Graham guardian., 1921-01-07
CHAPTER I.
sSYonv,,--.Eoy Short.

mixers IrUlD IHc StViui NVuutS anu
Lake Cayuga, and an early spring had
brought from the South the red-breast-
ed robins and thousands OF other birds
to build their homes in the Forest
city, as Ithaca, n. T., is well called,
for 10 the south, the east, the west,
and even to the north where the lake
cut sharply around a corner, broad
forests stretched their lengths ana
heights Of keaf and bough ON minia-
ture mountains.
One evening on the western side OF
the railroad tracks, girl stood before
small building over which, like ropes
of green, dnped the branches OF
weeping willow tree. This building
was different from any Of the other
habitations near IL In that 10 was well
painted, and the door stood open all
day.
'Twns a strange little girl that
gazed up with searching eagerness at
the two lighted signs that had arrest
cd her attention. In her arms she
held a diminutive guinea pig, and the
way she hugged II close demonstrated
her love for 1t.
1.-THE SALVATION ARMY" she
spelled out and thoughtfully consid-
cred II.
Everybody is welcome here" she
read slowly. That meant that anyone
could enter IL he wanted TO, she de-
cided and as Topnibel Devon did
want TO 20 In, she softly tiptoed up
the steps and peeped into the room
As there was nobody In sight, she
sidled In and looked about
"Welcome" was curved in letters OF
red above a table, and the silent young
stranger sighed. She couldn't under
stand how n girl could be really vel
come anywhere. OF course her moth
er liked her and missed her when she
was away, but Tony knew Of no other
place where she was really wanted
but the canal boat, called Mary and
Dirty Mary for short, which had been
her home ever since she could re-
member.
"Glory be 10 God In the highest"
swung IN letters Of gold across the
right wall, and TO the left, Stand Still
and See the Salvation OF the Lord,
kept her attention little longer. She
didn't know what they meant, but the
varied colors shining brilliant In the
bright light calmed her turbulent
spirit and made her happy. She
hugged the pig closer, bent her head
and kissed the top Of IFS ear.
"I guess we're In a church, Gussie,"
she said aloud, "and you mustn't grunt
or sQueal like you do on the Dirty
Mary. It's awful nice and quiet amt
It, honeyT
Were you speaking to mef" said a
voice from near the door.
Tonnibel Devon struggled to her
feet, turned around and saw a young
man looking at her. A fame Of red
rushed over the tanned skin, but be-
cause he was smiling and kindly. she
smiled back, dimple coming to life
| at each corner Of her mouth.
"Nope," she flung out In confusion.
II was talkin' 10 Gussie-Piglet here.
Mebbe her and me hadn't ought TO be
here. You can kick us out If you
| want to-"
Philip MacCaulcy, the captain Of
the Salvation army in Ithaca. bowed,
and then he laughed.
"Eyery one is welcome here" he
quoted, coping forward. "Where'd
you come from7 I've never seen you
before"
"1'm staying up Hoghole way" re-
piled Tony. II amt been around
Ithaca long. This Is an awful nice
room. amt II, huhT'
eyes, very. We like H." replied the
young man. "Sit down; don't be In
hurry. want to talk to you"
Tonnibel did sit down but not very
comfortably. She was embarrassed in
the presence OF this handsome young
stranger, abashed In the glnmor Of his
uniform, and all the beauty OF him.
With boyish admiration he was con.
templating the sparkle OF her gray
eyes, shaded by long iashes as ebony
black as her hair which hung In ring
lets TO her waist. He decided that
she was very pretty, and that he liked
to have her In the Salvation army
quarters
"Can't you stay for meeting this
eveningT he asked presently. I'VE
have singing here"
Tony's eyes deepened almost to lus
trous black.
"oh, I'd love thati" Then she SHOOK
her head. "Nope," she went on. II got
to go home to mummy. She's all
alonei Mebbe when my daddy gets
back, III come some time and sit clean
through the night"
, For an instant the smile stayed
about the boys lips, then gravity set
tied once more over his earnest youne
face.
"what's done In this piscef" shs
questioned after a while.
"Oh, we sing and read and pray,
replied the boy. 1--WE do everything
we can to help people There's such q
lot of misery in the world"
"Thats as trues you're born" cam'
back promptly frsm the parted rec
lips. Il know that because my mothel
, is sick every day, and she cries too
That's misery, amt itr
Captain HacCaulsy was used b
tales Of woe, but he knew a panaceI
for them. "Yec. II is so." he said
Perhaps yuu could get her to CONF
: here sonle ,renlngl Do you think Not