The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-11-12
CHAPTER "
Adam


The days slipped by, as days will,
even though they are grief laden.
Slowly and inarticulately for the most
part, Lydia struggled TO adjust her.
self TO her new loss. She went back
TO school, after the quarantine, was
lifted and the familiar routine there
helped her. She was a good student
and was doing well in the eighth
grade.
Florence Dombey was a great COM
fort to the child. She slept at night
with her black head beside Lydia's
yellow one. Sometimes she slipped
into the middle of the bed and fat
Lizzie rolled on her and woke with a
groan.
Lydia never entered the locked bed
room off the kitchen. Amos, self-ab-
sorbed and overworked, asked no
questions, but one night in April, John
Levine saw Lydia at work on a night
dress for Florence Dombey.
Where does the young lady sleep?"
he asked. .
Lydia explained and Lizzie uttered
a mild plant, adding: Lydia ought
to be getting back to her own bed,
now warm weather will be coming
in"
Lydia caught her lower lip in her
teeth but said nothing. Levine scru-
tinized the curly head bent over the
sewing, then went on with his con-
versation with Amos. He was work
ing quietly on his campaign, year
hence, for the office of sheriff
Just before leaving, John asked for
a drink of water and Amos went to
the pump to bring In a fresh pail. He
stopped while there to fuss over bar
rel in which he had an old hen set
ting OF some eggs he had got from
Mrs Norton. Lizzie had gone to bed
early.
young Lydia" said John, as soon
as they were alone. "come here"
When she was perched in her old
place on his knee, you don't like to
sleep in that stuffy bedroom with Liz
zie, do you, dearf'
NO." replied the child. "She's fat
and snores and won't have the win
dow open-but-"
''But what?" Levine's voice was
gentle.
I'm afraid to sleep alone"
Afraid? Lydia of any mem
DRY of dear little Patience ~
No! No! but / have nightmares
nearly every nlght-she-she's chok-
ing and II can't help her. Then l
wake up and catch hold of Lizzie Oh,
don't make me sleep alone!"
"Why, my dear little girl" John
caught the child's thin hands in a firm,
warm grip. She was trembling vio-
lently and her fingers twitched. "This
won't do! That's what keeps the
dark rings round your eyes, is II? OF
course you shan't sleep alonel Here
comes your father. It's bedtime, isn't
It? Good night, my dear"
Lydia picked up Florence Dombey
and went slowly off to bed as her ia
Their came in with glass of water.
"That fool hen isn't fully convinced
she wants a family" he said.
The bedroom door closed after Ly-
dia.
Amos" said John, that child's
nerves are all shot to pieces" He
related his conversation with Lydia.
"What can l do7" asked Amos, with
worried air. Seems to me she's
Just got to wear 1t out"
Levine grunted and put on his hat
81 wish she was my daughter" he
said eff you'll ask Brown to come
around to the Elks' club tomorrow,
I'll talk to him."
On the Friday afternoon following
when Lydia got home from school, she
found the house apparently deserted
But there issued from the neighbor-
hood of the kitchen a yipping and
ki-yi-ing that would have moved q
heart of stone. Lydia ran into the
kitchen. The puppy walls came from
behind the door of the old bedroom.
who's In therew she called.
The yipping changed to deep barks
of Joy. Lydia tried the door. II
opened easily and great, laundering
puppy hurled himself at her. Lydia
was a dog lover.
"You Lowell You lambi" she cried
She squatted on the floor and the pup
crowded his great hulk into her lap
licking her face and wagging his
whole body.
There was a note tied to his col
lar. Lydia united 1t: Dearest
Young Lydia: Here is a friend who
wants to share your bedroom with
you You must bring him up to be q
polite, obedient sdog, and credit to
your other friend, John Levine"
"Ohi" squealed Lydia. "Oh! but
why did they tie you In here" She
looked about the room. The old bee
had been moved out and the dining