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About The Coos Bay times. (Marshfield, Or.) 1906-1957 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1916)
MP - 1mtiBmizMwmmm?3mMmMxsa Tifilila f Lf By Enos Emory nmm' "nv -i" KtfcS Ami Achciiiiire w a Came Back iEv ' t r II is L i II AUTIOUSLY the nlok man raised lilnibolf on ono elbow mid Ilatcnod. Tlio gen tle, regular bronth Iub at the foot of the bed told lilni that Ellso wnn in the tlcop sleep which C0111C8 from mnnv broken nlnlils. Slowly and painfully ho dragged lilmBclf from hla bed to tho ousol, which fltood In ti corner of the room, and with the cunning horn of a dis traught mind turned up tlio gas by do Ercos. Tlio weak fingers tremulously grasp ed the woll-known brush, and with a sigh of satisfaction ho Btartcd fever ishly to work. A now-born forco seemed to thrill his being, and his hand responded In obcdlcnco to Its In fluence i Tlio hours of darkness passed until tlio gray dawn filtering through tlio faded blinds found tlio artist still painting and tho slccpor still sleeping, Tlio tired brain wbb beginning to play queer tricks. Tho colors danced beforo tho aching eyes; tho figures on tho painted canvas assumed grotesque and fantastic proportions, and at times a wave of blood-red hue nwopt over tho picturo, obliterating all else, Ilia temples throbbed with tlio uolso of eorao giant cnglno, nnd an unknown forco compelled him to paint to tho tlmo of tho quick throb-throb. Fresh figures creatures of delirium leaped to tho canvas, laughing and knocking at him with hideous and dc rlslvo faces. "Curoo you, ourso you!" ho muttered savagely, and a big splodge of color marred tho left-hand corner. Tho strength of the thrust overbalanced the easel, which fell to tlio ground with a crash, carrying the picture with it. "Maurlcol Maurlcol What are-you doing?" , -; In tho garish mixture of gaslight niut dawn sho saw tho overturned picturo nnd easel, and her husband sitting with uplifted brush and eyes strange ly glittering. "They did It they did it," ho kept on muttering, Incoherently. In soft, pcrsuaslvo tones sho pro vailed upon him to get hack to bed. Ho wiib still babbling, childlike, when tho doctor arrived. "Anxiety, weakness nnd want of sleep nro responsible for this. I will send around a draft for htm, and on no account must ho bo disturbed. And no moro of Hint picture," ho added with emphasis. "Ills reason and life nro worth moro than nil tho pictures In tho world. Tomorrow may And mm normal again." In tho afternoon Eliso loft tho sick room and went out for frcBh air.. As alio walked along, her mind, natural ly buoyant and optimistic, descended Into tho lowest dopths of despair. Tho picture tho candidate or tho Grand i'rlx of 2G.000 francs at tho In ternational Art Exhibition had to bo finished nnd sent off tho next day. And what a great deal depended on Its final success. Thoro wero full two months arrears for board and lodging duo to tho indulgent Mothor Quorln. In addition there was tho doctor, M. VIdal, who had been in almost dally attendance for tho last thrco months. lie was kind, too, and forbore pressing his claim. Tho interest which hla pa tient's cibo aroused within lilm aomc whnt qualified tho absenco of mone tary receipts. . Uo w,atched tlio slow growth, of tho 'Picture with tho keenest attention, nnd in his medical mind wondered which would finish tho rnco first tho brush or those mlcroscoplcnl organ isms which wero attacking bo vora ciously the poor artist's lungs. Sitting down on a scat nearby, Ellsc allowed her thoughts to run on do apondontly. Whom wero tho things sho so fondly hoped to rcallzo when she married Mnurlco? To her youthful Imagination ho luul painted llfo In tlio rosiest of colors. He would do this, ho would do that: his pictures would t.nko the world by storm; ho would enroll his namo On that Immortal list of great masters; n beautiful house, wealth, HUcccss--all should bo theirs, and so glorious had boon tho vista of possibilities which ho had opened out to hor that her ingeni ous mind had been dufczlcd and hyp notized by it. They had settled down nnd Maurlco had stnrtcd in grim earnest to estab lish his famo as an artist. Hut In real ity fortune secjned to havo doalt hor worst cardB to this ambitious clamorcr for her best favors. True, ho had sold nomo of his pic tures; but very fow, nnd for a poor prlco; necessity must strike hard bar gains. Tho pictures wero very good, orig inal and clover, portraying tho urUftt In every lino; but they lacked that In definable something which captivates men's minds. Never before had tho imuro loom ed so dark and hopeless. Her child, a gay llttlo fellow of live, had been sent away to friends; even ono motjli less Is something what was to be coino of him? Two bright tenrs slowly rolled down the pale, pinched checks and Bplnshcd on to tho time-worn dress. Sho was too upset to notlco tho ap proach of a quietly dressed stranger who, seeing her distress, stopped nnd looked at hor In pity for some mo ments.. "Madame Is in trbublo?" ho remark ed gently, sitting down bcsldo hor, Ellso started and looked up. Tho kind, fatherly goze, tho sympathetic voice, invltod confidence, nnd beforo sho had qulto realized tho situation her talc was told in n fow broken sentences. "And this picturo must jo finished nnd sent off by tomorrow," ho repeat ed. "Take mo to it my child, nnd wo will sco what can bo done.", Ellso felt too weak nnd miserable to rnlso nny objection, nnd a few min utes' walk brought them to tho hum bio lodging. From behind tho screen, which shut off tho bed from tho rest of tho room, the quiet breathing of tho Invalid showed that tho doctor's prescription had taken effect. The strnuger approached tho win dow und gazed long and earnestly at tho painting. Silently ho took up a brush and painted swiftly. Awestruck and wondering, Ellso watched tho growth nnd transforma tion of tho picturo under tho magic power of his hand. The hours crept on and still tuo un known one painted, At last Just be foro midnight ho hoaved a deep High and put down tho brush. "My child," said ho "I can Uo no more." "0, monsieur!" exclaimed F.llso, clasping his hand Impulsively, "how can I over repay you for what you havo done? Let mo know your name (hat I may live to always thank and pray for you." "My llttlo one," ho replied with tcn dorncsB. "It is qulto Impossible for mo to glvo you my name. Your thanks and prayers will bo toward enough to ono who has been only too pleased to benefit those ln'dlstrcss with tlio gift kind heaven has bestowed on him. I lenvo tho town early tomorrow, bo farewell, as I doubt wo shall over meet again." Stooping, ho kissed her lightly on the forehead nnd was gone. With tears in her eyes Ellso remained in front of tho easel. What iirnu was this who In n few hours could so transform a picturo? Willi wonder nay, almost fear 4ho stared fixedly at tho canvas. In truth tho picturo was tho twine, yet different. A vaguo something had crept Into it a something which de fied analysis and yet proved Its prcH enco; tho picturo socnicd to breathe forth tho influenco of n mighty soul. Tho next day Ellso packed and sent off tho picture. Maurlco'a attack of delirium would afford him llttlo chanco of recollecting tho stuto of his picturo when ho last worked at it, und Ellsc felt confident that if bucccsb wore gain ed ho would in his Innoconco accept tho work ns of his cntlro crcatlo'u, nev er suspecting tho truo stuto of affairs. "1 don't rumembor finishing it," ho remnrked n fow days later, on hear ing that his work hud been sent off. ' I only hope Its all right." Thrco weeks passed thrco wcokB of suorvo-torturlug BUspcnso nnd uncer tainty, and still no news camo from tho committee. Thon early ono morning tho doctor rushed In, cxclledy waving u nowspa por. "Thoro! Your picturo!" ho shouicd. "Didn't I nlwnys any bo? Listen. "Somo tlmo bnck tho committee of tho In ternational Art Exhibition offered tlio munificent sum of 2G.O00 francs for what wnn considered tho best original painting. A very largo number of entries was received, and finally after much consideration from tho best orlt-' les, Mr. Maurlco Nailer's picturo, "Vale,' has been awarded tho prize. "This work of a hitherto unknown artist is undoubted)" a chef d'ocuvrc, nnd tho wholo world of urt will unlto in congratulations und thanking Mr. Nntlcr for having produced such u highly (nullified work of genius. Tho picturo is ono which will work an era In tho ago of nrt, nnd we predict n brilliant ftitiit-o for Iho itrtlat."' Tho greatest Interest had been aroused In tho competition, and tho massive hall In which tlio exhibits woro shown was thronged with peoplo all anxious to sco tho picturo which had carried off tho coveted prize. As Maurlco gazed on his work, placed bo conspicuously und to the full advantage of tho light bearing down fr.oiu tho glass domo overhead, his heart wns filled with u sudden rush of awe and feeling. "Good heavens! Ellsc," he said In a lionrBu whisper, "what an Int&ir, I had when I painted tlinll" At tho public presentation u Grand Prix Maurlco rcrZ?.1.11 mciidous ovation, nnd nmld Mfir much contimtpil rlipclr. 'A All tho dark past with lt8 gi00ffl, despair had glvon way to a futur.! and bright with now-found alai. nope. jiiiiBO mono relt sad wii strnngo weight gripping m j,,, oiiu wuuuuii-ii wHuwier loom I VttBt throng thoro was ono ha looking on with mingled fltn prldo and pity, ' Mnny years aftorwnid Hi,.. casually glnnclng throiicli a w portraits when hor attention J rested by a fuco which seemed ttnZM y familiar to her. n Whoro had she seen that ijuj, innivj, minim khu ouaatnlr ii dim memories of bygone day Quid oucd to life, and sho rccotnltn face no that of tho unknown nu. who had saved them in tliJr how" J1CCU, At thai moment there entered m,i friend who was u frequent vliltorfa the beautiful art studio In I'arli ku Maurlco hud opened to reecho pil ui'iiur iiviiik tiuu luuuwcu mi trill uiB nio nun wont nun 'lone muci S conqunr inn muuuy una bring 1 buck health and strength. "Monslaur, do you know kn i Is?" nsked Ellso, uhowlng the porta "What! don't you know!" ThA .Muinemi, tuo greatest painter cl W uge. Surely you saw the olltuim tlco and account of hs life about tbn months ago. uoou ow Malheaa! l Kinuer, ueiter ncart never ucat" w An Heirloom And A Heart SjlMP"aMWNMM By Annette Angert 'l1 wan an heirloom, that royal bluo pinto with its bl zarro border of queer llttlo cown uud its centor of quaint old cottugo and trees. Also it was u relic nnd u souvenir, nnd honco very precious to Gcnovlcvo, A great-aunt of somo roy al duko or general or somo noted per son Gonotflovo herself was ti hit hazy about tho point hnd glvon It to great-aunt of (Jcucvloro'a grandmoth er, who had bequeathed it to Genovlovo with Instructions to bo very curcful of It mid hand it down Intact to futuro gouorutlons. Genovlovo had always felt that hor grandmother had greatly honored hor. Several girl cousins hnd been bitterly envious. Which naturally enhanced tho plato in GoiiovIovo'h oyos. Hoforo sho was married sho kopt It iu hor trunk; In u compartment ult to itself, where- sho Insured safety by wadding of tissue paper. Sho hud u younger brother who was careless nnd ho no placo but tho interior of that trunk, which sho kept in her closet, was remote enough to coiltuln that plate. lint, of course, us soon us nuo and Cort woro married It was brought out and put on tho nldoboard. Cort ad mired It after Gonovlcvo told him its history. Hut ho advised her to put it back in tho safer trunk. "I don't feel easy In tho samo room," ho Joked, ono arm about Gcncvlnvo'ii slim organdlcd wulst "SuppoBO I break it. I'm aw fully awkward always wus. And I'm twlco us awkwnrd when I'm trying not to bo. I brolco my mother's cut glass punch bowl and nearly hud to lenvo home. I broke my father's shaving mug ' Genovlovo laughed. "What la tho use of getting married If you can't show off your vnluablo heirlooms?" sho de manded. "I bollovo that's nil you married mo for," opined Cort thoughtfully. "To get a flat that would havo n sldoboard that would hold that plate." Genovlovo laughed and leuued closer within his arm whllo she gazed admir ingly at tho bluo plate, flanked on ono side by a rococo stein and on tho oth er by a cut glnss nuppy. For u long tlmo tho pluto was nut disturbed, oxcopt when Gonovievo'a brother cuimi for dlnuor. Then nho hastily romorud It from vlow, to hor husband's great amuscniout. 'What would you do, Gen," Cort teased, "If somo tlmo you forgot to put It awuy and ho broko It?" Gouovlovo's lips compressed in mi ugly, hard line. "Ho'd nover bo a brother of mlno nftor ho did it," alio said determinedly. "Ho'd nover cat dlnnor hero again." Cort laughed, but ho uneasily took another step from tho sideboard. "Suppono I broko it?" gingerly. "Wouldn't you ever havo mo hero again for dlnnor?" "You wouldn't brenk It," sho re plied confidently. "You're always too careful." "Knock on wood," ho advised hur earnestly. Sho knocked Idly. "Silly 1" A few days later sho was much in censed. Mrs. Groney, a young ma tron who had been In her class at school, called and alio said sweet!) : "I see you've got ono of those dear, queer plates that the 10-cont store ban boon showing. Aren't they sweet? I got u breakfast uot." Gonovlcvo silt up haughtily. Then sho explained tho difference between modern bluo landscaped pluten uud valuable old heirlooms. Shu Indignantly told Cort that night. lie thought It was funny, but ho dis creetly suppressed hlo amusement wiicn Genovlovo took It coldly, And tho noxt day ho broko It; Just a small bit chipped from tho edge ns ho reached for a package thut ho had laid on tho sideboard, and somehow knocked the gaudy stein against it. Horrified, ho turned to meet Gcuo vlovo'n wide eyes. Sho Jumped from tho tabic whoro sho was dallying over the cvonlug pnpor und her pudding. "What was that?" breathlessly. "Not not" Cort glumly held It toward her. "Geo, I don't know how I did It. Good heavens. I've tried to bo so blamed curcful " "0-oh" Genovlovo clasped tho plato to her breast and began to cry. Her husband guiltily watched her. Prcsontly sho wiped her eyes and put tho plutn buck. "You couldn't help It, of course," she remarked In u dull, cold volqo thut made Cort writhe. Nothing moro was said, but tho liven ing wan the forerunuer of a series of glum, constrained evenings. Cort found himself wishing that sho had taken it out hi one good spell of wrath; this cold forgivenoss set his norvcH on edge. When Genevieve's brother dined with them the plute was left on tho sldcbourd; no moro ncca to no care ful of It. Cort writhed ngaln. He felt Intolerably guilty. Llttlo by llttlo ho began to cultivate a senso of injury. Darn It all, Gen ovlevo couldn't think very much of him or sho wouldn't put a pluto first. Some how his fooling of Injury increased tho glumncss nnd constraint. Tho plato, with tho nick curerully put down so that a tray hid it, seemed to mock lilni. And certainly it kept Itself constantly In his. At tho table his scat faced It. Gen sat with her back to It, but of course, she could sco the bluo reflection In tho mirror oftno sideboard. Sometimes when Cort wus looking at tho plato ho met Gen's glance in tho mirror behind It. Iloth hastily looked elsewhere nnd talk languished. "If I could buy auothor," ho sug gested tentatively, ono night. Gen shook hor head. "Thcro lp no other liko It, and, anyhow, you couldn't afford It." Cort gloomed behind tho newspaper. Her tone was Icily forgiving. Ho wished tho blamed pluto was at tho bottom of tho Atlantic ocean. Ho wished Gen well, ho wished a lot of things, And tho next owning ho stayed down town and played pool. Genevieve's brother saw him uud later told Gen, who cried hcrsolf to ideop whou sho heard It, uud tho next morn ing served breakfast in cold silence. Cort didn't care. Ho had got to tho point when ho didn't euro much for anything. The plato was a bluo taunt. Ho glared at It ns he went out thru hla eyelids drooped In embarrassment. In tho mirror over it ho met Gonc vlcvo's wide glance. Thut night ho lugged homo to din ner, winning tho meal wus over. Gcn ovloo was tho same as usual, force! polite. Hut tho dinner was unusually good creamed new potutoeu ana n roust thut their limited Incuino didn't allow every night, and afterward cjme u sherbet ic,o that Genovlovo prided herself on. Sho hud learned It nt cook ing school, Coit ntu with appetite. When ho had finished his Ice, (JcnoWevo roso to get u bowl of puts on tho sldcbourd. Cort didn't offer to gel them for her. Ho hud nover touched anything on tho sideboard since u certain night. Now ho watched her wistfully. Tlio dinner wuh good, but ho wished It had been poorer, und ho and Gen on tho old ousy, gay terms us beforo that con founded bluo plato cracked their Imp- PIiiohh lu two. Ho wished Thcro was a orash. MoJumpdtJ Genovlovo turned to fuco li'l hands at her sides, her eyci lie. pinto lay In u Jagged heap of plw and thn stein was u brown ondM hcup of fragments, beside it. "llnkl tho plato," said Gen lu u low, ttrtiM voice. "Gen!" Cort cried In synpt!k "Thais a hhumo etui wo niHil- flx It together?" Hho swept tho fragments to one i und got the bowl or nuts. There i u certain Indifference in her mlcgtl puzzled Cort. "I don't tlmlk bo," she said careJ Jy. "Let mo try," ho urged, pIcldDji tlui largest piece, She took It out or his band. cheekB woro red. "Don't try. cause because I broko It purport I huto tho old blue thing It lis a moro trbublo for mo- you dont t for mo nny more" GciMvtio half crying. CortkW hor with n vim unknown for moat Then ho gathered up tho bluoptcca china, uud took them out to the sut ago can. "Thank heaven!" ho wH ho emptied thoin. ' 'Up WT-'' l I i"l ' ii' mifamm i r True Lover whw" wm 'mvmmmm f By Will Seaton I V Kl 1 N3IUSNA DULL was at work among tho flowers In her front yard. It was a narrow yurd and tho flowers crowd ed It They leaned over tho low Iron fenco; they looked up tho walla of tho old-fashioned houso with Its groat cblmnoy, benrlng wit ness to a long extinct fireplace, uud the odd trap-door lifted for ventila tion In tho roof. There woro phlox, cwcot William, marigolds, und bache lors' buttons. Tlio Binoll of mint Bweetoncd tho air ns Serena broko off U bit und crushed it in her fingers. Whenever sho did this sho rcmcuf borcd a wondorful day years und years before when somebody bado hor good byo and wont away, promising to come buck bofore tho flowers hnd nil lost their petals on tho rough salt wind. Ho hud fulled to keep his promise. Sho bollovcd ho had died; ho must huvo died, clso ho would havo returned. Sho hud, however, nover hcurd ono way or tho other. "Morning, S'reny!" Sho turned. A man was leaning over hor low fonco u man of hor own age, with a brown, broud fuco and blue, smiling eyes. Ho wore u loose bluo flannel blouso and a round lint. His tanned throat and his arms, tattooed to tho elbows, wero bare, Thcro wns a flash like thnt of bluo steel through tho air, und n great mackerel, frcBh from the water, foil nt Serena's feet. Sho picked It up, flushing reproachfully, Sho broko off u pleco of tho pink and held It out to him, Ho took It with u sigh of thankB and moved to go. Then he te tiled back into his former position, turning tlio pink flower tenderly In his big hand, "S'reny," ho began. Serena grow pule. Sho know from his tono whut wns coming. Sho Htood holding to tho great gleaming flsh us for support. "S'reny," mild Stovo again, "you've known mo always. What schooling I gol was when you wero by. I begun to lovo you then and 1'vo loved you ever since. I shall lovo )ou till I get drowned, or dlo of old ago. I'm Just a fisherman, S'reny, and I know you're too good for me, but If you'd marry mo I'd bo good to you. God holpiug, S'rony." Serena's head dropped, Hor lips trembled. "Oh. Stovo!" she Bobbed. "I liko you, but that isn't loving, and without loving Is uo May to many a man. You Know why, Stote. 1 can't mother's 'MS ')K a moment Edith htood. wliite us iiiurble, her eyes fixed and staring ns ono in a dream, at tho tiny figure out lined on tho llttlo bed, and thou a wild cry broko fjoiu her white lljm. "Jucky, Jucky, mother's llttlo sou," &ho sobbed, nnd, uwnylug uusteudlly toward tho llttlo bed, would havo fallen hud not tho ready arm of her husband upheld her. Iu u moment her mind reasserted it self, uud tho hallucination had van ished. Sho straightened instantly nud pointing a Anger nt the bed Inquired coldly, "Who is that child iu Jackys placo?" Beforo uuaweriug, her husband drew her tenderly iu his arms. "Llttlo wife," ho said, "for a whole year now I huvo watched you crying your heart out for our boy, our llttlo boii, for whom wo planned such a wondorful future, and I can bear no longer to seo you pining your young llfo away grlev lug for him. I know nothing can ever take his place, dear; but suroly if some of tho mothcr-lovo and longing in your heart could find an outlet, tho pain would bo a hit easier to bear. Up in tho orphanago on tho hill thoy havo told mo that little Tetor watches con tinually at tho window for you to como, us you did bo often u year ago when our hoy was here." "Tlio child worships you. Edith," lie went on, tenderly Btroklng the soft hair on her forehead, "and ho is Just Jucky's age and u sweet, lovablo child. Ho needs us, dcur, aud tor somo time 1 huvo been wondering if wo could not" "Oh, no," sho hhuddered; "not bring him here to llvo in Jacky'a jdace! Surely you don't mean that, Juck. 1 couldn't bear it, dear." Out in tho garden llttlo I'ctor was having a glorious tlmo. Such trees uud llowors ho hud nover scon before, for tho orphanage had been bare of grounds or foliage of any description, and as for toys, Tetor didn't think there could bo so many toys lu tho world. Ho ought to bo a very happy boy, but Peter's uudcrllp quivered and ho gazed sorrowfully Iu the di rection of a llttlo summer houso, whero Edith sat embroidering. I'etor adored hla beautiful new mother, but with au aloofness entirely forelgu to her tendor nature Edith had closed her heart to tho llttlo fellow ; forget him" She puused. Sho heura him grind his teeth. Serenu, with wet eyes, hurried into tlio house. Sho fluug tho mackerel down upon tho tuble, and, sinking In to u chair, wept terribly. "If only I didn't liko him so wall," she sobbed. "It hurts mo to hurt him. Hut I can't got over Cliff und I never shall." Tho door opened and a woman cn tored. Sho stopped, staring at tho Bight of Seroua's tears. "What In tho world's tho matter with you, S'reny Dull?" sho demanded. Sho walked to tho table and took up tho fish. "My, tlmt'8 a grand, good muckerol full two pounder, I'm sure. Stevo Hard left It, didn't ho? S'reny, I want to tell you something. You'ro u fool not to marry Stevo Hard." "Moro than that" tho old woman smiled und putted Serena's shoulder "you love him, only you won't own it on account or Cliff Salkins. You Kce, 1 know a thing or two, S'reny. You will, too, whon you llvo to bn us old us I mn. I only hopo you won't huvo to look back and seo how you lot ono mistake spoil your wholo life, lly tlio way, S'reny, If you should happen to bo ovor town In tho course of tho duy I wish you'd get mo u box of Gibral tar, Thoro's tho money." Serena had no occasion to go over town, but that afternoon sho wont to get Mrs. Horn's Glbraltars, a certain rocky kind of candy much In demand In tho town. As sho was coming out of tho shop, with tho packago In her hand, vory Borlous, for tho thought of Stevo had not left hor all day, n man who had been lounging nt tho window outsldo stopped alongside hor. "Why, how do, Serenu?" ho said, Serena looked at him startled. Hor first thought wus thut she, did uot know him. Then, us bIio met Ills oyctj fairly, she did, nud she turned deadly pale. "Cliff!" sho gasped. Cltff Salkins smiled. Ho was very dupper, und ho carried u cone. "I wanted to speak to you when you went Into the srore, but I hardly Uast. I was afruld you might not recognlzu mo, I Imuglno l'vo changed considerable. Hut you hnven't, except to grow older, How tlmo tiles, don't it. It's twenty years Blnco I went away, und yet it don't Bcem no tlmo. I've been ull over mostly. I nlwnys used to think If I over got shut of this town I'd stay shut ono while. Aud I have. I'vo seen Bomo big sights, I toll you." "Then thon," Serena faltorcd, "you didn't Intond to como back when you went away?" "Well, I didn't know. It turned out I went a good way, and it wasn't easy to get back. Lately I'vo boon think- lui. .. Ini i.lmnl .nil Vl.MTtll. I 111 I or liankortd to sco 'ou. My, mJ Just as pretty us over-1 doiUW?! but prettier! Buy, Serena, canm on you this evening?" Serona'a fuco wub Ico ull ve brown eyes, und they wero 'Are. M sho Bald, "not this evening or anfe or time. Good day to you." ' Sho walked across tho street loft him. Sho felt thut ho was WW after her In aatoul'shmeut and iMW" her head vory high. AM. At tho corner Stevo sat In tbecw wuy of his houso cxumlnlng toatum closoly. Soreua cnuglit u sltoP" " pink und ipCognlzod tho llo"r had given him that morning. neuri guvo u leap. t ..y Serena tried to speak but , M J" no need. Hor faco told tlio wow '-v dorful Btory and her truo lover It urlght. ' Little Son By Elsie Endicott 1 BBBWT and beyond seeing that ho was well tuken euro of, and supplied with un ubundauco of playthings, sho ignored him completely, Hut ono night camo when Peter could not bear it any longer. Ho guessed ho would rather bo back In tho orphanage, without nny toyB or wonderful flowers und trees, than bo In tho way iu Jacky'B room, and, anyway, probably sho would rather bo ulono each night with Jacky'a picture, when sho talked to it. His mind once made up, I'etor proceeded to put his thoughts Into action. He would Blip downstairs after his now father und mother, as he still called them, had gone out in tho big machine for tho evening, and then --ho wasn't sure, but he guessed ho might bo able to find tho way along tho dark road up tho hill to tho orphanage No ono heard the littlo feet putter softly down tho thickly carpeted stulr or saw him vanish through tho big oaken door ua Peter timidly made his way out through tho shrubbery an down tho long drlvo through stately columns of trees. How different ev erything looked at night! Peter won dered where tho moon was, It seemed so dark and creepy out hero, and tho trees wero so black, not, pretty like they were In tho daytime. Hut Just then little Peter didn't think any more about tho dark or tho gloomy trees, for a blinding light dazzled his eyes for a moment, something big nud black crashed into him, his head whirled round and round, and u mil lion flashes of light danced before his eyes, and thou ovorythlng grew inky dark. Days and days afterward, it seemed to Peter, ho awakened. Ho lay on his llttlo whlto bed, tho ono that had been Jacky'a, and it was Just twilight, and such wonderful odors comiug in through tho open window from the fragrant gardens. Peter lay a long while with his cyea closed somehow It seemed such an effort to open them, and ho felt so drowsy and comfortable. Then, as ho rondo a feeble attempt to raleo his arm, ho felt u Bhurp twlngo of pain, and, oponlug his eyes, saw that It was all done up In white stuff, such ns they used at tho orphauago when nnyono had fallen and hurt Mm Beir. Also, his head felt funny und throbbed and ached bo. Peter won dered vaguely what it was all about, whon he heard a ooft footfall on tho rug. and tho dearest voice in the world eaylng; "Thank heaveu, Juck he has como out of it all right. Oh, pray. ljj lie mny bo spared to me, couiun't near to ioso n" Trti now, when I am learning to ' so. It would bo Just Hko parWM Jacky nil over ngaln." And bew" ter could realize It, his mouw actually gathered his little wro j Jn her nrrus, and kissed him ju ,1 had aeon hor kiss JacKy w" F, wont away. ....-nil Anil now. IiIr now niOXIie u" . . u to Jacky's picturo nights ncr.?:t4(ii ,.. l..l i iln .tannine. l"..u' lutneu iu IUI MIU viv " and lw" thoy both kissed it together, Wll llttlo Peter know tho Joy w yg craved: for Edith not onl)" n VL kH tight to hor heart as she LL good night kiss, but wly0'5jifi. Just aa If he woro Jacky, " tlo eon good night." i.i - yja- JwaMnKf1MB'1pffVYftMfrtoWrfy'tf BMsyiiiMflyiTlittii iimt - " mii irHifiiiMiMtt TWiiSfiisMi in- m J, Jm