrewdly after the
disappearing figure. "God-what
fool !" she sneered, and fled.
The Llttlest Mother reached hel
cherries room at last, and sank wear
lily down In q chair facing the distant
sunset.
Below the window stood wanderer
his violin tucked lovingly beneath hi
chin. Seeing the weary figure, he start
cd to play haunting melody.
The weary look fled, and the Littles
Mother, CHANGING to raise her eyes
gave a cry of rapture. For there, huns
. on the faded wall, was picture o
the Madonna and Child-the birthda!
gift Of her friends.
"Tammas," whispered the Littles
, Mother, "see the baby--and look-th'
: mother smiles at me-"
She stretched out eager, trembling
| nj nj