_MICHAEL_

 _O'HALLORAN_

 _Gene Stratton-Porter_

 Copyright 1915, 1916

_Contents_

PAGE

I. Happy Home in Sunrise AlleyII. Moccasins and Lady SlippersIII. S. O. S. IV. "Bearer of Morning"V. Little BrotherVI. The Song of a BirdVII. Peaches' Preference in BlessingsVIII. Big BrotherIX. James Jr. And MalcolmX. The Wheel of LifeXI. The Advent of Nancy and PeterXII. Feminine ReasoningXIII. A Safe PropositionXIV. An Orphans' HomeXV. A Particular NixXVI. The Fingers in the PieXVII. Initiations in an Ancient and Honourable BrotherhoodXVIII. Malcolm and the Hermit ThrushXIX. Establishing ProtectoratesXX. Mickey's Miracle

CHAPTER I

_Happy Home in Sunrise Alley_

"_Aw_ KID, _come on! Be square!_"

"_You look out what you say to me. _"

"_But ain't you going to keep your word?_"

"_Mickey, do you want your head busted?_"

"_Naw! But I did your work so you could loaf; now I want the pay youpromised me. _"

"_Let's see you get it! Better take it from me, hadn't you?_"

"_You're twice my size; you know I can't, Jimmy!_"

"_Then you know it too, don't you?_"

"_Now look here kid, it's 'cause you're getting so big that folks will bebuying quicker of a little fellow like me; so you've laid in the sun allafternoon while I been running my legs about off to sell your papers; andwhen the last one is gone, I come and pay you what they sold for; now it'sup to you to do what you promised. _"

"_Why didn't you keep it when you had it?_"

"_'Cause that ain't business! I did what I promised fair and square; I wasgiving you a chance to be square too. _"

"_Oh! Well next time you won't be such a fool!_"

Jimmy turned to step from the gutter to the sidewalk. Two things happenedto him simultaneously: Mickey became a projectile. He smashed with theforce of a wiry fist on the larger boy's head, while above both, anathletic arm gripped him by the collar. 

Douglas Bruce was hurrying to see a client before he should leave hisoffice; but in passing a florist's window his eye was attracted by a sightso beautiful he paused an instant, considering. It was spring; the Indianswere coming down to Multiopolis to teach people what the wood Gods had putinto their hearts about flower magic. 

The watcher scarcely had realized the exquisite loveliness of a milk-whitebirch basket filled with bog moss of silvery green, in which were setmaidenhair and three yellow lady slippers, until beside it was placedanother woven of osiers blood red, moss carpeted and bearing five pinkmoccasin flowers, faintly fined with red lavender; between them rosemaryand white ladies' tresses. A flush crept over the lean face of theScotsman. He saw a vision. Over those baskets bent a girl, beautiful asthe flowers. Plainly as he visualized the glory of the swamp, DouglasBruce pictured the woman he loved above the orchids. While he lingered, his heart warmed, glowing, his wonderful spring day made more wonderful bya vision not adequately describable, on his ear fell Mickey's admonition:"Be square!"

He sent one hasty glance toward the gutter. He saw a sullen-faced newsboyof a size that precluded longer success at paper selling, because publicsympathy goes to the little fellows. Before him stood one of these samelittle fellows, lean, tow-haired, and blue-eyed, clean of face, neat indress; with a peculiar modulation in his voice that caught Douglassquarely in the heart. He turned again to the flowers, but as his eyesrevelled in beauty, his ears, despite the shuffle of passing feet, and theclamour of cars, lost not one word of what was passing in the gutter, while with each, slow anger surged higher. Mickey, well aware that hisfirst blow would be all the satisfaction coming to him, put the force ofhis being into his punch. At the same instant Douglas thrust forth a handthat had pulled for Oxford and was yet in condition. 

"Aw, you big stiff!" gasped Jimmy, twisting an astonished neck to see whatwas happening above and in his rear so surprisingly. Had that littleMickey O'Halloran gone mad to hit _him?_ Mickey standing back, his faceupturned, was quite as surprised as Jimmy. 

"What did he promise you for selling his papers?" demanded a deep voice. 

"Twen--ty-_five_, " answered Mickey, with all the force of inflection inhis power. "And if you heard us, Mister, you heard him own up he was owingit. "

"I did, " answered Douglas Bruce tersely. Then to Jimmy: "Hand him overtwenty-five cents. "

Jimmy glared upward, but what he saw and the tightening of the hand on hiscollar were convincing. He drew from his pocket five nickels, droppingthem into the outstretched hand of Douglas, who passed them to Mickey, thesoiled fingers of whose left hand closed over them, while his rightsnatched off his cap. Fear was on his face, excitement was in his eyes, triumph was in his voice, while a grin of comradeship curved his lips. 

"Many thanks, Boss, " he said. "And would you add to them by keeping thatstrangle hold 'til you give me just two seconds the start of him?" Hewheeled, darting through the crowd. 

"Mickey!" cried Douglas Bruce. "Mickey, wait!"

But Mickey was half a block away turning into an alley. The man's griptightened a twist. 

"You'll find Mickey's admonition good, " he said. "I advise you to take it. 'Be square!' And two things: first, I've got an eye on the Mickeys of thiscity. If I ever again find you imposing on him or any one else, I'll putyou where you can't. Understand? Second, who is he?"

"Mickey!" answered the boy. 

"Mickey who?" asked Douglas. 

"How'd I know?" queried Jimmy. 

"You don't know his name?" pursued Douglas. 

"Naw, I don't!" said the boy. 

"Where does he live?" continued Douglas. 

"I don't know, " answered Jimmy. 

"If you have a charge to prefer, I'll take that youngster in for you, "offered a policeman passing on his beat. 

"He was imposing on a smaller newsboy. I made him quit, " Douglasexplained. "That's all. "

"Oh!" said the officer, withdrawing his hand. Away sped Jimmy; with himwent all chance of identifying Mickey, but Bruce thought he would watchfor him. He was such an attractive little fellow. 

Mickey raced through the first alley, down a street, then looked behind. Jimmy was not in sight. 

"Got _him_ to dodge now, " he muttered. "If he ever gets a grip on me he'llhammer me meller! I'm going to have a bulldog if I half starve to buy it. Maybe the pound would give me one. I'll see to-morrow. "

He looked long, then started homeward, which meant to jump on a car andride for miles, then follow streets and alleys again. Finally he entered alast alley that faced due east. A compass could not have pointed moredirectly toward the rising sun; while there was at least half an hour eachclear morning when rickety stairs, wavering fire-escapes, flapping washes, and unkept children were submerged in golden light. Long ago it had beennamed. By the time of Mickey's advent Sunrise Alley was as much a part ofthe map of Multiopolis as Biddle Boulevard, and infinitely more pleasingin name. He began climbing interminable stairs. At the top of the lastflight he unlocked his door to enter his happy home; for Mickey had ahome, and it was a happy one. No one else lived in it, while all itcontained was his. 

Mickey knew three things about his father: he had had one, he was notsquare, and he drank himself to death. He could not remember his father, but he knew many men engaged in the occupation of his passing, so he wellunderstood why his mother never expressed any regrets. 

Vivid in his mind was her face, anxious and pale, but twinkling; her bodyfrail and overtaxed, but hitting back at life uncomplainingly. Bad thingshappened, but she explained how they might have been worse; so fed on thissop, and watching her example, Mickey grew like her. The difficult timewas while she sat over a sewing machine to be with him. When he grewstout-legged and self-reliant, he could be sent after the food, to carrythe rent, and to sell papers, then she could work by the day, earn more, have better health, while what both brought home paid the rent of the toproom back, of as bad a shamble as a self-respecting city would allow; keptthem fed satisfyingly if not nourishingly, and allowed them to slip awaymany a nickel for the rainy day that she always explained would come. Andit did. 

One morning she could not get up; the following Mickey gave all theirsavings to a man with a wagon to take her to a nice place to rest. The manwas sure about it being a nice place. She had told Mickey so often what todo if this ever happened, that when it did, all that was necessary was toremember what he had been told. After it was over and the nice place hadbeen paid for, with the nickels and the sewing machine, with enough leftfor the first month's rent, Mickey faced life alone. But he knew exactlywhat to do, because she had told him. She had even written it down lest heforget. It was so simple that only a boy who did not mind his mother couldhave failed. The formula worked perfectly. 

_Morning: Get up early. Wash your face, brush your clothes. Eat what wasleft from supper for breakfast. Put your bed to air, then go out with yourpapers. Don't be afraid to offer them, or to do work of any sort you havestrength for; but be deathly afraid to beg, to lie, or to steal, while ifyou starve, freeze, or die, never, never touch any kind of drink_. 

Any fellow could do that; Mickey told dozens of them so. 

He got along so well he could pay the rent each month, dress in wholeclothing, have enough to eat, often cooked food on the little gasolinestove, if he were not too tired to cook it, and hide nickels in the oldplace daily. He had a bed and enough cover; he could get water in the hallat the foot of the flight of stairs leading to his room for his bath, toscrub the floor, and wash the dishes. From two years on, he had helped hismother with every detail of her housekeeping; he knew exactly what must bedone. 

It was much more dreadful than he thought it would be to come home alone, and eat supper by himself, but if he sold papers until he was almostasleep where he stood, he found he went to sleep as soon as he reachedhome and had supper. He did not awaken until morning; then he could hurryhis work and get ahead of the other boys, and maybe sell to theircustomers. It might be bad to be alone, but always he could remember her, and make her seem present by doing every day exactly what she told him. Then, after all, being alone was a very wonderful thing compared withhaving parents who might beat and starve him and take the last penny heearned, not leaving enough to keep him from being hungry half the time. 

When Mickey looked at some of the other boys, and heard many of them talk, he almost forgot the hourly hunger for his mother, in thankfulness that hedid not have a father and that his mother had been herself. Mickey feltsure that if she had been any one of the mothers of most other boys heknew, he would not have gone home at all. He could endure cold, hunger, and loneliness, but he felt that he had no talent for being robbed, beaten, and starved; while lately he had fully decided upon a dog forcompany, when he could find the right one. 

Mickey unlocked his door, entering for his water bucket. Such was hisfaith in his environment that he relocked the door while he went to thewater tap. Returning to the room he again turned the key, then washed hisface and hands. He looked at the slip nailed on the wall where she had putit. He knew every word of it, but always it comforted him to see herfamiliar writing, to read aloud what to do next as if it were her voicespeaking to him. Evening: "Make up your bed. " Mickey made his. "Wash anydirty dishes. " He had a few so he washed them. "Sweep your floor. " Heswept. "Always prepare at least one hot thing for supper. " He shook thegasoline tank to the little stove. It sounded full enough, so he went tothe cupboard his mother had made from a small packing case. There werehalf a loaf of bread wrapped in its oiled paper, with two bananasdiscarded by Joe of the fruit stand. He examined his pocket, although heknew perfectly what it contained. Laying back enough to pay for his stockthe next day, then counting in his twenty-five cents, he had forty centsleft. He put thirty in the rent box, starting out with ten. Five paid fora bottle of milk, three for cheese, two for an egg for breakfast. 

Then he went home. At the foot of the fire-escape that he used inpreference to the stairs, he met a boy he knew tugging a heavy basket. 

"Take an end for a nickel, " said the boy. 

"Thanks, " said Mickey. "It's my time to dine. 'Sides, I been done once to-day. "

"If you'll take it, I'll pay first, " he offered. 

"How far?" questioned Mickey. 

"Oh, right over here, " said the boy indefinitely. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Cross my palm with the silver. "

The nickel changed hands. Mickey put the cheese and egg in his pocket, themilk in the basket, then started. The place where they delivered the washmade Mickey feel almost prosperous. He picked up his milk bottle andstepped from the door, when a long, low wail that made him shudder, reached his ear. 

"What's that?" he asked the woman. 

"A stiff was carried past to-day. Mebby they ain't took the kids yet. "

Mickey went slowly down the stairs, his face sober. That was what hismother had feared for him. That was why she had trained him to care forhimself, to save the pennies, so that when she was taken away, he stillwould have a home. Sounded like a child! He was halfway up the long flightof stairs before he realized that he was going. He found the door at last, then, stood listening. He heard long-drawn, heart-breaking moaning. Presently he knocked. A child's shriek was the answer. Mickey straightwayopened the door. The voice guided him to a heap of misery in a corner. 

"What's the matter kid?" inquired Mickey huskily. 

The bundle stirred, while a cry issued. He glanced around the room. Whathe saw reassured him. He laid hold of the tatters, beginning to uncoverwhat was under them. He dropped his hands, stepping back, when a tangledyellow mop and a weazened, bloated girl-child face peered at him, withwildly frightened eyes. 

"If you'd put the wind you're wastin' into words, we'd get something donequicker, " advised Mickey. 

The tiny creature clutched the filthy covers, still staring. 

"Did you come to '_get_' me?" she quavered. 

"No, " said Mickey. "I heard you from below so I came to see what hurt you. Ain't you got folks?"

She shook her head: "They took granny in a box and they said they'd comeright back and '_get_' me. Oh, please, please don't let them!"

"Why they'd be good to you, " said Mickey largely. "They'd give you"--heglanced at all the things the room lacked, then enumerated--"a clean bed, lots to eat, a window you could be seeing from, a doll, maybe. "

"No! No!" she cried. "Granny always said some day she'd go and leave me;then they'd '_get_' me. She's gone! The big man said they'd come rightback. Oh don't let them! Oh hide me quick!"

"Well--well--! If you're so afraid, why don't you cut and hide yourselfthen?" he asked. 

"My back's bad. I can't walk, " the child answered. 

"Oh Lord!" said Mickey. "When did you get hurt?"

"It's always been bad. I ain't ever walked, " she said. 

"Well!" breathed Mickey, aghast. "And knowing she'd have to leave you someday, your granny went and scared you stiff about the Home folks takingyou, when it's the only place for you to be going? Talk about women havingthe sense to vote!"

"I won't go! I won't! I'll scratch them! I'll bite them!" Then in swiftchange: "Oh boy, don't. Please, please don't let them '_get_' me. "

Mickey took both the small bony hands reaching for him. He was sofrightened with their hot, tremulous clutch, that he tried to pull away, dragging the tiny figure half to light and bringing from it moans of pain. 

"Oh my back! Oh you're hurting me! Oh don't leave me! Oh boy, oh _dear_boy, please don't leave me!"

When she said "Oh dear boy, " Mickey heard the voice of his mother in anhourly phrase. He crept closer, enduring the touch of the grimy claws. 

"My name's Mickey, " he said. "What's your?"

"Peaches, " she answered. "Peaches, when I'm good. Crippled brat, when I'mbad. "

"B'lieve if you had your chance you could look the peaches, " said Mickey, "but what were you bad for?"

"So's she'd hit me, " answered Peaches. 

"But if me just pulling a little hurt you so, what happened when she hityou?" asked Mickey. 

"Like knives stuck into me, " said Peaches. 

"Then what did you be bad for?" marvelled Mickey. 

"Didn't you ever get so tired of one thing you'd take something that hurt, jus' for a change?"

"My eye!" said Mickey. "I don't know one fellow who'd do that, Peaches. "

"Mickey, hide me. Oh hide me! Don't let them '_get_' me!" she begged. 

"Why kid, you're crazy, " said Mickey. "Now lemme tell you. Where they'lltake you _looks_ like a nice place. Honest it does. I've seen lots ofthem. You get a clean soft bed all by yourself, three big hot meals a day, things to read, and to play with. Honest Peaches, you do! I wouldn't tellyou if it wasn't so. If I'll stay with you 'til they come, then go withyou to the place 'til you see how nice it is, will you be good and go?"

She burrowed in the covers, screeching again. 

"You're scared past all reason, " said Mickey. "You don't know anything. But maybe the Orphings' Homes ain't so good as they look. If they are, whywas mother frightened silly about them getting _me?_ Always she said shejust _had_ to live until I got so big they wouldn't 'get' me. And I keptthem from getting me by doing what she told me. Wonder if I could keepthem from getting you? There's nothing of you. If I could move you there, I bet I could feed you more than your granny did, while I know I couldkeep you cleaner. You could have my bed, a window to look from, and cleancovers. " Mickey was thinking aloud. "Having you to come home to would belots nicer than nothing. You'd beat a dog all hollow, 'cause you can talk. If I could get you there, I believe I could be making it. Yes, I believe Icould do a lot better than this, and I believe I'd like you, Peaches, youare such a game little kid. "

"She could lift me with one hand, " she panted. "Oh Mickey, take me!Hurry!"

"Lemme see if I can manage you, " said Mickey. "Have you got to be took anyparticular way?"

"Mickey, ain't you got folks that beat you?" she asked. 

"I ain't got folks now, " said Mickey, "and they didn't beat me when I hadthem. I'm all for myself--and if you say so, I guess from now on, I'm foryou. Want to go?"

Her arms wound tightly around his neck. Her hot little face pressedagainst it. 

"Put one arm 'cross my shoulders, an' the other round my legs, " she said. 

"But I got to go down a lot of stairs; it's miles and miles, " said Mickey, "and I ain't got but five cents. I spent it all for grub. Peaches, are youhungry?"

"No!" she said stoutly. "Mickey, hurry!"

"But honest, I can't carry you all that way. I would if I could, Peaches, honest I would. "

"Oh Mickey, dear Mickey, hurry!" she begged. 

"Get down and cover up 'til I think, " he ordered. "Say you look here! If Itackle this job do you want a change bad enough to be mean for me?"

"Just a little bit, maybe, " said Peaches. 

"But I won't hit you, " explained Mickey. 

"You can if you want to, " she said. "I won't cry. Give me a good cracknow, an' see if I do. "

"You make me sick at my stummick, " said Mickey. "Lord, kid! Snuggle down'til I see. I'm going to get you there some way. "

Mickey went back to the room where he helped deliver the clothes basket. "How much can you earn the rest of the night?" he asked the woman. 

"Mebby ten cents, " she said. 

"Well, if you will loan me that basket and ten cents, and come with me anhour, there's that back and just a dollar in it for you, lady, " heoffered. 

She turned from him with a sneering laugh. 

"Honest, lady!" said Mickey. "This is how it is: that crying got me so Iwent Anthony Comstockin'. There's a kid with a lame back all alone upthere, half starved and scared fighting wild. We could put her in thatbasket, she's just a handful, and take her to a place she wants to go. Wecould ride most of the way on the cars and then a little walk, and get herto a cleaner, better room, where she'd be taken care of, and in an houryou'd be back with enough nickels in your pocket to make a great, big, round, shining, full-moon cartwheel. Dearest lady, doesn't the prospectplease you?"

"It would, " she said, "if I had the cartwheel now. "

"In which case you wouldn't go, " said Mickey. "Dearest lady, it isn'tbusiness to pay for undone work. "

"And it isn't business to pay your employer's fare to get to your jobeither, " she retorted. 

"No, that beats business a mile, " said Mickey. "That's an _investment_. You invest ten cents and an hour's time on a gamble. Now look what youget, lady. A nice restful ride on the cars. Your ten cents back, a whole, big, shining, round, lady-liberty bird, if you trust in God, as the coinsays the bird does, and more'n that, dearest lady, you go to bed feelingyour pinfeathers sprouting, 'cause you've done a kind deed to a poorcrippled orphing. "

"If I thought you really had the money--" she said. 

"Honest, lady, I got the money, " said Mickey, "and 'sides, I got asurprise party for you. When you get back you may go to that room and takeevery scrap that's in it. Now come on; you're going to be enough of asporting lady to try a chance like that, ain't you? May be a gold mine upthere, for all I know. Put something soft in the bottom of the basketwhile I fetch the kid. "

Mickey ran up the stairs. 

"Now Peaches, " he said, "I guess I got it fixed. I'm going to carry youdown; a nice lady is going to put you in a big basket, then we'll take youto the cars and so get you to my house; but you got to promise, 'crossyour heart, you won't squeal, nor say a word, 'cause the police will 'get'you sure, if you do. They'll think the woman is your ma, so it will be allright. See?"

Peaches nodded. Mickey wrapped her in the remnants of a blanket, carriedher downstairs and laid her in the basket. By turning on her side anddrawing up her feet, she had more room than she needed. 

"They won't let us on the cars, " said the woman. 

"Dearest lady, wait and see, " said Mickey. "Now Peaches, shut your eyes, also your mouth. Don't you take a chance at saying a word. If they won'tstand the basket, we'll carry you, but it would hurt you less, while itwould come in handy when we run out of cars. You needn't take coin onlyfor going, dearest lady; you'll be silver plated coming back. "

"You little fool, " said the woman, but she stooped to her end of thebasket. 

"Ready, Peaches, " said Mickey, "and if it hurts, 'member it will soon beover, and you'll be where nobody will ever hurt you again. "

"Hurry!" begged the child. 

Down the long stairs they went and to the car line. Crowded car after carwhirled past; finally one came not so full, it stopped to let offpassengers. Mickey was at the conductor's elbow. 

"Please mister, a lame kid, " he pleaded. "We want to move her. Please, please help us on. "

"Can't!" said the conductor. "Take a taxi. "

"Broke my limousine, " said Mickey. "Aw come on mister; ain't you got kidsof your own?"

"Get out of the way!" shouted the conductor. 

"Hang on de back wid the basket, " cried the woman. 

With Peaches laid over her shoulder, she swung to the platform, and founda seat, while Mickey grabbed the basket and ran to the back screamingafter her: "I got my fare; only pay for yourself. " Mickey told theconductor to tell the lady where to leave the car. When she stepped downhe was ready with the basket. Peaches, panting and in cold perspirationwith pain, was laid in it. 

"Lovely part of the village, ain't it, lady?" said Mickey. "See thecastles of the millyingaires piercing the sky; see their automobiles atthe curb; see the lovely ladies and gents promenading the streets enjoyingthe spring?"

Every minute Mickey talked to keep the woman from noticing how far she wasgoing; but soon she growled: "How many miles furder is it?"

"Just around a corner, up an alley, and down a side street a step. Nothingat all! Nice promenade for a spry, lovely young lady like you. Eveningwalk, smell spring in the air. 'Most there now, Peaches. "

"Where are ye takin' this kid? How'll I ever get back to the car line?"asked the woman. 

Mickey ignored the first question. "Why, I'll be eschorting you of course, dearest lady, " he said. 

At the point of rebellion, Mickey spoke. "Now set the basket down righthere, " he ordered. "I'll be back in no time with the lady-bird. "

He returned in a few minutes. Into her outstretched palm he countedtwenty-two nickels, picked the child from the basket, darted around acorner calling, "Back in a minute, " and was gone. 

"Now Peaches, we got some steps to climb, " he said. "Grip my neck tightand stand just a little more. "

"I ain't hurt!" she asserted. "I like seein' things. I never saw so muchbefore. I ain't hurt--much!"

"Your face, your breathing, and the sweating on your lips, is a littledisproving, " said Mickey, "but I'll have to take your word for it, 'causeI can't help it; but it'll soon be over so you may rest. "

Mickey climbed a flight, then sat down until he could manage another. Thelast flight he rested three times. One reason he laid Peaches on the floorwas because he couldn't reach the bed. After a second's pause he madea light, and opened the milk bottle. 

"Connect with that, " he said. "I got to take the lady back to the cars. "

"Oh!" cried the connected child. "Oh Mickey, how good!"

"Go slow!" said Mickey. "You better save half to have with some bread foryour supper. Now I got to leave you a little bit, but you needn't beafraid, 'cause I'll lock you in. Nobody will '_get_' you here. "

"Now for the cars, " said Mickey to his helper. 

"What did them folks say?" she asked. 

"Tickled all over, " answered Mickey promptly. 

"That bundle of dirty rags!" she scoffed. 

"They are going to throw away the rags and wash her, " said Mickey. "She'sgetting her supper now. "

"Sounds like lying, " said the woman, "but mebby it ain't. Save me, I can'tsee why anybody would want a kid at any time, let alone a reekin' bunch ofskin and crooked bones. "

"You've known folks to want a dog, ain't you?" said Mickey. "Suresomething that can think and talk back must be a lot more amusing. I seethe parks are full of the rich folks dolling up the dogs, feeding themcandy and sending them out for an airing in their automobiles; so it's upto the poor people to look after the homeless children, isn't it?"

"Do you know the folks that took her?"

"Sure I do!" said Mickey. 

"Do you live close?" she persisted. 

"Yes! I'm much obliged for your help, dearest lady. When you get home, goup to the last attic back, and if there is anything there you want, helpyourself. Peaches don't need it now, while there's no one else. Thank you, and good-bye. Don't fly before your wings grow, 'cause I know you'll feellike trying to-night. "

Mickey hurried back to his room. The milk bottle lay on the floor, thechild asleep beside it. The boy gazed at her. There were strange andpeculiar stirrings in his lonely little heart. She was so grimy hescarcely could tell what she looked like, but the grip of her tiny hothands was on him. Presently he laughed. 

"Well fellers! Look what I've annexed! And I was hunting a dog! Well, she's lots better. She won't eat much more, she can talk, and she'll besomething alive waiting when I come home. Gee, I'm _glad_ I found her. "

Mickey set the washtub on the floor near the sleeping child, and fillingthe dishpan with water, put it over the gasoline burner. Then he producedsoap, a towel, and comb. He looked at the child again, and going to thebox that contained his mother's clothing he hunted out a nightdress. Thenhe sat down to wait for the water to heat. The door slammed when he wentafter a bucket of cold water, and awakened the girl. She looked at him, then at his preparations. 

"I ain't going to be washed, " she said. "It'll hurt me. Put me on thebed. "

"Put you on my bed, dirty like you are?" cried Mickey. "I guess not! Youare going to be a soaped lady. If it hurts, you can be consoling yourselfthinking it will be the last time, 'cause after this you'll be washedevery day so you won't need skinning alive but once. "

"I won't! I won't!" she cried. 

"Now looky here!" said Mickey. "I'm the boss of this place. If I say wash, it's _wash!_ See! I ain't going to have a dirty girl with mats in her hairliving with me. You begged me and begged me to bring you, now you'll becleaned up or you'll go back. Which is it, back or soap?"

The child stared at him, then around the room. 

"Soap, " she conceded. 

"That's a lady, " said Mickey. "Course it's soap! All clean and sweetsmelling like a flower. See my mammy's nice white nightie for you? How badis your back, Peaches? Can you sit up?"

"A little while, " she answered. "My legs won't go. "

"Never you mind, " said Mickey. "I'll work hard and get a doctor, so someday they will. "

"They won't ever, " insisted Peaches. "Granny carried me to the big doctorsonce, an' my backbone is weak, an' I won't ever walk, they all said so. "

"Poot! Doctors don't know everything, " scorned Mickey. "That was _long_ago, maybe. By the time I can earn enough to get you a dress and shoes, adoctor will come along who's found out how to make backs over. There's onethat put different legs on a dog. I read about it in the papers I sold. We'll save our money and get him to put another back on you. Just a bullyback. "

"Oh Mickey, will you?" she cried. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Now you sit up and I'll wash you like Mammy alwaysdid me. "

Peaches obeyed. Mickey soaped a cloth, knelt beside her; then he paused. "Say Peaches, when was your hair combed last?"

"I don't know, Mickey, " she answered. 

"There's more dirt in it than there is on your face. "

"If you got shears, just cut it off, " she suggested. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. 

He produced shears and lifting string after string cut all of them thesame distance from her head. 

"Girls' shouldn't be short, like boys', " he explained. "Now hang your headover the edge of the tub and shut your eyes so I can wash it, " he ordered. 

Mickey soaped and scoured until the last tangle was gone, then rinsed andpartly dried the hair, which felt soft and fine to his fingers. 

"B'lieve it's going to curl, " he said. 

"Always did, " she answered. 

Mickey emptied and rinsed the tub at the drain, then started again on herface and ears, which he washed thoroughly. He pinned a sheet around herneck, then she divested herself of the rags. Mickey lifted her into thetub, draped the sheet over the edge, poured in the water, and handed herthe soap. 

"Now you scour, while I get supper, " he said. 

Peaches did her best. Mickey locked her in and went after more milk. Hewanted to add several extras, but remembering the awful hole the dollarhad made in his finances, he said grimly: "No-sir-ee! With a family tokeep, and likely to need a doctor at any time and a Carrel back to buy, there's no frills for Mickey. Seeing what she ain't had, she ought to bethankful for just milk. "

So he went back, lifted Peaches from the tub and laid her on the floor, where he dried her with the sheet. Then he put the nightdress over herhead, she slipped her arms in the sleeves, and he stretched her on hisbed. She was so lost in the garment he tied a string under her arms tohold it, and cut off the sleeves at her elbows. The pieces he saved forwashcloths. Mickey spread his sheet over her, rolled the bed before thewindow where she could have air, see sky and housetops, then brought hersupper. It was a cup of milk with half the bread broken in, and a banana. Peaches was too tired to eat, so she drank the milk while Mickey finishedthe remainder. Then he threw her rags from the window, and spread hiswinter covers on the floor for his bed. Soon both of them were asleep. 

CHAPTER II

_Moccasins and Lady Slippers_

"No messenger boy for those, " said Douglas Bruce as he handed the floristthe price set on the lady slippers. "Leave them where people may enjoythem until I call. "

As he turned, another man was inquiring about the orchids; he toopreferred the slippers; but when he was told they were taken, he hadwanted the moccasins all the time, anyway. The basket was far moreattractive. He refused delivery, returning to his waiting car smiling overthe flowers. He also saw a vision of the woman into whose sated life hehoped to bring a breath of change with the wonderful gift. He saw thebasket in her hands, and thrilled in anticipation of the favours herwarmed heart might prompt her to bestow upon him. 

In the mists of early morning the pink orchids surrounded by rosemary andladies' tresses had glowed and gleamed from the top of a silvery mossmound four feet deep, under a big tamarack in a swamp, through the bog ofwhich the squaw plunged to her knees at each step to uproot them. In theevening glow of electricity, snapped from their stems, the beautifulbasket untouched, the moccasins lay on the breast of a woman of fashion, while with every second of contact with the warmth of her body, theydrooped lower, until clasped in the arms of her lover, they were quitecrushed, then flung from an automobile to be ground to pulp by passingwheels. 

The slippers had a happier fate. Douglas Bruce carried them reverently. Hewas sure he knew the swamp in which they grew. As he went his way, he heldthe basket, velvet-white, in strong hands, swaying his body with themotion of the car lest one leaf be damaged. When he entered the hall, downthe stairs came Leslie Winton. 

"Why Douglas, I wasn't expecting you, " she said. 

Douglas Bruce held up the basket. 

"Joy!" she cried. "Oh joy unspeakable! Who has been to the tamarackswamp?"

"A squaw was leaving Lowry's as he put these in his window, " answeredDouglas. 

"Bring them, " she said. 

He followed to a wide side veranda, set the basket on a table in a coolspot, then drew a chair near it. Leslie Winton seated herself, leaning onthe table to study the orchids. Unconsciously she made the picture Douglashad seen. She reached up slim fingers in delicate touchings here and thereof moss, corolla and slipper. 

"Never in all my days--" she said. "Never in all my days--I shall keep thebasket always, and the slippers as long as I possibly can. See this one!It isn't fully open. I should have them for a week at least. Please handme a glass of water. "

Douglas started to say that ice water would be too cold, but with thewisdom of a wise man waited; and as always, was joyed by the waiting. Forthe girl took the glass and cupping her hands around it sat talking to theflowers, and to him, as she warmed the water with heat from her body. Douglas was so delighted with the unforeseen second that had given himfirst chance at the orchids, and so this unexpected call, that he did notmind the attention she gave the flowers. He had reasons for not beingextravagant; but seldom had a like sum brought such returns. He begandrawing interest as he watched Leslie. Never had her form seemed soperfect, her dress so becoming and simple. How could other women make avulgar display in the same pattern that clothed her modestly? Howwonderful were the soft coils of her hair, the tints paling and flushingon her cheeks, her shining eyes! Why could not all women use her low, even, perfectly accented speech and deliberate self-control?

He was in daily intercourse with her father, a high official of the city, a man of education, social position, and wealth. Mr. Winton had reared hisonly child according to his ideas; but Douglas, knowing these things, believed in blood also. As Leslie turned and warmed the water, watchingher, the thought was strong in his mind: what a woman her mother must havebeen! Each day he was with Leslie, he saw her do things that no amount ofculture could instil. Instinct and tact are inborn; careful rearing mayproduce a good imitation, they are genuine only with blood. Leslie hadalways filled his ideal of a true woman. To ignore him for his gift wouldhave piqued many a man; Douglas Bruce was pleased. 

"You wonders!" she said softly. "Oh you wonders! When the mists lifted inthe marshes this morning, and the first ray of gold touched you to equalgoldness, you didn't know you were coming to me. I almost wish I could putyou back. Just now you should be in such cool mistiness, while you shouldbe hearing a hermit thrush sing vespers, a cedar bird call, and a whip-poor-will cry. But I'm glad I have you! Oh I'm so glad you came to me! Inever materialized a whole swamp with such vividness as only this littlepart of it brings. Douglas, when you caught the first glimpse of these, how far into the swamp did you see past them?"

"To the heart--of the swamp--and of my heart. "

"I can see it as perfectly as I ever did, " she said. "But I eliminate thesquaw; possibly because I didn't see her. And however exquisite the basketis, she broke the law when she peeled a birch tree. I'll wager she broughtthis to Lowry, carefully covered. And I'm not sure but there should havebeen a law she broke when she uprooted these orchids. Much as I love them, I doubt if I can keep them alive, and bring them to bloom next season. I'll try, but I don't possess flower magic in the highest degree. "

She turned the glass, touching it with questioning palm. Was it near thewarmth of bog water? After all, was bog water warm? Next time she was in aswamp she would plunge her hand deeply in the mosses to feel the exacttemperature to which those roots had been accustomed. Then she spokeagain. 

"Yes, I eliminate the squaw, " she said. "These golden slippers are theswamp to me, but I see you kneeling to lift them. I am so glad I'm thewoman they made you see. "

Douglas sat forward and opened his lips. Was not this the auspiciousmoment?

"Did the squaw bring more?" she questioned. 

"Yes, " he answered. "Pink moccasins in a basket of red osiers, with thesame moss, rosemary and white tresses. Would you rather those?"

She set down the glass, drawing the basket toward her with both hands. Asshe parted the mosses to drop in the water she slowly shook her head. 

"One must have seen them to understand what that would be like, " she said. "I know it was beautiful, but I'm sure I should have selected the gold hadI been there. Oh I wonder if the woman who has the moccasins will givethem a drink to-night! And will she try to preserve their roots?"

"She will not!" said Douglas emphatically. 

"How can you possibly know?" queried the girl. 

"I saw the man who ordered them, " laughed Douglas. 

"Oh!" cried Leslie, comprehendingly. 

"I'd stake all I'm worth the moccasins are drooping against a lavenderdress; the roots are in the garbage can, while the cook or maid has thebasket, " he said. 

"Douglas, how can you!" exclaimed Leslie. 

"I couldn't! Positively couldn't! Mine are here!"

The slow colour crept into her cheek. "I'll make those roots bloom nextspring; you shall see them in perfection, " she promised. 

"That would be wonderful!" he exclaimed warmly. 

"Tell me, were there yet others?" she asked hastily. 

"Only these, " he said. "But there was something else. I came near losingthem. While I debated, or rather while I possessed these, and worshippedthe others, there was a gutter row that almost made me lose yours. "

"In the gutter again?" she laughed. 

"Once again, " he admitted. "Such a little chap, with an appealing voice, while his inflection was the smallest part of what he was saying. 'Aw kid, come on. Be square!' Oh Leslie!"

"Why Douglas!" the girl cried. "Tell me!"

"Of all the wooden-head slowness!" he exclaimed. "I've let him slipagain!"

"Let who 'slip again?'" questioned Leslie. "My little brother!" answeredhe. 

"Oh Douglas! You didn't really?" she protested. 

"Yes I did, " he said. "I heard a little lad saying the things that are inthe blood and bone of the men money can't buy and corruption can't break. I heard him plead like a lawyer and argue his case straight. I lent a handwhen his eloquence failed, got him his deserts, then let him go! I didhave an impulse to keep him. I did call after him. But he disappeared. "

"Douglas, we can find him!" she comforted. 

"I haven't found either of the others I realized I'd have been interestedin, after I let them slip, " he answered, "while this boy was both of themrolled into one, and ten more like them. "

"Oh Douglas! I'm so sorry! But maybe some other man has already foundhim, " said Leslie. 

"No. You can always pick the brothered boys, " said Douglas. "The firstthing that happens to them is a clean-up and better clothing; then an airof possessed importance. No man has attached this one. "

"Douglas, describe him, " she commanded. "I'll watch for him. How did helook? What was the trouble?"

"One at a time, " cautioned the man. "He was a little chap, a white, clean, threadbare little chap, with such a big voice, so wonderfully intoned, andsuch a bigger principle, for which he was fighting. One of these overgrownnewsboys the public won't stand for unless he is in the way when they aremaking a car, had hired him to sell his papers while he loafed. Mickey----"

"'Mickey?'" repeated Leslie questioningly. 

"The big fellow called him 'Mickey'; no doubt a mother who adored himnamed him Michael, and thought him 'like unto God' when she did it. Thebig fellow had loafed all afternoon. When Mickey came back and turned overthe money, and waited to be paid off, his employer laughed at the boy fornot keeping it when he had it. Mickey begged him 'to be square' and toldhim that 'was not business'--'_not business_, ' mind you, but the bigfellow jeered at him and was starting away. Mickey and I reached him atthe same time; so I got in the gutter again. I don't see how I can be soslow! I don't see how I did it!"

"I don't either, " she said, with a twinkle that might have referred to thefirst of the two exclamations. "It must be your Scotch habit of goingslowly and surely. But cheer up! We'll find him. I'll help you. "

"Have you reflected on the fact that this city covers many square miles, of which a fourth is outskirts, while from them three thousand newsboysgathered at the last Salvation Army banquet for them?"

"That's where we can find him!" she cried. "Thanksgiving, or Christmas! Ofcourse we'll see him then. "

"Mickey didn't have a Salvation Army face, " he said. "I am sure he is afree lance, and a rare one; besides, this is May. I want my little brotherto go on my vacation with me. I want him now. "

"Would it help any if I'd be a sister to you?"

"Not a bit, " said Douglas. "I don't in the very least wish to consider youin the light of a sister; you have another place in my heart, verydifferent, yet all your own; but I do wish to make of Mickey the littlebrother I never have had. Minturn was telling me what a rejuvenation he'sgetting from the boy he picked up. Already he has him in his office, andis planning school and partnership with a man he can train as he chooses. "

"But Minturn has sons of his own!" protested Leslie. 

"Oh no! Not in the least!" exclaimed Douglas. "Minturn has sons of his_wife's_. She persistently upsets and frustrates Minturn's every idea forthem, while he is helpless. You will remember she has millions; he haswhat he earns. He can't separate his boys, splendid physical little chaps, from their mother's money and influence, and educate them to be a help tohim. They are to be made into men of wealth and leisure. Minturn willevolve his little brother into a man of brains and efficiency. "

"But Minturn is a power!" cried the girl. 

"Not financially, " explained Douglas. "Nothing but money counts with hiswife. In telling me of this boy, Minturn confessed that he was forced, _forced_ mind you, to see his sons ruined, while he is building a streetgamin as he would them, if permitted. "

"How sad, Douglas!" cried Leslie. "Your voice is bitter. Can't he dosomething?"

"Not a blooming thing!" answered Douglas. "She has the money. She is theirmother. Her character is unimpeachable. If Minturn went to extremes, thelaw would give them to her; she would turn them over to ignorant servantswho would corrupt them, and be well paid for doing it. Why Minturn toldme--but I can't repeat that. Anyway, he made me eager to try my ideas on alad who would be company for me, when I can't be here and don't wish to bewith other men. "

"Are you still going to those Brotherhood meetings?"

"I am. And I always shall be. Nothing in life gives me such big returnsfor the time invested. There is a world of talk breaking loose about thepresent 'unrest' among women; I happen to know that the 'unrest' is asdeep with men. For each woman I personally know, bitten by 'unrest, ' Iknow two men in the same condition. As long as men and women are forced tocombine, to uphold society, it is my idea that it would be a good thing ifthere were to be a Sisterhood organized; then the two societies franklybrought together and allowed to clear up the differences between them. "

"But why not?" asked the girl eagerly. 

"Because we are pursuing false ideals, we have a wrong conception of whatis _worth while in life_, " answered the Scotsman. "Because the sexesexcept in rare, very rare, instances, do not understand each other, andevery day are drifting farther apart, while most of the married folk Iknow are farthest apart of all. Leslie, what is it in marriage thatconstrains people? We can talk, argue and agree or disagree on anything, why can't the Minturns?"

"From what you say, it would seem to me it's her idea of what is worthwhile in life, " said Leslie. 

"Exactly!" cried Douglas. "But he can sway men! He can do powerful work. He could induce her to marry him. Why can't he control his own blood?"

"If she should lose her money and become dependent upon him for support, he could!" said Leslie. 

"He should do it anyway, " insisted Douglas. 

"Do you think you could?" she queried. 

"I never thought myself in his place, " said Douglas, "but I believe Iwill, and if I see glimmerings, I'll suggest them to him. "

"Good boy!" said the girl lightly. And then she added: "Do you mind if Ithink myself in her place and see if I can suggest a possible point atwhich she could be reached? I know her. I shouldn't consider her happy. Atleast not with what I call joy. "

"What do you call joy?" asked Douglas. 

"Being satisfied with your environment. "

Douglas glanced at her, then at her surroundings, and looking into hereyes laughed quizzically. 

"But if it were different, I am perfectly confident that I should work outjoy from life, " insisted Leslie. "It owes me joy! I'll have it, if I fightfor it!"

"Leslie! Leslie! Be careful! You are challenging Providence. Stronger menthan I have wrought chaos for their children, " said a warning voice, asher father came behind her chair. 

"Chaos or no, still I'd put up my fight for joy, Daddy, " laughed the girl. "Only see, Preciousest!"

"One minute!" said her father, shaking hands with Douglas. "Now what isit, Leslie? Oh, I do see!"

"Take my chair and make friends, " said the girl. 

Mr. Winton seated himself, then began examining and turning the basket. "Indians?" he queried. 

"Yes, " said Douglas. "A particularly greasy squaw. I wish I mighttruthfully report an artist's Indian of the Minnehaha type, but alack, itwas the same one I've seen ever since I've been in the city, and thatyou've seen for years before my arrival. "

Mr. Winton still turned the basket. 

"I've bought their stuff for years, because neither Leslie nor her motherever would tolerate fat carnations and overgrown roses so long as I couldfind a scrap of arbutus, a violet or a wake-robin from the woods. We'veoften motored up and penetrated the swamp I fancy these came from, forsome distance, but later in the season; it's so very boggy now. Aren'tthese rather wonderful?" He turned to his daughter. 

"Perfectly, Daddy, " she said. "Perfectly!"

"But I don't mean for the Creator, " explained Mr. Winton. "I am accustomedto His miracles. Every day I see a number of them. I mean for the squaw. "

"I'd have to know the squaw and understand her viewpoint, " said Leslie. 

"She had it in her tightly clenched fist, " laughed Douglas. "One, I'msure; anyway, not over two. "

"That hasn't a thing to do with the _art_ with which she made the basketand filled it with just three perfect plants, " said Leslie. 

"You think there is real art in her anatomy?" queried Mr. Winton. 

"Bear witness, O you treasures of gold!" cried Leslie, waving toward thebasket. 

"There was another, " explained Douglas as he again described the osierbasket. 

Mr. Winton nodded. He looked at his daughter. 

"I like to think, young woman, that you were born with and I havecultivated what might be called artistic taste in you, " he said. "Grantedthe freedom of the tamarack swamp, could you have done better?"

"Not so well, Daddy! Not nearly so well. I never could have defaced whatyou can see was a noble big tree by cutting that piece of bark, while Imight have worshipped until dragged away, but so far as art and I areconcerned, the slippers would still be under their tamarack. "

"You are begging the question, Leslie, " laughed her father. "I was notdiscussing the preservation of the wild, I was inquiring into the state ofyour artistic ability. If you had no hesitation about taking the flowers, could you have gone to that swamp, collected the material and fashionedand filled a more beautiful basket that this?"

"How can I tell, Daddy?" asked the girl. "There's only one way to learn. I'll forget my scruples, you get me a pair of rubber boots, then we'lldrive to the tamarack swamp and experiment. "

"We'll do it!" cried Mr. Winton. "The very first half day I can spare, we'll do it. And you Douglas, you will want to come with us, of course. "

"Why, 'of course, '" laughed Leslie. 

"Because he started the expedition with his golden slippers. When it cometo putting my girl, and incidentally my whole family, in competition withan Indian squaw on a question of art, naturally, her father and one of herbest friends would want to be present. "

"But maybe 'Minnie' went alone, and what chance would her work have withyou two for judges?" asked Leslie. 

"We needn't be the judges, " said Douglas Bruce quietly. 

"We can put this basket in the basement in a cool, damp place, where itwill keep perfectly for a week. When you make your basket we can find thesquaw and bring her down with us. Lowry could display the results side byside. He could call up whomever you consider the most artistic man andwoman in the city and get their decision. You'd be willing to abide bythat, wouldn't you?"

"Surely, but it wouldn't be fair to the squaw, " explained Leslie. "I'dhave had the benefit of her art to begin on. "

"It would, " said Mr. Winton. "Does not every artist living, painter, sculptor, writer, what you will, have the benefit of all art that has gonebefore?"

"You agree?" Leslie turned to Douglas. 

"Your father's argument is a truism. "

"But I will know that I am on trial. She didn't. Is it fair to her?"persisted Leslie. 

"For begging the question, commend me to a woman, " said Mr. Winton. "Thepoint we began at, was not what you could do in a contest with her. Shewent to the swamp and brought from it some flower baskets. It is perfectlyfair to her to suppose that they are her best art. Now what we areproposing to test is whether the finest product of our civilization, asembodied in you, can go to the same swamp, and from the same locationsurpass her work. Do I make myself clear?"

"Perfectly clear, Daddy, and it would be fair, " conceded Leslie. "But itis an offence punishable with a heavy fine to peel a birch tree; while Iwouldn't do it, if it were not. "

"Got her to respect the law anyway, " said Mr. Winton to Douglas. "Theproposition, Leslie, was not that you do the same thing, but that from thesame source you outdo her. You needn't use birch bark if it involves yourlaw-abiding soul. "

"Then it's all settled. You must hurry and take me before the lovelyplants have flowered, " said Leslie. 

"I'll go day after to-morrow, " promised Mr. Winton. 

"In order to make our plan work, it is necessary that I keep these orchidsuntil that time, " said Leslie. 

"You have a better chance than the lady who drew the osier basket has ofkeeping hers, " said Mr. Winton. "If I remember I have seen the slippers incommon earth quite a distance from the lake, while the moccasins demandbog moss, water and swamp mists and dampness. "

"I have seen slippers in the woods myself, " said Leslie. "I think theconservatory will do, so they shall go there right now. I have to be fairto 'Minnie. '"

"Let me carry them for you, " offered Douglas, arising. 

"'Scuse us. Back in a second, Daddy, " said Leslie. "I am interested, excited and eager to make the test, yet in a sense I do not like it. "

"But why?" asked Douglas. 

"Can't you see?" countered Leslie. 

"No, " said Douglas. 

"It's shifting my sense of possession, " explained the girl. "The slippersare no longer my beautiful gift from you. They are perishable things thatbelong to an Indian squaw. In justice to her, I have to keep them inperfect condition so that my work may not surpass hers with theunspeakable art of flower freshness; while instead of thinking them theloveliest thing in the world, I will now lie awake half the night, nodoubt, studying what I can possibly find that is more beautiful. "

Douglas Bruce opened his slow lips, taking a step in her direction. 

"Dinner is served, " announced her father. He looked inquiringly toward hisdaughter. She turned to Douglas. 

"Unless you have a previous engagement, you will dine with us, won't you?"she asked. 

"I should be delighted, " he said heartily. 

When the meal was over and they had returned to the veranda, Leslielistened quietly while the men talked, most of the time, but when she didspeak, what she said proved that she always had listened to and taken partin the discussions of men, until she understood and could speak ofbusiness or politics intelligently. 

"Have you ever considered an official position, Douglas?" inquired Mr. Winton. "I have an office within my gift, or so nearly so that I cancontrol it, and it seems to me that you would be a good man. Surely wecould work together in harmony. "

"It never has appealed to me that I wanted work of that nature, " answeredDouglas. "It's unusually kind of you to think of me, and make the offer, but I am satisfied with what I am doing, while there is a steady increasein my business that gives me confidence. "

"What's your objection to office?" asked Mr. Winton. 

"That it takes your time from your work, " answered Douglas. "That itchanges the nature of your work. That if you let the leaders of a partysecure you a nomination, and the party elect you, you are bound to theirprinciples, at least there is a tacit understanding that you are, and ifyou should happen to be afflicted with principles of your own, then youhave got to sacrifice them. "

"'Afflict' is a good word in this instance, " said Mr. Winton. "It ispainful to a man of experience to see you young fellows of such greatpromise come up and 'kick' yourself half to death 'against the pricks' ofestablished business, parties, and customs, but half of you do it. In theend all of you come limping in, poor, disheartened, defeated, and thenswing to the other extreme, by being so willing for a change you'll takealmost anything, and so the dirty jobs naturally fall to you. "

"I grant much of that, " Douglas said, in his deliberate way, "but happilyI have sufficient annual income from my father's estate to enable me tolive until I become acquainted in a strange city, and have time toestablish the kind of business I should care to handle. I am thinking ofpractising corporation law; I specialized in that, so I may have thepleasure before so very long of going after some of the men who do whatyou so aptly term the 'dirty' jobs. "

"A repetition of the customary chorus, " said Mr. Winton, "differing onlyin that it is a little more emphatic than usual. I predict that you willbecome an office-holder, having party affiliations, inside ten years. "

"Possibly, " said Douglas. "But I'll promise you this: it will be a newoffice no man ever before has held, in the gift of a party not now inexistence. "

"Oh you dreamers!" cried Mr. Winton. "What a wonderful thing it is to beyoung and setting out to reform the world, especially on a permanentincome. That's where you surpass most reformers. "

"But I said nothing about reform, " corrected Douglas. "I said I wasthinking of corporation law. "

"I'm accustomed to it; while you wouldn't scare Leslie if you said'reform, '" remarked Mr. Winton. "She's a reformer herself, you know. "

"But only sweat-shops, child labour, civic improvement, preservation ofthe wild, and things like that!" cried Leslie so quickly and eagerly, thatboth men laughed. 

"God be praised!" exclaimed her father. 

"God be _fervently_ praised!" echoed her lover. 

Before she retired Leslie visited the slippers. 

"I'd like to know, " she said softly, as she touched a bronze stripedcalyx, "I'd like to know how I am to penetrate your location, and find andfashion anything to outdo you and the squaw, you wood creatures you!" Thenshe bent above the flowers and whispered: "Tuck this in the toe of yourslipper! Three times to-night it was in his eyes, and on his tongue, buthis slowness let the moment pass. I can 'bide a wee' for my Scotsman, Ican bide forever, if I must; for it's he only, and no other. "

The moccasins soon had been ground to pulp and carried away on a non-skidtire while at three o'clock in the morning a cross, dishevelled societywoman, in passing from her dressing room to her bed, stumbled over theosier basket, kicking it from her way. 

CHAPTER III

_S. O. S. _

Mickey, his responsibility weighing upon him, slept lightly and awakenedearly, his first thought of Peaches. He slipped into his clothing andadvancing peered at her through the grayness. His heart beat wildly. 

"Aw you poor kid! You poor little kid!" he whispered to himself as he hadfallen into the habit of doing for company. "The scaring, the jolting, thescouring, and everything were too much for you. You've gone sure! You'rejust like them at the morgue. Aw Peaches! I didn't mean to hurt you, Peaches! I was _trying_ to be good to you. Honest I was, Peaches! Aw----!"

As his fright increased Mickey raised his voice until his last wailreached the consciousness of the sleeping child. She stirred slightly, herhead moving on the pillow. Mickey almost fell, so great was his relief. Hestepped closer, gazing in awe. The sheared hair had dried in the night, tumbling into a hundred golden ringlets. The tiny clean face was white, sowhite that the blue of the closed eyes showed darkly through the lids, theblue veins streaked the temples and the little claws lying relaxed on thesheet. Mickey slowly broke up inside. A big, hard lump grew in his throat. He shut his lips tight and bored the tears from his eyes with his wiryfists. He began to mutter his thoughts to regain self-control. 

"Gee kid, but you had me scared to the limit!" he said. "I thought youwere gone, sure. Honest I did! Ain't I glad though! But you're the whitestthing! You're like----I'll tell you what you're like. You're like the lilyflowers in the store windows at Easter. You're white like them, and yourhair is the little bit of gold decorating them. If I'd known it was likethat I wouldn't a-cut it if I'd spent a month untangling it. Honest Iwouldn't, kid! I'm awful sorry! Gee, but it would a-been pretty spreadover mother's pillow. "

Mickey gazed, worshipped and rejoiced as he bent lower from time to timeto watch the fluttering breath. 

"You're so clean now you just smell good; but I got to go easy. The dirtcovered you so I didn't see how sick you were. You'll go out like acandle, that's what you'll do. I mustn't let even the wind blow cold onyou. I couldn't stand it if I was to hurt you. I'd just go and lay downbefore the cars or jump down an elevator hole. Gee, I'm glad I found you!I wouldn't trade you for the smartest dog that's being rode around in theparks. Nor for the parks! Nor the trees! Nor the birds! Nor the buildings!Nor the swimming places! Nor the automobiles! Nor nothing! Not nothing youcould mention at all! Not eating! Nor seeing! Nor having! Not no singlething--nothing at all--Lily!

"Lily!" he repeated. "Little snow white lily! Peaches is a good name foryou if you're referring to sweetness, but it doesn't fit for colour. LeastI never saw none white. Lily fits you better. If you'd been a dog, I wasgoing to name you Partner. But you're mine just as much as if you was adog, so I'll name you if I want to. Lily! That's what God made you; that'swhat I'm going to call you. "

The God thought, evoked by creation, remained in Mickey's heart. Heglanced at the sky clearing from the graying mists of morning, while therumble of the streets came up to him in a dull roar. 

"O God, I guess I been forgetting my praying some, since mother went. I'dnothing but myself and I ain't worth bothering You about. But O God, ifYou are going to do any _big_ things to-day, why not do some for Lily?Can't be many that needs it more. If You saw her yesterday, You must seeif You'll look down now, that she's better off, she's worlds better off. Wonder if You sent me to get her, so she would be better off. Gee, whydidn't You send one of them millyingaires who could a-dressed her up, fedher and took her to the country where the sun would shine on her. Ain'tnever touched her, I bet a liberty-bird. But if You did the sending, Yousent just me, so she's _my_ job, an' I'll do her! But I wish You'd helpme, or send me help, O God. It's an awful job to tackle all alone, for I'mgoing to be scared stiff if she gets sick. I can tell by how I felt when Ithought she was gone. So if You sent me God, it's up to You to help me. Come on now! If You see the sparrows when they fall, You jest goodnaturedly ought to see Lily Peaches, 'cause she's always been down, andshe can't ever get up, unless we can help her. Help me all You can O God, and send me help to help her all I can, 'cause she can use all the helpshe can get, and then some! Amen!"

Mickey took one of Peaches' hands in his. 

"I ain't the time now, but to-night I got to cut your nails and cleanthem, then I guess you'll do to start on, " he said as he squeezed thehand. "Lily! Lily Peaches, wake up! It's morning now. I got to go out withthe papers to earn supper to-night. Wake up! I must wash you and feed you'fore I go. "

Peaches opened her eyes, drawing back startled. 

"Easy now!" cautioned Mickey. "Easy now! Don't be scared. Nobody can 'get'you here! What you want for breakfast, Flowersy-girl? Little Lily white. "

An adorable smile illumined the tiny face at the first kindly awakening itever had known. 

"_You_ won't let them 'get' me, will you?" she triumphed. 

"You know it!" he answered conclusively. "Now I'll wash your face, cookyour breakfast, and fix you at the window where maybe you can see birdsgoing across. Think of that, Lily! Birds!"

"My name's Peaches!" said the child. 

"So 'tis!" said Mickey. "But since you arrived to such betteredconditions, you got to be a lady of fashion. Now Peaches, every single kidin the Park is named _two_ names, these days. Fellow can't have a footrace for falling over Mary Elizabeths, and Louisa Ellens. I can't do somuch just to start on, 'cause I can't earn the boodle; fast as I get it, you're going to line up; but nachally, just at starting you must begin onthe things that are not expensive. Now names don't cost anything, so I canbe giving you six if I like, and you are a lily, so right now I'm namingyou Lily, but two's the style; keep your Peaches, if it suits you. Lilyjust flies out of my mouth when I look at you. "

This was wonderful. No cursing! No beating! No wailing over a lame-backbrat to feed. Mickey _liked_ to give her breakfast! Mickey named her forthe wonderful flower like granny had picked up before a church one day, afew weeks ago and in a rare sober moment had carried to her. Mickey hadmade her feel clean, so rested, and so fresh she wanted to roll over thebed. With child impulse she put up her arms. Mickey stooped to them. 

"You goin' to have two names too, " she said. "You gotter be fash'nable. Iist love you for everythin', washin', an' breakfast, an' the bed, an'winder, an' off the floor; oh I just love you _sick_ for the winder, an'off the floor. You going to be"--she paused in a deep study to think of aword anywhere nearly adequate, then ended in a burst that was her bestemanation--"lovest! Mickey-lovest!"

She hugged him closely, then lifted her chin and pursed her lips. Mickeypulled back, a dull colour in his face. 

"Now nix on the mushing!" he said. "I'll stand for a hug once a day, butnix on the smear!"

"You'd let a dog, " she whimpered. "I ain't kissed nothin' since grannysold the doll a lady gave me the time we went to the doctor's, an' tookthe money to get drunk on, an' beat me more'n I needed for a change, 'cause I cried for it. I think you might!"

"Aw well, go on then, if you're going to bawl, " said Mickey, "but put itthere!"

He stepped as far back as he could, leaned over, and swept the hair fromhis forehead, which he brought in range of her lips. He had to bracehimself to keep from flinching at their cold touch and straightened inrelief. 

"Now that's over!" he said briskly. "I'll wash you, and get yourbreakfast. "

"You do a lot of washin', don't you?" inquired Peaches. 

"You want the sleep out of your eyes, " coaxed Mickey. 

He brought the basin and a cloth, washing the child's face and handsgently as was in his power. 

"Flowersy-girl, " he said, "if you'd looked last night like you do thismorning, I'd never tackled getting you here in the world. I'd thoughtyou'd break sure. "

"G'wan kid, " she said. "I can stand a lot. I been knocked round somepinawful. She dragged me by one hand or the hair when she was tight, andthrew me in a corner an' took the"--Peaches glanced over the bed, refusingto call her former estate by the same name--"took the _place_ herself. Youain't hurting me. You can jerk me a lot. "

"I guess you've been jerked enough, Lily Peaches, " he said. "I guessjerkin' ain't going to help your back any. I think we better be easy withit 'til we lay up the money to Carrel it. He put different legs on a dog, course he can put a new back on you. "

"Dogs doesn't count only with rich folks 'at rides 'em, an' feeds 'emcake; but where'll you find 'nother girl 'at ull spare her back for me, Mickey-lovest?" asked Peaches. 

"Gee, Lily!" he cried. "I didn't _think_ of that--I wish I hadn't promisedyou. Course he could _change_ the backs, but where'd I get one. I'll justhave to let him take mine. "

"I don't want no boy's back!" flashed Peaches. "I won't go out an' sellpapers, an' wash you, an' feed you, an' let you stay here in this nicebed. I don't want no new back, grand like it is here. I won't have nodog's back, even. I won't have no back!"

"Course I couldn't let you work and take care of me, Lily, " he said. "Course I couldn't! I was just thinking what I _could_ do. I'll write aletter and ask the Carrel man if a dog's back would do. I could get oneyour size at the pound, maybe. "

Peaches arose at him with hands set like claws. 

"You fool!" she shrieked. "You big damn fool! '_A dog's back!'_ I won't!You try it an' I'll scratch your eyes out! You stop right now on backs an'go hell-bent an' get my breakfast! I'm hungry! I like my back! I will haveit! You----"

Mickey snatched his pillow from the floor, using it to press the childagainst hers. Then he slipped it down a trifle at one corner and spoke:

"Now you cut that out, Miss Chicken, right off!" he said sternly. "Iwouldn't take no tantrums from a dog, so I won't from you. You'll makeyour back worse acting like that, than beating would make it, and 'sides, if you're going to live with me, you must be a lady. No lady says suchwords as you used, and neither does no gentleman, 'cause I don't myself. Now you'll either say, 'Mickey, please get me my breakfast, ' and I'll getyou one with a big surprise, or you'll lay here alone and hungry 'til Icome back to-night. And it'll be a whole day, see?"

"'F I wasn't a pore crippled kid, you wouldn't say that to me, " shewailed. 

"And if you wasn't 'a poor crippled kid, ' you wouldn't say swearin's tome, " said Mickey, "'cause you know I'd lick the stuffin' out of you, andif you could see yourself, you'd know that you need stuffin' in, more thanyou need it out. I'm 'mazed at you! Forget that you ever heard such stuff, and be a nice lady, won't you? My time's getting short and I got to go, orthe other kids will sell to my paper men, then we'll have no supper. Nowyou say, 'Mickey, please get my breakfast, ' like a lady, or you won't geta bite. "

"'Mickey, please get my breakfast, '" she imitated. 

Mickey advanced threateningly with the pillow. 

"Won't do!" he said. "That ain't like no lady! That's like _me_. You'llsay it like _yourself_, or you won't get it. "

She closed her lips, burying her face in her own pillow. 

"All right, " said Mickey. "Then I'll get my own. If you don't want any, I'll have twice as much. "

He laid the pillow on the foot of the bed, saying politely: "'Scuse me, Lily, till I get _me_ a bottle of milk. "

Soon he returned and with his first glimpse of the bed stood aghast. Itwas empty. His eyes searched the room. His pallet on the floor outlined atiny form. A dismayed half smile flashed over his face. He took a steptoward her, and then turned, getting out a cloth he had not used sincebeing alone. Near the bed he set the table and laid a plate, knife, forkand spoon. Because he was watching Peaches he soon discovered she waspeeking out at him, so he paid strict attention to the burner he waslighting. 

Then he sliced bread, put on a toaster, set the milk on the table, brokean egg in a saucer, and turned the toast. Soon the odours filled the room, also a pitiful sound. Mickey knew Peaches must have hurt herself slidingfrom the bed, although her arms were strong for the remainder of her body. She had no way to reach his pallet but to roll across the floor. She mighthave bruised herself badly. He was amazed, disgusted, yet compassionate. He went to her and turned back the comfort. 

"You must be speaking a little louder, Lily, " he said gently. "I wasn'tquite hearing you. "

Only muffled sobbing. Mickey dropped the cover. 

"I want my breakfast, " said a very small voice. 

"You mean, 'Mickey, please _get_ my breakfast, ' Flowersy-girl, " hecorrected gently. 

"Oh I hurt myself so!" Peaches wailed. "Oh Mickey, I fell an' broke myback clear in two. 'Tain't like rollin' off my rags; oh Mickey, it's so_far_ to the floor, from your bed! Oh Mickey, even another girl's back, oryours, or a dog's, or anybody's wouldn't fix it now. It'll hurt for days. Mickey, why did I ever? Oh what made me? Mickey-lovest, please, please putme back on the nice fine bed, an' do please give me some of that bread. "

Mickey lifted her, crooning incoherent things. He wiped her face andhands, combed her hair, and pushed the table against the bed. He broketoast in a glass and poured milk over it. Then he cooked the egg and gaveher that, keeping only half the milk and one slice of bread. He made asandwich of more bread, and the cheese, put a banana with it, set a cup ofwater in reach, and told her that was her lunch; to eat it when the noonwhistles blew. Then he laid all the picture books he had on the back ofthe bed, put the money for his papers in his pocket, and locking her in, ran down Sunrise Alley fast as he could. 

He was one hour late. He had missed two regular customers. They must bemade up and more. Light, air, cleanliness, and kindness would increasePeaches' appetite, which seemed big now for the size of her body. Mickey'sface was very sober when he allowed himself to think of his undertaking. How would he make it? He had her now, he simply must succeed. The day washalf over before Mickey began to laugh for no apparent reason. He hadrealized that she had not said what he had required of her, after all. 

"Gee, I'm up against it, " said Mickey. "I didn't s'pose she'd act likethat! I thought she'd keep on being like when she woke up. I never behavedlike that. "

Then in swift remorse: "But I had the finest mother a fellow ever had totell me, while she ain't had any one, and only got me now, so I'll have totell her; course I can't do everything at once. So far as that goes, shedidn't do any worse than the millyingaires' kids in the park who rollthemselves in the dirt, bump their own heads, and scream and fight. Iguess my kid's no worse than other people's. I can train her like motherdid me; then we'll be enough alike we can live together, and even when shewas the worst, I liked her. I liked her cartloads. "

So Mickey shouldered the duties of paternity, and began thinking for hischild, his little, neglected, bad, sick child. His wits and feet alwayshad been nimble; that day he excelled himself. Anxiety as to how much hemust carry home at night to replace what he had spent in moving Peaches tohis room, three extra meals to provide before to-morrow night, somethingto interest her through the long day: it was a contract, surely! Mickeyfaced it gravely, but he did not flinch. He did not know how it was to bedone, but he did know it must be done. "_Get_" her they should not. Whatever it had been his mother had feared for him, nameless though thehorror was, from _that_ he must save Lily. Mickey had thought it must becareless nurses or lack of love. Yesterday's papers had said there weresome children at one of the Homes, no one ever visited; they were sick forlove; would not some kind people come to see them? It must have been_that_ she feared. He could not possibly know it was the stigma of havingbeen a charity child she had been combating with all her power. 

They had not "got" him; they must not "get" his Lily; yet stirrings inMickey's brain told him he was not going to be sufficient, alone. Therewere emergencies he did not know how to manage. He must have help. Mickeyrevolved the problem in his worried head without reaching a solution. Hisnecessity drove him. He darted, dodged and took chances. Far down thestreet he selected his victim and studied his method of assault as heapproached; for Mickey did victimize people that day. He sold them paperswhen they did not want them. He bettered that and sold them papers whenthey had them. He snatched up lost papers, smoothed and sold them over. Every gay picture or broken toy dropped from an automobile he caught upand pocketed for her. 

A woman stumbled alighting from a passing car. Mickey dropped his papersand sprang forward. Her weight bore him to the pavement, but he kept herfrom falling, and even as he felt her on her feet, he snatched under thewheels for her purse. 

"Is that all your stuff, lady?" he asked. 

"Thank you! I think so, " she said. "Wait a minute!"

To lend help was an hourly occurrence with Mickey. _She_ had been mostparticular to teach him that. He was gathering up and smoothing his papersseveral of which were soiled. The woman opened the purse he had rescued, taking therefrom a bill which she offered him. 

"Thanks!" said Mickey. "My shoulder is worth considerable to me; butnothing like that to you, lady!"

"Well!" she said. "Are you refusing the money?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I ain't a beggar! Just a balance on my shoulder andpicking up your purse ain't worth an endowment. I'll take five cents eachfor three soiled papers, if you say so. "

"You amazing boy!" said the woman. "Don't you understand that if youhadn't offered your shoulder, I might now be lying senseless? You saved mea hard fall, while my dress would have been ruined. You step over here aminute. What's your name?"

"Michael O'Halloran, " was the answer. 

"Where do you live?"

"Sunrise Alley. It's miles on the cars, then some more walking, " explainedMickey. 

"Whom do you live with?"

"Myself, " said Mickey. 

"Alone?"

"All but Peaches, " said Mickey. "Lily Peaches. "

"Who is Lily Peaches?"

"She's about so long"--Mickey showed how long--"and about so wide"--heshowed how wide--"and white like Easter church flowers. Her back's bad. I'm her governor; she's my child. "

"If you won't take the money for yourself, then take it for her, " offeredthe woman. "If you have a little sick girl to support, you surely can useit. "

"Umm!" said Mickey. "You kind of ball a fellow up and hang him on theropes. Honest you do, lady! I can take care of myself. I know I can, 'cause I've done it three years, but I don't know how I'm goin' to make itwith Lily, for she needs a lot. She may get sick any day, so I ain't surehow I'm going to manage well with her. "

"How long have you taken care of her?"

"Since last night, " explained Mickey. 

"Oh! How old is she?" Questions seemed endless. 

"I don't know, " answered Mickey. "Her granny died and left her lying onrags in a garret. I found her screeching, so I took her to my castle andwashed her, and fed her. You should see her now. "

"I believe I should!" said the woman. "Let's go at once. You know Michael, you can't care for a _girl_. I'll put her in one of the beautifulChildren's Homes--"

"Now nix on the Children's Homes, fair lady!" he cried angrily. "I guessyou'll _find_ her, 'fore you take her! I found her first, and she's_mine!_ I guess you'll _find_ her, 'fore you take her to a Children'sHome, where the doctors slice up the poor kids for practice so they'llknow how to get money for doing it to the rich ones. I've _annexed_ LilyPeaches, and you don't '_get_' her! See?"

"I see, " said the woman. "But you're mistaken----"

"'Scuse crossing your wire, but I don't think I _am_, " said Mickey. "Theonly way you can know, is to have been there yourself. I don't think yougot that kind of a start, or want it for kids of your own. My motherkilled herself to keep me out of it, and if it had been so grand, she'd_wanted_ me there. Nix on the Orphings' Home talk. Lily ain't going to beraised in droves, nor flocks, nor herds! See? Lily's going to have a homeof her own, and a man to take care of her by herself. "

Mickey backed away, swallowing a big lump in his throat, and blinking downangry tears. 

"'Smorning, " he said, "I asked God to help me, and for a minute I was soglad, 'cause I thought He'd helped by sending _you_, so you could tell mehow to do; but if God can't beat _you_, I can get along by myself. "

"You _can't_ take care of a girl by yourself, " she insisted. "The _law_won't allow you. "

"Oh can't I?" scoffed Mickey. "Well you're mistaken, 'cause I am! Andgetting along bully! You ought to seen her last night, and then thismorning. Next time I yell for help, I won't ask to have anybody sent, I'llask Him to help me save our souls, myself. Ever see that big, white, wonderful Jesus at the Cathedral door, ma'am, holding the little child inHis arms so loving? I don't s'pose He stopped to ask whether it was agirl, or a boy, 'fore He took it up; He just opened his arms to the first_child_ that _needed_ Him. And if I remember right, He didn't say: 'Sufferlittle children to be sent to Orphings' Homes. ' Mammy never read it to me_that_ way. It was suffer them to come to 'Me, ' and be took up, and heldtender. See? Nix on the Orphings' Home people. They ain't in my class. Beaucheous lady, adoo! Farewell! I depart!"

Mickey wheeled, vanishing. It was a wonderful exhibition of curves, leaps, and darts. He paused for breath when he felt safe. 

"So that's the dope!" he marvelled. "I can't take care of a girl? Going totake her away from me? I'd like to know _why?_ Men all the time take careof women. I see boys taking care of girls I know their mothers left withthem, every day--I'd like to know _why_. Mother said I was to take care of_her_. She said that's what men were made _for_. 'Cause _he didn't_ takecare of her, was why she was glad my father was _dead_. I guess I knowwhat I'm doing! But I've learned something! Nix on the easy talk afterthis; and telling anybody you meet all you know. Shut mouth from now on. 'What's your name, little boy?' 'Andrew Carnegie. ' 'Where d'you live?''Castle on the Hudson!' A mouth just tight shut about Lily, after this!And nix on the Swell Dames! Next one can bust her crust for all I care! Iwon't touch her!"

On the instant, precisely that thing occurred, at Mickey's very feet. Withhis lips not yet closed, he knelt to shove his papers under a woman'shead, then went racing up the stone steps she had rolled down, his quickeye catching and avoiding the bit of fruit on which she had slipped. Hereturned in a second with help. As the porter lifted the inert body, Mickey slid his hands under her head, and advised: "Keep her straight!"Into one of the big hospitals he helped carry a blue and white clad nurse, on and on, up elevators and into a white porcelain room where they laidher on a glass table. Mickey watched with frightened eyes. Doctors andnurses came running. He stood waiting for his papers. He was rather sick, yet he remembered he had five there he must sell. 

"Better clear out of here now!" suggested a surgeon. 

"My papers!" said Mickey. "She fell right cross my feet. I slid themunder, to make her head more pillowlike on the stones. Maybe I can sellsome of them. "

The surgeon motioned to a nurse at the door. 

"Take this youngster to the office and pay him for the papers he hasspoiled, " he ordered. 

"Will she--is she going to----?" wavered Mickey. 

"I'm not sure, " said the surgeon. "From the bleeding probably concussion;but she will live. Do you know how she came to fall?"

"There was a smear of something on the steps she didn't see, " explainedMickey. 

"Thank you! Go with the nurse, " said the surgeon. Then to an attendant:"Take Miss Alden's number, and see to her case. She was going aftersomething. "

Mickey turned back. "Paper, maybe, " he suggested, pointing to her closedhand. The surgeon opened it and found a nickel. He handed it to Mickey. "If you have a clean one left, let this nurse take it to Miss Alden'scase, and say she has been assigned other duty. See to sending asubstitute at once. "

Every paper proved to be marked. 

"I can bring you a fresh one in a second, lady, " offered Mickey. "I gotthe money. "

"All right, " she said. "Wait with it in the office and then I'll pay you. "

"I'm sent for a paper. I'm to be let in as soon as I get it, " announcedMickey to the porter. "I ain't taking chances of being turned down, " hesaid to himself, as he stopped a second to clean the step. 

He returned and was waiting when the nurse came. She was young and fairfaced; her hair was golden, and as she paid Mickey for his papers hewondered how soon he could have Lily looking like her. He took one longsurvey as he pocketed the money, thinking he would rush home at once; buthe wanted to fix in his mind how Lily must appear, to be right, for hethought a nurse in the hospital would be right. 

The nurse knew she was beautiful, and to her Mickey's long look wastribute, male tribute; a small male indeed, but such a winning one; so shetook the occasion to be her loveliest, and smile her most attractivesmile. Mickey surrendered. He thought she was like an angel, that made himthink of Heaven, Heaven made him think of God, God made him think of hiscall for help that morning, the call made him think of the answer, thebeautiful woman before him made him think that possibly _she_ might be theanswer instead of the other one. He rather doubted it, but it might be achance. Mickey was alert for chances for Peaches, so he smiled again, thenhe asked: "Are you in such an awful hurry?"

"I think we owe you more than merely paying for your papers, " she said. "What is it?"

Again Mickey showed how long and how wide Lily was. "And with hair likeyours, and eyes and cheeks that would be, if she had her chance, andnobody to give her that chance but just me, " he said. "Me and Lily are alleach other's got, " he explained hastily. "We're _home_ folks. We're afamily. We don't want no bunching in corps and squads. We're nix on theOrphings' Home business; but you _must know_, ma'am--would you, oh wouldyou tell me just how I should be taking care of her? I'm doing everythinglike my mother did to me; but I was well and strong. Maybe Lily, being agirl, should have things different. A-body so beautiful as you, would tellme, wouldn't you?"

Then a miracle happened. The nurse, so clean she smelled like a drugstore, so lovely she shone as a sunrise, laid an arm across Mickey'sshoulders. "You come with me, " she said. She went to a little room, andall alone she asked Mickey questions; with his eyes straight on hers, heanswered. She told him surely he could take care of Lily. She explainedhow. She rang for a basket and packed it full of things he must have, showing him how to use them. She told him to come each Saturday at fouro'clock, as she was going off duty, and tell her how he was getting along. She gave him a thermometer, and told him how to learn if the child hadfever. She told him about food, and she put in an ointment, instructinghim to rub the little back with it, so the bed would not be so tiresome. She showed him how to arrange the pillows; when he left, the tears wererolling down Mickey's cheeks. Both of them were so touched she laid herarm across his shoulder again and went as far as the elevator, while apassport to her at any time was in his pocket. 

"I 'spect other folks tell you you are beautiful like flowers, or music, or colours, " said Mickey in farewell, "but you look like a window inHeaven to me, and I can see right through you to God and all the beautifulangels; but what gets me is why the other one had to bust her crust, tomake you come true!"

The nurse was laughing and wiping her eyes at the same time. Mickeygripped the basket until his hands were stiff as he sped homeward at leasttwo hours early and happy about it. At the last grocery he rememberedevery word and bought bread, milk, and fruit with care "for a sick lady"he explained, so the grocer, who knew him, used care. Triumphing Mickeyclimbed the stairs. He paused a second in deep thought at the foot of thelast flight, then ascended whistling to let Peaches know that he wascoming, then on his threshold recited:

"_One't a little kid named Lily, Was so sweet she'd knock you silly, Yellow hair in millying curls, Beat a mile all other girls. _"

She was on his bed; she was on his pillow; she had been lonely; both armswere stretched toward him. 

"Mickey, hurry!" she cried. "Mickey, lemme hold you 'til I'm sure! Mickey, all day I didn't hardly durst breathe, fear the door'd open an' they'd'_get_' me. Oh Mickey, you won't let them, will you?"

Mickey dropped his bundles and ran to the bed. This time he did not shrinkfrom her wavering clasp. It was delight to come home to something alive, something that belonged to him, something to share with, something to workand think for, something that depended upon him. 

"Now nix on the scare talk, " he comforted. "Forget it! I've lived herethree years alone, and not a single time has anybody come to 'get' me, sothey won't you. There's only one thing can happen us. If I get sick orspend too much on eating, and don't pay the rent, the man that owns thisbuilding will fire us out. If we, _if we_" Mickey repeated impressively, "pay our rent regular, in advance, nobody will _ever_ come, not _ever_, sodon't worry. "

"Then what's all them bundles?" fretted Peaches. "You ortn't a-got somuch. You'll never get the _next_ rent paid! They'll 'get' me sure. "

"Now throttle your engine, " advised Mickey. "Stop your car! Smash down onthe brakes! They are things the city you reside in furnishes itstaxpayers, or something like that. I pay my rent, so this is my _share_, and it's things for you: to make you comfortable. Which are you worst--tiredest, or hungriest, or hottest?"

"I don't know, " she said. 

"Then I'll make a clean get-a-way, " said Mickey. "Washing is cooling; andit freshens you up a lot. "

So Mickey brought his basin again, bathing the tired child gently as anywoman could have done it. 

"See what I got!" he cried as he opened bundles and explained. "I'm goingto see if you have fever. "

Peaches rebelled at the thermometer. 

"Now come on in, " urged Mickey. "Slide straight home to your base! If I'mgoing to take care of you, I'm going to right. You can't lay here eatingwrong things if you have _fever_. No-sir-ee! You don't get to see in anymore of these bundles, nor any supper, nor talked to any more, 'til youput this little glass thing under your tongue and hold it there just thisway"--Mickey showed how--"three minutes by the clock, then I'll know whatto do with you next. I'll sit beside you, and hold your hands, and tellyou about the pretty lady that sent it. "

Mickey wiped the thermometer on the sheet, then presented it. Peaches tookone long look at him and opened her lips. Mickey inserted the tube, setthe clock in sight, and taking both her hands he held them closely andtalked as fast as he could to keep her from using them. He had not halffinished the day when the time was up. If he had done it right, Peacheshad very little, if any, fever. 

"Now turn over so I can rub your back to make it all nice and rested, " hesaid. "And then I'll get supper. "

"I don't want my back rubbed, " she protested. "My back's all right now. "

"Nothing to do with going to have it rubbed, " said Mickey. "It would be asilly girl who would have a back that wouldn't walk, and then wouldn'teven try having it doctored, so that it would get better. Just try Lily, and if it doesn't _help_, I won't do it any more. "

Peaches took another long look at Mickey, questioning in nature, thenturned her back to him. 

"Gosh, kid! Your back looks just like horses' going to the fertilizerplant, " he said. 

"Ain't that swearin's?" asked Peaches promptly. 

"First-cousin, " answered Mickey. "'Scuse me Lily. If you could see yourback, you'd 'scuse worse than that. "

"Feelin' ull do fer me, " said Peaches. "I live wid it. " "Honest kid, I'mscared to touch you, " he wavered. 

"Aw g'wan!" said Peaches. "I ain't goin' screechin' even if you hurtawful, an' you touch like a sparrer lookin' for crumbs. Mickey, can we putout a few?"

"For the sparrows? Sure!" cried Mickey. "They're the ones that God seesespecial when they fall. Sure! Put out some in a minute. Still now!"

Mickey poured on ointment, then began softly rubbing it into the dreadfulback. His face was drawn with anxiety and filled with horror. He wasafraid, but the nurse said this he should do, while Mickey's first lessonhad been implicit obedience. So he rubbed gently as he was fearful; whenPeaches made no complaint, a little stronger, and a little stronger, untilhe was tired. Then he covered her, telling her to lie on it, and see howit felt. Peaches looked at him with wondering eyes. 

"Mickey, " she said, "nothin" in all my life ever felt like that, an' thenice cool washin' you do. Mickey-lovest, nex' time I act mean 'bout whatyou want to do to me, slap me good, an' hold me, an' go on an' _do_ it!"

"Now nix on the beating, " said Mickey. "I never had any from my mother;but the kids who lost sales to me took my nickels, and give me plenty. Youought to know, Lily, that I'm trying hard as I can to make you feel good;and to take care of you. What I want to do, I think will make you_better_, so I'm just nachally going to _do_ it, 'cause you're mine, andyou got to do what I say. But I won't say anything that'll hurt you andmake you worse. If you must take time to think new things over, I canwait; but I can't hit you Lily, you're too little, too sick, and I likeyou too well. I wish you'd be a lady! I wish you wouldn't ever be badagain!"

"Hoh I feel so good!" Peaches stretched like a kitten. "Mickey, bet I canwalk 'fore long if you do that often! Mickey, I just love you, an' _love_you. Mickey, say that at the door over again. "

"What?" queried Mickey. 

"'One't a little kid named Lily, '" prompted Peaches. 

Mickey laughed and obeyed. 

Neatly he put away all that had been supplied him; before lighting theburner he gave Lily a drink of milk and tried arranging both pillows toprop her up as he had been shown. When the water boiled he dropped in twobouillon cubes the nurse had given him, and set out some crackers he hadbought. He put the milk in two cups, and when he cut the bread, hecarefully collected every crumb, putting it on the sill in the hope that abird might come. The thieving sparrows, used to watching windows andstealing from stores set out to cool, were soon there. Peaches, to whomanything with feathers was a bird, was filled with joy. The odour of thebroth was delicious. Mickey danced, turned handsprings, and made thefunniest remarks. Then he fixed the bowl on a paper, broke the crackers inher broth, growing unspeakably happy at her delight as she tasted it. 

"Every Saturday you get a box of that from the Nurse Lady, " he boasted. "Pretty soon you'll be so fat I can't carry you and so well you can havesupper ready when I come, then we can----" Mickey stopped short. He hadstarted to say, "go to the parks, " but if other ladies were like the firstone he had talked with, and if, as she said, the law would not let himkeep Peaches, he had better not try to take her where people would seeher. 

"Can what?" asked Peaches. 

"Have the most fun!" explained Mickey. "We can sit in the window to seethe sky and birds; you can have the shears and cut pictures from thepapers I'll bring you, while I'll read all my story books to you. I gotthree that She gave me for Christmas presents, so I could learn to readthem----"

"Mickey could I ever learn to read them?"

"Sure!" cried Mickey. "Surest thing you know! You are awful smart, Lily. You can learn in no time, and then you can read while I'm gone, so itwon't seem long. I'll teach you. Mother taught me. I can read the papers Isell. Honest I can. I often pick up torn ones I can bring to you. It'slots of fun to know what's going on. I sell many more by being able totell what's in them than kids who can't read. I look all over the frontpage and make up a spiel on the cars. I always fold my papers neat andkeep them clean. To-day it was like this: 'Here's your nice, clean, morning paper! Sterilized! Deodorized! Vulcanized!'"

"Mickey what does that mean?" asked Peaches. 

"Now you see how it comes in!" said Mickey. "If you could read the papers, you'd _know_. 'Sterilized, ' is what they do to the milk in hot weather tosave the slum kids. That's us, Lily. 'Deodorized, ' is taking the bad smellout of things. 'Vulcanized, ' is something they do to stiffen things. Iguess it's what your back needs. "

"Is all them things done to the papers?" asked Peaches. 

"Well, not _all_ of them, " laughed Mickey, "but they are starting in on_some_ of them, and all would be a good thing. The other kids who can'tread don't know those words, so I study them out and use them; it catchesthe crowd for they laugh, and then pay me for making them. See? This worlddown on the streets is in such a mix a laugh is the scarcest thing thereis; so they _pay_ for it. No grouchy, sad-cat-working-on-your-sympathy kidsells many. I can beat one with a laugh every inning. "

"What's 'inning, ' Mickey?" came the next question. 

"Playin' a side at a ball game. Now Ty Cobb----"

"Go on with what you say about the papers, " interrupted Peaches. 

"All right!" said Mickey. "'Here's your nice, clean morning paper!Sterilized! Deodorized! Vulcanized! I _like_ to sell them. You _like_ tobuy them! _Sometimes_ I sell them! Sometimes I _don't!_ Latest war news!Japan takes England! England takes France! France takes Germany! Germanytakes Belgium! Belgium takes the cake! Here's your paper! Nice cleanpaper! Rush this way! Change your change for a paper! Yes, I _like_ tosell them----' and on and on that way all day, 'til they're gone and everyone I pick up and smooth out is gone, and if they're torn and dirty, Icarry them back on the cars and sell them for pennies to the poor folkswalking home. "

"Mickey, will we be slum kids always?" she asked. 

"Not on your tin type!" cried Mickey. 

"If this is slum kids, I like it!" protested Peaches. 

"Well, Sunrise Alley ain't so slummy as where you was, Lily, " explainedthe boy. 

"This is grand, " said Peaches "Fine an' grand! No lady needn't havebetter!"

"She wouldn't say so, " said Mickey. "But Lily, you got something most ofthe millyingaire ladies hasn't. "

"What Mickey?" she asked interestedly. 

"One man all to yourself, who will do what you want, if you ask pretty, and he ain't going to drag you 'round and make you do things you don'tlike to, and hit you, and swear at you, and get drunk. Gee, I bet theworst you ever had didn't hurt more than I've seen some of the swell dameshurt sometimes. It'd make you sick Lily. "

"I guess 'at it would, " said the girl, "'cause granny told me the samething. Lots of times she said 'at she couldn't see so much in bein' richif you had to be treated like she saw rich ladies. She said all they gotout of it was nice dresses an' struttin' when their men wasn't 'round;nelse the money was theirn, an' nen they made the men pay. She said it was'bout half and half. "

"So 'tis!" cried Mickey. "Tell you Lily, don't let's ever _be_ rich! Let'sjust have enough. "

"Mickey, what is 'enough?'" asked Peaches. 

"Why plenty, but not too much!" explained Mickey judicially. "Not enoughto fight over! Just enough to be comfortable. "

"Mickey, I'm comf'rable as nangel now. "

"Gee, I'm glad, Lily, " said Mickey in deep satisfaction. "Maybe He heardmy S. O. S. After all, and you just being _comfortable_ is the answer. "

CHAPTER IV

"_Bearer of Morning_"

"Douglas, " called Leslie over the telephone, "I have developed nerves. "

"Why?" inquired he. 

"Dad has just come in with a pair of waist-high boots, and a scalpingknife, I think, " answered Leslie. "Are you going to bring a blanket and awar bonnet?"

"The blanket, I can; the bonnet, I might, " said Douglas. 

"How early will you be ready?" she asked. 

"Whenever you say, " he replied. 

"Five?" she queried. 

"Very well!" he answered. "And Leslie, I would suggest a sweater, shortstout skirts, and heavy gloves. Do you know if you are susceptible topoison vines?"

"I have handled anything wild as I pleased all my life, " she said. "I amsure there is no danger from that source; but Douglas, did you ever hearof, or see, a massasauga?"

"You are perfectly safe on that score, " he said. "I am going alongespecially to take care of you. "

"All right, then I won't be afraid of snakes, " she said. 

"I have waders, too, " he said, "and I'm going into the swamp with you. Wherever you wish to go, I will precede you and test the footing. "

"Very well! I have lingered on the borders long enough. To-morrow will be my initiation. By night I'll have learned the state ofmy artistic ability with natural resources, and I'll know whether theheart of the swamp is the loveliest sight I ever have seen, and I willhave proved how I 'line up' with a squaw-woman. "

"Leslie, I'm now reading a most interesting human document, " said Douglas, "and in it I have reached the place where Indians in the heart of terrificwinter killed and heaped up a pile of deer in early day in Minnesota, thenwent to camp rejoicing, while their squaws were left to walk twenty-eightmiles and each carry back on her shoulder a deer frozen stiff. Leslie, youdon't line up! You are not expected to. "

"Do you believe that, Douglas?" asked the girl. 

"It's history dear, not fiction, " he answered. 

"Douglas!" she warned. 

"Leslie, I beg your pardon! That was a slip!" cried he. 

"Oh!" she breathed. 

"Leslie, will you do something for me?" he questioned. 

"What?" she retorted. 

"Listen with one ear, stop the other, and tell me what you hear, " heordered. 

"Yes, " she said. 

"Did you hear, Leslie?" he asked anxiously. 

"I heard something, I don't know what, " she answered. 

"Can you describe it, Leslie?"

"Just a rushing, beating sound! What is it Douglas?"

"My heart, Leslie, sending to you each throbbing stroke of my manhoodpouring out its love for you. "

"Oh-h-h!" cried the astonished girl. 

"Will you listen again, Leslie?" begged the man. 

"No!" she said. 

"You don't want to hear what my heart has to say to you?" he asked. 

"Not over a wire! Not so far away!" she panted. 

"Then I'll shorten the distance. I'm coming, Leslie!"

"What shall I do?" she gasped. She stared around her, trying to decidewhether she should follow her impulse to hide, when her father entered theroom. 

"Daddy, " she cried, "if you want to be nice to me, go away a little while. Go somewhere a few minutes and stay until I call you. "

"Leslie, what's the matter?" he asked. 

"I've been talking to Douglas, and Daddy, he's coming like a chargingHighland trooper. Daddy, I heard him drop the receiver and start. Please, please go away a minute. Even the dearest father in the world can't doanything now! We must settle this ourselves. "

"I'm not to be allowed a word?" he protested. 

"Daddy, you've had two years! If you know anything to say against Douglasand haven't said it in all that time, why should you begin now? Youcouldn't help knowing! Daddy, do go! There he is! I hear him!"

Mr. Winton took his daughter in his arms, kissed her tenderly, and leftthe room. A second later Douglas Bruce entered. Rushing to Leslie hecaught her to his breast roughly, while with a strong hand he pressed herear against his heart. 

"Now you listen, my girl!" he cried. "You listen at close range. "

Leslie remained quiet a long second. Then she lifted her face, adorable, misty eyed and tenderly smiling. 

"Douglas, I never listened to a heart before! How do I know what it issaying? I can't tell whether it is talking about me or protesting againstthe way you've been rushing around!" "No levity, my lady, " he said grimly. "This is serious business. You listen while I interpret. I love you, Leslie! Every beat, every stroke, love for you. I claim you! My mate! Mywife! I want you!"

He held her from him, looking into her eyes. 

"Now Leslie, the answer!" he cried. "May I listen to it or will you tellme? _Is_ there any answer? What is _your_ heart saying? May I hear or willyou tell me?"

"I want to tell you!" said the girl. "I love you, Douglas! Every beat, every stroke, love for you. "

Early the next morning they inspected their equipment carefully, thendrove north to the tamarack swamp, where they arranged that Leslie andDouglas were to hunt material, while Mr. Winton and the driver went to thenearest Indian settlement to find the squaw who had made the other basket, and bring her to the swamp. 

If you have experienced the same emotions you will know how Douglas andLeslie felt when hand in hand they entered the swamp on a perfect morningin late May. If you have not, mere words are inadequate. 

Through fern and brake head high, through sumac, willow, elder, buttonbush, gold-yellow and blood-red osiers, past northern holly, overspongy moss carpet of palest silvery green up-piled for ages, over red-veined pitcher plants spilling their fullness, among scraggy, odoroustamaracks, beneath which cranberries and rosemary were blooming; throughethereal pale mists of dawn, in their ears lark songs of morning from thefields, hermit thrushes in the swamp, bell birds tolling molten notes, ina minor strain a swelling chorus of sparrows, titmice, warblers, vireos, went two strong, healthy young people newly promised for "better orworse. " They could only look, stammer, flush, and utter brokenexclamations, all about "better. " They could not remotely conceive thatlife might serve them the cruel trick of "worse. "

Leslie sank to her knees. Douglas lifted her up, set her on the firmestlocation he could see, adoring her with his eyes and reverent touch. Sincethat first rough grasp as he drew her to him, Leslie had felt positivelyfragile in his hands. She smiled at him her most beautiful smile whenwide-eyed with emotion. 

"Douglas, why just now, when you've waited two years?" she asked. 

"Wanted a degree of success to offer, " he answered. 

Leslie disdained the need for success. 

"Wanted you to have time to know me as completely as possible. "

Leslie intimated that she could learn faster. 

"Wanted to have the acknowledged right to put my body between yours andany danger this swamp might have to offer to-day. "

"Exactly what I thought!" cried she. 

"Wise girl, " commented the man. 

"Douglas, I must hurry!" said Leslie. "It may take a long time to find theflowers I want, while I've no idea what I shall do for a basket. I sawosiers yellow and red in quantities, but where are the orchids?"

"We must make our way farther in and search, " he said. 

"Douglas, listen!" breathed Leslie. 

"I hear exquisite music, " he answered. 

"But don't you recognize it?" she cried. 

"It does seem familiar, but I am not sufficiently schooled in music----"

The girl began softly to whistle. 

"By Jove!" cried the man. "What is that Leslie?"

"Di Provenza, from Traviata, " she answered. "But I must stop listening forbirds Douglas, when I can scarcely watch for flowers or vines. I have tokeep all the time looking to make sure that you are really my man. "

"And I, that you are my woman. Leslie, that expression and this location, the fact that you are in competition with a squaw and the Indian talk wehave indulged in lately, all conspire to remind me that a few days ago, while I was still a 'searcher' myself, I read a poem called 'Song of theSearch' that was the biggest thing of its kind that I have yet found inour language. It was so great that I reread it until I am sure I can do itjustice. Listen my 'Bearer of Morning, ' my 'Bringer of Song----'"

Douglas stood straight as the tamaracks, his feet sinking in "the littlemoss, " while from his heart he quoted Constance Skinner's wonderful poem:

"_I descend through the forest alone. Rose-flushed are the willows, stark and a-quiver, In the warm sudden grasp of Spring;Like a woman when her lover has suddenly, swiftly taken her. I hear the secret rustle of little leaves, Waiting to be born. The air is a wind of loveFrom the wings of eagles mating----O eagles, my sky is dark with your wings!The hills and the waters pity me, The pine-trees reproach me. The little moss whispers under my feet, "Son of Earth, Brother, Why comest thou hither alone?"Oh, the wolf has his mate on the mountain----Where art thou, Spring-daughter?I tremble with love as reeds by the river, I burn as the dusk in the red-tented west, I call thee aloud as the deer calls the doe, I await thee as hills wait the morning, I desire thee as eagles the storm;I yearn to thy breast as night to the sea, I claim thee as the silence claims the stars. O Earth, Earth, great Earth, Mate of God and mother of me, Say, where is she, the Bearer of Morning, My Bringer of Song?Love in me waits to be born, Where is She, the Woman?_

"'Where is she, the Woman?' The answer is 'Here!' 'Bearer of Morning, ''Bringer of Song, ' I adore you!"

"Oh Douglas, how beautiful!" cried Leslie. "My Man, can we think ofanything save ourselves to-day? Can we make that basket?"

"It would be a bad start to give up our first undertaking together, " hesaid. 

"Of course!" she cried. "We must! We simply must find things. Father maycall any minute. Let go my hand and follow behind me. Keep close, Douglas!"

"I should go before to clear the way, " he suggested. 

"No, I may miss rare flowers if you do, " she objected. 

"Go slowly, so I can watch before and overhead. "

"Yes!" she answered. "There! There, Douglas!"

"Ah! There they are!" he exulted. 

"But I can't take them!" she protested. 

"Only a few, Leslie. Look before you! See how many there are!" he said. 

"Douglas, could there be more wonderful flowers than the moccasins andslippers?" she asked. 

"Scarcely more wonderful; there might be more delicate and lovely!"

"Farther! Let us go farther!" she urged. 

Her cry closed the man's arms around her. 

Then there was a long silence during which they stood on the edge of asmall open space breathlessly worshipping, but it was the Almighty theywere now adoring. Here the moss lay in a flat carpet, tinted deeper green. Water willow rolled its ragged reddish-tan hoops, with swelling bloom andleaf buds. Overflowing pitcher plants grew in irregular beds, on slenderstems, lifting high their flat buds. But scattered in groups here andthere, sometimes with massed similar colours, sometimes in clumps andvariegated patches, stood the rare, early fringed orchis, some almostwhite, others pale lavender and again the deeper colour of the moccasins;while everywhere on stems, some a foot high, nodded the exquisite lavenderand white showy orchis. 

"Count!" he commanded. 

Leslie pointed a slender finger indicating each as she spoke: "One, two, three--thirty-two, under the sweep of your arms, Douglas! And more! Moreby the hundred! Surely if we are careful not to kill them, the Lord won'tmind if we take out a few for people to see, will He?"

"He must have made them to be seen!" said Douglas. 

"And worshipped!" cried the girl. 

"Douglas, why didn't the squaw----?" asked Leslie. 

"Maybe she didn't come this far, " he said. "Perhaps she knows byexperience that these are too fragile to remove. You may not be able tohandle them, Leslie. "

"I'm going to try, " she said. "But first I must make my basket. We'll goback to the osiers to weave it and then come here to fill it. Oh Douglas!Did you ever see such flower perfection in all your life?"

"Only in books! In my home country applied botany is a part of every man'seducation. I never have seen ragged or fringed orchids growing before. Ihave read of many fruitless searches for the white ones. "

"So have I. They seem to be the rarest. Douglas, look there!"

"There" was a group of purple-lavender, white-lipped bloom, made by yearsof spreading from one root, until above the rank moss and beneath the darktamarack branch the picture appeared inconceivably delicate. 

"Yes! The most exquisite flowers I ever have seen!"

"And there, Douglas!" She pointed to another group. "Just the shade of thelavender on the toe of the moccasin--and in a great ragged mass! Would anyone believe it?"

"Not without seeing it, " he said emphatically. 

"And there, Douglas! Exactly the colour of the moccasins--see thatcluster! There are no words, Douglas!"

"Shall you go farther?" he asked. 

"No, " she answered. "I'm going back to weave my basket. There is nothingto surpass the orchids in rarity and wondrous beauty. "

"Good!" he cried. "I'll go ahead and you follow. "

So they returned to the osiers. Leslie pondered deeply a few seconds, thenresolutely putting Douglas aside, she began cutting armloads of paleyellow osiers. Finding a suitable place to work, she swiftly and deftlyselected perfect, straight evenly coloured ones, cutting them the samelength, then binding the tip ends firmly with raffia she had brought tosubstitute for grass. Then with fine slips she began weaving, graduallyspreading the twigs while inwardly giving thanks for the lessons she hadtaken in basketry. At last she held up a big, pointed, yellow basket. 

"Ready!" she said. 

"Beautiful!" cried Douglas. 

Leslie carefully lined the basket with moss in which the flowers grew, working the heads between the open spaces she had left. She bent threetwigs, dividing her basket top in exact thirds. One of these she filledwith the whitest, one with stronger, and one with the deepest lavender, placing the tallest plants in the centre so that the outside ones wouldshow completely. Then she lifted by the root exquisite showy orchis, lavender-hooded, white-lipped, the tiniest plants she could select and setthem around the edge. She bedded the moss-wrapped roots in the basket andbegan bordering the rim and entwining the handle with a delicate vine. Shelooked up at Douglas, her face thrilled with triumph, flushed withexertion, her eyes humid with feeling, while he gazed at her stirred tothe depth of his heart with sympathy and the wonder of possession. 

"'Bearer of Morning, ' you win!" he cried triumphantly. "There is no usegoing farther. Let me carry that to your father, and he too will say so. "

"I have a reason for working out our plan, " she said. 

"Yes? May I know?" he asked. 

"Surely!" she answered. "You remember what you told me about the Minturns. I can't live in a city and not have my feelings harrowed every day, andwhile I'd like to change everything wrong, I know I can't all of it, sowhat I can't cope with must be put aside; but this refuses, it isinsistent. When you really think of it, that is so _dreadful_, Douglas. Ifthey once felt what we do now, could it _all_ go? There must be somethingleft! You mention him oftener than any other one man, so you must admirehim deeply; I know her as well as any woman I meet in society, better thanmost; I had thought of asking them to be the judges. She is interested inmusic and art; it would please her and be perfectly natural for me to askher; you are on intimate terms with him from your offices being opposite;there could be no suspicion of any ulterior motive in having them. I don'tknow that it would accomplish anything, but it would let them know, tobegin with, that we consider them friends; so it would be natural for themto come with us; if we can't manage more than that to-day, it will give usground to try again. "

"Splendid!" he said. "A splendid plan! It would let them see that at leastour part of the world thinks of them together, and expects them to befriends. Splendid!"

"I have finished, " said Leslie. 

"I quite agree, " answered Douglas. "No one could do better. That is theultimate beauty of the swamp made manifest. There is the horn! Your fatheris waiting. "

A surprise was also waiting. Mr. Winton had not only found the squaw whobrought the first basket, but he had made her understand so thoroughlywhat was wanted that she had come with him, while at his suggestion shehad replaced the moccasin basket as exactly as she could and also made aneffort at decoration. She was smiling woodenly when Leslie and Douglasapproached, but as Leslie's father glimpsed and cried out over her basket, the squaw frowned, drawing back. 

"Where you find 'em?" she demanded. 

"In the swamp!" Leslie nodded backward. 

The squaw grunted disapprovingly. "Lowry no buy 'em! Sell slipper! Sellmoccasin! No sell weed!"

Leslie looked with shining eyes at her father. 

"That lies with Lowry, " he said. "I'll drive you there and bring you back, and you'll have the ride and the money for your basket. That's all thatconcerns you. We won't come here to make any more. "

The squaw smiled again, so they started to the city. They drove straightto the Winton residence for the slippers. While Mr. Winton and the squawwent to take the baskets to Lowry's and leave Douglas at his office, Leslie in his car went to Mrs. Minturn's. 

"Don't think I'm crazy, " laughed Leslie, as Mrs. Minturn came down to meether. "I want to use your exquisite taste and art instinct a few minutes. Please do come with me. We've a question up. You know the wonderful stuffthe Indians bring down from the swamps to sell on the streets and to theflorists?"

"Indeed yes! I often buy of them in the spring. I love the wild whiteviolets especially. What is it you want?"

"Why you see, " said Leslie, looking eagerly at Mrs. Minturn, "you seethere are three flower baskets at Lowry's. Douglas Bruce is going to buyme the one I want most for a present, to celebrate a very importantoccasion, and I can't tell which is most artistic. I want you to decide. Your judgment is so unfailing. Will you come? Only a little spin!"

"Leslie, you aren't by any chance asking me to select your betrothal gift, are you?"

Leslie's face was rose-flushed smiling wonderment. She had hastily slippedoff her swamp costume. Joy that seemed as if it must be imperishable shoneon her brightly illumined face. With tightly closed, smile-curved lips shevigorously nodded. The elder woman bent to kiss her. 

"Of course I'll come!" she laughed. "I feel thrilled, and flattered. And Icongratulate you sincerely. Bruce is a fine man. He'll make a big fortunesoon. "

"Oh I hope not!" said Leslie. 

"Are you crazy?" demanded Mrs. Minturn. "You said you didn't want me tothink you so!"

"You see, " said Leslie, "Mr. Bruce has a living income; so have I, from mymother. Fortunes seem to me to work more trouble than they do good. Ibelieve poor folks are happiest, they get most out of life, and after allwhat gives deep, heart-felt joy, is the thing to live for, isn't it? Butwe must hurry. Mr. Lowry didn't promise to hold the flowers long. "

"I'll be ready in a minute, but I see where Douglas Bruce is giving youwrong ideas, " said Mrs. Minturn. "He needs a good talking to. Money is theonly thing worth while, and the comfort and the pleasure it brings. Without it you are crippled, handicapped, a slave crawling while othersstep over you. I'll convince _him!_ Back in a minute. "

When Mrs. Minturn returned she was in a delightful mood, her face eager, her dress beautiful. Leslie wondered if this woman ever had known a care, then remembered that not long before she had lost a little daughter. Leslie explained as they went swiftly through the streets. 

"You won't mind waiting only a second until I run up to Mr. Bruce'soffices?" she asked. 

He was ready, so together they stopped at Mr. Minturn's door. Douglaswhispered: "Watch the office boy. He is Minturn's Little Brother I toldyou about. "

Leslie nodded and entered gaily. 

"Please ask Mr. Minturn if he will see Miss Winton and Mr. Douglas Bruce aminute?" she said. 

An alert, bright-faced lad bowed politely, laid aside a book and enteredthe inner office. 

"Now let me!" said Leslie. "Good May, Mr. Minturn!" she cried. "Positivelyenchanting! Take that forbidding look off your face. Come for a fewminutes Maying! It will do you much good, and me more. All my friends arepleasuring me to-day. So I want as good a friend of Mr. Bruce as you, tobe in something we have planned. You just must!"

"Has something delightful happened?" asked Mr. Minturn, retaining the handLeslie offered him as he turned to Douglas Bruce. 

"You must ask Miss Winton, " he said. 

Mr. Minturn's eyes questioned her sparkling face, while again with closedlips she nodded. "My most earnest congratulations to each of you. May lifegrant you even more than you hope for, and from your faces, that is nosmall wish to make for you. Surely I'll come! What is it you haveplanned?"

"Something lovely!" said Leslie. "At Lowry's are three flower baskets thatare rather bewildering. I am to have one for my betrothal gift, but Ican't decide. I appealed to Mrs. Minturn to help me, and she agreed; sheis waiting below. Mr. Bruce named you for him; so you two and Mr. Lowryare to choose the most artistic basket for me, then if I don't agree, Ineedn't take it, but I want to see what you think. You'll come of course?"

Mr. Minturn's face darkened at the mention of his wife, while he hesitatedand looked penetratingly at Leslie. She was guileless, charming, andeager. 

"Very well, " Mr. Minturn said gravely. "I'm surprised, but also pleased. Beautiful young ladies have not appealed to me so often of late that I canafford to miss the chance of humouring the most charming of her sex. "

"How lovely!" laughed Leslie. "Douglas, did you ever know Mr. Minturncould flatter like that? It's most enjoyable! I shall insist on more ofit, at every opportunity! Really, Mr. Minturn, society has missed you oflate, and it is our loss. We need men who are worth while. "

"Now it is you who flatter, " smiled Mr. Minturn. 

"See my captive!" cried Leslie, as she emerged from the building andcrossed the walk to the car. "Mr. Bruce and Mr. Minturn are great friends, so as we passed his door we brought him along by force. "

"It certainly would require that to bring him anywhere in my company, "said Mrs. Minturn coldly. 

The shock of the cruelty of the remark closed Douglas' lips, but it wasLeslie's day to bubble, so she resolutely set herself to heal and coverthe hurt. 

"I think business is a perfect bugbear, " she said as she entered the car. "I'm going to have a pre-nuptial agreement as to just how far work maytrespass on Douglas' time, and how much belongs to me. I think it can bearranged. Daddy and I always have had lovely times together, and I wouldcall him successful. Wouldn't you?"

"A fine business man!" said Mr. Minturn heartily. 

"You could have had much greater advantages if he had made more money, "said Mrs. Minturn. 

"The advantage of more money--yes, " retorted Leslie quickly, "but wouldthe money have been of more advantage to me than the benefits of hissociety and his personal hand in my rearing? I think not! I prefer myDaddy!"

"When you take your place in society, as the mistress of a home, you willfind that millions will not be too much, " said Mrs. Minturn. 

"If I had millions, I'd give most of them away, and just go on livingabout as I do now with Daddy, " said Leslie. 

"Leslie, where did you get bitten with this awful, common--what kind of anidea shall I call it? You haven't imbibed socialistic tendencies haveyou?"

"Haven't a smattering of what they mean!" laughed Leslie. "The 'istics'scare me completely. Just _social_ ideas are all I have; thinking homebetter than any other place on earth, the way you can afford to have it. Merely being human, kind and interested in what my men are doing andenjoying, and helping any one who crosses my path and seems to need me. Oh, I get such joy, such delicious _joy_ from life. "

"If I were undertaking wild-eyed reform, I'd sell my car and walk, and dosettlement work, " said Mrs. Minturn scornfully. 

Then Leslie surprised all of them. She leaned forward, looked beaminglyinto the elder woman's face and cried enthusiastically: "I am positiveyou'd be stronger, and much happier if you would! You know there is nogreater fun than going to the end of the car line and then walking milesinto the country, especially now in bloom-time. You see sights no painterever transferred even a good imitation of to canvas; you hear music--Iwish every music lover with your trained ear could have spent an hour inthat swamp this morning. You'd soon know where Verdi and Strauss foundsome of their loveliest themes, and where Beethoven got the bird notes forthe brook scene of the Pastoral Symphony. Think how interested you'd be ina yellow and black bird singing the Spinning Song from Martha, while youcouldn't accuse the bird of having stolen it from Flotow, could you?Surely the bird holds right of priority!"

"If you weren't a little fool and talking purposely to irritate me, you'dalmost cause me to ask if you seriously mean that?" said Mrs. Minturn. 

"Why, " laughed Leslie, determined not to become provoked on this her greatday, "that is a matter you can test for yourself. If you haven't a scoreof Martha, get one and I'll take you where you can hear a bird sing thatstrain, then you may judge for yourself. "

"I don't believe it!" said Mrs. Minturn tersely, "but if it were true, that would be the _most wonderful experience_ I ever had in my life. "

"And it would cost you only ten cents, " scored Leslie. "You needn't ridebeyond the end of the car line for that, while a woman who can dance allnight surely could _walk_ far enough, to reach any old orchard. That'swhat I am trying to _tell_ you. Money in large quantities isn't necessaryto provide the _most interesting_ things in the world, while millionsdon't bring happiness. I can find more in what you would class almostpoverty. "

"Why don't you try it?" suggested Mrs. Minturn. 

"But I _have!_" said Leslie. "And I enjoy it! I could go with a man I loveas I do Daddy, and make a home, and get joy I never have found in society, from just what we two could do with our own hands in the woods. I don'tlike a city. If Daddy's business didn't keep him here, I would be in thecountry this minute. Look at us poor souls trying to find pleasure in abasket from the swamp, when we might have the whole swamp. I'd be happy tolive at its door. Now try a basket full of it. There are three. You are toexamine each of them carefully, then write on a slip of paper which youthink the _most artistic_. You are not to say things that will influenceeach other's decisions, or Mr. Lowry's. I want a straight opinion fromeach of you. "

They entered the florist's, and on a glass table faced the orchids, theslippers, the fringed basket, and the moccasins. Mr. Winton and the squawwere waiting, while the florist was smiling in gratification, but theMinturns went to the flowers without a word. They simply stood and looked. Each of the baskets was in perfect condition. The flowers were as fresh asat home in the swamp. Each was a thing of wondrous beauty. Each deservedthe mute tribute it was exacting. Mrs. Minturn studied them with graduallydarkening face. Mrs. Minturn repeatedly opened her lips as if she wouldspeak, but did not. She stepped closer and gently turned the flowers andlightly touched the petals. 

"Beautiful!" she said at last. "Beautiful!"

Another long silence. 

Then: "_Honestly Leslie, did you hear a bird sing that strain fromMartha?_"

"Yes!" said Leslie, "I did. And if you will go with me to the swamp wherethose flowers came from, you shall hear one sing a strain that willinstantly remind you of the opening chorus, while another renders DiProvenza Il Mar from Traviata. "

The lady turned again to the flowers. She was thinking something deep andabsorbing, but no one could have guessed exactly what it might be. Finally: "I have decided, " she said. "Shall we number these one, two, andthree, and so indicate them?"

"Yes, " said Leslie a little breathlessly. 

"Put your initials to the slips and I'll read them, " offered Douglas. Thenhe smilingly read aloud: "Mr. Lowry, one. Mrs. Minturn, two. Mr. Minturn, three!"

"I cast the deciding vote, " cried Leslie. "One!"

The squaw seemed to think of a war-whoop, but decided against it. 

"Now be good enough to state your reasons, " said Mr. Winton. "_Why_ do youprefer the slipper basket, Mr. Lowry?"

"It satisfies my sense of the artistic. "

"Why the fringed basket, Mrs. Minturn?"

"Because it contains daintier, more wonderful flowers than the others, andis by far the most pleasing production. "

"Now Minturn, your turn. Why do you like the moccasin basket?"

"It makes the deepest appeal to me, " he answered. 

"But why?" persisted Mr. Winton. 

"If you will have it--the moccasins are the colour I once loved on theface of my little daughter. "

"Now Leslie!" said Mr. Winton hurriedly as he noted Mrs. Minturn'sdispleased look. 

"Must I tell?" she asked. 

"Yes, " said her father. 

"Douglas selected it for me, so I like it best. "

"But Leslie!" cried Douglas, "there were only two baskets when I favouredthat. Had the fringed orchids been here then, I most certainly should havechosen them. I think yours far the most exquisite! I claim it now. Willyou give it to me?"

"Surely! I'd love to, " laughed the girl. 

"You have done your most exquisite work on the fringed basket, " said Mrs. Minturn to the squaw. 

"No make!" said she promptly, pointing to Leslie. 

"Leslie Winton, did you go to the swamp to make that basket?" demandedMrs. Minturn. 

"Yes, " answered Leslie. 

"Did you make all of them?"

"Only that one, " replied Leslie. 

"Why?" marvelled the lady. 

"To see if I could go to the tamarack swamp and bring from it with thesame tools and material, a more artistic production than an Indian woman. "

"Well, you have!" conceded Mrs. Minturn. 

"The majority is against me, " said Leslie. 

"Majorities mean masses, and masses are notoriously insane!" said Mrs. Minturn. 

"But this is a small, select majority, " said Leslie. 

"Craziest of all, " said Mrs. Minturn decidedly. "If you have finished withus, I want to thank you for the pleasure of seeing these, and Leslie, someday I really think I shall try that bird music. The idea interests me morethan anything that I have ever heard of. If it were true, it would indeedbe wonderful, it would be a new experience!"

"If you want to hear for yourself, make it soon, because now is nestingtime; not again until next spring will the music be so entrancing. I cango any day. "

"I'll look over my engagements and call you. If one ever had a minute tospare!"

"Another of the joys of wealth!" said Leslie. "Only the poor can afford to'loaf and invite their souls. ' The flowers you will see will delight youreyes, quite as much as the music your ears. "

"I doubt your logic, but I'll try the birds. Are you coming Mr. Minturn?"

"Not unless you especially wish me. Are these for sale?" he asked, pickingup the moccasins. 

"Only those, " replied the florist. 

"Send your bill, " he said, turning with the basket. 

"How shining a thing is consistency!" sneered his wife. "You condemn theriches you never have been able to amass, but at the same time spend likea millionaire. "

"I never said I was not able to gain millions, " replied Mr. Minturncoldly. "I have had frequent opportunities! I merely refused them, becauseI did not consider them legitimate. As for my method in buying flowers, inthis one instance, price does not matter. You can guess what I shall dowith them. "

"I couldn't possibly!" answered Mrs. Minturn. "The only sure venture Icould make is that they will not by any chance come to me. "

"No. These go to baby Elizabeth, " he said. "Do you want to come with me totake them to her?"

With an audible sneer she passed him. He stepped aside, gravely raisinghis hat, while the others said good-bye to him and followed. 

"Positively insufferable!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "Every one of my friendssay they do not know how I endure his insults and I certainly will notmany more. I don't, I really don't know what he expects. "

Mr. Winton and Douglas Bruce were confused, while Leslie was frightened, but she tried turning the distressing occurrence off with excuses. 

"Of course he intended no insult!" she soothed. "He must have adored hislittle daughter and the flowers reminded him. I am so much obliged foryour opinion and I shall be glad to take you to the swamp any time. Yourlittle sons--would they like to go? It is a most interesting andinstructive place for children. "

"For Heaven's sake don't mention children!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "They area bother and a curse!"

"Oh Mrs. Minturn!" exclaimed Leslie. 

"Of course I don't mean _quite_ that; but I do very near! Mine are perfectlittle devils; all the trouble James and I ever had came through them. Hisidea of a mother is a combined doctor, wet-nurse and nursery maid, while Imust say, I far from agree with him. What are servants for if not to takethe trouble of children off your hands?"

Leslie was glad to reach the rich woman's door and deposit her there. 

As the car sped away the girl turned a despairing face toward Douglas:"For the love of Moike!" she cried. "Isn't that shocking? Poor Mr. Minturn!"

"I don't pity him half so much as I do her, " he answered. "What must awoman have suffered or been through, to warp, twist, and harden her likethat?"

"Society life, " answered Leslie, "as it is lived by people of wealth whoare aping royalty and the titled classes. "

"A branch of them--possibly, " conceded Douglas. "I know some titled andwealthy people who would be dumbfounded over that woman's ideas. "

"So do I, " said Leslie. "Of course there are exceptions. Sometimes theexception becomes bigger than the rule, but not in our richest society. Douglas, let's keep close together! Oh don't let's ever drift into such astate as that. I should have asked them to lunch, but I couldn't. If thatis the way she is talking before her friends, surely she won't have many, soon. "

"Then her need for a real woman like you will be all the greater, "answered Douglas. "I suppose you should have asked her; but I'm delightedthat you didn't! To-day began so nearly perfect, I want to end it withonly you and your father. Will he resent me, Leslie?"

"It all depends on us. If we are selfish and leave him alone he will feelit. If we can make him realize gain instead of loss he will be happierthan he is now. "

"I wish I hadn't felt obliged to reject his offer the other night. I'mvery sorry about it. "

"I'm not, " said Leslie. "You have a right to live your life in your ownway. I have seen enough of running for office, elections and appointmentsthat I hate it. You do the work you educated yourself for and I'll helpyou. "

"Then my success is assured, " laughed Douglas. "Leslie, may I leave mybasket here? Will you care for it like yours, and may I come to see itoften?"

"No. You may come to see me and look at the basket incidentally, " sheanswered. 

"Do you think Mrs. Minturn will go to the swamp to listen to those birds?"he asked. 

"Eventually she will, " answered the girl. "I may have to begin by takingher to an orchard to hear a bird of gold sing a golden song about 'sewing, and mending, and baby tending, ' to start on; but when she hears that, shewill be eager for more. "

"How interesting!" cried Douglas. "'Bearer of Morning, ' sing that song tome now. "

Leslie whistled the air, beating time with her hand, then sang the words:

"_I can wash, sir, I can spin, sir, I can sew and mend, and babies tend. _"

"Oh you 'Bringer of Song!'" exulted Douglas. "I'd rather hear you singthat than any bird, but from what she said, Nellie Minturn won't careparticularly for it!"

"She may not approve of, or practise, the sentiment, " said Leslie, "butshe'll love the music and possibly the musician. "

CHAPTER V

_Little Brother_

"Now what am I going to do yet to make the day shorter, Lily?" askedMickey. 

"I guess I got everything, " she answered. "There's my lunch. Here's mypictures to cut. Here's my lesson to learn. There's my sky and birdcrumbs. Mickey, sometimes they hop right in on the sheet. Yest'day onetried to get my lunch. Ain't they sassy?"

"Yes, " said Mickey. "They fight worse than rich folks. I don't know whythe Almighty pays attention if they fall. "

"Mebby nobody else cares, " said Peaches, "and He feels obliged to 'causeHe made 'em. "

"Gee! You say the funniest things, kid, " laughed Mickey as he digested theidea. "Wonder if He cares for us 'cause He made us. "

"Mebby he didn't make us, " suggested Peaches. 

"Well we got one consoling thing, " said Mickey. "If He made any of them, He made us, and if He didn't make us, He didn't none of them, 'causeeverybody comes in and goes out the same way; She said so. "

"Then of course it's so, " agreed Peaches. "That gives us as good a chanceas anybody. "

"Course it does if we got sense to take it, " said Mickey. "We got to wakeup and make something of ourselves. Let me see if you know your lesson forto-day yet. There is the picture of the animal--there is the word thatspells its name. Now what is it?"

"Milk!" answered Peaches, her eyes mischievous. 

Mickey held over the book chuckling. 

"All right! There is the word for that, too. For being so smart, MissChicken, you can learn it 'fore you get any more to drink. If I have goodluck to-day, I'm going to blow in about six o'clock with a slate andpencil for you; and then you can print the words you learn, and makepictures. That'll help make the day go a lot faster. "

"Oh it goes fast enough now, " said Peaches. "I love days with you and thewindow and the birds. I wish they'd sing more though. "

"When your back gets well, I'll take you to the country where they singall the time, " promised Mickey, "where there are grass, and trees, andflowers, and water to wade in and----"

"Mickey, stop and go on!" cried Peaches. "Sooner you start, the soonerI'll get my next verse. I want just norful good one to-night. "

She held up her arms. Mickey submitted to a hug and a little cold dab onhis forehead, counted his money, locked the door and ran. On the car hesat in deep thought, then suddenly sniggered aloud. He had achieved thenext installment of the doggerel to which every night Peaches insisted onhaving a new verse added as he entered. He secured his papers, andglimpsing the headlines started on his beat crying them lustily. 

Mickey knew that washing, better air, enough food, and oil rubbing wereimproving Peaches. What he did not know was that adding the interest ofher presence to his life, even though it made his work heavier, wasshowing on him. He actually seemed bigger, stronger, and his face brighterand fuller. He swung down the street thrusting his papers right and left, crossed and went up the other side, watching closely for a customer. Itwas ten o'clock and opportunities with the men were almost over. Mickeyturned to scan the street for anything even suggesting a sale. He saw noneand started with his old cry, watching as he went: "I _like_ to sellpapers! _Sometimes_ I sell them! Sometimes I _don't_----!"

Then he saw her. She was so fresh and joyous. She walked briskly. Even hisbeloved nurse was not so wonderful. Straight toward her went Mickey. 

"I _like_ to sell papers! _Sometimes_ I sell them! Sometimes I _don't!_Morning paper, lady! Sterilized! Deodorized! Vulcanized! Nice _clean_paper!"

The girl's eyes betokened interest; her smiling lips encouraged Mickey. Helaid his chin over her arm, leaned his head against it and fell in stepwith her. 

"_Sometimes_ I sell them! Sometimes I _don't!_ If I _sell_ them, I'mhappy! If I don't, I'm _hungry!_ If you _buy_ them, you're happy!Pa--per?--lady. "

"Not to-day, thank you, " she said. "I'm shopping, so I don't wish to carryit. "

Mickey saw Peaches' slate vanishing. It was a beautiful slate, small so itwould not tire her bits of hands, and its frame was covered with red. Hisface sobered, his voice changed, taking on unexpected modulations. 

"Aw lady! I thought _you'd_ buy my paper! Far down the street I saw you_coming_. Lady, I like your gentle _voice_. I like your pleasant _smile!_You don't want a nice _sterilized_ paper?--lady. "

The lady stopped short; she lifted Mickey's chin in a firm grip, lookingintently into his face. 

"Just by the merest chance, could your name be Mickey?" she asked. 

"Sure, lady! Mickey! Michael O'Halloran!"

Her smile became even more attractive. 

"I really don't want to be bothered with a paper, " she said; "but I dowish a note delivered. If you'll carry it, I'll pay you the price of halfa dozen papers. "

"Gets the slate!" cried Mickey, bouncing like a rubber boy. "Sure I will!Is it ready, lady?"

"One minute!" she said. She stepped to the inside of the walk, opened herpurse, wrote a line on a card, slipped it in an envelope, addressed it andhanded it to Mickey. 

"You can read that?" she asked. 

"I've read worse writing than that, " he assured her. "You ought to see thehieroglyphics some of the dimun-studded dames put up!"

Mickey took a last glimpse at the laughing face, then wheeling ran. Presently he went into a big building, studied the address board, thenentered the elevator and following a corridor reached the number. 

He paused a second, glancing around, when he saw the name on the oppositedoor. A flash passed over his face. "Ugh!" he muttered. "'Member now--beento this place before! Glad she ain't sending a letter to _that_ man. " Hestepped inside the open door before him, crossed the room and laid thenote near a man who was bending over some papers on a desk. The manreached a groping hand, tore open the envelope, taking therefrom a card onwhich was pencilled: "Could this by any chance be your Little Brother?"

He turned hastily, glancing at Mickey, then in a continuous movement arosewith outstretched hand. 

"Why Little Brother, " he cried, "I'm so glad to see you!"

Mickey's smile slowly vanished as he whipped his hands behind him, stepping back. 

"Nothin' doing, Boss, " he said. "You're off your trolley. I've no brother. My mother had only me. "

"Don't you remember me, Mickey?" inquired Douglas Bruce. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "You made Jimmy pay up!"

"Has he bothered you again?" asked the lawyer. 

"Nope!" answered Mickey. 

"Sit down, Mickey, I want to talk with you. "

"I'm much obliged for helping me out, " said Mickey, "but I guess you gotother business, and I know I have. "

"What is your business?" was the next question. 

"Selling papers. What's yours?" was the answer. 

"Trying to be a corporation lawyer, " explained Douglas. "I've been hereonly two years, and it is slow getting a start. I often have more time tospare than I wish I had, while I'm lonesome no end. "

"Is your mother dead?" asked Mickey solicitously. 

"Yes, " answered Douglas. 

"So's mine!" he commented. "You _do_ get lonesome! Course she was a goodone?"

"The very finest, Mickey, " said Douglas. "And yours?"

"Same here, Mister, " said Mickey with conviction. 

"Well since we are both motherless and lonesome, suppose we be brothers!"suggested Douglas. 

"Aw-w-w!" Mickey shook his head. 

"No?" questioned Douglas. 

"What's the use?" cried Mickey. 

"You could help me with my work and share my play, while possibly I couldbe of benefit to you. "

"I just wondered if you wasn't getting to that, " commented Mickey. 

"Getting to what?" inquired Douglas. 

"Going to do me good!" explained Mickey. "The swell stiffs are alwaysgoing to do us fellows good. Mostly they do! They do us good and brown!They pick us up a while and make lap dogs of us, then when we've lost ourappetites for our jobs and got to having a hankerin' for the fetch andcarry business away they go and forget us, so we're a lot worse off thanwe were before. Some of the fellows come out of it knowing more ways to bemean than they ever learned on the street, " explained Mickey. "If it'sthat Big Brother bee you got in your bonnet, pull its stinger and let itdie an unnatural death! Nope! None! Good-bye!"

"Mickey, wait!" cried Douglas. 

"Me business calls, an' I must go--'way to my ranch in Idaho!" gaily sangMickey. 

"I'd like to shake you!" said Douglas Bruce. 

"Well, go on, " said Mickey. "I'm here and you're big enough. "

"If I thought it would jolt out your fool notions and shake some sense in, I would, " said Douglas indignantly. 

"Now look here, Kitchener, " said Mickey. "Did I say one word that ain'tso, and that you don't know is so?"

"What you said is not even half a truth, young man! I do know cases whereidle rich men have tried the Little Brother plan as a fad, and made afailure of it. But for a few like that, I know dozens of sincere, educatedmen who are honestly giving a boy they fancy, a chance. I can take youinto the office of one of the most influential men in this city, rightacross the hall there, and show you a boy he liked who has in a short timebecome his friend, an invaluable helper, and hourly companion, and out ofit that boy will get a fine education, good business training, and a startin life that will give him a better chance to begin on than the man who ishelping him had. "

Mickey laughed boisterously, then sobered suddenly. 

"'Scuse me, Brother, " he said politely, "but that's most _too funny_ forany use. Once I took a whirl with that gentleman myself. Whether he doesor not, I know the place where he ought to get off. See? Answer me this:why would he be spending money and taking all that time for a 'newsy' whenhe hardly knows his own kids if he sees them, and they're the wickedestlittle rippers in the park. Just _why_ now?"

Douglas Bruce closed the door; then he came back and placing a chair forMickey, he took one opposite. 

"Sit down Mickey, " he said patiently. "There's a reason for my beingparticularly interested in James Minturn, and the reason hinges on thefact you mention: that he can't control his own sons, yet can make a boyhe takes comfort in, of a street gamin. "

Mickey's eyes narrowed while he sat very straight in the chair he hadaccepted. 

"If he's made so much of him, it sort of proves that he _wasn't_ a gamin. Some of the boys are a long shot closer gentlemen than the guys who areexperimenting with them; 'cause they were born rich and can afford it. Ifyour friend's going to train his pick-up to be what _he_ is, then that boywould stand a better chance on his own side the curb. See? I've been rightup against that gentleman with the documents, so I know him. Also her!Gee! 'Tear up de choild and gimme de papers' was meant for a joke; but Isaw that lady and gentleman do it. See? And she was the prettiest littlepink and yellow thing. Lord! I can see her gasping and blinking now! Makesme sick! If the boy across the hall had seen what I did, he'd run a mileand never stop. Gee!"

Douglas Bruce stared aghast. At last he said slowly: "Mickey, you aregetting mighty close the very thing I wish to know. If I tell you what Iknow of James Minturn, will you tell me what you know and think?"

"Sure!" said Mickey readily. "I got no reasons for loving him. I wouldn'tconvoy a millying to the mint for that gentleman!"

"Mickey, shall I go first, or will you?"

"I will, " replied Mickey instantly, "'cause when I finish you'll save yourbreath. See?"

"I see, " said Douglas Bruce. "Proceed. "

"Well, 'twas over two years ago, " said Mickey, leaning forward to lookBruce in the eyes. "I hadn't been up against the game so awful long alone. 'Twas summer and my papers were all gone, and I was tired, so I went overin the park and sat on a seat, just watching folks. Pretty soon 'longcomes walking a nice lady with a sweet voice and kind eyes. She sat downclose me and says: 'It's a nice day. ' We got chummy-like, when right up atthe fountain before us stops as swell an automobile as there is. One ofthe brown French-governess-ladies with the hatchet face got out, andunloaded three kids: two boys and a girl. She told the kids if they didn'tsit on the benches she socked them on hard, and keep their clothes cleanso she wouldn't have to wash and dress them again that day, she'd knockthe livers out of them, and walked off with the entrance policeman. Soonas she and Bobbie got interested, the kids began sliding off the bench andrunning around the fountain. The girl was only 'bout two or three, a fattoddly thing, trying to do what her brothers did, and taking it like thegamest kid you ever saw when they pushed her off the seat, and trippedher, and 'bused her like a dog. 

"Me and the woman were getting madder every minute. 'Go tell your nurse, 'says she. But the baby thing just glanced where nurse was and kind ofshivered and laughed, and ran on round the fountain, when the big boystuck his foot out so she fell. Nursie saw and started for her, but shescrambled up and went kiting for the bench, and climbed on it, so nursetold her she'd cut the blood out of her if she did that again, then wentback to her policeman. Soon as she was gone those little devils begancoaxing their sister to get down and run again. At last she began to smilethe cunningest and slipped to the walk, then a little farther, and alittle farther, all the time laughing and watching the nurse. The big boy, he said: 'You ain't nothing but a _girl!_ You can't step on the edge likeI can and then step back!' She says: 'C'n too!' She did to show him, andjust as she did she saw that he was going to push her, then she tried toget back, but he did push, and over she went! Not real in, but her armsin, and her dress front some wet. 

"She screamed while the little devil that pushed her grabbed her, pretending to be _pulling her out_. Honest he did! Up came nurse justfrothing, and in language we couldn't understand she ripped and raved. Shedragged little pink back, grabbed her by the hair and cracked her head twoor three times against the _stone!_ The lady screamed, and so did I, andwe both ran at her. The boys just shouted and laughed and the smallest onehe up and kicked her while she was down. The policeman walked overlaughing too, but he told nurse that was _too rough_. Then my lady pitchedin, so he told her to tend to her business, that those kids were too toughto live, and deserved all they got. The nurse laughed at her, and wentback to the grass with the policeman. The baby lay there on the stones, and never made a sound. She just kind of gasped, and blinked, and laythere, till my lady went almost wild. She went to her and stooped to lifther up when she got awful sick. The policeman said something to the nurse, so she came and dragged the kid away and said, 'The little pig has goneand eaten too much again, and now I'll have to take her home and wash anddress her all over, ' then she gave her an awful shake. The policeman saidshe'd better cut that out, because it _might_ have been the bumping, andshe said 'good for her if 'twas. ' The driver pulled up just then and heasked 'if the brat had been stuffin' too much again?' She said, 'yes, ' andthe littlest boy he said, 'she pounded her head on the stone, good, ' andthe nurse hit him 'cross the mouth till she knocked him against the car, and she said, 'Want to try _that_ again? Open your head to say _that_again, and I'll smash you too. _Eating too much made her sick_. ' Shelooked at the big boy fierce like so he laughed and said, 'Course eatingtoo much made her sick!' She nodded at him and said, 'Course! You get twodishes of ice and two pieces of cake for remembering!' then she loadedthem in and they drove away. 

"My lady was as white as marble and she said, 'Is there any way to findout who they are?' I said, 'Sure! Half a dozen!' 'Boy, ' she said, 'gettheir residence for me and I'll give you a dollar. ' Ought to seen me fly. Car was chuffing away, waiting to get the traffic cop's sign when to cutin on the avenue. I just took a dodge and hung on to the extra tire underthe top where nobody saw me, and when they stopped, I got the house numberthey went in. Little pink was lying all white and limber yet, and nurselooked worried as she carried her up. She said something fierce to theboys, the big one rang and they went inside. I saw a footman take thegirl. I heard nurse begin that 'eat too much' story, then I cut back tothe park. The lady said, 'Get it?' I said, 'Sure! Dead easy. ' She said, 'Can you take me?' I said, 'Glad to!'

"She said, 'That was the dreadfullest sight I ever saw. That child'smother is going to know right now what kind of a nurse she is paying totake care of her children. You come show me, ' she said, so we went. 

"'Will you come in with me?' she asked and I said, 'Yes!'

"Well, we rang and she asked pleasant to see the lady of the house on alittle matter of important business, so pretty soon here comes one of thedimun-studded, fashion-paper ladies, all smiling sweet as honey, and askedwhat the business was. My nice lady she said her name was Mrs. John Wilsonand her husband was a banker in Plymouth, Illinois, and she was in thecity shopping and went to the park to rest and was talking to me, when anautomobile let out a nurse, and two boys and a lovely little pink girl, and she give the number and asked, 'was the car and the children hers?'The dimun-lady slowly sort of began to freeze over, and when the nice ladygot that far, she said: 'I have an engagement. Kindly state in a _few_words what you want. '

"My lady sort of stiffened up and then she said: 'I saw, this boy heresaw, and the park policeman nearest the entrance fountain saw your nursetake your little girl by the hair, and strike her head against thefountain curb three times, because her brother pushed her in. She layinsensible until the car came, and she has just been carried into yourhouse in that condition. '

"I could see the footman peeking and at that he cut up the stairs. Thedimun-lady stiffened up and she said: 'So you are one of those meddling, interfering country jays that come here and try to make us lose our goodservants, so you can hire them later. I've seen that done before. Lucetteis invaluable, ' said she, 'and perfectly reliable. Takes all the care ofthose dreadful little imps from me. Now you get out of here. ' And shereached for the button. My lady just sat still and smiled. 

"'Do you really think I'd take the trouble to come here in this way if Icouldn't _prove_ I had seen the thing happen?' she asked. 

"'God only knows what you country women would do!' the woman answered. 

"'We would stand between our children and beastly cruelty, ' my lady said. 'Your child's _condition_ is all the proof my words need. You go examineher head, and feel the welt on it; see hew ill she is and you will thankme. Your nurse is _not_ reliable! Keep her and your children will beruined, if not killed. '

"'Raving!' sneered the dimun-lady. 'But I know your kind so I'll go, asit's the only way to get rid of you. '

"Now what do you think happened next? Well sir, 'bout three minutes inwalked the footman and salutes, sneering like a cat, and he said: 'Madam'scompliments. She finds her little daughter in perfect condition, sweetlysleeping, and her sons having dinner. She asks you to see how quickly youcan leave her residence. '

"The woman looked at me so I said: 'It's all over but burying the kid ifit dies; come on, lady, they'd be _glad_ to plant it, and get it out ofthe way. ' So I started and she followed, and just as he let me out thedoor I handed him this: 'I saw you listen and cut to tell, and I bet youhelped put the kid to sleep! But you better look out! She gave it to thatbaby too rough for any use!'

"He started for me, but I flew. When we got on the street, the lady wasall used up so she couldn't say anything. She had me call a taxi to takeher to her hotel. I set down her name she gave me, and her house andstreet number. I cut to a Newsies' directory and got the name of the ownerof the palace-place and it was Mrs. James Minturn. Next morning comingdown on the cars I was hunting headliners to make up a new call, like Ialways do, and there I saw in big type, 'Mr. And Mrs. James Minturnprostrate over the sudden death of their lovely little daughter frompoisoning, from an ice she ate. ' I read it every word. Even what thedoctors said, and how investigation of the source of the ice came from wasto be made. What do you think of it?"

"I have no doubt but it's every word horrible truth, " answered Douglas. 

"_Sure!_" said Mickey. "I just hiked to the park and walked up to the copand showed him the paper, and he looked awful glum. I can point him out toyou, and give you the lady's address, and there were plenty more who sawparts of it could be found if anybody was on the _kid's_ side. Sure it'sthe truth!

"Well I kept a-thinking it over. One day about three weeks later, blest ifthe same car didn't stop at the same fountain, and the same nurse got outwith the boys and she set them on the same bench and told them the samething, and then she went into another palaver with the same p'liceman. Ilooked on pretty much interested, and before long the boys got to runningagain and one tripped the other, and she saw and come running, and fetchedhim a crack like to split his head, and pushed him down still and white, so I said to myself: 'All right for you. Lady tried a lady and gotnothing. Here's where a gentleman tries a gentleman, and sees what hegets. '

"I marched into the door just across the hall from you here, and faced Mr. James Minturn, and gave him names, and dates, and addresses, even thecopper's name I'd got; and I told him all I've told you, and considerablemore. He wasn't so fiery as the lady, so I told him the whole thing, buthe never opened his trap. He just sat still and stony, listened till Iquit, and finally he heaved a big breath and looked at me sort of dazedlike and he said: 'What do you want, boy?'

"That made me red hot so I said: 'I want you to know that I saw the samewoman bust one of your _boys_ a good crack, over the head, a few minutesago. '

"That made him jump, but he didn't say or do anything, so I got up andwent--and--the same woman was in the park with the same boys yesterday, and they're the biggest little devils there. What's the answer?"

"A heartbroken man, " said Douglas Bruce. "Now let me tell you, Mickey. "

Then he told Mickey all he knew of James Minturn. 

"All the same, he ought to be able to do something for his own kids, 'stead of boys who don't need it _half_ so bad, " commented Mickey. "Whyhonest, I don't know one street kid so low that he'd kick a little girl--after she'd been beat up scandalous, for his meanness to start on. Honest, I don't! I don't care what he is doing for the boy he has got, that boydoesn't need help half so much as his _own_; I can prove it to you, ifyou'll come with me to the park 'most any morning. "

"All right, I'll come, " said Douglas promptly. 

"Well I couldn't say that they would be there this minute, " said Mickey, "but I can call you up the first time I see they are. "

"All right, I'll come, if it's possible. I'd like to see for myself. Sothis gives you a settled prejudice against the Big Brother movement, Mickey?"

"In my brogans, what would it give you?"

"A hard jolt!" said Douglas emphatically. 

"Then what's the answer?"

"That it is more unfair than I thought you could be, to deprive me of myLittle Brother, because you deem the man across the hall unfit to haveone. Do I look as if you couldn't trust me, Mickey?"

"No, you don't! But neither does Mr. James Minturn. He _looks_ as if afellow could get a grip on him and pull safe across Belgium hanging on. But you know I said the _same woman_----"

"I know Mickey; but that only proves that there are times when even thestrongest man can't help himself. "

"Then like Ulhan I'd trot 1:54-1/2 to the judge of the Juvenile Court, "said Mickey, "and I'd yell long and loud, and I'd put up the _proof_. Thatwould get the lady down to brass tacks. See?"

"But with Mrs. Minturn's position and the stain such a proceeding wouldput on the boys----"

"Cut out the boys, " advised Mickey. "They're gold plated, stainingwouldn't stick to them. "

"So you are going to refuse education, employment and a respectableposition because you disapprove of one man among millions?" demandedDouglas. 

"That lets me out, " said Mickey. "_She_ educated me a lot! No day is longenough for the work I do right now; you can take my word for it that I'mrespectable, same as I'm taking yours that you are. "

"All right!" said Douglas. "We will let it go then. Maybe you are right. At least you are not worth the bother it requires to wake you up. Will youtake an answer to the note you brought me?"

"Now the returns are coming in, " said Mickey. "Sure I will; but she is inthe big stores shopping. "

"I'll find out, " said Douglas. 

He picked up the telephone and called the Winton residence; on learningLeslie was still away, he left a request that she call him when shereturned. 

"I would spend the time talking with you, " he said to Mickey, "if I couldaccomplish anything; as I can't, I'll go on with my work. You busyyourself with anything around the rooms that interests you. "

Mickey grinned half abashed. He took a long survey of the room they werein, arose and standing in the door leading to the next he studied that. Tohim "busy" meant work. Presently he went into the hall and returned with ahand broom and dust pan he had secured from the janitor. He carefully wentover the floor, removing anything he could see that he thought should notbe there, and then began on the room adjoining. Next he appeared with acloth and dusted the furniture and window seats. Once he met Douglas' eyeand smiled. "Your janitor didn't have much of a mother, " he commented. "Icould beat him to his base a rod. "

"Job is yours any time you want it. "

"Morning papers, " carrolled Mickey. "Sterilized, deodorized, vulcanized. I_like_ to sell them----"

Defeated again Bruce turned to his work and Mickey to his. He straightenedevery rug, pulled a curtain, set a blind at an angle that gave the workermore light and better air. He was investigating the glass when thetelephone rang. 

"Hello, Leslie! It certainly was! How did you do it? Not so hilarious asyou might suppose. Leslie, I want to say something, not for the wire. Willyou hold the line a second until I start Mickey with it? All right!

"She is there now, Mickey. Can you find your way?"

"Sure!" laughed Mickey. "If you put the address on. She started me fromthe street. "

"The address is plain. For straightening my rooms and carrying the note, will that be about right?"

"A lady-bird! Gee!" cried Mickey. "I didn't s'pose you was a plute! And Idon't s'pose so yet. You want a Little Brother bad if you're willing to_buy_ one. This number ain't far out, and I wouldn't have sold more thanthree papers this time of day--twenty-five is about right. "

"But you forget cleaning my rooms, " said Douglas. 

Mickey grinned, his face flushed. 

"Me to you!" he said. "Nothing! Just a little matter of keeping inpractice. Good-bye and be good to yourself!"

Douglas turned to the telephone. 

"Leslie!" he said, "I'm sending Mickey back to you with a note, notbecause I had anything to say I couldn't say now, but because I can'tmanage him. I pretended I didn't care, and let him go. Can't you help me?See if you can't interest him in something that at least will bring himback, or show us where to find him. Certainly! Thank you very much!"

When Mickey delivered the letter the lovely young woman just happened tobe in the hall. She told him to come in until she read it, to learn whatMr. Bruce wanted. Mickey followed into a big room, looked around, then aspeculative, appreciative gleam crossed his face. He realized thedifference between a home and a show room. He did not know what he wasseeing or why it affected him as it did. Really the thought that was inhis mind was that this woman was far more attractive, but had less moneyto spend on her home, than many others. He missed the glitter, but enjoyedthe comfort, for he leaned back against the chair offered him, thinkingwhat a cool, restful place it was. The girl seemed in no hurry to open theletter. 

"Have trouble finding Mr. Bruce?" she asked. 

"Easy! I'd been to the same building before. "

"And I suppose you'll be there many times again, " she suggested. 

"I'm going back right now, if you want to send an answer to that letter, "he said. 

"And if it requires none?" she questioned. 

"Then I'm going to try to sell the rest of these papers, get a slate forLily and go home. "

"Is Lily your little sister?" she asked. 

Mickey straightened, firmly closing his lips. He had done it again. 

"Just a little girl I know, " he said cautiously. 

"A little bit of a girl?" she asked. 

"'Bout the littlest girl you ever saw, " said Mickey, unconsciouslyinterested in the subject. 

"And you are going to take her a slate to draw pictures on? How fine! Iwish you'd carry her a package for me, too. I was arranging my dresserthis morning and I put the ribbons I don't want into a box for some child. Maybe Lily would like them for her doll. "

"Lily hasn't any doll, " he said. "She had one, but her granny sold it andgot drunk on the money. "

Mickey stopped suddenly. In a minute more he would have another Orphans'Home argument on his hands. 

"Scandalous!" cried Leslie. "In my room there is a doll just begging to goto some little girl. If you took it to Lily, would her granny sell itagain?"

"Not this morning, " said Mickey. "You see Miss, a few days ago she losther breath. Permanent! No! If Lily had a doll, nobody would take it fromher now. "

"I'll bring it at once, " she offered "and the ribbons. "

"Never mind, " said Mickey. "I can get her a doll. "

"But you haven't seen this one!" cried Leslie. "You save your money fororanges. "

Without waiting for a reply she left the room, presently returning with abox and a doll that seemed to Mickey quite as large as Peaches. It had abeautiful face, hair, real hair that could be combed, and real clothesthat could be taken off. Leslie had dressed it for a birthday gift for thelittle daughter of one of her friends; but by making haste she couldprepare another. Mickey gazed in bewilderment. He had seen dolls, evenlarger and more wonderful than that, in the shop windows, but connectingsuch a creation with his room and Peaches required mental adjustments. 

"I guess you better not, " he said with conviction. 

"But why not?" asked Leslie in amazement. 

"Well for 'bout fifty reasons, " replied Mickey. "You see Lily is a poorkid, and her back is bad. That doll is so big she couldn't dress itwithout getting all tired out; and what's the use showing her suchdresses, when she can't have any herself. She's got the best she ever had, and the best she can have right now; so that ain't the kind of a doll forLily--it's too big--and too--too gladsome!"

"I see, " laughed Leslie. "Well Mickey, you show me what would be the rightsize of a doll for Lily. I'll get another, and dress it as you say. Howwould that do?"

"You needn't!" said Mickey. "Lily is happy now. "

"But wouldn't she _like_ a doll?" persisted Leslie. "I never knew a girlwho didn't love a doll. Wouldn't she _like_ a doll?"

"'Most to death I 'spect, " said Mickey. "I know she said she cried for theone her granny sold, 'til she beat her. Yes I guess she'd _like_ a doll;but I can get her one. "

"But you can't make white nighties for Lily to put on it to take to bedwith her, and cunning little dresses for morning, and a street dress forafternoon, and a party dress for evening, " tempted the girl. 

"Lily has been on the street twice, and she never heard of a party. Justnighties and the morning dress would do, and there's no use for me to besticking. If you like to give away dolls, Lily might as well have one, forshe'd just--I don't know what she would do about it, " conceded Mickey. 

"All right, " said Leslie. "I'll dress it this afternoon, and tomorrow youcan come for it in the evening before you go home. If I am not here, thepackage will be ready. Take the ribbons now. She'd like them for herhair. "

"Her hair's too short for a ribbon, " said Mickey. 

"Then a headband! This way!" said Leslie. 

She opened a box and displayed a wonderment of ribbon bands, and bits ofgay colour. 

"Gee!" gasped Mickey. "I couldn't pick up that much brightness for her ina year!"

"You save what you find for her?" asked Leslie. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "You see Miss, things are pretty plain where she is, so all the brightness I can take her ain't going to hurt her eyes. Thankyou heaps. Is there going to be any answer to the letter?"

"Why I haven't read it yet!" cried the girl. 

"No! A-body can see that some one else is rustling for your grub!"commented Mickey. 

"That's so too, " laughed Leslie. "Darling old Daddy!"

"Just about right is he?" queried Mickey, interestedly. 

"Just exactly right!" said Leslie. 

"Gur-ur-and!" said Mickey. "Some of them ain't so well fixed! And he thatwrote the note, I guess he's about as fine as you make them, too!"

"He's the finest man I ever have known, Mickey!" said the girl earnestly. 

"Barring Daddy?" suggested Mickey. 

"Not barring anybody!" cried she. "Daddy is lovely, but he's Daddy! Mr. Bruce is different!"

"No letter?" questioned Mickey, rising. 

"None!" said the girl. "Come to-morrow night. You are sure Lily is so verylittle, Mickey?"

"You wouldn't call me big, would you?" he asked. "Well! I can lift herwith one hand! Such a large doll as that would be tiring and confusing. Please make Lily's _more like she's used to_. See?"

"Mickey, I do see!" said Leslie. "I beg your pardon. Lily's doll shall nottire her or make her discontented with what she has. Thank you for a goodidea. "

Mickey returned to the street shortly after noon, with more in his pocketthan he usually earned in a day, where by expert work he soon disposed ofhis last paper. He bought the slate, then hurried home carrying it and thebox. At the grocery he carefully selected food again. Then he threw openhis door and achieved this:

"_Once a little kid named Peaches, Swelled my heart until it eatches. If you think I'd trade her for a dog, Your think-tank has slipped a cog!_"

Peaches laughed, stretching her hands as usual. Mickey stooped for hercaress, scattering the ribbons over her as he arose. She gasped indelighted amazement. 

"Oh! Mickey! Where did you ever? Mickey, where did you get them? Mickey, you didn't st----?"

"You just better choke on that, Miss!" yelled Mickey. "No I didn't st----!And I don't st----! And nothing I ever bring you will be st----! And youneedn't ever put no more st's---- at me. See?"

"Mickey, I didn't _mean_ that! Course I know you _wouldn't!_ Course I knowyou _couldn't!_ Mickey, that's the best poetry piece yet! Did you bringthe slate?"

"Sure!" said Mickey, somewhat mollified, but still injured. "I must havedropped it with the banquet!"

Peaches pushed away the billow of colour, taking the slate. Her fingerspicking at the string reminded Mickey of sparrow feet; but he watcheduntil she untied and removed the paper which he folded to lay away. Shepicked up the pencil, meditating. 

"Mickey!" she said. "Make my hand do a word!"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "What do you want to write first, Flowersy-girl?"

Peaches looked at him reproachfully. 

"Course there wouldn't be but _one_ I'd want to do first of all, " shesaid. "Hold my hand tight, and big and plain up at the top make it write, 'Mickey-lovest. '"

"Sure, " said the boy in a hushed voice. He gripped the hand, bending aboveher, but suddenly collapsed, buried his face in her hair and sobbed untilhe shook. 

Peaches crouched down, lying rigidly. She was badly frightened. At lastshe could endure it no longer. 

"Mickey!" she gasped. "Mickey, what did I do? Mickey, don't write it ifyou don't _want_ to!"

Mickey arose, wiping his face on the sheet. 

"You just bet I want to write that, Lily!" he said. "I never wanted to doanything _more_ in all my life!"

"Then why----?" she began. 

"Never you mind 'why' Miss!" said Mickey. 

Grasping her hand, he traced the words. Peaches looked at them a longtime, then carefully laid the slate aside. She began fingering theribbons. 

"Let me wash you, " said Mickey, "and rub your back to rest you from allthis day, then I'll comb your hair and you pick the prettiest one. I'llput it on the way she showed me, so you'll be a fash'nable lady. "

"Who showed you Mickey, and gave you such pretties?"

"A girl I carried a letter to. After you're bathed and have had supperI'll tell you. "

Then Mickey began work. He sponged Peaches, rubbed her back, laid her onhis pallet, putting fresh sheets on her bed and carefully preparing hersupper. After she had eaten he again ran the comb through her ringlets, telling her to select the ribbon he should use. 

"No you!" said Peaches. 

Mickey squinted, so exacting was the work of deciding. Red he discardedwith one sweep against her white cheeks; green went with it; blue almostmade him shudder, but a soft warm pink pleased him, so Mickey folded itinto the bands in which it had been creased before, binding it aroundPeaches' head as Leslie had shown him, then with awkward fingers did hisbest on a big bow. He crossed the room and picked up a mirror which heheld before her reciting: "Once a little kid named Peaches, swelled myheart----"

Peaches took the mirror, studying the face intently. She glanced over hershoulder so Mickey piled the pillows higher. Then she looked at him. Mickey scrutinized her closely. 

"You're clean kid, clean as a plate!" he assured her. "Honest you are! Youneedn't worry about that. I'll always keep you washed clean. _She_ wasmore particular about that than anything else. Don't you fret about myhaving a dirty girl around! You're clean, all right!"

Peaches sighed as she returned the mirror. Mickey replaced it, laid theslate and ribbons in reach, washed the dishes, then the sheets he hadremoved, and their soiled clothing. Peaches lay folding and unfolding theribbons; asking questions while Mickey worked, or with the pencil tracingher best imitations of the name on the slate. By the time he had finishedeverything to be done and drawn a chair beside the bed, to see if she hadlearned her lesson for the day, it was cool evening. She knew all thewords he had given her, so he proceeded to write them on the slate. Thentold her about the big man named Douglas Bruce and the lovely girl namedLeslie Winton, also every word he could remember about the house she livedin; then he added: "Lily, do you like to be surprised better or do youlike to think things over?"

"I don't know, " said Peaches. 

"Well, before long, I'll know, " said Mickey. "What I was thinking wasthis: you are going to have something. I just wondered whether you'drather know it was coming, or have me walk in with it and surprise you. "

"Mickey, you just walk in, " she decided. 

"All right!" said Mickey. 

"Mickey, write on the other side of my slate what you said at the door to-night, " she coaxed. "Get a little book an' write 'em all down. Mickey, Iwant to learn all of them, when I c'n read. Lemme tell you. You make allyou c'n think of. Nen make more. An' make 'em, an' make 'em! An' when youget big as you're goin' to be, make books of 'em, an' be a poet-man 'steadof sellin' papers. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I'd just as lief be a poet-man as not! I'd write abig one all about a little yellow-haired girl named Lily Peaches, and I'dput it on the front page of the _Herald!_ Honest I would! I'd like to!"

"Gee!" said Peaches. "You go on an' grow hel--wope! I mean hurry! Hurryan' grow up!"

CHAPTER VI

_The Song of a Bird_

"Leslie, " said the voice of Mrs. James Minturn over the telephone, "isthere any particular time of the day when that bird of yours sings betterthan at another?"

"Morning, Mrs. Minturn; five, the latest. At that time one hears the fullchorus, and sees the perfect beauty. Really, I wouldn't ask you, if I werenot sure, positively sure, that you'd find the trip worth while. "

"I'll be ready in the morning, but that's an unearthly hour!" came theprotest. 

"It is almost unearthly sights and sounds to which you are going, "answered Leslie. "And be sure you wear suitable clothing. "

"What do you call suitable clothing?"

"High heavy shoes, " said Leslie, "short stout skirts. "

"As if I had such things!" laughed Mrs. Minturn. 

"Let me send you something of mine, " offered Leslie. "I've enough fortwo. "

"You're not figuring on really going in one of those awful places, areyou?" questioned Mrs. Minturn. 

"Surely!" cried Leslie. "The birds won't sing to an automobile. And youwouldn't miss seeing such flowers on their stems as you saw at Lowry's forany money. It will be something to tell your friends about. "

"Send what I should have. I'd ride a llama through a sea of champagne fora new experience. "

Mrs. Minturn turned from the telephone with a contemptuous sneer on herface; but Leslie's gay laugh persisted in her ears. Restlessly she movedthrough her rooms thinking what she might do to divert herself, andshrinking from all the tiresome things she had been doing for years untilthere was not a drop of the fresh juice of life to be extracted from them. 

"I'm going to take a bath, go to bed early and see if I can sleep, " shemuttered. "I don't know what it is that James is contemplating, but hisface haunts me. Really, if he doesn't be more civil, and stop his moroseglowering when I do see him, I'll put him or myself where we won't come incontact. He makes it plain every day that he blames me about Elizabeth. Why should he? He couldn't possibly know of the call of that wild-eyedreformer. So unfortunate that she should come just at that time too! Ofcourse hundreds of children die from spoiled milk every summer, the richas well as the poor. I'll never get over regretting that I didn't finishwhat I started to do; but I'd scarcely touched her in her life. She alwayswas so pink and warm, and that awful whiteness chilled me to the soul. Iwish I had driven, forced myself! Then I could defy James with morespirit. That's what I lack--_spirit!_ Maybe this trip to the swamp willsteady my nerves! Something must be done soon, and I believe, actually Ibelieve he is thinking of doing it! Pooh! What _could_ he do? There isn'tan irregularity in my life he can lay his fingers on!"

She rang for her maid and cancelling two engagements for the evening, wentto bed, but not to sleep. When she was called early in the morning, shegladly arose, and was dressed in Leslie Winton's short skirts, a waist ofkhaki, and high shoes near enough her size to be comfortable. Her bath hadrefreshed her, a cup of hot coffee stimulated her, and despite the lack ofsleep she felt better than she had that spring as she went down to thecar. On the threshold she met her husband. Evidently he had been out allnight on strenuous business. His face was haggard, his eyes bloodshot, while in both hands he gripped a small, square paper-wrapped package. Theylooked at each other a second that seemed long to both, then the womanlaughed. 

"Evidently an accounting is expected, " she said. "Leslie Winton at thedoor and the roll of music I carry should be sufficient to prove why I amgoing out at this hour. You heard us make the arrangement. Thank HeavenI've no interest in knowing where you have been, or what your preciouspackage contains. "

His expression and condition frightened her. 

"For the weight of a straw overbalance, " he said, "only for a hint thatyou have a soul, I'd freeze it for all time with the contents of thispackage. "

"A threat? You to me?" she cried in amazement. 

"Verily, Madam, " he said. "I wish you all the joy of the birds and flowersthis morning. "

"You've gone mad!" she cried. 

"Contrarily, I have come to my senses after years of insanity, " he said. "I will see you when you return. "

She stood bewildered, watching him go down the hall and enter his library. That and his sleeping room were the only places in the house sacred tohim. No one entered, no one, not even the incorrigible children, touchedanything there. She slowly went to the car, trying to rally to Leslie'sgreeting, struggling to fix her mind on anything pointed out to her assomething she might enjoy. 

At last she said: "I don't know what is the matter with me Leslie. Jamesis planning something, I haven't an idea what; but his grim, reproachfulface is slowly driving me wild. I'm getting so I can't sleep. You saw himcome home as I left. He talked positively crazy, as if he had the crack ofdoom in his hands and were prepared to crack it. He said he 'would see mewhen I came back. ' Indeed he will--to his sorrow! He will be as he used tobe, or we will separate. The idea, with scarcely a cent to his name, ofhim undertaking to dictate to me, _to me!_ Do you blame me Leslie? Youheard him the other day! You know how he insulted me!"

Leslie leaned forward, laying a firm hand in a grip on Mrs. Minturn's arm. 

"Since you ask me, " she said, "I will answer. If you find life with Mr. Minturn insufferable, an agony to both of you, I _would_ separate, and_speedily_. If it has come to the place where you can't see each other orspeak without falling into unpleasantness, then I'd keep apart. "

"That is exactly the case!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "Oh Leslie, I am so gladyou agree with me!"

"But I haven't finished, " said Leslie, "you interrupted me in the middle. If you are absolutely sure you can't go on peaceably, I would stop; but ifI once had loved a man enough to give my life and my happiness into hiskeeping, to make him the father of my children, I would not separate fromhim, until I had exhausted every resource, to see if I couldn't in somepossible way end with credit. "

"If you had been through what I have, " said Mrs. Minturn, "you wouldn'tendure it any longer. "

"Perhaps, " said Leslie. "But you see dear Mrs. Minturn, I am handicappedby not knowing _what_ you have been through. To your world you appear tobe a woman of great wealth, who does exactly as she pleases and pays herown bills. You seem to have unlimited money, power, position, leisure foranything you fancy. I'll wager you don't know the names of half theservants in your house; a skillful housekeeper takes the responsibilityoff your hands. You never are seen in public with your children; competentnurses care for them. You don't appear with your husband any more; yet heis a man of fine brain, unimpeachable character, who handles big affairsfor other men, and father says he believes his bank account would surpriseyou. He has been in business for years; surely all he makes doesn't go toother men. "

"You know I never thought of that!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "He had nothing tobegin on and I've always kept our establishment; he's never paid for morethan his clothing. Do you suppose that he has made money?"

"I know that he has!" said Leslie. "Not so fast as he might! Not so muchas he could, for he is incorruptible; but money, yes! He is a powerfulman, not only in the city, but all over the state. Some of these daysyou're going to wake up to find him a Senator, or Governor. You seem to bethe only person who doesn't know it, or who doesn't care if you do. Butwhen it comes about, as it will, you'll be so proud of him! Dear Mrs. Minturn, please, please go slowly! Don't, oh don't let anything happenthat will make a big regret for both. "

"Leslie, where did you get all this?" asked Mrs. Minturn in tones ofmingled interest and surprise. 

"From my father!" answered Leslie. "And from Douglas Bruce. Douglas'office is across the hall from Mr. Minturn's; they meet daily, and fromthe first they have been friends. Mr. Minturn took Douglas to his clubs, introduced him and helped him into business, so often they work together. Why only yesterday Douglas came to me filled with delight. Mr. Minturnsecured an appointment for him to make an investigation for the city whichwill be a great help to Douglas. It will bring him in contact withprominent men, give him big work and a sample of how mercenary I am--itwill bring him big pay and he knows how to use the money in a big way. Douglas knows Mr. Minturn so well, and respects him so highly, yet no onecan know him as you do----"

"That is quite true! I live with him! I know the real man!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 

"How mean of you!" laughed Leslie, "to distort my reasoning like that! Idon't ask you to think up all the little things that have massed into onebig grievance against him; I mean stop that for to-day, out here in thecountry where everything is so lovely, and go back where I am. "

"He surely has an advocate! Leslie, when did you start making an especialstudy of Mr. Minturn?"

"When Douglas Bruce began speaking to me so frequently of him!" answeredLeslie. "Then I commenced to watch him and to listen to what people weresaying about him, and to ask Daddy. "

"It's very funny that every one seems so well informed and so enthusiasticjust at the time when I feel that life is unendurable with him, " said Mrs. Minturn. "I can't understand it!"

"Mrs. Minturn, try, oh do try to get my viewpoint before you do anythingirreparable, " begged Leslie. "Away up here in the woods let's think itout! Let's discuss James Minturn in every phase of his nature and see ifthe big manly part doesn't far outweigh the little irritations. Let's seeif you can't possibly go to the meeting he wants when we return with abalance struck in his favour. A divorced woman is always--well, it'sdisagreeable. Alone you'd feel stranded. Attempt marrying again, wherewould you find a man with half the points that count for good, to replacehim? In after years when your children realize the man he is, how are yougoing to explain to them why you couldn't live with him?"

"From your rush of words, it is evident you have your arguments at hand, "said Mrs. Minturn. "You've been thinking more about my affairs than I everdid. You bring up points I never have thought of; you make me see thingsthat would not have occurred to me; yet as you put them, they have awfulforce. You haven't exactly said it, but what you mean is that you believe_me_ in the wrong; so do all my friends. All of you sympathize with Mr. Minturn! All of you think him a big man worthy of every consideration andme deserving none. "

"You're putting that too strong, " retorted Leslie. "You are right aboutMr. Minturn; but I won't admit that I find you 'worthy of no considerationat all, ' or I wouldn't be imploring you to give yourself a chance athappiness. "

"'Give myself a chance at happiness!'"

"Dear Mrs. Minturn, yes!" said Leslie. "All your life, so far, you havelived absolutely for yourself; for your personal pleasure. Has happinessresulted?"

"Happiness?" cried Mrs. Minturn in amazement. "You little fool! With myhusband practically a madman, my children incorrigible, my nerves on edgeuntil I can't sleep, because one thought comes over and over. "

"Well you achieved it in society!" said Leslie. "It's the result of doingexactly what you _wanted to!_ You can't say James Minturn was to blame forwhat you had the money and the desire to do. You can't think your babieswould have preferred their mother to the nurses and governesses they havehad----"

"If you say another word about that I'll jump from the car and break myneck, " threatened Mrs. Minturn. "No one sympathizes with me!"

"That is untrue, " said Leslie. "I care, or I wouldn't be doing what I amnow. And as for sympathy, I haven't a doubt but every woman of yourespecial set will weep tears of condolence with you, if you'll tell themwhat you have me. There is Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Farley, and a dozen womenamong your dearest friends who have divorced their husbands, and are freelances or remarried; you can have friends enough to suit you in anyevent. "

"Fools! Shallow-pated fools!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "They never readanything! Their idea of any art would convulse you! They don't know a noteof real music!"

"But they are your best friends, " interposed Leslie. "What then is theirattraction?"

"I am sure I don't know!" said Mrs. Minturn. "I suppose it's unlimitedmeans to follow any fad or fancy, to live extravagantly as they choose, todress faultlessly as they have taste, freedom to go as they please! Ohthey do have a good time!"

"Are you sure that they didn't go through the same 'good time' you arehaving right now, before they lost the men they loved and married, andthen became mothers who later deliberately orphaned their own children?"

"Leslie, for God's sake where did you learn it?" cried Mrs. Minturn. "Howcan you hit like that? You make me feel like a--like a----! Oh Lord!"

"Don't let's talk any more, Mrs. Minturn, " suggested Leslie. "You knowwhat all refined, home-loving people think. You know society and what ithas to offer. You're making yourself unhappy, while I am helping you, butif some one doesn't stop you, you may lose the love of a good man, therespect of the people worth while, and later of your own children! See, here is the swamp and this is as close as we can go with the car. "

"Is this where you found the flowers for your basket?"

"Yes, " said Leslie. 

"No snakes, no quicksands?"

"Snakes don't like this kind of moss, " answered Leslie; "this is an oldlake bed grown up with tamaracks and the bog of a thousand years. "

"Looks as if ten thousand might come closer!"

"Where you ever in such a place?" asked Leslie. 

"Never!" said Mrs. Minturn. 

"Well to do this to perfection, " said Leslie, "we should go far enough foryou to see the home life of our rarest wild flowers and to get the musicfull effect. We must look for a high place to spread this waterproof sheetI have brought along, then nestle down and keep still. The birds will seeus going in, but if we make ourselves inconspicuous, they will soon forgetus. Have you the score?"

"Yes, " answered Mrs. Minturn. "Go ahead!"

Leslie had not expected Mrs. Minturn's calm tones and placid acceptance ofthe swamp. The girl sent one searching look the woman's way, then cameenlightenment. This was a stunt. Mrs. Minturn had been doing stunts in thehope of new sensations all her life. What others could do, she could, ifshe chose; in this instance she chose to penetrate a tamarack swamp at sixo'clock in the morning, to listen to the notes of a bird. 

"I'll select the highest places and go as nearly where we were as I can, "said Leslie. "If you step in my tracks you'll be all right. "

"Why, you're not afraid, are you?" asked Mrs. Minturn. 

"Not in the least, " said Leslie. "Are you?"

"No!" said Mrs. Minturn. "One strikes almost everything motoring throughthe country, in the mountains or at sea, and travelling. This looksinteresting. How deep could one sink anyway?"

"Deeply enough to satisfy you, " laughed Leslie. "Come quietly now!"

Grasping the score she carried, Mrs. Minturn unconcernedly plunged afterLeslie. Purposely the girl went slowly, stooping beneath branches, skirting too wet places, slipping over the high hummocks, turning toindicate by gesture a moss bed, a flower, or glancing upward to try tocatch a glimpse of some entrancing musician. 

Once Leslie turned to look back and saw Mrs. Minturn on her kneesseparating the silvery green moss heads and thrusting her hand deeply tolearn the length of the roots. She noticed the lady's absorbed face, andthe wet patches spreading around her knees. Leslie fancied she could seeMrs. Minturn entering the next gathering of her friends, smiling faintlyand crying: "Dear people, I've had a perfectly new experience!" She couldhear every tone of Mrs. Minturn's voice saying: "Ferns as luxuriant asanything in Florida! Moss beds several feet deep. A hundred birds singing, and all before sunrise, my dears!" When Mrs. Minturn arose Leslie wentforward slowly until she reached the moccasin flowers, but remembering, she did not stop. The woman did. She stooped and Leslie winced as shesnapped one to examine it critically. She held it up in the gray light, turning it. 

"Did you ever see--little Elizabeth?" she asked. 

"Yes, " said Leslie. 

"Do you think----?" She stopped abruptly. 

"That one is too deep, " said Leslie. "The colour he saw was on a freshlyopened one like that. "

She pointed to a paler moccasin of exquisite pink with red lavenderveining. Mrs. Minturn assented. 

"He can't forget anything, " she said, "or let any one else. He always willkeep harping. "

"We were peculiarly unfortunate that day, " said Leslie. "He really had nointention of saying anything, if he hadn't been forced. "

"Oh he doesn't require forcing, " said Mrs. Minturn. "He's always at theoverflow point about her. "

"Perhaps he was very fond of her, " suggested Leslie. 

"He was perfectly foolish about her, " said Mrs. Minturn impatiently. "Ilost a nurse or two through his interference. When I got such a treasureas Lucette I just told her to take complete charge, make him attend hisown affairs, and not try being a nursery maid. It really isn't done thesedays!"

Leslie closed her lips, moving forward until she reached the space wherethe ragged boys and the fringed girls floated their white banners, wherelacy yellow and lavender blooms caressed each other, there on the highestplace she could select, across a moss-covered log, she spread thewaterproof sheet, and seating herself, motioned Mrs. Minturn to do thesame. She reached for the music and opening it ran over the score. Herfinger paused on the notes she had whistled, while with eager face she satwaiting. 

Mrs. Minturn dropped into an attitude of tense listening. The sun begandissipating the gray mists and heightening the exquisite tints on allsides. Every green imaginable was there from palest silver to the deepest, darkest shades; all dew wet, rankly growing, gold tinted and showingclearer each minute. Gradually Mrs. Minturn relaxed, made herselfcomfortable as possible, then turned to the orchids of the open space. Thecolour flushed and faded on her tired face, she nervously rolled themoccasin stem in her fingers, or looked long at the delicate flower. Shewas thinking so intently that Leslie saw she was neither seeing the swamp, nor hearing the birds. 

It was then that a little gray singer straying through the tamaracks senta wireless to his mate in the bushes of borderland, in which he wished toconvey to her all there was in his heart about the wonders of spring, thejoy of mating, the love of her, and their nest. He waited a second, thentucking his tail, swelled his throat, and made sure he had done his best. 

At the first measure, Leslie thrust the sheet before Mrs. Minturn, pointing to the place. Instantly the woman scanned the score, then leanedforward listening. As the bird flew, Leslie faced Mrs. Minturn withquestioning eyes. She cried softly: "He did it! Perfectly! If I hadn'theard I never would have believed. "

"There is another that can do this from Verdi's _Traviata_. " Lesliewhistled the notes. "We may hear him also. "

Again they waited. Leslie realized that Mrs. Minturn was not listening, and would have to be recalled if the bird sang. Leslie sat silent. Thesame bird sang, and others, but to the girl had come the intuition thatMrs. Minturn was having her hour in the garden, so wisely she remainedsilent. After an interminable time she arose, making her way forward asfar as she could penetrate and still see the figure of the woman, thenhunting an old stump, climbed upon it and did some thinking herself. 

At last she returned to the motionless figure. Mrs. Minturn was leaningagainst the tamarack's scraggy trunk, her head resting on a branch, lightly sleeping. A rivulet staining her cheeks from each eye showed whereslow tears had slipped from under her closed lids. Leslie's heart achedwith pity. She thought she never had seen any one seem so sad, so alone, so punished for sins of inheritance and rearing. She sat beside Mrs. Minturn, waiting until she awakened. 

"Why I must have fallen asleep!" she cried. 

"For a minute, " said Leslie. 

"But I feel as if I had rested soundly a whole night, " said Mrs. Minturn. "I'm so refreshed. And there goes that bird again. Verdi to take hisnotes! Who ever would have thought of it? Leslie, did you bring any lunch?I'm famished. "

"We must go back to the car, " said Leslie. 

They spread the waterproof sheet on the ground where it would be borderedwith daintily traced partridge berry, and white-lined plantain leaves, andsitting on it ate their lunch. Leslie did what she could to interest Mrs. Minturn and cheer her, but at last that lady said: "Thank you dear, youare very good to me; but you can't entertain me to-day. Some other timewe'll come back and bring the scores you suggest, and see what we canreally hear from these birds. But to-day, I've got the battle of my lifeto fight. Something is coming; I should be in a measure prepared, and as Idon't know what to expect, it takes all the brains I have to figure thingsout. "

"You don't know, Mrs. Minturn?" asked Leslie. 

"No, " she said wearily. "I know James hates the life I lead; he thinks mytime wasted. I know he's a disappointed man, because he thought when hemarried me he could cut me out of everything worth while in the world, andset me to waiting on him, and nursing his children. Every single thing Ihave done since, or wanted or had, has been a disappointment to him. Iknow now he never would have married me, if he hadn't figured he was goingto make me over; shape me and my life to suit his whims, and throw away mymoney to please his fancies. He's been utterly discontented sinceElizabeth was born. Why Leslie, we haven't lived together since then. Hesaid if I were going to persist in bringing 'orphans' into the world, babies I wouldn't mother myself, or wouldn't allow him to father, therewould be no more children. I laughed at him, because I didn't think hemeant it; but he did, so that ended even a semblance of content. Half thetime I don't know where he is, or what he is doing; he seldom knows whereI am; if we appear together it is accidental; I thought I had my mind madeup to leave him, and soon; but what you say, coupled with doubts I hadmyself, have set me to thinking, till I don't know. I hate a scandal. Youknow how careful I always have been. All my closest friends have jeered mefor a prude; there isn't a flaw he can find, there has been none!"

"Certainly not, " said Leslie. "Every one knows that. "

"Leslie, you don't know, do you?" asked Mrs. Minturn. "He didn't sayanything to Bruce, did he?"

"You want an honest answer?" questioned Leslie. 

"Of course I do!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 

"Douglas did tell me in connection with Mr. Minturn joining theBrotherhood and taking a gamin from the streets into his office, that hesaid he was scarcely allowed to see his own sons, not to exercise theslightest control, so he was going to try his theories on a LittleBrother. But Douglas wouldn't mention it, only to me, and of course Iwouldn't repeat it to any one. Mr. Minturn seemed to feel that Douglasthought it peculiar for a man having sons, to take so much pains with anewsboy; they're great friends, so he said that much to Bruce. "

"'He said that much----'" scoffed Mrs. Minturn. 

"Well, even so, that is very little compared with what you've said abouthim to me, " retorted Leslie. "You shouldn't complain on that score. "

"I suppose, in your eyes, I shouldn't complain about anything, " said Mrs. Minturn. 

"A world of things, Mrs. Minturn, but not the ones you do, " said Leslie. 

"Oh!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 

"I think your grievance is that you were born in, and reared for, society, " said Leslie, "and in your extremity it has failed you. I believeI can give you more help to-day than any woman of your age and intimateassociation. "

"That's true Leslie, quite true!" exclaimed Mrs. Minturn eagerly. "And Ineed help! Oh I do!"

"You poor soul, you!" comforted Leslie. "Turn where you belong! Turn toyour own blood!"

"My mother would jeer me for a weakling, " said Mrs. Minturn. "She hasurged me to divorce James, ever since Elizabeth was born. "

"I didn't mean your mother, " said Leslie. "I meant closer relatives, Imeant your husband and sons. "

"My husband would probably tell me he had lost all respect for me, whilemy sons would very likely pull my hair and kick my shins if I knelt tothem for sympathy, " said Mrs. Minturn. "They are perfect little animals. "

"Oh Mrs. Minturn!" cried Leslie amazed. "Then you simply must take them incharge and save them; they are so fine looking, while you're their mother, you are!"

"It means giving up life as I have known it always, just abouteverything!" said Mrs. Minturn. 

"Look at yourself now!" said Leslie. "I should think you would be glad togive up your present state. "

"Leslie, do you think it wrong to gather those orchids?"

"I think it unpardonable sin to _exterminate_ them, " answered Leslie. "Ifyou have any reason for wanting a few, and merely gather the flowers, leaving the roots to spread and bloom another year, I should say takethem. "

"Will you wait in the car until I go back?" she asked. 

"But I wish to be alone, " said Mrs. Minturn. 

"You're not afraid? You won't become lost?"

"I am not afraid, and I will not lose myself, " said Mrs. Minturn. "Must Ihurry?"

"Take all the time you want, " said Leslie. 

It was mid-afternoon when she returned, her hands filled with a drippingmoss ball in which she had embedded the stems of a mass of feathery pink-fringed orchids. Her face was flushed with tears, but her eyes werebright, her step quick and alert. 

"Leslie, what do you think I am going to do?" she cried. Then withoutawaiting a reply: "I'm going to ask James to go with me to take these toElizabeth, to beg him to forgive my neglect of her; to pledge the rest ofmy life to him and the boys. "

Leslie caught Mrs. Minturn in her arms. "Oh you darling!" she exulted. "Ohyou brave, wonderful girl!"

"After all, it's no more than fair, " Mrs. Minturn said. "I have hadeverything my way since we were married. And I did love James. He's theonly man I have ever really wanted. Leslie, he will forgive me and startover, won't he?"

"He'll be at your feet!" cried Leslie. 

"Fortunately, I have decided to be at his, " said Mrs. Minturn. "I'vereached the place where I will even wipe James Jr. 's nose and dressMalcolm, and fix James' studs if it will help me to sleep, and have only atinge of what you seem to be running over with. Leslie, you are the mostjoyous soul!"

"You see, I never had to think about myself, " said Leslie. "Daddy alwaysthought for me, so there was nothing left for me to spend my time andthought on but him. It was a beautiful arrangement. "

"Leslie, this is your car, but won't you dear, drive fast!" begged Mrs. Minturn. 

"Of course Nellie!" exclaimed the girl. 

"Leslie, will you stand by me, and show me the way, all you can?" askedMrs. Minturn anxiously. "I'll lose every friend I have got; my house mustbe torn down and built up from the basement on a new system, as tomanagement; and I haven't an idea _how_ to do it. Oh, I hope James canhelp me. "

"You may be sure James will know and can help you, " comforted Leslie. "You'll be leaving for the seashore in a few days; install a complete newretinue, and begin all fresh. Half the servants you keep, reallyinterested in their work, would make you far more comfortable than you arenow. "

"Yes, I think that too!" agreed Mrs. Minturn eagerly. "Some way I feel asif I were turning against Lucette. I never want to see her again, after Itell her to go; not that I know what I shall do without her. The boys willprobably burn down the house, and where I'll find a woman who willtolerate them, I don't know. "

"Employ a man until you get control, " suggested Leslie. "They are both oldenough; hire a man, and explain all you want to him. They'd be afraid of aman. "

"Afraid!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "They are afraid of Lucette! I can'tunderstand it. I wonder if James----"

"Poor James!" laughed Leslie. "Honestly Nellie, don't impose too much ofyour--your work on him. Undertake it yourself. Show him what a woman youare. "

"Great Heavens, Leslie, you don't know what you are saying!" cried Mrs. Minturn. "My only hope lies in deceiving him. If I showed him the woman Iam, as I saw myself back there in that swamp an hour ago, he'd take onelook, and strangle me for the public good. "

"How ridiculous!" exclaimed Leslie. "Why must a woman always rush from oneextreme to the other? Choose a middle course and keep it. "

"That's what I am telling you I must do, " said Mrs. Minturn. "Leslie, itis wonderful how I feel. I'm almost flying. Do you honestly think it ispossible that there is going to be something new, something interesting, something really worth while in the world for me?"

"I know it, " said Leslie. "Such interest, such novelty, such joy as younever have experienced!"

With that hope in her heart, her eyes filled with excitement, NellieMinturn rang her bell, ran past her footman and hurried up the stairs. Shelaid her flowers on a table, summoned her maid, then began throwing offher hat and outer clothing. 

"Do you know if Mr. Minturn is here?"

"Yes. He----" began the maid. 

"Never mind what 'he. ' Get out the prettiest, simplest dress I own, andthe most becoming, " she ordered. "Be quick! Can't you see I'm in a hurry?"

"Mrs. Minturn, I think you will thank me for telling you there is an awfulrow in the library, " said the maid. 

"'An awful row?'" Mrs. Minturn paused. 

"Yes. I think they are killing Lucette, " explained the maid. "She'sshrieked bloody murder two or three times. "

"Who? What do you mean?" demanded Mrs. Minturn. 

She slipped on the bathrobe she had picked up, and stood holding ittogether, gazing at the maid. 

"Mr. Minturn came with two men. One was a park policeman we know. Theywent into the library and sent for Lucette. There she goes again!"

"Is there any way I could see, could hear, what is going on, without beingseen?"

"There's a door to the den from the back hall, and that leads to thelibrary, " suggested the maid. 

"Show me! Help me!" begged Mrs. Minturn. 

As they passed the table the orchids hanging over the edge caught on thetrailing robe and started to fall. Mrs. Minturn paused to push them back, then studied the flowers an instant, and catching up the bunch carried italong. She closed the den door after her without a sound, and creepingbeside the wall, hid behind the door curtain and peeped into the library. There were two men who evidently were a detective and a policeman. She sawLucette backed against the wall, her hands clenched, her eyes wild withfear. She saw her husband's back, and on the table beside him a littlebox, open, its wrappings near, its contents terrifying to the woman. 

"To sum up then, " said Mr. Minturn in tones she never before had heard: "Ican put on oath this man, who will be forced to tell what he witnessed orbe impeached by others who saw it at the same time, and _are ready totestify to what he said;_ I can produce the boy who came to tell me thepart he took in it; I have the affidavit and have just come from the womanwho interfered and followed you here in an effort to save Elizabeth; Ihave this piece of work in my hands, done by one of the greatestscientists and two of the best surgeons living. Although you shrink fromit, I take pleasure in showing it to you. This ragged seam is an impressof the crack you made in a tiny skull lying in a vault out at ForestHill. "

He paused, holding a plaster cast before the woman. 

"It's a little bit of a thing, " he said deliberately. "She was a tinycreature to have been done to death at your hands. I hope you will seethat small pink face as I see it, and feel the soft hair in your fingers, and--after all, I can't go on with that. But I am telling you, and showingyou exactly what you are facing, because you must go from this house withthese men; your things will be sent. You must leave this city and thiscountry on the boat they take you to, and where you go you will bewatched; if ever you dare take service handling a _child_ again, I shallhave you promptly arrested and forced to answer for the cold-bloodedmurder of my little daughter. Live you must, I suppose, but not longer bythe torture of children. Go, before I strangle you as you deserve!"

How Mrs. Minturn came to be standing beside her husband, she neverafterward knew; only that she was, pulling down his arm to stare at thewhite cast. Then she looked up at him and said simply: "But Lucette didn'tmurder her; it was I. I was her mother. I knew she was beaten. I knew shewas abused! I didn't stop my pleasure to interfere, lest I should lose aminute by having to see to her myself! A woman did come to me, and a boy!I knew they were telling the truth! I didn't know it was so bad, but Iknew it must have been dreadful, to bring them. I had my chance to saveher. I went to her as the woman told me to, and because she was quiet, Ididn't even turn her over. I didn't run a finger across her little head. Ididn't call a surgeon. I preferred an hour of pleasure to taking the riskof being disturbed. I am quite as guilty as Lucette! Have them take mewith her. "

James Minturn stepped back, gazing at his wife. Then he motioned the mentoward the door, so with the woman they left the room. 

"Lucette just had her sentence, " he said, "now for yours! Words areuseless! I am leaving your house with my sons. They _are_ my sons, andwith the proof I hold, you will not claim them. If you do, you will notget them. I am taking them to the kind of a house I deem suitable forthem, and to such care as I can provide. I shall keep them in my presenceconstantly as possible until I see just what harm has been done, and howto remedy what can be changed. I shall provide such teachers as I see fitfor them, and devote the remainder of my life to them. All I ask of you isto spare them the disgrace of forcing me to _prove_ my right to them, orever having them realize just _what_ happened to their sister, and _your_part in it. "

She held the flowers toward him. 

"I brought these----" she began, then paused. "You wouldn't believe me, ifI should tell you. You are right! Perfectly justified! Of course I shallnot bring this before the public. Go!"

At the door he looked back. She had dropped into a chair beside the table, holding the cast in one hand, the fringed orchids in the other. 

CHAPTER VII

_Peaches' Preference in Blessings_

"_God ain't made a sweeter girl'An Lily, at keeps my heart a-whirl. If I was to tell an awful whopper, I'd get took by the cross old copper. _"

Thus chanted Mickey at his door, his hands behind him. Peaches stretchedboth hers toward him as usual; but he stood still, swinging in front ofhim a beautiful doll, for a little sick girl. A baby doll in a long snowydress and a lace cap; it held outstretched arms, but was not heavy enoughto tire small wavering hands. Peaches lunged forward until only Mickey'sagility saved her from falling. He tossed the doll on the bed, and caughtthe child, the lump in his throat so big his voice was strained as hecried: "Why you silly thing!"

With her safe he again proffered it. Peaches shut her eyes and buried herface on his breast. 

"Oh don't let me see it! Take it away!"

"Why Lily! I thought you'd be crazy about it, " marvelled Mickey. "Honest Idid! The prettiest lady sent it to you. Let me tell you!"

"Giving them up is worser 'an never having them. Take it away!" wailedPeaches. 

"Well Lily!" said Mickey. "I never was stuck up about my looks, but Ididn't s'pose I looked so like a granny that you'd think _that_ of me. Don't I seem man enough to take care of a little flowersy-girl 'thoutselling her doll? There's where I got your granny skinned a mile. I don'tbooze, and I never will. Mother hammered that into me. Now look what apretty it is! You'll just love it! I wouldn't take it! I'd lay out anybodywho would. Come on now! Negotiate it! Get your flippers on it!"

He was holding the child gently and stroking her tumbled hair. When he puther from him to see her face, Mickey was filled with envy because he hadbeen forced to admit the gift was not from him. He shut his lips tight, but his face was grim as he studied Peaches' flushed cheeks and wet eyes, and noted the shaking eagerness for the doll she was afraid to look at. Hereached over and put it into her arms, then piled the pillows so she couldsee better, talking the while to comfort her. 

"Course it is yours! Course nobody is going to take it! Course you shall_always_ have it, and maybe a grown-up lady doll by Christmas. Who knows?"

In utter content Peaches sank against the pillows, watching Mickey, whileshe gripped the baby. 

"Thank you, Mickey-lovest, " she said. "Oh thank you for this PreciousChild!"

"You got to thank a lady about twice my height, with dark hair, pinkcheeks, and beautiful dresses. She's got a big rest house, a lover man, and an automobile I wish you could see, Lily, " he said. 

"If I was on the rags in the corner, I'd have this child--wouldn't I?"scoffed Peaches, still clutching the doll, but her gaze on Mickey. "Whathappened was, 'at she _liked you_ for something, and _give_ you the baby, so you brought it to me. Thank you Mickey, for this Precious Child!"

Peaches lifted her lips. Mickey met them more obsessed than before. Thenshe turned away, clasping the doll. Mickey could see that the tears wereslipping from under the child's closed lids, but her lips were on the dollface, so he knew she was happy. He stole out to bring in his purchases forsupper, and begin his evening work. He gave Peaches a drink, her dailyrub, cleaned the room without making dust as the nurse had shown him, andbrought water. He shook his fist at the faucet. 

"Now hereafter, nix on the butting in!" he said belligerently. "Mebby Icouldn't have got _that_ doll, but I could have got one she'd have _liked_just as well, and earned it extra, in one day. There's one feature of theBig Brother business that I was a little too fast on. He's the finest manthat ever wanted me, while his rooms are done shameful. I could put aglitter on them so he could see himself with the things he has to workwith, and he said any time I wanted it, the job was mine. It wouldn't becheating him any if I took it, and did better work than he's getting, andmy steady papers are sure in the morning; that would be sure in theafternoon, and if I cut ice with a buzz saw, I might get through in timeto pick up something else before coming home, and being sure beats_hoping_ a mile, yes ten miles! Mebby I'll investigate that business alittle further, 'cause hereafter I provide for my own family. See? Lilywas grand about it. Gee! she's smart to think it out that way all in aminute. But by and by she's going to have a lot of time to think. Thenshe'll be remembering about the lady I got to tell her of 'stead of _me_, as she _should!_ Guess I'll run my own family! I'll take another look atcleaning that office. There ain't any lap-dog business in a job, and beingpaid for it, if you do it well. "

Mickey turned the faucet and marched up the stairs with head high andshoulders square. His face was grave while he worked, but Peaches was sohappy she did not notice. When he came with her supper she kissed thedoll, then insisted on Mickey kissing it also. Such was the state of hissubjugation he commenced with "Aw!" and ended by doing as he was told. Heeven helped lay the doll beside Peaches exactly as her fancy dictated, andcovered it with her sheet, putting its hands outside. Peaches wasenchanted. She insisted on offering it a drink of her milk first, and wasso tremulously careful lest she spill a drop that Mickey had to guide herhand. He promised to wash the doll's dress if she did have an accident, orwhen it became soiled, and bowed his head meekly to the crowningconcession by sitting on the edge of the bed, after he had finished hisevening work, and holding the doll where she could see it, exactly asinstructed, while he told her about his wonderful adventure. 

"Began yesterday, " explained Mickey. "You know I told you there was goingto be a surprise. Well this is it. When the lady gave me the ribbons foryou, she told me to come back to-night, and get it. Course I _could_ a-gotit myself. I _would_ a-got it for Christmas----"

"Oh Mickey-lovest, does Christmas come here?"

"Surest thing you know!" said Mickey. "A fat stocking full of every singlething the Nurse Lady tell Santa Claus a little--a little flowersy-girlthat ain't so strong yet, may have, and a big lady doll and a picturebook. "

"But I never had no stockings, " said Peaches. 

"Well you'll have by _that_ time, " promised Mickey. 

"Oh Mickey, I'm so glad I want to say a prayin's 'at you found _me_, 'stead of some other kid!" exulted Peaches. 

"Yes Miss, and that's one thing I forgot!" said Mickey. "We'll _begin_ to-night. You ain't a properly raised lady unless you say your prayers. Iknow the one _She_ taught me. To-night will be a good time, 'cause you'llbe so thankful for your pretty ribbons and your baby, that you'll justlove to say a real thankful prayer. " "Mickey, I ain't goin' to sayprayin's! I just _said_ I was, " explained Peaches. "I never said none forgranny, 'cause she only told me to when she was drunk. "

"No and you never had a box of ribbons to make you look so sweet, or ababy to stay with you while I'm gone. If you ain't thankful enough forthem to say your prayers, you shouldn't have them, nor any more, norChristmas, nor anything, but just--_just like you was_. "

Peaches blinked, gasped, digested the statements, then yielded wholly. 

"I guess I'll say them. Mickey when shall I?"

"To-night 'fore you go to sleep, " said Mickey. 

"Now tell me about the baby, " urged Peaches. 

"Sure! I _was!_ I _could_ a-got it myself, like I was telling you; but theones in the stores have such funny clothes. They look so silly. I knew Icouldn't wash them and of course they'd get dirty like everything does, and we couldn't _have_ them dirty, so I thought it over, and I said toMickey-boy, 'if the Joy Lady is so anxious to get the baby, and sew itsclothes herself, why I'll just let her, ' so I did _let_ her, but it tooksome time to make them, so I had to wait to bring it 'til tonight. I wasto go to her house after it, and when I got there she was coming home inher car from a long drive, and gee, Lily, I wish you could have seen her!She's the prettiest lady, and the most joyous lady I ever saw. "

"Prettier than the Nurse Lady?" asked Peaches. 

"Well different, " explained Mickey. "Nurse Lady is all gold like the endof Sunrise Alley at four o'clock in the morning. This lady has dark hairand eyes. Both of them are as pretty as women are made, but they are notthe same. Nurse Lady is when the sun comes up, and warms and comforts theworld; but the doll-lady is like all the stars twinkling in the moonlighton the park lake, and music playing, and everybody dancing. The doll-ladyis joy, just the Joy Lady. Gee, Lily, you should have seen her face whenthe car stopped, while I was coming down the steps. "

"Was she so glad to see you?" asked Peaches. 

"'Twasn't me!" said Mickey. "'Twas on her face _before_ she saw me. Shewas just gleaming, and shining, and spilling over joy! She isn't the kindthat would dance on the street, nor where it ain't nice to dance; but shewas dancing inside just the same. She pulled me right into that big finecar, so I sat on the seat with her, and we went sailing, and skating, andflying along and all the boys guying me, but I didn't care! I like to ridein her car! I never rode in a car like that before. She went a-whizzingright to the office of the big man, where maybe I'll work; I guess I'll gosee him tomorrow, I got a hankering for knowing what I'm going to _do_, and _where_ I'm going to be paid for it. Well she went spinning there, andshe said 'you wait a minute, ' then she ran in and pretty soon out she camewith him. His name is Mr. Douglas Bruce, and I guess it would be a littlecloser what _She'd_ think right if I'd use it. And hers he calls her by, is Leslie. Ain't that pretty? When he says 'Leslie' sounds as if he kissedthe name as it came through. Honest it does!"

"I bet he says it just like you say 'Lily!'"

"I wonder now!" grinned Mickey. "Well he came out and what she had toldhim, set him crazy too. They just talked a streak, but he shook hands withme, and she said, 'You tell the driver where to go Mickey, ' and I said, 'Go where, Miss?' and she said, 'To take you home, ' and I said, 'You don'tneed!' and she said, 'I'd like to!' and I saw she didn't care _what_ shedid, so I just sent him to the end of the car line and saved my nickel, and then I come on here, and both of them----"

"What?" asked Peaches eagerly. 

Mickey changed the "wanted to come to see you" that had been on his lips. If he told Peaches that, and she asked for them to come, and they came, and then thought he was not taking care of her right, and took her awayfrom him--then what?

"Said good-bye the nicest, " he substituted. "And I'm going to see if shewants any more letters carried as soon as my papers are gone in themorning, and if she does, I'm going to take them, and if one is to him, I'm going to ask him more about the job he offered me, and if we canagree, I'm going to take it. Then I can buy you what you want myself, because I'll know every day exactly what I'll have, and when the rent iscounted out, and for the papers, all the rest will be for eating, and whatyou need, and to save for your new back. "

"My, I wisht I had it now!" cried Peaches. "I wisht I could a-rode in thatcar too! Wasn't it perfeckly grand Mickey?"

"Grand as any king, " said Mickey. 

"What is a king?" asked Peaches. 

"One of the big bosses across the ocean, " explained Mickey. "You'll learnthem when you get farther with your lessons. They own most all the money, and the finest houses, and _all the people_. Just _own_ them. Own themso's they can tell good friends to go to it, and _kill_ each other, even_relations_. "

"And do they _do_ it?" marvelled Peaches. 

"Sure they do it!" cried Mickey. "Why they are doing it _right now!_ Icould bring a paper and read you things that would make you so sick youcouldn't sit up!"

"What kind of things, Mickey?"

"About kings making all the fathers kill each other, and burn down eachother's houses, and blow up the cities, and eat all the food themselves, and leave the mothers with no home, and no groceries, and no stove, and nobeds, and the bullets flying, and the cities burning, and no place to go, and the children starving and dying--Gee, I ain't ever going to tell youany more, Lily! It's too awful! You'd feel better not to know. Honest youwould! Wish I hadn't told you anything about it at all. Where's yourslate? We got to do lessons 'fore it gets so dark and we are so sleepy wecan't see. "

Peaches proudly handed him the slate. In wavering lines and tremulouscurves ran her first day's work alone, over erasures, and with relinings, in hills and deep depressions, which it is possible Mickey read because heknew what it had to be, he proudly translated, "Mickey-lovest. " Then thelines of the night before, then "cow" and "milk. " And then Mickey whoopedbecause he faintly recognized an effort to draw a picture of the cow andthe milk bottle. 

"Grand Lily!" he cried. "Gee, you're the smartest kid I ever knew! You'llknow all I do 'fore long, and then you'll need your back, so's you can getready to go to a Young Ladies' Sem'nary. "

"What's that?" interestedly asked Peaches. 

"A school. Where other _nice_ girls go, and where you learn all that Idon't know to teach you, " said Mickey. 

"I won't go!" said Peaches. 

"Oh yes you will, Miss, " said Mickey. "'Cause you're my family, so you'lldo as I say. "

"Will you go with me?" asked Peaches. 

"Sure! I'll take you there in a big au----Oh, I don't know as I willeither. We'll have to save our money, if we _both_ go. We'll go on a_street_ car, and walk up a grand av'noo among trees, and I'll take youin, and see if your room is right, and everything, and all the girls willlike you 'cause you're so smart, and your hair's so pretty, and then I'llgo to a boys' school close by, and learn how to make poetry pieces thatbeat any in the papers. Every time I make a new one I'll come and ask, 'IsMiss Lily--Miss Lily Peaches----' Gee kid, _what's your name?_"

Mickey stared at Peaches, while she stared back at him. 

"I don't know, " she said. "Do you care, Mickey?"

"What was your granny's?" asked Mickey. 

"I don't know, " answered Peaches. 

"Was she your mother's mother?" persisted Mickey. 

"Yes, " replied Peaches. 

"Did you ever see your father?" Mickey went on. 

"I don't know nothing about fathers, " she said. 

Mickey heaved a deep sigh. 

"Well! _That's_ over!" he said. "_I_ know something about fathers. I knowa lot. I know that you are no worse off, not knowing _who_ your father wasthan to know he was so _mean_ that you are _glad_ he's dead. Your wayleaves you _hoping_ that he was just awful nice, and got killed, or wastaken sick or something; my way, there ain't no doubts in your mind. Youare plumb sure he wasn't decent. Don't you bother none about fathers!"

"My I'm glad, Mickey!" cried Peaches joyously. 

"So am I, " said Mickey emphatically. "We don't want any fathers cominghere to butt in on us, just as we get your back Carreled and you ready tostart to school. "

"Can I go without a _name_ Mickey?" asked Peaches. 

"Course not!" said Mickey. "You have to put your name on a roll the firstthing, then you must be interdooced to the Head Lady and all the girls. "

"What'll I do Mickey?" anxiously inquired Peaches. 

"Well, for smart as you are in some spots, you're awful dumb in others, "commented Mickey. "What'll you do, saphead? Gee! Ain't you _mine?_ Ain'tyou my _family?_ Ain't _my name_ good enough for you? Your name will beMiss Lily Peaches O'Halloran. That's a name good enough for a Queen Lady!"

"What's a Queen?" inquired Peaches. 

"Wife of those kings we were just talking about. "

"Sure!" said Peaches. "None of them have a nicer name than that! Mickey, is my bow straight?"

"Naw it ain't!" said Mickey. "Take the baby 'til I fix it! It's aboutslipped off! There! That's better. "

"Mickey, let me see it!" suggested Peaches. 

Mickey brought the mirror. She looked so long he grew tired and started toput it back, but she clung to it. 

"Just lay it on the bed, " she said. 

"Naw I don't, Miss Chicken--O'Halloran!" he said. "Mirrors cost money, andif you pull the sheet in the night, and slide ours off, and it breaks, wegot seven years of bad luck coming, and we are nix on changing the luck wehave right now. It's good enough for us. Think of them Belgium kids wherethe kings are making the fathers fight. This goes where it belongs, thenyou take your drink, and let me beat your pillow, and you fix your baby, and then we'll say our prayers, and go to sleep. "

Mickey replaced the mirror and carried out the program he had outlined. When he came to the prayer he ordered Peaches to shut her eyes, fold herhands and repeat after him:

"'Now I lay me down to sleep'"----

Peaches' eyes opened. 

"Oh, is it a poetry prayer, Mickey?" she asked. 

"Yes. Kind of a one. Say it, " answered Mickey. 

Peaches obeyed, repeating the words lingeringly and in her sweetest tones. Mickey thrilled to his task. 

"'I pray the Lord my soul to keep'"----he proceeded. 

"What's my soul, Mickey?" she asked. 

"The very nicest thing inside of you, " explained Mickey. "Go on!"

"Like my heart?" questioned Peaches. 

"Yes. Only nicer, " said Mickey. "Shut your eyes and go on!"

Peaches obeyed. 

"'If I should die before I wake'"----continued Mickey. 

Peaches' eyes flashed open; she drew back in horror. 

"I won't!" she cried. "I won't _say_ that. That's what happened to granny, an' I saw. She was the awfullest, an' then--the men came. I _won't!_"

Mickey opened his eyes, looking at Peaches, his lips in a set line, hisbrow wrinkled in thought. 

"Well I don't know what they went and put _that_ in for, " he saidindignantly. "Scaring little kids into fits! It's all right when you don't_know_ what it means, but when kids has been through what we have, it'sdifferent. I wouldn't say it either. You wait a minute. I can beat thatmyself. Let me think. Now I got it! Shut your eyes and go on:

"If I should come to live with Thee----"

"Well I ain't goin'!" said Peaches flatly. "I'm goin' to stay right herewith you. I'd a lot rather than anywhere. King's house or anywhere!"

"I never saw such a kid!" wailed Mickey. "I think that's pretty. I like itheaps. Come on Peaches! Be good! Listen! The next line goes: 'Open lovingarms to shelter me. ' Like the big white Jesus at the Cathedral door. Comeon now!"

"I _won't!_ I'm goin' to live right here, and I don't want no big whiteJesus' arms; I want _yours_. 'F I go anywhere, you got to lift meyourself, and let me take my Precious Child along. "

"Lily, you're the worst kid I ever saw, " said Mickey. "No you ain'teither! I know a lot worse than you. You just don't understand. I guessyou better pray something you _do_ understand. Let me think again. Now trythis: Keep me through the starry night----"

"Sure! I just love that, " crooned Peaches. 

"Wake me safe with sunrise bright, " prompted Mickey, and the childsmilingly repeated the words. "Now comes some 'Blesses, '" said Mickey. "Idon't know just how to manage them. You haven't a father to bless, andyour mother got what was coming to her long ago; blessing her now wouldn'thelp any if it wasn't pleasant; same with your granny, only more recent. I'll tell you! Now I know! 'Bless the Sunshine Lady for all the things tomake me comfortable, and bless the Moonshine Lady for the ribbons and thedoll. '"

"Aw!" cried Peaches, staring up at him in rebellion. 

"Now you go on, Miss Chicken, " ordered Mickey, losing patience, "and thenyou end with 'Amen, ' which means, 'So be it, ' or 'Make it happen thatway, ' or something like that. Go to it now!"

Peaches shut her eyes, refolded her hands and lifted her chin. After along pause Mickey was on the point of breaking, she said sweetly: "BlessMickey-lovest, an' bless him, an' bless him million times; an' bless himfor the bed, an' the window, an' bless him for finding the Nurse Lady, an'bringing the ribbons, an' the doll, an' bless him for the slate, an' theteachin's, an' bless him for everything I just love, an' love. Amen--hard!"

When Peaches opened her eyes she found Mickey watching her, a comminglingof surprise and delight on his face. Then he bent over and laid his cheekagainst hers. 

"You fool little kid, " he whispered tenderly. "You precious fool littleflowersy-kid! You make a fellow love you 'til he nearly busts inside. Kissme good-night, Lily. "

He slipped the ribbon from her hair, straightened the sheets, arranged asthe nurse had taught him, laid the doll as Peaches desired, and thenscreened by the foot of the bed, undressed and stretched himself on thefloor. The same moon that peeped in the window to smile her broadest atPeaches and her Precious Child, and touched Mickey's face to wondrousbeauty, at that hour also sent shining bars of light across the verandawhere Leslie sat and told Douglas Bruce about the trip to the swamp. 

"I never knew I could be so happy over anything in all this world thatdidn't include you and Daddy. But of course this does in a way; you, atleast. Much as you think of, and are with, Mr. Minturn, you can't helpbeing glad that joy has come to him at last. Why don't you say something, Douglas?"

"I have been effervescing ever since you came to the office after me, andI find now that the froth is off, I'm getting to the solid facts in thecase, and, well I don't want to say a word to spoil your joyous day, butI'm worried, 'Bringer of Song. '"

"Worried?" cried Leslie. "Why? You don't think he wouldn't be pleased? Youdon't think he might not be--responsive, do you?"

"Think of the past years of neglect, insult and humiliation!" suggestedDouglas. 

"Think of the future years of loving care, reparation and joy!" commentedLeslie. 

"Please God they outweigh!" said Douglas. "Of course they will! It must bea few things I've seen lately that keep puzzling me. "

"What have you seen, Douglas?" questioned Leslie. 

"Deals in real estate, " he answered. "Consultations with detectives andpolicemen, scientists and surgeons. "

"But what could that have to do with Nellie Minturn?"

"Nothing, I hope, " said Douglas, "but there has been a grimness aboutMinturn lately, a going ahead with jaws set that looks ugly for whatopposes him, and you tell me they have been in opposition ever since theymarried. I can't put him from my thoughts as I saw him last. "

"And I can't her, " said Leslie. "She was a lovely picture as she cameacross the silver moss carpet, you know that gray green, Douglas, her faceflushed, her eyes wet, her arms full of those perfectly beautiful, lavender-pink fringed orchids. She's a handsome woman, dearest, and shenever looked quite so well to me as when she came picking her way beneaththe dark tamarack boughs. She was going to ask him to go with her to takeher flowers to Elizabeth, and over that little white casket she intended--Why Douglas, he couldn't, he simply couldn't!"

"Suppose he had something previously worked out that cut her off!"

"Oh Douglas! What makes you think such a thing?"

"What Minturn said to me this morning with such bitterness on his face andin his voice as I never before encountered in man, " Douglas answered. 

"He said----?" prompted Leslie. 

"This is my _last_ day as a _laughing-stock_ for my fellowmen! To-morrow Ishall hold up my head!"

"Why didn't you tell me that _before?_"

"Didn't realize until just now that you and she hadn't _seen_ him--thatyou were acting on presumption. 

"I'm going to call her!" cried Leslie. 

"I wouldn't!" advised Douglas. 

"Why not?"

"After as far as she went to-day, if she had anything she wanted you toknow, wouldn't she feel free to call you?"

"You are right, " conceded Leslie. "Even after to-day, for me to call wouldbe an intrusion. Let's not talk of it further! Don't you wish we couldtake a peep at Mickey carrying the doll to the little sick girl?"

"I surely do!" answered Douglas. "What do you think of him, Leslie?"

"Great! Simply great!" cried the girl. "Douglas you should have heard himeducate me on the doll question. "

"How?" he asked interestedly. 

"From the first glimpse I had of him, the thought came to me, 'That'sDouglas' Little Brother'" she explained. "When you telephoned and said youwere sending him to me, just one idea possessed me: to get what youwanted. Almost without thought at all I tried the first thing hementioned, which happened to be a little sick neighbour girl he told meabout. All girls like a doll, and I had one dressed for a birthday giftfor a namesake of mine, and time plenty to fix her another. I brought itto Mickey and thought he'd be delighted. "

"Was he rude?" inquired Douglas anxiously. 

"Not in the least!" she answered. "Only casual! Merely made me see howthoughtless and unkind and positively vulgar my idea of pleasing a poorchild was. "

"Leslie, you shock me!" exclaimed Douglas. 

"I mean every word of it, " said the girl. "Now listen to me! It _is_thoughtless to offer a gift headlong, without considering a second, is itnot?"

"Merely impulsive, " replied Douglas. 

"Identically the same thing!" declared Leslie. "Listen I said! Without athought about suitability, I offered an extremely poor child the gift Ihad prepared for a very rich one. Mickey made me see in ten words that itwould be no kindness to fill his little friend's head with thoughts thatwould sadden her heart with envy, make her feel all she lacked more keenlythan ever; give her a gift that would breed dissatisfaction instead ofjoy; if that isn't vulgarity, what is? Mickey's Lily has no business witha doll so gorgeous the very sight of it brings longing, instead ofcomfort. It was unkind to offer a gift so big and heavy it would tire andworry her. "

"There _are_ some ideas there on giving!"

"Aren't there though!" said Leslie. "Mickey took about three minutes toshow me that Lily was _satisfied_ as she was, so no one would thank me forawakening discontent in her heart. He measured off her size and proved tome that a small doll, that would not tire her to handle, would besuitable, and so dressed that its clothes could be washed and would beplain as her own. Even further! Once my brain began working I saw that alady doll with shoes and stockings to suggest outdoors and walking, wasnot a kind gift to make a bedridden child. Douglas, after Mickey startedme I arose by myself to the point of seeing that a little cuddly babydoll, helpless as she, one that she could nestle, and play with lying inbed would be the proper gift for Lily. Think of a 'newsy' making me see_that!_ Isn't he wonderful?"

"You should have heard him making me see things!" said Douglas. "Yours arefaint and feeble to the ones he taught me. Refused me at every point, andmarched away leaving me in utter rout! Outside wanting you for my wife, more than anything else on earth, I wanted Mickey for my Little Brother. "

"You have him!" comforted the girl. "The Lord arranged that. You rememberHe said, 'All men are brothers, ' and wasn't it Tolstoy who wrote: 'Ifpeople would only understand that they are not the sons of some fatherlandor other, nor of governments, but are sons of God?' You and Mickey willget your brotherhood arranged to suit both of you some of these days. "

"Exactly!" conceded Douglas. "But I wanted Mickey at hand now! I wantedhim to come and go with me. To be educated with what I considereducation. "

"It will come yet, " prophesied Leslie. "Your ideas are splendid! I see howfine they are! The trouble is this: you had a plan mapped out at whichMickey was to jump. Mickey happened to have preconceived ideas on thesubject, so he didn't jump. You wanted to be the king on the throne andstretch out a royal hand, " laughed Leslie. "You wanted to lift Mickey toyour level, and with the inherent fineness in him, have him feel eternallove and gratitude toward you?"

"That sounds different, but it is the real truth. "

"And Mickey doesn't care to be brother to kings, he doesn't perceive thethrone even; he wants you to understand at the start that you will _take_, as well as _give_. Refusing pay for tidying your office was his firstinning. That 'Me to you!' was great. I can see the accompanying gesture. It was the same one he used in demolishing my doll. Something vital andinborn. Something loneliness, work, the crowd, and raw life have taughtMickey, that we don't know. Learn all you can from him. I've had one goodlesson, I'm receptive and ready for the next. Let's call the car and drivean hour. "

"That will be pleasant, " agreed Douglas. 

"Anywhere in the suburbs to avoid the crowds, " was Leslie's order to herdriver. 

Slowly, under traffic regulations, the car ran through the pleasant springnight; the occupants talking without caring where they were so long asthey were together, in motion, and it was May. They were passingresidences where city and country met. The dwellings of people city bound, country determined. Homes where men gave so many hours to earning money, then sped away to train vines, prune trees, dig in warm earth and makethings grow. Such men now crossed green lawns and talked fertilizers, newannuals, tree surgery, and carried gifts of fragrant, blooming things totheir friends. Here the verandas were wide and children ran from them tograssy playgrounds; on them women read or sat with embroidery hoops orvisited in small groups. 

"Let's move, " said Leslie. "Let's coax Daddy to sell our place and comehere. One wouldn't ever need go summering, it's cool and pleasant always. I'd love it! There's a new house and a lawn under old trees, to shelterplaying children; isn't it charming?"

"Quite! But that small specimen seems refractory. "

Leslie leaned forward to see past him. In an open door stood a man clearlysilhouetted against the light. Down the steps sped a screaming boy aboutnine. After him ran another five or six years older. When the child saw hewould be overtaken, he headed straight for the street; as the pursuer'shand brushed him, he threw himself kicking and clawing. The elder boyhesitated, looking for an opening to find a hold. The car was half a blockaway when Leslie turned a white face to Douglas and gasped inarticulately. He understood something was wrong so signalled the driver to stop. 

"Turn and pass those children again!" ordered Leslie. 

As the car went by slowly the second time, the child still fought, the boystepped back, while James Minturn with grim face, bent under the light andby force took into his arms the twisting, fighting boy. 

"Heaven help him!" cried Douglas. "Not a sign of happy reconciliationthere!"

Leslie tried to choke down her sobs. 

"Oh Nellie Minturn! Poor woman!" she wailed. 

"So _that's_ what he was doing!" marvelled Douglas. "A house he has builtto suit himself; training his sons personally, with the assistance of hisLittle Brother. That boy was William. I see him in Minturn's office everyday. "

"Oh I think he might have given her a chance!" protested Leslie. "Rememberhow she was reared! Think what a struggle it was for her even tocontemplate trying to be different. "

"Evidently she was too late!" said Douglas. "He must have been gone beforeyou returned from the swamp. "

"I'm going back there and tell him a few things! I think he might havewaited. Douglas, I'm afraid he did wait! She said he told her he wanted totalk with her when she came back--and oh Douglas, she said he had a smallbox and he threatend to 'freeze her soul with its contents!' Douglas, _what_ could he have had?"

"'Freeze her soul!' Let me think!" said Douglas. "I met Professor Ticknerand Dr. Wills coming from his offices a few days ago, while he's just backfrom a trip that he didn't tell me he was taking----

"You mean Tickner, the scientist; Wills, the surgeon?"

"Yes, " answered Douglas. 

"But those children! Aren't they perfectly healthy?"

"They look it! Lord, Leslie!" cried Douglas, "I have it! He _has_ madegood his threat. He has frozen her soul! What you want to do is to go toher, Leslie!"

"Douglas, tell me!" she demanded. 

"I can't!" said Douglas. "I may be mistaken. I think I am not, but thereis always a chance! Drive to the Minturn residence, " he ordered. 

They found a closed dark pile of stone. 

"Go past that place where the children were again!" said Leslie. 

The upper story was quiet. Outlined by veranda lights the massive form ofJames Minturn paced back and forth under the big trees, his hands claspedbehind him, his head bowed, and he walked alone. 

"Douglas, I'm going to speak to him. I'm going to tell him!" declaredLeslie. 

"But you're now conceding that _she_ saw him!" Douglas pointed out. "Thenwhat have you to tell him that she would not? If she couldn't move himwith what she said, and while you don't know his side, what could you sayto him?"

"Nothing, " she conceded. 

"Precisely my opinion, " said Douglas. "Remember Leslie I am a little aheadof you in this. You know _her_ side. I know all you have told me of her, also I know what he has told me; while putting what I have seen, and heardat the office, and him here with the boys, in a house she would considertoo plebeian for words----"

"No Douglas. No! She is changed!" cried Leslie. "Completely changed, Itell you! She said she would wipe Malcolm's nose and fix James' studs----"

"Mere figures of speech!" remarked Douglas. 

"They meant she was ready to work with her own hands for happiness, " saidLeslie indignantly. 

"I think she's too late!" said Douglas. "I am afraid she is one of theunhappiest women in the world to-night!"

"Douglas, it wrings my heart!" cried Leslie. 

"Mine also, but what can we do?" he answered. "For ten years, she haspersisted in having her way, you tell me; what could she have expected?"

"That he would have some heart, " protested Leslie. "That he would forgivewhen he was asked, as all of us are commanded to. "

"Does it occur to you that he might have confronted her with somethingthat prevented her from asking?" suggested Douglas. "She may never havereached her flowers and her proposed concessions. "

"What makes you think so?" queried Leslie. 

"What I see and surmise, and a thing I know. "

"What can I do?" asked Leslie. 

"Nothing!" Douglas said with finality. "If either of them wants you, theyknow where to find you. But you're tired now. Let's give the order forhome. "

"Shan't sleep a wink to-night!" prophesied Leslie. 

"I was afraid of that!" exclaimed Douglas. "There may be a message therefor you that will be a comfort. "

"So there may be! Let's hurry!" urged the girl. 

There was. They found a brief, pencilled note. 

DEAR LESLIE:

_After to-day, it was due you to send a word. You tried so hard dear, andyou gave me real joy for an hour. Then James carried out his threat. Hedid all to me he intended, and more than he can ever know. I have agreedto him taking full possession of the boys, and going into a home such ashe thinks suitable. They will be far better off, and since they scarcelyknow me, they can't miss me. Before you receive this, I shall have leftthe city. I can't state just now where I am going or what I shall do. Youcan realize a little of my condition. If ever you are tired of home lifeand faintly tempted to neglect it for society, use me for your horribleexample. Good-bye, _

NELLIE MINTURN. 

Leslie read this aloud. 

"It's a relief to know that much, " she said with a deep breath. "I can'timagine myself ever being 'faintly tempted, " but if I am, surely she isright about the 'horrible example. ' Douglas, whatever did James Minturnhave in that box?"

"I could tell you what I surmise, but so long as I don't _know_ I'd betternot, " he answered. 

"As our mutual friend Mickey would say, 'Nix on the Swell Dames, ' for me!"said Leslie determinedly. 

"Thank God with all my heart!" cried Douglas Bruce. 

CHAPTER VIII

_Big Brother_

"I've no time to talk, " said Douglas Bruce, as Mickey appeared thefollowing day; "my work seems too much for one man. Can you help me?"

"Sure!" said Mickey, wadding his cap into his back pocket. Then he rolledhis sleeves a turn higher, lifted his chin a trifle and stepped forward. "Say what!"

It caught Douglas so suddenly there was no time for concealment. Helaughed heartily. 

"That's good!" he cried. Mickey grinned in comradeship. "First, theseletters to the box in the hall. "

"Next?" Mickey queried as he came through the door. 

"This package to the room of the Clerk in the City Hall, and bring back areceipt bearing his signature. "

Mickey saluted, laid the note inside the cover of a book, put it in themiddle of the package, and a second later his gay whistle receded down thehall. 

"'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will notdepart from it, '" Douglas quoted. "Mickey has been trained until he wouldmake a good trainer himself. "

In one-half the time the trip had taken the messenger boys Douglas wasaccustomed to employing, Mickey was back like the Gulf in the Forum, demanding "more. "

"See what you can do for these rooms, until the next errand is ready, "suggested Douglas. 

Mickey began gathering up the morning papers, straightening the rugs, curtains and arranging the furniture. 

"Hand this check to the janitor, " said Douglas. "And Mickey, kindly askhim if two dollars was what I agreed to pay him for my extras this week. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. 

Douglas would have preferred "Yes sir, " but "Sure!" was a permanentejaculation decorating the tip of Mickey's tongue. The man watchingclosely did not fail to catch the flash of interest and the lifting of theboy figure as he paused for instructions. When he returned Douglas saidcasually: "While I am at it, I'll pay off my messenger service. Take thischeck to the address and bring a receipt for the amount. "

Mickey's comment came swiftly: "Gee! that boy would be sore, if he losthis job!"

"Messenger Service Agency, " Douglas said, busy at his desk. "No boy wouldlose his job. "

"Oh!" exclaimed Mickey comprehendingly. His face lighted at theinformation. Next he carried a requisition for books to another cityofficial and telephoned a café to deliver a pitcher of lemonade and somesmall cakes, and handed the boy a dime. 

"Why didn't you send me and save your silver?"

"I did not think, " answered Bruce. "Some one gets the tip, you might aswell have had it. "

"I didn't mean me _have_ it, I meant you _save_ it. "

"Mickey, " said Douglas, "you know perfectly I can't take your time unlessyou accept from me what I am accustomed to paying other boys. "

"Letting others bleed you, you mean, " said Mickey indignantly. "Why I'd a-been glad to brought the juice for five! You never ought to paid more. "

"Should have paid more, " corrected Douglas. 

"'Should have paid more, '" repeated Mickey. "Thanks!"

"Now try this, " said Douglas, filling two glasses. 

"'Tain't usual!" said Mickey. "You drink that yourself or save it forfriends that may drop in. "

"Very well!" said Douglas. "Of course you might have it instead of the boywho comes after the pitcher, but if you don't like it----"

"All right if that's the way!" agreed Mickey. 

He retired to a window seat, enjoyed the cool drink and nibbled the cake, his eyes deeply thoughtful. When offered a second glass Mickey did nothesitate. 

"Nope!" he said conclusively. "A fellow's head and heels work better whenhis stomach is running light. I can earn more not to load up with a lot ofstuff. I eat at home when my work is finished. She showed me that. "

"She showed you a good many things, didn't She?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "She was my mother, so we had to look out forourselves. When you got nothing but yourself between you and the wolf, youlearn to fly, and keep your think-tank in running order. She knew justwhat was coming to me, so She _showed_ me, and _every single thing Shesaid has come, and then some!_"

"I see!" said Douglas. "A wise mother!"

"Sure!" agreed Mickey. "But I guess it wouldn't have done either of usmuch good if I hadn't remembered and kept straight on doing what shetaught me. "

"You are right, it wouldn't, " conceded Douglas. 

"That's where I'm going to climb above some of the other fellows, "announced Mickey confidently. "Either they didn't have mothers to teachthem or else they did, and forget, or think the teaching wasn't worthanything. Now me, I _know_ She was right! She always _proved_ it! She hadbeen up against it longer than I had and She knew, so I am going to goright along doing as She said. I'll beat them, and carry double at that!"

"How double, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. 

"I didn't mean to say that, " he explained. "That was a slip. There's a--there's something----something I'm trying to do that costs more than itdoes to live. I'm bound to do it, so I got to run light and keep my lampspolished for chances. What next, sir?"

"Call 9-40-X, and order my car here, " said Douglas. 

He bent over his papers to hide his face when from an adjoining roomdrifted Mickey's voice in clear enunciation and suave intonation: "Mr. Douglas Bruce desires his car to be sent immediately to the IroquoisBuilding. "

His mental comment was: "The little scamp has drifted to street lingo whenhe lacked his mother to restrain him. He can speak a fairly clean grade ofEnglish now if he chooses. "

"Next?" briskly inquired Mickey. 

"Now look here, " said Douglas. "This isn't a horse race. I earn my livingwith my brains, not my heels. I must have time to think things out; whenyour next job arrives I'll tell you. If you are tired, take a nap on thatcouch in there. " "Asleep at the switch!" marvelled Mickey. 

He went to the adjoining room but did not sleep. He quietly polished andstraightened furniture, lingered before bookcases and was at Douglas'elbow as he turned to call him. Then they closed the offices and went tothe car, each carrying a load of ledgers. 

"You do an awful business!" commented Mickey. "Your car?"

"Yes, " answered Douglas. 

"You're doing grand, for young as you are. "

"I haven't done it all myself, Mickey, " explained Douglas. "I happened toselect a father who was of an acquisitive turn of mind. He left me enoughthat I can have a comfortable living in a small way, from him. "

"Gee! It's lucky you got the Joy Lady then!" exclaimed Mickey. "Maybe youwouldn't ever work if you didn't have her to scratch for!"

"I always have worked and tried to make something of myself, " saidDouglas. 

"Yes, I guess you have, " conceded Mickey. "I think it shows when a mandoes. It just shows a lot on you. "

"Thank you, Mickey! Same to you!"

"Aw, nix on me!" said Mickey. "I ain't nothing on looks! I ain't everlooked at myself enough that if I was sent to find Michael O'Halloran Imightn't bring in some other fellow. "

"But you're enough acquainted with yourself that you wouldn't bring in adirty boy with a mouth full of swearing and beer, " suggested Douglas. 

"Well not this evening!" cried Mickey. "On a gamble that ain't mypicture!"

"If it were, you wouldn't be here!" said Douglas. 

"No, nor much of any place else 'cept the gutters, alleys, and the policecourt, " affirmed Mickey. "That ain't my style! I'd like to be--well--aboutlike you. "

"You are perfectly welcome to all I have and am, " said Douglas. "If youfail to take advantage of the offer, it will be your own fault. "

"Yes, I guess it will, " reflected Mickey. "You gave me the chance. I am toblame if I don't cop on to it, and get in the game. I like you fine! Yourwork is more interesting than odd jobs on the street, and you pay like aplute. You're being worked though. You pay too much. If I work for you itwould save you money to let me manage that; I could get you help andthings a lot cheaper, then you could spend what you save on the Joy Lady, making her more joyous. "

"You are calling Miss Winton the Joy Lady?"

"Yes, " said Mickey. "Doesn't she just look it?"

"She surely does, " agreed Douglas. "It's a good title. I know only twothat are better. She sows happiness everywhere. What about your Lily girland her doll?"

"Doll doesn't go. That's a Precious Child!"

"I see! Lily is a little girl you like, Mickey?"

"Lily is the littlest girl you ever saw, " answered Mickey, "with a badback so that she hasn't ever walked; and she's so sweet--she's the onlything I've got to love, so I love her 'til it hurts. Her back is one thingI'm saving for. I'm going to have it Carreled as soon as I get money, andshe grows strong enough to stand it. "

"'Carreled?'" queried Douglas wonderingly. 

"You know the man who put different legs on a dog?" said Mickey. "I oftenread about him in papers I sell. I think he can fix her back. But not yet. A Sunshine Nurse I know says nobody can help her back 'til she grows a lotstronger and fatter. She has to have milk and be rubbed with oil, and notbe jerked for a while before it's any use to begin on her back. "

"And has she the milk and the oil and the kindness?"

"You just bet she has, " said Mickey. "Her family tends to that. And shehas got a bed, and a window, and her Precious Child, and a slate, andbooks. "

"That's all right then, " said Douglas. "Any time you see she needsanything Mickey, I'd be glad if you would tell me or Miss Winton. Sheloves to do kind things to little sick children to make them happier. "

"So do I, " said Mickey. "And Lily is _my_ job. But that isn't robbing MissJoy Lady. She can love herself to death if she wants to on hundreds oflittle, sick, cold, miserable children, in every cellar and garret andtenement of the east end of Multiopolis. The only kind thing God did forthem out there was to give them the first chance at sunrise. Multiopolishasn't ever followed His example by giving them anything. "

"You mean Miss Winton can find some other child to love and care for?"asked Douglas. 

"Sure!" said Mickey emphatically. "It's hands off Lily. Her family istaking care of her, so she's got all she needs right now. "

"That's good!" said Bruce. "Here we unload. "

They entered a building and exchanged the books they carried for otherswhich Douglas selected with care, then returning to the office, lockedthem in a safe. 

"Now I am driving to the golf grounds for an hour's play, " said Douglas. "Will you go and caddy for me?"

"I never did. I don't know how, " answered Mickey. 

"You can learn, can't you?" suggested Douglas. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I've seen boys carrying golf clubs that hadn'tenough sense to break stone right. I can learn, but my learning mightspoil your day's sport. "

"It would be no big price to pay for an intelligent caddy, " repliedDouglas. 

"Mr. Bruce, what price is an intelligent caddy worth?"

"Our Scotch Club pays fifty cents a game and each man employs his own boyif he chooses. The club used to furnish boys, but since the Big Brothermovement began, so many of the men have boys in their offices they areaccustomed to, and want to give a run over the hills after the day's work, that the rule has been changed. I can employ you, if you want to serveme. "

"I'd go to the _country_ in the car with you, every day you play, andcarry your clubs?" asked Mickey wonderingly. 

"Yes, " answered Douglas. 

"Over real hills, where there's trees, grass, cows and water?" questionedMickey. 

"Yes, " repeated Douglas. 

"What time would we get back?" he asked. 

"Depends on how late I play, and whether I have dinner at the club house, say seven as a rule, maybe ten or later at times. "

"Nothing doing!" said Mickey promptly. "I got to be home at six by theclock every day, even if we were engaged in 'hurling back the enemy. 'See?"

"But Mickey! That spoils everything!" cried Douglas. "Of course you couldwork for me the remainder of the day if you wanted to, and I could keep myold clubhouse caddy, but I want _you_. You want the ride in the country, you want the walk, you _need_ the change and recreation. You are not areal boy if you don't want that!"

"I'm so real, I'm two boys if _wanting_ it counts, but it doesn't!" saidMickey. "You see I got a _job_ for evening. I'm promised. I'd rather dowhat you want than anything I ever saw or heard of, except just this. I'vegiven my word, and I'm depended on. I couldn't give up this work, and Iwouldn't, if I could. Even golf ain't in it with this job that I'm on. "

"What is your work Mickey?"

"Oh I ain't ever exactly certain, " said Mickey. "Sometimes it is onething, sometimes it is another, but always it's something, and it's workfor a party I couldn't disappoint, not noways, not for all the golf in theworld. "

"You are sure?" persisted Douglas. 

"Dead sure with no changing, " said Mickey. 

"All right then. I'm sorry!" exclaimed Douglas. 

"So am I, " said Mickey. "But not about the job!"

Douglas laughed. "Well come along this evening and look on. I'll be backbefore six and I'll run you where we did last night, if that is close yourhome. "

"Thanks, " said Mickey. "I'd love to, but you needn't bother about takingme home. I can make it if I start at six. Shall I take the things back tothe café?" "Let them go until morning, " said Douglas. 

"What becomes of the little cakes?"

"Their fate is undecided. Have you any suggestions?"

"I should worry!" he exclaimed. "They'd fit my pocket. I could hike pastthe hospital and ask the Sunshine Lady; if she said so, I could take themto Lily. Bet she never tasted any like them. If it's between her and thecafé selling them over, s'pose she takes the cake?"

Mickey's face was one big insinuating, suggestive smile. Douglas' wasanother. 

"Suppose she does, " he agreed. 

"I must wrap them, " said Mickey. "Have to be careful about Lily. If she'sfed dirty, wrong stuff, it will make fever so her back will get worseinstead of better. "

"Will a clean envelope do?" suggested Douglas. 

"That would cost you two cents, " said Mickey. "Haven't you somethingcheaper?"

"What about a sheet of paper?" hazarded Douglas. 

"Fine!" said Mickey, "and only half as expensive. "

So they wrapped the little cakes and closed the office. Then Douglas said:"Now this ends work for the day. Next comes playtime. "

"Then before we begin to play we ought to finish business, " said Mickey. "I have been thinking over what you said the other day, and while I wasright about some of it, I was mistaken about part. I ain't changinganything I said about Minturn men and his sort, and millyingaire men andtheir sort; but you ain't that kind of a man----"

"Thank you, Mickey, " said Douglas. 

"No you ain't that _kind_ of a man, " continued Mickey. "And you are justthe kind of a man I'd _like_ to be; so if the door ain't shut, guess I'llstick around afternoons. "

"Not all day?" inquired Douglas. 

"Well you see I am in the paper business and that takes all morning, "explained Mickey. "I can always finish my first batch by noon, lots oftimes by ten; from that on to six I could work for you. "

"Don't you think you could earn more with me, and in the winter at least, be more comfortable?" asked Douglas. 

"Winter!" cried Mickey, his face whitening. 

"Yes, " said Douglas. "The newsboys always look frightfully cold inwinter. "

"Winter!" It was a piteous cry. 

"What is it, Mickey?" questioned Bruce kindly. 

"You know I _forgot_ it, " he said. "I was so took up with what I wasdoing, and thinking right now, that I forgot a time ever was coming whenit gets blue cold, and little kids freeze. Gee! I almost wish I hadn'tthought of it. I guess I better sell my paper business, and come with youall day. I _know_ I could earn more. I just sort of _hate_ to give up thepapers. I been at them so long. I've had such a good time. 'I like to sellpapers!' That's the way I always start my cry, and I do. I just love to. Isell to about the same bunch every morning, and most of my men know me, and they always say a word, and I like the rush and excitement and thethings that happen, and the looking for chances on the side----"

"There's messenger work in my business. "

"I see! I like that! I like your work all right, " said Mickey. "Gimme afew days to sell my route to the best advantage I can, and I'll come allday. I'll come for about a half what you are paying now. "

"But you admit you need money urgently. "

"Well not so urgently as to skin a friend to get it--not even with thewinter I hadn't thought of coming. Gee--I don't know just what I am goingto do about that. "

"For yourself, Mickey?" inquired Douglas. 

"Well in a way, yes, " hesitated Mickey. "There are things to _think_about! Gee I got to hump myself while the sun shines! If you say so, thenI'll get out of the paper business as soon as I can; and I'll begin workfor you steady at noon to-morrow. I've seen you pay out over seven to-day. I'll come for six. Is it a bargain?"

"No, " said Douglas, "it isn't! The janitor bill was for a week of half-done work. The messenger bill was for two days, no caddying at all. If youcome you will come for not less than eight and what you earn extra overthat. I don't agree to better service for less pay. If you will havethings between us on a commercial basis, so will I. "

"Oh the Big Brother business would be all right--with you, " concededMickey, "but I don't just like the way it's managed, mostly. God didn'tmake us brothers no more than he did all men, so we better not butt in andtry to fix things over for Him. Looks to me like we might cut the brotherbusiness and just be _friends_. I could be an awful good _friend_ to you, honest I could!"

"And I to you Mickey, " said Douglas Bruce, holding out his hand. "Have itas you will. Friends, then! Look for you at noon to-morrow. Now we play. Hop in and we'll run to my rooms and get my clubs. "

"Shall I sit up with your man?" asked Mickey. 

"My friends sit beside me, " said Douglas. Mickey spoke softly: "Yes, butif I watched him sharp, maybe I could get the hang of driving for you. Think what a lump that would save. When I'm going, I'd love to drive, justfor the fun of it. "

"And I wouldn't allow you to drive for less than I pay him, " said Douglas. 

"I don't see why!" exclaimed Mickey. 

"When you grow older and know me better, you will. "

While the car was running its smoothest, while the country Mickey had notseen save on rare newsboy excursions, flashed past, while the wonder ofthe club house, the links, and the work he would have loved to dodeveloped, he shivered and cried in his tormented little soul: "Gee, howwill I ever keep Lily warm?" Douglas noticed his abstraction and wondered. He had expected more appreciation of what Mickey was seeing and doing; hewas coming to the realization that he would find out what was in the boy'sheart in his own time and way. On the home run, when Douglas reached hisrooms, he told the driver to take Mickey to the end of the car line; theboy shyly interposed to ask if he might go to the "Star of Hope Hospital, "so Douglas changed the order. 

Mickey's passport held good at the hospital. The Sunshine Nurse inspectedthe cakes and approved them. She was so particular she even took a tinynibble of one and said: "Sugar, flour, egg and shortening--all rightMickey, those can't hurt her. And how is she to-day?"

"Fine!" cried Mickey. "She is getting a lot stronger already. She can situp longer and help herself better, and she's got ribbons, the prettiestyou ever laid eyes on, that a lady gave me for her hair, and they make herpink and nicer; and she's got a baby doll in long clean white dresses tosnuggle down and stay with her all day; and she's got a slate, and a book, and she knows 'cow' and 'milk' and my name, and to-day she is learning'bread. ' To-morrow I am going to teach her 'baby, ' and she can say herprayer too nice for anything, once we got it fixed so she'd say it atall. "

"What did you teach her, Mickey?"

"'Now I lay me, ' only Lily wouldn't say it the way She taught me. You seeLily was all alone with her granny when she winked out and it scared hermost stiff, so when I got to that 'If I should die before I wake, ' line, she just went into fits, and remembering what I'd seen myself, I didn'tblame her; so I changed it for her 'til she liked it. "

"Tell me about it, Mickey?" said the nurse. 

"Well you see she has a window, so she can see the stars and the sun. Sheknows them, so I just shifted the old sad, scary lines to:

"_Guard me through the starry night, Wake me safe with sunshine bright!_"

"But Mickey, that's lovely!" cried the nurse. "Wait till I write it down!I'll teach it to my little people. Half of them come here knowing thatprayer and when they are ill, they begin to think about it. Some of themare old enough to worry over it. Why you're a poet, Mickey!"

"Sure!" conceded Mickey. "That's what I'm going to be when I get throughschool. I'm going to write a poetry piece about Lily for the first sheetof the _Herald_ that'll be so good they'll pay me to write one every day, but all of them will be about her. "

"Mickey, is there enough of such a little girl to furnish one every day?"asked the nurse. 

"Surest thing you know!" cried Mickey enthusiastically. "Why there are thehundred gold rings on her head, one for each; and her eyes, tender andteasy, and sad and glad, one for each; and the colour of them different adozen times a day, and her little white face, and her lips, and her smile, and when she's good, and when she's bad; why Miss, there's enough of Lilyfor a book big as Mr. Bruce's biggest law book. "

"Well Mickey!" cried the girl laughing. "There's no question but you willwrite the poetry, only I can't reconcile it with the kind of a hustler youare. I thought poets were languid, dreamy, up-in-the-clouds kind ofpeople. "

"So they are, " explained Mickey. "_That_ comes later. First I got tohustle to get Lily's back Carreled and us through school, and ready to_write_ the poetry; then it will take so much dreaming to think out whatis nicest about her, and how to say it best, that it would make any fellowlanguid--you can see how that would be!"

"Yes, I see!" conceded the nurse. "Mickey, by Carreling her back, do youmean Dr. Carrel?"

"Sure!" cried Mickey. "You see I read a lot about him in the papers Isell. He's the biggest man in the _world! He's bigger than emperors andkings!_ They--why the biggest thing they can _do_ is to kill all theirstrongest, bravest men. He's so much bigger than kings, that he can takemen they shoot to pieces and put them together again. Killing men ain'tmuch! Anybody can do killing! Look at him making folks live! _Gee, he'sbig!_"

"And you think he can make Lily's back better?"

"Why I _know_ he can!" said Mickey earnestly. "That wouldn't be a patchingto what he _has_ done! Soon as you say she is strong enough, I'm going towrite to him and tell him all about her, and when I get the money saved, he'll come and fix her. Sure he will!"

"If you could get to him and tell him yourself, I really believe hewould, " marvelled the nurse. "But you see it's like this, Mickey: when menare as great as he is, just thousands of people want everything of them, and write letters by the hundreds, and if all of them were read therewould be time for nothing else, so a secretary opens the mail and decideswhat is important, and that way the big people don't always know about theones they would answer if they were doing it. He's been here in this veryhospital; I've seen him operate once. Next time a perfectly wonderful casecomes in, that is in his peculiar line, no doubt he will be notified andcome again. Then if I could get word to you, and you could get Lily here, possibly--just possibly he would listen to you and look at her--of courseI can't say surely he would--but I think he would!"

"Why of course he would!" triumphed Mickey. "Of course he would! He'd betickled to pieces! He'd just love to! Any man would! Why a white littleflowersy-girl who can't walk----!"

"If you could reach him, I really think he would, " said the nursepositively. 

"Well just you gimme a hint that he's here, and see if I don't get tohim, " said Mickey. 

"Is there any place I'd be certain to find you quickly, if a chance shouldcome?" she asked. "One never can tell. He might not be here in years, buthe might be called, and come, to-morrow. "

"Why yes!" cried Mickey. "Why of course! Why the telephone! Call me whereI work!"

"But I thought you were a 'newsy!'" said the nurse. 

"Well I was, " explained Mickey lifting his head, "but I've give up thepapers. I've graduated. I'm going to sell out tomorrow. I'm going to workpermanent for Mr. Douglas Bruce. He's the biggest lawyer in Multiopolis. He's got an office in the Iriquois Building, and his call is 500-X. Writethat down too and put it where you can't lose it. He's just a grand man. He asked about Lily to-day. He said any time he'd do things for her. Surehe would! He'd stop saving the taxpayers of Multiopolis, and take his car, and go like greased lightning for a little sick girl. He's the grandestman and he's got a Joy Lady that puts in most of her time making folkshappy. Either of them would! Why it's too easy to talk about! You call me, I take a car and bring her scooting! If I'd see Lily standing on her feet, stepping right out like other folks, I'd be so happy I'd almost bust wideopen. Honest I would! If he _does_ come, you'd try _hard_ to get me achance, wouldn't you?"

"I'd try as hard for you as I would for myself Mickey; I couldn't promisemore, " she said. 

"Lily's as good as fixed, " exulted Mickey. "Why there is that big easy carstanding down in the street waiting to take me home right now. "

"Does Douglas Bruce send you home in his car?"

"Oh no, not regular! This is extra! Work is over for to-day so we went tothe golf links; then he lets his man take me while he bathes and dressesto go to his Joy Lady. Gee, I got to hurry or I'll make the car late; butI can talk with you all you will. I can send the car back and walk or hopa 'tricity-wagon. "

"Which is a street car?" queried the nurse. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. 

"Well go hop it!" she laughed. "I can't spare more time now, but I won'tforget, Mickey; and if he comes I'll keep him till you get here, if I haveto chain him. "

"You go to it!" cried Mickey. "And I'll begin praying that he comes soon, and I'll just pray and pray so long and so hard, the Lord will send himquick to get rid of being asked so constant. No I won't either! Wellwouldn't that rattle your slats?"

"What, Mickey?" asked the nurse. 

"Why don't you _see?_" cried Mickey. 

"No, I don't see, " admitted the girl. 

"Well I do!" said Mickey. "What would be square about that? Why that wouldbe asking the Lord to make maybe some other little girl so sick, theCarrel man would be sent for, so I'd get my chance for Lily. That ain'tbusiness! I wouldn't have the cheek! What would the Lord _think_ of me? Hewouldn't come in a mile of _doing_ it. I wouldn't come in ten miles ofhaving the nerve to ask him. I do get up against it 'til my head swims. And there is _winter_ coming, too!"

The nurse put her arm around Mickey again, and gently propelled him towardthe elevator. 

"Mickey, " she said softly, her lips nipping his fair hair, "God doesn'tgive many of us your clear vision and your big heart. I'd have asked himthat, with never a thought of who would have to be ill to bring Dr. Carrelhere. But I'll tell you. You can pray _this_ with a clean conscience: youcan ask God if the doctor _does_ come, to put it into his heart to hearyou, and to examine Lily. That wouldn't be asking ill for anyone else sothat you might profit by it. And dear laddie, don't worry about _winter_. This city is still taking care of its taxpayers. You do your best for Lilyall summer, and when winter comes, if you're not fixed for it, I will seewhat your share is and you can have it in a stove that will burn warm awhole day, and lots of coal, _plenty_ of it. I know I can arrange that. "

"Gee, you're great!" he cried. "This is the biggest thing that everhappened to me! I see now what I can ask Him on the square; so it's_business_ and all right; and Mr. Bruce or Miss Leslie will loan me a car, and if you see about the stove and the coal the city has for me"--in cameMickey's royal flourish--"why dearest Nurse Lady, Lily is as good aswalking right now! Gee! In my place would you tell her?"

"I surely would, " said the nurse. "It will do her good. It will give herhope. Dr. Carrel isn't the only one who can perform miracles; if he_doesn't_ come by the time Lily is strong enough to bear the strain ofbeing operated, we can try some other great man; and if she is shy, andtimid from having been alone so much, expecting it will make it easier forher. By the way, wait until I bring some little gifts, I and three of myfriends have made for her in our spare time. I think your mother's nightdresses must be big and uncomfortable for her, even as you cut them off. Try these. Give her a fresh one each day. It is going to be dreadfully hotsoon. When she has used two, bring them here and I'll have them washed foryou. "

"Now nix on that!" said Mickey. "You're a shining angel bright to sew themfor her, I'm crazy over them, but I wash them. Mother showed me. That willbe _my_ share. I can do it fine. And they _will_ be better! She's so lostin mother's, I have to shake them to find her!"

They laughed together, then Mickey sped to the sidewalk and ordered thecar back. 

"I've been too long, " he said. "Nurse Lady had some things to tell meabout a little sick girl and I was glad to miss my ride for them. Mr. Bruce will be ready by now. You go where he told you. "

"I got twenty-seven minutes yet, " said the driver. "I can take you atleast almost there. Hop in. "

"Mither o' Mike!" cried Mickey. "Is _that_ all there is to it? Gee, howI'd like to have a try at it. "

"Are you going to be in Mr. Bruce's office from now on?" asked the driver. 

"If I can sell my paper line, " answered Mickey. 

"Got a good route?" inquired the man. 

"Best of any boy in my district, " said Mickey. "I _like_ to sell papers. Igot it down fine!"

"I guess you have, " said the driver. "I know your voice, and everybody onyour street knows that cry. Your route ought to be worth a fair price. Igot a kid that wants a paper start. What would you ask to take him overyour round and tell the men you are turning your business over to him, andteach him your cries?"

"Hum-m-m-m!" said Mickey. "My cry is whatever has the biggest headlines onthe front page, mixed in with a lot of joyous fooling, and I'd have to seeyour boy 'fore I'd say if I could teach him. Is he a clean kid with ajoyous face, and his anatomy decorated with a fine large hump? That's theonly kind that gets my job. I won't have my nice men made sore all day'cause they start it by seeing a kid with a boiled-owl face. "

"You think a happy face sells most papers?"

"Know it!" said Mickey, "'cause I wear it on the job, and I get away withthe rest of them three times and coming. Same everywhere as with thepapers. A happy face would work with your job, if you'd loosen up a linkor two, and tackle it. It may crack your complexion, if you start tooviolent, but taking it by easy runs and greasing the ways 'fore you cutyour cable, I believe you'd survive it!"

Mickey flushed and grinned in embarrassment when people half a block awayturned to look at his driver, and the boy's mouth opened as a trafficpoliceman smiled in sympathy when he waved his club, signalling them tocross. Mickey straightened up reassured. 

"_Did you get that?_" he inquired. 

"I got it!" said the driver. "But it won't ever happen again. McFinley hasbeen on that crossing for five years and that's his first smile on thejob. "

"Then make it your business to see that it ain't his _last!_" advisedMickey. "There's no use growing morgue lines on your mug; with all Mayrunning wild just to please you and the man in the moon; loosen up, if youhave to tickle your liver with a torpedo to start you!"

"You brass monkey!" said the driver. "You climb down right here, beforeI'm arrested for a plain drunk. "

"Don't you think it, " called Mickey. "If you like your job, man, cotton upto it; chuckle it under the chin, and get real familiar. See? Try grin, 'stead of grouch just one day and watch if the whole world doesn't lookbetter before night. "

"Thanks kid, I'll think it over!" promised the driver. 

Mickey hurried home to Peaches. He hid the cake and the hospital box underthe things he bought for supper and went to her with empty hands. He couldsee she was tired and hungry, so he gave her a drink of milk, andproceeded to the sponge bath and oil rub. These rested and refreshed herso that Mickey demanded closed eyes, while he slipped the dainty night-robe over her head, and tied the pink ribbon on her curls. Then he piledthe pillows, leaned her against them and brought the mirror. 

"Now open your peepers, Flowersy-girl, and tell me how Miss O'Halloranstrikes you!" he exulted. 

Peaches took one long look. She opened her mouth. Then she turned toMickey and shut her mouth; shut it and clapped both hands over it; so thathe saw the very act of strangling a phrase he would have condemned. 

"That's a nice lady!" he commented in joy. "Now let me tell you! You gotfour of these gorgeous garments, each one made by a different nurse-lady, while she was resting. Every day you get a clean one, and I wash the oneyou wore last, careful and easy not to tear the lacy places. Ain't theythe gladdest rags you ever saw!"

Peaches gasped: "Mickey, I'll bust!"

"Go on and bust then!" conceded Mickey. "Bust if you must; but don't youdare say no words that ain't for the ladiest of ladies, in that beautiful, softy, white dress. "

Peaches set her lips, stretching her arms widely. She sat straighter thanMickey ever had seen her, lifting her head higher. Gradually a smile creptover her face. She was seeing a very pinched, white little girl, with ashower of yellow curls bound with a pink ribbon tied in a big bow; wearinga dainty night dress with a fancy yoke run with pink ribbons tied underher chin and at her elbows. She crooked an arm, primped her mouth, andpeered at the puffed sleeves, then hastily gulped down whatever she hadbeen tempted to say. 

Again Mickey approved. Despite protests he removed the mirror, then putthe doll in her arms. "Now you line up, " he said. "Now you look alike!After you get your supper, comes the joy part for sure. "

"More joyous than this?" Peaches surveyed herself. 

"Yes, Miss! The joyousest thing of all the world that could happen toyou, " he said. 

"But Mickey-lovest!" she cried in protest. "You know--_you know_--what_that_ would be!"

"Sure I know!" said Mickey. 

"I don't believe it! It never could!" she cried. 

"There you go!" said Mickey in exasperation. "You make me think of themTexas bronchos kicking at everything on earth, in the Wild West showsevery spring. Honest you do!"

"Mickey, you forgot my po'try piece to-night!" she interposed hastily. 

"What you want a poetry piece for with such a dress and ribbon as yougot?" he demanded. 

"I like the po'try piece _better_ than the dress or the ribbon, " sheasserted positively. 

"You'll be saying better than the baby, next!"

"Yes, an' better than the baby!"

"You look out Miss, " marvelled Mickey. "You got to tell true or you can'tbe my family. "

"Sure and true!" said Peaches emphatically. 

"Well if I ever!" cried Mickey. "I didn't think you was _that_ silly!"

"'Tain't silly!" said Peaches. "The po'try pieces is _you!_ 'Tain't sillyto like _you_ better than a dress, and a ribbon, or a Precious Child. Iwant my piece now!"

"Well I've been so busy to-day, I forgot your piece, said Mickey. "'Noughthings have happened to make me forget my head, if 'twasn't fast. I forgotyour piece. I thought you'd like the dress and the joyous thing better. "

"Then you _didn't_ forget it!" cried Peaches. "You thought something else, and you thought what ain't! So there! I _want_ my po'try piece!"

"Well do you want it worse than your supper?" demanded Mickey. 

"Yes I do!" said Peaches. 

"Well use me for a mop!" cried Mickey. "Then you'll have to wait 'til Imake one. "

"Go on and make it!" ordered the child. 

"Well how do you like this?"

"_Once a stubborn little kicker, Kicked until she made me snicker. If she had wings, she couldn't fly, 'Cause she'd be too stubborn to try. _"

A belligerent look slowly spread over Peaches' face. 

"_That's_ no po'try piece, " she scoffed, "an' I don't like it at all, an'I won't write it on my slate; not if I never learn to write anything. Mickey-lovest, please make a _nice_ one to save for my book. It's going tohave three on ev'ry page, an' a nice piece o' sky like right up there forbacks, and mebby--mebby a cow on it!"

"Sure a cow on it, " agreed Mickey. "I saw a lot to-day! I'll tell youafter supper. Gimme a little time to think. I can't do nice ones rightoff. "

"You did that one right off, " said Peaches. 

"Sure!" answered Mickey. "I was a little--a little--per_voked!_ And yousaid that wasn't a _nice_ one. "

"And so it wasn't!" asserted Peaches positively. 

"If I have a nice one ready when I bring supper, will that do?" questionedMickey. 

"Yes, " said Peaches. "But I won't eat my supper 'til I have it. "

"Now don't you get too bossy, Miss Chicken, " warned Mickey. "There's asurprise in this supper like you never had in all your life. I guess you'deat it, if you'd see it. "

"I wouldn't 'til I had my po'try piece. "

In consideration of the poetry piece Mickey desisted. The inference wastoo flattering. Between narrowed lids he looked at Lily. "You fool sweetlittle kid, " he muttered. Then he prepared supper. When he set it on thetable he bent over and taking both hands he said gently:

"_Flowersy-girl of moonbeam white, Golden head of sunshine bright, Dancing eyes of sky's own blue, No other flower in the world like you. _"

"Get the slate!" cried Peaches. "Get the slate! Now _that's_ a po'trypiece. That's the best one yet. I'm going to put that right under thecow!"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I think that's the best yet myself. You see, youmake them come better every time, 'cause you get so much sweeter everyday. "

"Then why did you make the bad one?" she pouted. 

"Well every time you just yell 'I won't, ' without ever giving me a chanceto tell you _what_ I'm going to do, or why, " explained Mickey. "If onlyyou'd learn to wait a little, you'd do better. If I was to tell you thatCarrel man was at the door with a new back for you, if you turn over andlet him put it in, I s'pose you'd yell: 'I won't!'"

The first tinge of colour Mickey had seen, almost invisibly faint, creptto the surface of Peaches' white cheek. 

"Just you try it, Mickey-lovest!" she exclaimed. 

"Finish your supper, and see what I try. "

Peaches obeyed. She had stopped grabbing and cramming. She ate slowly, masticating each morsel as the nurse told Mickey she should. To-night hefound her so dainty and charming, as she instinctively tried to be as niceas her dress and supper demanded, that he forgot himself, until shereminded him. Then he rallied and ate his share. He presented the cakes, and while they enjoyed them he described every detail of the day hethought would interest her, until she had finished. He told her of thenurse and the dresses and when she wanted to see the others he said: "Nosir! You got to wait till you are bathed and dressed each evening, andthen you can see yourself, and that will be more fun than taking thingsall at once. You needn't think I'm coming in here _every_ night with agreat big lift-the-roof surprise for you. Most nights there won't beanything for you only me, and your supper. "

"But Mickey, them's the nicest nights of all!" said Peaches. "I likethinking about you better than nurse-ladies, or joy-ladies, or my back, even; if it wasn't for having supper ready to _help_ you. "

"There you go again!" exclaimed Mickey. "Cut that stuff out, kid! You'llget me so broke up, I won't be fit for nothing but poetry, and that'stough eating; there's a lot must come, 'fore I just make a business of it. Now Miss, you brace up, and get this: the Carrel man has been in this veryburg. See! Our Nurse Lady at the 'Star of Hope' has watched him makingsome one over. Every time anybody is brought there with a thing the matterwith them, that he knows best how to cure, the big head knifers slip itover to him, so he comes and does it to get practice on the job. He _may_not come for a long time; he _might_ come to-morrow. See?"

"Oh Mickey! Would he?" gasped Peaches. 

"Why sure he would!" cried Mickey with his most elaborate flourish. "Surehe would! That's what he lives for. He'd be tickled to pieces to make overthe back of a little girl that can't walk. Sure he would! What I ain'tsure of is that you wouldn't gig back and say, 'I won't!' if you had achance to be fixed. "

Peaches spoke with deliberate conviction: "Mickey, I'm most _sure_ I've_about_ quit that!"

"Well, it's time!" said Mickey. "What you got to do is to eat, and sleep, and be bathed, and rubbed, and get so big and strong that when I comechasing up the steps and say, 'He's here, Lily, clap your arms around myneck and come to the china room and the glass table and be fixed, ' youjust take a grip and never open your head. See! You can be a game littlekid, the gamest I ever saw, you will then, Lily, won't you?"

"Sure!" she promised. "I'll just grab you and I'll say, 'Go Mickey, goh----!"

"Wope! Wope there lady!" interposed Mickey. "Look out! There's a subm'rinecoming. Sink it! Sink it!"

"Mickey what's a subm'rine?" asked Peaches. 

"Why it's like this, " explained Mickey. "There's places where there'swater, like I bring to wash you, only miles and miles of it, such a lot, it's called an ocean----"

"Sure! 'Crost it where the kings is makin' people kill theirselves, " criedPeaches. 

"Yes, " agreed Mickey. "And on the water, sailing along like a lady, is abig, beautiful ship. Then there's a nasty little boat that can creep underthe water. It slips up when she doesn't know it's coming, and blows a holein the fine ship and sinks her all spoiled. But if the nice ship sees thesubm'rine coming and sinks it, why then she stays all nice, and isn'tspoiled at all. See?"

"Subm'rines spoil things?" ventured Peaches. 

"They were just _invented_ for that, and nothing else. "

"Mickey, I'll just say, 'Hurry! Run fast!' Mickey, can you carry me thatfar?" she asked anxiously. 

"No, I can't carry you that far, " admitted Mickey. "But Mr. Douglas Bruce, that we work for after this, will let me take his driver and his nice, easy car, and it will beat streetcars a mile, and we'll just go sailingfor the 'Star of Hope' and get your back made over, and then comes schooland everything girls like. See?"

"Mickey, what if he never comes?" wavered Peaches. 

"Yes, but he _will!_" said Mickey positively. 

"Mickey, what if he should come, an' wouldn't even _look_ at my back?" shepursued. 

"Why, he'd be _glad_ to!" cried Mickey. "Don't be silly. Give the man somechance!"

CHAPTER IX

_James Jr. And Malcolm_

Nellie Minturn returned to her room too dazed to realize her suffering. She had intended doing something; the fringed orchids reminded her. Sherang for water to put them in, while her maid with shaking fingers dressedher, then ordered the car. The girl understood that some terrible thinghad happened and offered to go with the woman who moved so mechanicallyshe proved she scarcely knew what she was doing. 

"No, " said Mrs. Minturn. "No, the little soul has been out there a longtime alone, her mother had better go alone and see how it is. "

She entered the car, gave her order and sank back against the seat. Whenthe car stopped, she descended and found the gates guarding the doors ofthe onyx vault locked. She pushed her flowers between the bars, droppingthem before the doors, then wearily sank on the first step, leaning herhead against the gate, trying to think, but she could not. Near dawn herdriver spoke to her. 

"It's almost morning, " he said. "You've barely time to reach home beforethe city will be stirring. "

She paid no attention, so at last he touched her. 

"You, Weston?" she asked. 

"Yes, Madam, " he said. "I'm afraid for you. I ventured to come closer thanyou said. Excuse me. "

"Thank you Weston, " she answered. 

"Let me drive you home now, Madam, " he begged. 

"Just where would you take me if you were taking me home, Weston?"

"Where we came from, " he replied. 

"Do you think that has ever been a home, Weston?"

"I have thought it the finest home in Multiopolis, Madam, " said the driverin surprise. 

She laughed bitterly. "So have I, Weston. And to-day I have learned whatit really is. Help me, Weston! Take me back to the home of my making. "

When he rang for her, she gave him an order: "Find Mr. John Haynes andbring him here immediately. "

"Bring him now, Madam?" he questioned. 

"Immediately, I said, " she repeated. 

"I will try, Madam, " said Weston. 

"You will bring him at once if he is in Multiopolis, " she said withfinality. 

Weston knew that John Haynes was her lawyer; he had brought him from hisresidence or office at her order many times; he brought him again. At onceJohn Haynes dismissed all the servants in the Minturn household, arrangedeverything necessary, and saw Mrs. Minturn aboard a train in company witha new maid of his selection; then he mailed a deed of gift of the Minturnresidence to the city of Multiopolis for an endowed Children's Hospital. The morning papers briefly announced the departure and the gift. At hisbreakfast table James Minturn read both items, then sat in deep thought. 

"Not like her!" was his mental comment. "I can understand how that placewould become intolerable to her; but I never knew her to give a dollar tothe suffering. Now she makes a princely gift, not because she is generous, but because the house has become unbearable; and as usual, with no thoughtof any one save herself. If the city dares accept, how her millionaireneighbours will rage at disease and sickness being brought into the finestresidence district! Probably the city will be compelled to sell it andbuild somewhere else. But there is something fitting in the reparation ofturning a building that has been a place of torture to children, into oneof healing. It proves that she has a realizing sense. "

He glanced around the bright, cheerful breakfast room, with its carefullyset, flower-decorated table, at his sister at its head, at a son on eitherhand, at a pleasant-faced young tutor on one side, and his Little Brotheron the other; for so had James Minturn ordered his household. 

Mrs. Winslow had left a home she loved to come at her brother's urgentcall for help to save his boys. The tutor had only a few hours of hisposition, and thus far his salary seemed the attractive feature. James Jr. And Malcolm were too dazed to be natural for a short time. They had beenpicked up bodily, and carried kicking and screaming to this place, wherethey had been dressed in plain durable clothing. Malcolm's bed stoodbeside Little Brother's in a big sunny room; James' was near the tutor'sin a chamber the counterpart of the other, save for its bookcases liningone wall. 

There was a schoolroom not yet furnished with more than tables and chairs, its floors and walls bare, its windows having shades only. When worn outwith the struggle the amazed boys had succumbed to sleep on little, hard, white beds with plain covers; had awakened to a cold bath at the hands ofa man, and when they rebelled and called for Lucette and their accustomedclothing, were forcibly dressed in linen and khaki. 

In a few minutes together before they were called to breakfast, James hadconfided to Malcolm that he thought if they rushed into William's backwith all their strength, on the top step, they could roll him downstairsand bang him up good. Malcolm had doubts, but he was willing to try. William was alert, because as many another "newsy" he had known these boysin the park; so when the rush came, a movement too quick for untrainedeyes to follow swung him around a newel post, while both boys bumping, screaming, rolled to the first landing and rebounded from a wall harderthan they. When no one hastened at their screams to pick them up, theyarose fighting each other. The tutor passed and James tried to kick him, merely because he could. He was not there either, but he stopped for thisadvice to the astonished boy: "If I were you I wouldn't do that. This is afree country, and if you have a right to kick me, I have the same right tokick you. I wouldn't like to do it. I'd rather allow mules and vicioushorses to do the kicking; still if you're bound to kick, I can; but myfoot is so much bigger than yours, and if I forgot and took you for afootball, you'd probably have to go to the hospital and lie in a plastercast a week or so. If I were you, I wouldn't! Let's go watch the birdstill breakfast is called, instead. "

The invitation was not accepted. The tutor descended alone. As he steppedto the veranda he met Mr. Minturn. 

"Well?" that gentleman asked tersely. 

Mr. Tower shook his head. He was studying law. He needed money to completehis course. He needed many things he could acquire from James Minturn. 

"It's a problem, " he said guardedly. 

"You draw your salary for its solution, " Mr. Minturn said tartly. "Work onthe theory I outlined; if it fails after a fair test, we'll try another. Those boys have got to be saved. They are handsome little chaps with finebodies and good ancestry. What happened just now?"

"They tried to rush William on the top step. William evaporated, so theytook the fall themselves. "

"Exactly right, " commented Mr. Minturn. "Get the idea and work on it. Every rough, heartless thing they attempt, if at all possible, make it aboomerang to strike them their own blow; but you reserve blows as a lastresort. There is the bell. " Mr. Minturn called: "Boys! The breakfast bellis ringing. Come!"

There was not a sound. Mr. Minturn nodded to the tutor. Together theyascended the stairs. They found the boys hidden in a wardrobe. Mr. Minturnopened the door, gravely looking at them. 

"Boys, " he said, "you're going to live with me after this, so you're tocome when I call you. You're going to eat the food that makes _men_ ofboys, where I can see what you get. You are going to do what I believebest for you, until you are so educated that you are capable of thinkingfor yourselves. Now what you must do, is to come downstairs and take yourplaces at the table. If you don't feel hungry, you needn't eat; but Iwould advise you to make a good meal. I intend to send you to the countryin the car. You'll soon want food. With me you will not be allowed tolunch at any hour, in cafes and restaurants. If you don't eat yourbreakfast you will get nothing until noon. It is up to you. Come on!"

Neither boy moved. Mr. Minturn smiled at them. 

"The sooner you quit this, the sooner all of us will be comfortable, " hesaid casually. "Observe my size. See Mr. Tower, a college athlete, whowill teach you ball, football, tennis, swimming in lakes and riding, allthe things that make boys manly men; better stop sulking in a closet andshow your manhood. With one finger either of us can lift you out and carryyou down by force; and we will, but why not be gentlemen and walk down aswe do?"

Both boys looked at him; then at each other, but remained where they were. 

"Time is up!" said Mr. Minturn. "They've had their chance, Mr. Tower. Ifthey won't take it, they must suffer the consequences. Take Malcolm, I'llbring James. "

Instantly both boys began to fight. No one bribed them to stop, struckthem, or did anything at all according to precedent. They raged until theyexposed a vulnerable point, then each man laid hold, lifted and carefullycarried down a boy, placing him on a chair. James instantly slid to thefloor. 

"Take James' chair away!" ordered Mr. Minturn. "He prefers to be served onthe floor. "

Malcolm laughed. 

"I don't either. I slipped, " cried James. 

"Then excuse yourself, resume your chair, and be mighty careful you don'tslip again. "

 James looked at his father sullenly, but at last muttered, "Excuse me, "and took the chair. With bright inflamed eyes they stared at their almostunknown father, who now had them in his power; at a woman they scarcelyknew, whom they were told to call Aunt Margaret; at a strange man who wasto take Lucette's place, and who had a grip that made hers seem feeble, and who was to teach them the things of which they knew nothing, andtherefore hated; and at a boy nearer their own size and years, whom theirfather called William. Both boys refused fruit and cereal, rudelydemanding cake and ice cream. Margaret Winslow looked at her brother indespair. He placidly ate his breakfast, remarking that the cook was atreasure. As he left the table Mr. Minturn laid the papers before hissister, indicating the paragraphs he had read, then calling for his car hetook the tutor and the boys and left for his office. He ordered them toreturn for him at half-past eleven, and with minute instructions as to howthey were to proceed, Mr. Tower and William drove to the country to beginthe breaking in of the Minturn boys. 

They disdained ball, did not care for football, improvised golf clubs anda baseball were not interesting, further than the use of the clubs on eachother, which was not allowed. They did not care what the flowers were, they jerked them up by the roots when they saw it annoyed Mr. Tower, whileevery bird in range flew from a badly aimed stone. They tried chasing aflock of sheep, which chased beautifully for a short distance, then a ramdeclined to run farther and butted the breath from Malcolm's small bodyuntil it had to be shaken in again. They ran amuck and on finding theywere not pursued, gave up, stopping on the bank of a creek. There theyespied tiny shining fish swimming through the water and plunged in to tryto capture them. When Mr. Tower and William came up, both boys were busychasing fish. From a bank where they sat watching came a proposal fromWilliam. 

"I'll tell you fellows, I believe if we could build a dam we could catchthem. Gather stones and pile them up till I get my shoes off. "

Instantly both boys obeyed. Mr. Tower and William stripped their feet, androlled their trousers. Into the creek they went setting stones, packingwith sod and muck, using sticks and leaves until in a short time they hada dam before which the water began rising, then overflowing. 

"Now we must wait until it clears, " said William. 

So they sat under a tree to watch until in the clean pool formed theycould see little fish gathering. Then the boys lay on the banks and triedto catch them with their hands, and succeeded in getting a few. Mr. Towersuggested they should make pools, one on each side of the creek, for theirfish, so they eagerly went to work. They pushed and slapped each other, they fought over the same stone, but each constructed with his own hands astone and mud enclosed pool in which to pen his fish. They were reallyinterested in what they were doing, they really worked, also soon theywere really tired, they were really hungry. With imperative voice theydemanded food. 

"You forget what your father told you at breakfast, " said Mr. Tower. "Heknew you were coming to the country where you couldn't get food. Williamand I are not hungry. We want to catch these little fish, and see who canget the most. We think it's fun. We can't take the car back until yourfather said to come. "

"You take us back right now, and order meat, and cake, and salad and icecream, lots of it!" stormed James. 

"I have to obey your father!" said Mr. Tower. 

"I just hate fathers!" cried James. 

"I'll wager you do!" conceded Mr. Tower. 

James stared open mouthed. 

"I can see how you feel, " said Mr. Tower companionably. "When a fellow hasbeen coddled by nurses all his life, has no muscle, no appetite except forthe things he shouldn't have, and never has done anything but silly park-playing, it must be a great change to be out with men, and doing as theydo. "

Both boys were listening, so he went on: "But don't feel badly, and don'twaste breath hating. Save it for the grand fun we are going to have, andnext time good food is before you, eat like men. We don't start back foran hour yet; see which can catch the most fish in that time. "

"Where is Lucette?" demanded James. 

"Gone back to her home across the ocean; you'll never see her again, " saidMr. Tower. 

"Wish I could a-busted her head before she went!" said James regretfully. 

"No doubt, " laughed Mr. Tower. "But break your own and see how it feelsbefore you try it on any one else. "

"I wish I could break yours!" cried James angrily. 

"No doubt again, " agreed the tutor, "but if you do, the man who takes myplace may not know how to make bows and arrows, or build dams, or anythingthat's fun, while he may not be so patient as I am. "

"Being hungry ain't fun, " growled Malcolm. 

"That's your own fault, " Mr. Tower reminded him. "You wouldn't eat. Thatwas a good breakfast. "

"Wasn't a thing Lucette gave us!" scoffed James. 

"But you don't like Lucette very well, " said Mr. Tower. "After you've beena man six months, you won't eat cake for breakfast; or much of it at anytime. "

"Lucette is never coming back?" marvelled Malcolm. 

"Never!" said Mr. Tower conclusively. 

"How soon are we going home?" demanded James. 

"Never!" replied Mr. Tower. "You are going to live where you were lastnight, after this. "

"Where is Mamma?" cried Malcolm. 

"Gone for the summer, " explained Mr. Tower. 

"I know. She always goes, " said James. "But she took us before. I justhate it. I like this better. We make no difference to her anyway. Let hergo!"

"Ain't we rich boys any more?" inquired Malcolm. 

"I don't know, " said Mr. Tower. "That is your father's business. I thinkyou have as much money as ever, but from now on, you are going to livelike men. "

"We won't live like men!" cried both boys. 

"Now look here, " said Mr. Tower kindly, "you may take my word for it thata big boy almost ten years old, and another nearly his age, who can barelyread, who can't throw straight, who can't swim, or row, or walk a milewithout puffing like an engine, who begins to sweat over lifting a fewstones, is a mighty poor specimen. You think you are wonders becauseyou've heard yourself called big, fine boys; you are soft fatties. I cantake you to the park and pick out any number of boys half your size andage who can make either of you yell for mercy in three seconds. You aren'tboys at all; if you had to get on your feet and hike back to town, beforea mile you'd be lying beside the road bellowing worse than I've heard youyet. You aren't as tough and game as half the girls of your age I know. "

"You shut your mouth!" cried James in rage. "Mother'll fire you!"

"It is you who are fired, young man, " said the tutor. "Your mother is faraway by this time. She left you boys with your father, who pays me to make_men_ of you, so I'm going to do it. You are big enough to know thatyou'll never be men, motoring around with nurses, like small babies;eating cake and ice cream when your bones and muscles are in need ofstiffening and toughening. William, peel off your shirt, and show thesechaps how a man's muscle should be. "

William obeyed, swelling his muscles. 

"Now you try that, " suggested Mr. Tower to James, "and see how much muscleyou can raise. "

"I'm no gutter snipe, " he sneered. "I'm a gentleman! I don't need muscle. I'm never going to work. "

"But you've just been working!" cried the tutor. "Carrying those stoneswas work, and you'll remember it took both of you to lift one thatWilliam, who is only a little older than you, James, moved with one hand. You can't _play_ without working. You've got to pull to row a boat, orhold a horse. You must step out lively to play tennis, or golf, or toskate, while if you try to swim without work, you'll drown. "

"I ain't going to do those things!" retorted James. 

"No, you are going to spend your life riding in an automobile with anurse, feeding you cake!" scoffed the tutor. 

William shouted and turned a cart wheel so flashingly quick that both boysjumped, James' face coloured a slow red, so the tutor took hope. 

"I see that makes you blush, " he said. "No wonder! You should be as toughas leather, and spinning along this creek bank like William. Instead youare a big, bloated softy. You carry too much fat for your size, while youare mushy as pudding! If I were you, I'd show my father how much of a manI could be, instead of how much of a baby. "

"Father isn't a gentleman!" announced Malcolm. "Lucette said so!"

"Hush!" cried Mr. Tower. "Don't you ever say that again! Your father isone of the big men of this great city: one of the men who think, plan, andmake things happen, that result in health, safety and comfort for all ofus. One of the men who is going to rule, not only his own home, but thiscity, and this whole state, one of these days. You don't _know_ yourfather. You don't know what men say and think of him. You do know thatLucette was fit for nothing but to wash and dress you like babies, bigboys who should have been _ashamed_ to let a woman wait on them. You doknow that she is on her way back where she came from, because she couldnot do her work right. And you have the nerve to tell me what she saidabout a fine man like your father. I'm amazed at you!"

"Gentlemen don't work!" persisted Malcolm. "Mother said so!"

"I'm sorry to contradict your mother, but she forgot something, " said Mr. Tower. "If the world has any gentlemen it surely should be those born forgenerations of royal and titled blood, and reared from their cradles inevery tradition of their rank. Europe is full of them, and many are superbmen. I know a few. Now will you tell me where they are to-day? They aredown in trenches six feet under ground, shivering in mud and water, halfdead for sleep, food, and rest, trying to save the land of their birth, the homes they own, to protect the women and children they love. They aremarching miles, being shot down in cavalry rushes, and blown up in boatsthey are manning, in their fight to save their countries. _Gentlemen don'twork!_ You are too much of an idiot to talk with, if you don't know howgentlemen of birth, rank and by nature are working this very day. "

The descent on him was precipitate and tumultuous. 

"The war!" shouted both boys in chorus. "Tell us about the war! Oh I justlove the war!" cried Malcolm. "When I'm a man I'm going to have a bigshiny sword, and ride, and fight, and make the enemy fly! You ought toseen Gretchen and Lucette fight! They ain't either one got much hairleft. "

The tutor could not help laughing; but he made room for a boy on eitherside of him, and began on the war. It was a big subject, there were phasesof it that shocked and repulsed him; but it was his task to undo the wrongwork of ten years, he was forced to use the instrument that wouldaccomplish that end. With so much material he could tell of thingsunavoidable, that men of strength and courage were doing, not forgettingthe boys and the _women_. William stretched at his feet and occasionallymade a suggestion, or asked a question, while James and Malcolm wereinterested in something at last. When it was time to return, neitherwanted to go. 

"Your father's orders were to come for him at half-past eleven, " remindedMr. Tower. "I work for him, so I must obey!"

"Nobody pays any attention to father, " cried James. "I order you to stayhere and tell of the fighting. Tell about the French boy who wouldn't showwhere the troops were. "

"Oh, I am to take orders from you, am I?" queried Mr. Tower. "All right!Pay my salary and give me the money to buy our lunch!"

James stood thinking a second. "I have all the money I want, " he said. "Igo to Mrs. Ranger for my money. Mother always makes her give me what I askfor. "

"You have forgotten that you have moved, and brought only yourselves, "said Mr. Tower. "Your mother and the money are gone. Your father pays thebills now, and if you'll watch sharp, you'll see that things have changedsince this time yesterday. Every one pays all the attention there is to_father_ now. What we have, and do, and want, must come from him, and asit's a big contract, and he's needed to help manage this city, we'd betterbegin thinking about father, and taking care of him as much as we can. Nowwe are to obey him. Come on William. It's lunch time, and I'm hungry. "

The boys climbed into the car without a word, and before it had gone amile Malcolm slipped against the tutor and shortly thereafter James slidto the floor, tired to insensibility and sound asleep. So Mr. Minturnfound them when he came from his office. He looked them over carefully, wet, mud-stained, grimy, bruised and sleeping in exhaustion. 

"Poor little soldiers, " he said. "Your battle has been a hard one I see. Ihope to God you gained a victory. "

He entered the car, picked up James and taking him in his arms laid thetired head on his breast, leaning his face against the boy's hair. Whenthe car stopped at the new house, the tutor waited for instructions. 

"Wake them up, make them wash themselves, and come to lunch, " said Mr. Minturn. "Afterward, if they are sleepy, let them nap. They must establishregular habits at the beginning. It's the only way. "

Dashes of cold water helped, so William and the tutor telling each otherhow hungry they were, brought two boys ready to eat anything, to thetable. Cake and cream were not mentioned. Bread and milk, cold meat, salad, and a plain pudding were delicious. Between bites James studied hisfather, then suddenly burst forth: "Are you a gentleman?"

"I try to be, " answered Mr. Minturn. 

"Are you running this city?" put in Malcolm. 

"I am doing what I can to help, " said his father. 

"Make Johnston take me home to get my money. "

"You have no home but this, " said Mr. Minturn. "Your old home now belongsto the city of Multiopolis. It is to be torn up and made over into a placewhere sick children can be cured. If you are ever too ill for us tomanage, we'll take you there to be doctored. "

"Will mother and Lucette be there?" asked James. 

Malcolm nudged his brother. 

"Can't you remember?" he said. "Lucette has gone across the ocean, and sheis never coming back, goody! goody! And you know about how much mothercares when we are sick. She's _coming_ the other _way_, when anybody is_sick_. She just hates sick people. Let _them_ go, and get your _money!_"

Thus reminded, James began again, "I want to get my money. "

"Your money came from your mother, so it went with your home, yourclothes, and your playthings, " explained Mr. Minturn. "You have none untilyou _earn_ some. I can give you a home, education, and a fine positionwhen you are old enough to hold it; but I _can't give you money. No oneever gave me any. I always had to work for mine. From now on you are goingto live with me, so if you have money you'll have to go to work and earnit_. "

Both boys looked aghast at him. "Ain't we rich any more?"

"No, " said Mr. Minturn. "Merely comfortable!"

James leaned back in his chair, twisting his body in its smooth linencovering. He looked intently at the room, table and people surrounding it. He glanced from the window at the wide green lawn, the big trees, and foran instant seemed to be listening to the birds singing there. He laid downhis fork, turning to his brother. Then he exploded the bomb that shatteredthe family. 

"Oh damn being rich!" he cried. "I like being _comfortable_ a _lot_better! Malcolm, being rich has put us about ten miles behind where weought to be. We're baby-girl softies! We wouldn't a-faced the guns and_not_ told where the soldiers were, _we'd_ a-bellered for cake. Brace up!Let's get in the game! Father, have we got to go on the street and huntwork, or can you give us a job?"

James Minturn tried to speak, then pushing back his chair left the tableprecipitately. James Jr. Looked after him doubtfully. He turned to AuntMargaret. 

"Please excuse me, " he said. "I guess he's choked. I'd better go pound himon the back like Lucette does us. "

Malcolm looked at Aunt Margaret. "Mother won't let us work, " he announced. 

"It's like this Malcolm, " said Aunt Margaret gently. "Mother had charge ofyou for ten years. The women she employed didn't train you as boys shouldbe, so mother has turned you over to father. For the next ten years youwill try _another_ plan; after that, you will be big enough to decide howyou want to live; but now I think you will just love father's way, if youwill behave yourself long enough to find out what fun it is. "

"Mother won't like it, " said Malcolm positively. 

"I think she does dear, or she wouldn't have gone and left you to try it, "said Aunt Margaret. "She knew what your father would think you should do;if she hadn't thought he was _right_ she would have taken you with her, asbefore. "

"I just hate being taken on trains and boats with her. So does James! Welike the dam, the fish, and we're going to have bows and arrows, to shootat mark. 

"And we are going to swim and row, " added William. 

"And we are going to be soldiers, and hurl back the enemy, " boastedMalcolm, "ain't we Mr. Tower?"

"Indian scouts are more fun, " suggested the tutor. 

"And there is the money we must earn, if we've _got_ to, " said Malcolm. "Iguess father is telling James how. I'll go ask him too. Excuse me, AuntMargaret!"

"Of all the surprises I ever did have, this is the biggest one!" said AuntMargaret. "I was afraid I never could like them. I thought this morning itwould take years. "

"There is nothing like the receptivity and plasticity of children, " saidthe tutor. 

Later James Minturn appeared on his veranda with a small boy clinging toeach hand. The trio came forth with red eyes, but firmly allied. 

"Call the car, if you please, William, " said Senior. "I am going to helpbuild that dam higher, and see how many fish I can catch for my pool. "

Malcolm walked beside him, rubbing his head caressingly across an arm. "Wedon't have to go on the streets and hunt, " he announced. "Father is goingto find us work. While the war is so bad, we'll drink milk, and send whatwe earn to boys who have no father. The war won't take our father, willit?"

"To-night we will pray God not to let that happen, " said Aunt Margaret. "Is there room in the car for me too, James? I haven't seen one of thoselittle brook fish in years!"

James Jr. Went to her and leaned against her chair. "I got three in mypool. You may see mine! I'll give you one. "

"I'd love to see them, " said Aunt Margaret. "I'll go bring my hat. But Ithink you shouldn't give the fish away, James. They belong to God. He madetheir home in the water. If you take them out, you will kill them, and Hewon't like that. Let's just look at them, and leave them in the water. "

"Malcolm, the fish 'belong to God, '" said James, turning to his brother. "We may play with them, but we mustn't take them out of the water and hurtthem. "

"Well, who's going to take them out of the water?" cried Malcolm. "I'mjust going to scoot one over into father's pool to start him. Will yougive him one too?" "Yes, " said James Jr. 

"The next money I earn, I shall send to the war; but the first time I rakethe lawn, and clean the rugs, I'll give what I earn to father, so he willhave more time to play with us. Father is the biggest man in this city!"

"It may take a few days to get a new régime started, " said father, "I'velived only for work so long; but as soon as it's possible, my day will beso arranged that some part of it shall be yours, boys, to show me what youare doing. I think one day can be given wholly to going to the country. "

With an ecstatic whoop they rushed James Minturn, whose wide aching armsopened to them. 

CHAPTER X

_The Wheel of Life_

"What are your plans for this summer, Leslie?" asked Mr. Winton over hispaper at breakfast. 

"The real question is, what are yours?"

"I have none, " said Mr. Winton. "I can't see my way to making any formyself. Between us, strictly, Swain has been hard hit. He gave me mychance in life. It isn't in my skin to pack up and leave for the sea-shoreor the mountains on the results of what he helped me to, and allow him toput up his fight _alone_. If you understood, you'd be ashamed of me if Idid, Leslie. "

"But I do understand, Daddy!" cried the girl. "What makes you think Idon't? All my life you've been telling me how you love Mr. Swain and whata splendid big thing he did for you when you were young. Is the war makingbusiness awfully hard for you men?"

"Close my girl, " said Mr. Winton. "Bed rock close!"

"That is what cramps Mr. Swain?" she continued. 

"It is what cramps all of us, " said Mr. Winton. "It hit him with peculiarforce because he had made bad investments. He was running light anyway inan effort to recoup. All of us are on a tension brought about by theresult of political changes, to which we were struggling to adjustourselves, when the war began working greater hardships and entailingmillions of loss and expenses. "

"I see, and that's why I said the real question was, 'what are yourplans?'" explained Leslie, "because when I find out, if perchance theyshould involve staying on the job this summer, why I wanted to tell youthat I'm on the job too. I've thought out the grandest scheme. "

"Yes, Leslie? Tell me!" said Mr. Winton. 

"It's like this, " said Leslie. "Everybody is economizing, shamelessly--andthat's a bully word, Daddy, for in most instances it is shameless. Openfaced 'Lord save me and my wife, and my son John and his wife. ' In ourwomen's clubs and lectures, magazines and sermons, we've had a steady doseall winter of hard times, and economy, and I've tried to make my friendssee that their efforts at economy are responsible for the very hardestcrux of the hard times. "

"You mean, Leslie--?" suggested Mr. Winton eagerly. 

"I mean all of us quit using eggs, dealers become frightened, eggs soarhigher. Economize on meat, packers buy less, meat goes up. All of usdischarge our help, army of unemployed swells by millions. It works twoways and every friend I've got is economizing for herself, and with everystroke for herself she is weakening her nation's financial position andputting a bigger burden on the man she is trying to help. "

"Well Leslie--" cried her father. 

"The time has come for women to find out what it is all about, then puttheir shoulders to the wheel of life and push. But before we gain enoughforce to start with any momentum, women must get together and decide whatthey want, what they are pushing for. "

"Have you decided what you are pushing for?"

"Unalterably!" cried the girl. 

"And what is it?" asked her father. 

"My happiness! My joy in life!" she exclaimed. 

"And exactly in what do you feel your happiness consists, Leslie?" heasked. 

"You and Douglas! My home and my men and what they imply!" she answeredinstantly. "As I figure it, it's _homes_ that count, Daddy. If the nationprospers, the birth rate of Americans has got to keep up, or soon theimmigrants will be in control everywhere, as they are in places, rightnow. Births imply homes. Homes suggest men to support them, women tocontrol them. If the present unrest resolves itself into a personalquestion, so far as the women are concerned at least, if you are going toget to primal things, whether she realizes it or no, what each womanreally _wants_ she learns, as Nellie Minturn learned when she took hernaked soul into the swamp and showed it to her God--what each woman_wants_ is her man, her cave, and her baby. If the world is to prosper, _that_ is woman's work, why don't you men who are doing big things_realize_ it, and do yourselves what women are going to be forced fromhome to _do_, mighty soon now, if you don't!"

"Well Leslie!" cried Mr. Winton. 

"You said that before Daddy!" exclaimed the girl. "Yet what you truly wantof a woman is a home and children. Children imply to all men what I am toyou. If some men have not reared their children so that they receive fromthem what you get from me, it is time for the men to _realize_ this, andchange their methods of _rearing_ their daughters and sons. A home shouldmean to every man what your home does to you. If all men do not get fromtheir homes what you do, in most cases it is _their own fault_. Of courseI know there are women so abominably obsessed with self, they refuse tobecome mothers, and prefer a café, with tangoing between courses, to ahome; such women should have first the ducking stool, and if that isn'tefficacious, extermination; they are a disgrace to our civilization andthe weakest spot we have. They are at the bottom of the present boilingdiscontent of women who really want to be home loving, home keeping. Theyare directly responsible for the fathers, sons, brothers, and lovers withtwo standards of morals. A man reared in the right kind of a home, by areal mother, who goes into other homes of the same kind, ruled by similarmothers, when he leaves his, and marries the right girl and establishesfor himself a real home, is not going to go _wrong_. It is the sons, lovers, and husbands of the women who refuse home and children, and carrytheir men into a perpetual round of what they deem pleasure in theiryouth, who find life desolate when age begins to come, and who instantlyrebel strongest against the very conditions they have made. I've beenlistening to you all my life, Daddy, and remembering mother, reading, thinking, and watching for what really pays, and believe me, _I've foundout_. I gave Nellie Minturn the best in my heart the other day, but youshould see what I got back. Horrors, Daddy! Just plain horrors! I said toDouglas that night when I read him the letter I afterward showed you, thatif, as she suggested, I was 'ever faintly tempted to neglect home life forsociety, ' in her I would have all the 'horrible example' I'd ever need, and rest assured I shall. "

"Poor woman!" exclaimed Mr. Winton. 

"Exactly!" cried Leslie. "And the poorest thing about it is that _she_ isnot to _blame_ in the least. You and my mother could have made the samekind of a woman of me. If you had fed me cake instead of bread; if you hadgiven me candy instead of fruit; if you had taken me to the show insteadof entertaining me at home; if you had sent me to summer resorts insteadof summering with me in the country, you'd have had another Nellie on yourhands. The world is full of Nellies, but where one woman flees too strictand monotonous a home, to make a Nellie out of herself, ten are taken outand deliberately moulded, drilled and fashioned into Nellies by their ownparents. I have lain awake at nights figuring this, Daddy; some woman isurging me every day to join different movements, and I've been forced tostudy this out. I know the cause of the present unrest among women. "

"And it is--?" suggested Mr. Winton. 

"It is the rebound from the pioneer lives of our grandmothers! They andtheir mothers were at one extreme; we are at the widest sweep of theother. They were forced to enter the forest and in most cases defendthemselves from savages and animals; to work without tools, to live withfew comforts. In their determination to save their children fromhardships, they lost sense, ballast and reason. They have saved them tosuch an extent they have _lost_ them. By the very method of their rearing, they have robbed their children of love for, and interest in, home life, and with their own hands sent them to cafés and dance halls, when theyshould be at their homes training their children for the fashioning offuture homes. I tell you, Daddy----"

"Leslie, tell me this, " interposed Mr. Winton. "Did you get any small partof what you have been saying to me, from me? Do you feel what I have triedto teach you, and the manner in which I have tried to rear you, have putyour love for me into your heart and such ideas as you are propoundinginto your head?"

"Of course, Daddy!" cried the girl. "Who else? Mother was dear andwonderful, but I scarcely remember her. What you put into the growth ofme, that is what is bound to come out, when I begin to liveindependently. "

"This is the best moment of my life!" said Mr. Winton. "From your birthyou have been the better part of me, to me; and with all my heart I have_tried_ to fashion you into such a woman for a future home, as your motherbegan, and you have completed for me. Other things have failed me; I countyou my success, Leslie!"

"Oh Daddy!" cried the happy girl. 

"Now go back to our start, " said Mr. Winton. "You have plans for thesummer, of course! I realized that at the beginning. Are you ready to tellme?"

"I am ready to ask you, " she said. 

"Thank you, " said Mr. Winton. "I appreciate the difference. Surely a mandoes enjoy counting for something with his women. "

"Spoiled shamelessly, dearest, that's what you are, " said Leslie. "Aspoiled, pampered father! But to conclude. Mr. Swain helped you. Pay back, Daddy, no matter what the cost; pay _back_. You help _him_, I'll help_you!_ My idea was this: for weeks I've foreseen that you wouldn't like toleave business this summer. Douglas is delving into that investigation Mr. Minturn started him on and he couldn't be dragged away. He's perfectlypossessed. Of course where my men are, like Ruth, 'there will be I also, 'so for days I've been working on a plan, and now it's all finished andwaiting your veto or approval. "

"Thrilling, Leslie! Tell quickly. I'm all agog!"

"It's this: let's not go away and spend big sums on travel, dress, andclose the house, and throw our people out of work. Do you realize, Daddy, how long you've had the same housekeeper, cook, maid and driver? Do youknow how badly I'd feel to let them go, and risk getting them back in thefall? My scheme is to rent, for practically nothing, a log cabin I know, alittle over an hour's run from here--a log cabin with four rooms and alean-to and a log stable, beside a lake where there is grand fishing andswimming. "

"But Leslie----" protested Mr. Winton. 

"Now listen!" cried the girl. "The rent is nominal. We get the house, stable, orchard, garden, a few acres and a rented cow. The cabin has twotiny rooms above, one for you, the other for Douglas. Below, it has a roomfor me, a dining-room and a kitchen. The big log barn close beside hasspace in the hay-mow for the women, and in one side below for our driver, the other for the cars. Over the cabin is a grapevine. Around it there arefruit trees. There is a large, rich garden. If I had your permission Icould begin putting in vegetables tomorrow that would make our summersupply. Rogers----"

"You are not going to tell me Rogers would touch a garden?" queried Mr. Winton. 

"I am going to tell you that Rogers has been with me in every step of myinvestigations, " replied Leslie. "Yesterday I called in my household andgave them a lecture on the present crisis; I found them a remarkably well-informed audience. They had a very distinct idea that if I economized bydismissing them for the summer, and leaving the house with a caretaker, what it would mean to _them_. Then I took my helpers into the car anddrove out the Atwater road--you know it well Daddy, the road that runssmooth over miles of country and then instead of jumping into a lake as itseems to be going to, it swings into corduroy through a marsh, runs up ona little bridge spanning the channel between two lakes, lifts to Atwaterlake shore, than which none is more lovely--you remember the white sandfloor and the clean water for swimming--climbs another hill, and oppositebeautiful wood, there stands the log cabin I told you of, there I tookthem and explained. They could clean up in a day; Rogers could plant thegarden and take enough on one truck load, for a beginning. We may havewood for the fireplace by gathering it from the forest floor. Rogersagain!"

"Are you quite _sure_ about Rogers?"

"Suppose you ride with him going down and ask him yourself, " suggestedLeslie. "Rogers is anxious to hold his place. You see it's like this: allof them get regular wages, have a chance at the swimming, rowing, gardening and the country. The saving comes in on living expenses. Outthere we have the cow, flour, fish, and poultry from the neighbours, fresheggs, butter and the garden--I can cut expenses to one-fourth; lightsaltogether. Moonshine and candles will serve; cooking fuel, gasoline. Daddy will you go to-night and see?"

"No, I won't go to-night and see, I'll go swim and fish, " said Mr. Winton. "Great Heavens, Leslie, do you really mean to live all _summer_ beside alake, where a man can expand, absorb and exercise? I must get out myfishing tackle. I wonder what Douglas has! I've tried that lake when basswere slashing around wild thorn and crab trees shedding petals and bugs. It is man's sport there! I like black bass fishing. I remember that water. Fine for swimming! Not the exhilaration of salt, perhaps, but grand, clean, old northern Indiana water, cooled by springs. I love it! Lord, Leslie! Why don't we _own_ that place? Why haven't we homed there, andbeen comfortable for years?"

"I shall go ahead then?" queried Leslie. 

"You shall go a-hurry, Miss, hurry!" cried Mr. Winton. "I'll give you justtwo days. One to clean, the other to move; to-morrow night send for me. Iwant a swim; and cornbread, milk, and three rashers of bacon for my dinnerand nothing else; and can't the maids have my room and let me have ablanket on the hay?"

"But father, the garden!" cautioned Leslie. 

"Oh drat the garden!" cried Mr. Winton. 

"But if you go dratting things, I can't economize, " the girl reminded him. "Rogers and I have that garden down on paper, and it's _late_ now. "

"Leslie, don't the golf links lie half a mile from there?"

"Closer Daddy, " said the girl, "right around the corner. "

"I don't see why you didn't think of it before, " he said. "Have you toldDouglas?"

"Not a word!" exclaimed Leslie. "I'm going to invite him out wheneverything is in fine order. "

"Don't make things fine, " said Mr. Winton. "Let's have them rough!"

"They will be rough enough to suit you, Daddy, " laughed Leslie, "but a fewthings have got to be done. "

"Then hurry, but don't forget the snake question. "

"People are and have been living there for generations; common care is allthat is required, " said Leslie. "I'll be careful, but if you tell Bruceuntil I am ready, I'll never forgive you. "

Mr. Winton arose. "'Come to me arms, '" he laughed, spreading them wide. "Iwonder if Douglas Bruce knows what a treasure he is going to possess!"

"Certainly not!" said Leslie emphatically. "I wouldn't have him know forthe world! I am going to be his progressive housekeeping party, to whichhe is invited every day, after we are married, and each day he has got anew surprise coming, that I hope he will like. The woman who endures andwears well in matrimony is the one who 'keeps something to herself. ' It'smy opinion that modern marriage would be more satisfactory if the engagedparties would not come so nearly being married, for so long before theyare. There is so little left for afterward, in most cases, that it soongrows monotonous. "

"Leslie, where did you get all of this?" he asked. 

"I told you. From you, mostly, " explained the girl, "and from watching myfriends. Go on Daddy! And send Rogers back soon! I want to begin buyingradish seed and onion sets. "

So Leslie telephoned Douglas Bruce that she would be very busy withhousekeeping affairs the coming two days. She made a list of what would berequired for that day, left the maids to collect it, and went to buy seedsand a few tools; then returning she divided her forces and leaving part topack the bedding, old dishes and things absolutely required for living, she took the loaded car and drove to Atwater Lake. 

The owner of the land, a cultured, refined gentleman, who spoke the samebrand of English used by the Wintons, and evinced a knowledge of the samebooks, was genuinely interested in Leslie and her plans. It was a landowner's busiest season, but he spared a man an hour with a plow to turn upthe garden, and came down himself and with practiced hand swung thescythe, and made sure about the snakes. Soon the maids had the cabin wallsswept, the floors scrubbed, the windows washed, and that was all thatcould be done. The seeds were earth enfolded in warm black beds, withflower seeds tucked in for borders. The cut grass was raked back, andspread to dry for the rented cow. 

When nothing further was to be accomplished there, they returned toMultiopolis to hasten preparations for the coming day. It was all so goodLeslie stopped at her father's office and poured a flood of cloverbloom, bird notes and water shimmer into his willing ears. 

She seldom went to Douglas Bruce's offices, but she ran up a few momentsto try in person to ease what she felt would be disappointment in notspending the evening with her. The day would be full far into the nightwith affairs at home, he would notice the closing of the house, and shecould not risk him spoiling her plans by finding out what they were, before she was ready. She found him surrounded with huge ledgers, delvingand already fretting for Mickey. She stood laughing in his doorway, halfpiqued to find him so absorbed in his work, and so full of the boy he wasmissing, that he seemed to take her news that she was too busy to see himthat night with quite too bearable calmness; but his earnestness aboutcoming the following night worked his pardon, so Leslie left laughing toherself over the surprise in store for him. 

Bruce bent over his work, praying for Mickey. Everything went wrongwithout him. He was enough irritated by the boy who was not Mickey, thatwhen the boy who was Mickey came to his door, he was delighted to see him. He wanted to say: "Hello, little friend. Come get in the game, quickly!"but two considerations withheld him: Mickey's manners were a trifle toocasual; at times they irritated Douglas, and if he took the boy into hislife as he hoped to, he would come into constant contact with Leslie andher friends, who were cultured people of homing instincts. Mickey'smanners must be polished, and the way to do it was not to drop to hislevel, but to improve Mickey. And again, the day before, he had toldMickey to sit down and wait until an order was given him. To invite him to"get in the game" now, was good alliteration; it pleased the formal Scotchear as did many another United States phrase of the street, so musical, concise and packed with meaning as to become almost classic; but in hisheart he meant as Mickey had suspected, "to do him good"; so he must layhis foundations with care. What he said was a cordial and cheerful, "Goodmorning!"

"Noon, " corrected Mickey. "Right ye are! Good it is! What's my job? 'Scuseme! I won't ask that again!"

"Plenty, " Douglas admitted, "but first, any luck with the paper route?"

"All over but killing the boy I sold it to, if he doesn't do right. Iain't perfectly crazy about him. He's a papa's boy and pretty soft; butmaybe he'll learn. It was a fine chance for me, so I soaked it. "

"To whom did you sell, Mickey?" asked Douglas. 

"To your driver, for his boy, " answered Mickey. "We talked it over lastnight. Say, was your driver 'the same continued, ' or did you detectglimmerings of beefsteak and blood in him this morning?"

"Why?" asked Douglas curiously. 

"Oh he's such a stiff, " explained Mickey. "He looks about as lively as asalted herring. "

"And did you make an effort to enliven him, Mickey?"

"Sure!" cried Mickey. "The operation was highly successful! The patientmade a fine recovery. Right on the job, right on the street, right at thethickest traffic corner, right at 'dead man's crossing, ' he let out awhoop that split the features of a copper who hadn't smiled in years. Itwas a double play and it worked fine. What I want to know is whether itwas fleeting or holds over. "

"It must be 'over, ' Mickey, " said Douglas. "Since you mention it, heopened the door with the information that it was a fine morning, while Irecall that there was colour on his face, and light in his usually dulleyes. "

"Good!" cried Mickey. "Then there's some hope that his kid may go and dolikewise. "

"The boy who takes your route has to smile, Mickey?"

"Well you see most of my morning customers are regulars, so they are usedto it, " said Mickey. "The minute one goes into his paper, he's lost 'tilknocking off time; but if he starts on a real-wide-a-wake-soulful smile, he's a chance of reproducing it, before the day is over, leastwise he has_more_ chance than if he never smiles. "

"So it is a part of the contract that the boy smiles at his work?"questioned Douglas. 

"_It is so!_" exclaimed Mickey. "I asked Mr. Chaffner at the _Herald_office what was a fair price for my route. You see I've sold the _Herald_from the word go, and we're pretty thick. So he told me what he thought. It lifted my lid, but when I communicated it to Henry, casual like, henever batted an eye, so I am going to try his boy 'til I'm satisfied. Ifhe can swing the job it's a go. "

"Your customers should give you a vote of thanks!"

"And so they will!" cried Mickey. "You see the men who buy of me are thetop crust of Multiopolis, the big fine men who can smile, and open theirheads and say a pleasant word, and they like to. It does them good! I liveon it! I always get my papers close home as I can so I have time comingdown on the cars to take a peep myself, and nearly always there are atleast three things on the first page that hit you in the eye. Once longago I was in the _Herald_ office with a note to Chaffner the big chief, and I gave him a little word jostle as I passed it over. He looked at meand laughed good natured like, so I handed him this: 'Are you the bigstiff that bosses the make-up?' He says, 'Mostly! I can control it if Iwant to. ' 'All right for you, ' I said. 'I live by selling your papers, butI could sell a heap more if I had a better chance. ' 'Chance in what way?'said he. 'Building your first page, ' said I. He said, 'Sure. What is itthat you want?' 'I'll show you, ' said I. 'I'll give you the call I usedthis morning. ' Then I cut loose and just like on the street I cried it, and he yelled some himself. 'What more do you want?' he asked me. 'A lot, 'I said. 'You see I only got a little time on the cars before my men beginto get on, and my time is precious. I can't read second, third, and forty-eleventh pages hunting up eye-openers. I must get them _first_ page, 'cause I'm short time, and got my pack to hang on to. Now makin'-up, ifyou'd a-put that "Germans driven from the last foot of Belgian soil, "first, it would a-been better, 'cause that's what every living soul wants. Then the biggest thing about _ourselves_. Place it prominent in big blackletters, where I get it quick and easy, and then put me in a scream. Getme a laugh in my call, and I'll sell you out all by myself. Folks arespending millions per annum for the glad scream at night, they'll pay justthe same morning, give them a chance. I live on a laugh, ' said I, toChaffner. He looked me over and he said: 'When you get too big for thepapers, you come to me and I'll make a top-notch reporter out of you. ''Thanks Boss, ' said I, 'you couldn't graft that job on to me, withasphaltum and a buzz saw. I'm going to be on your front page 'fore youknow it, but it's going to be a poetry piece that will raise your hair; Iain't going to frost my cake, poking into folks' private business, tellingshameful things on them that half kills them. Lots of times I see themgetting their dose on the cars, and they just shiver, and go white, andshake. Nix on the printing about shame, and sin, and trouble in the papersfor me!' I said, and he just laughed and looked at me closer and he said, 'All right! Bring your poetry yourself, and if they don't let you in, givethem this, ' and he wrote a line I got at home yet. "

"Is that all about Chaffner?" asked Douglas. 

"Oh no!" said Mickey. "He said, 'Well here is a batch of items beingwritten up for first page to-morrow. According to you, I should give"Belgian citizens flocking back to search for devastated homes, " the firstplace?' 'That's got the first place in the heart of every man in God'sworld. Giving it first place is putting it where it belongs. ' 'Here's therest of it, ' said he, 'what do you want next?' 'At the same glance Ialways take, _this_, ' said I, pointing to where it said, 'Movement on footto eliminate graft from city offices. ' 'You think that comes next?' saidhe. 'Sure!' said I. 'Hits the pocketbook! Sure! Heart first! Money next!''Are you so sure it isn't exactly the reverse?' asked he. 'Know it!' saidI. 'Watch the crowds any day, and every clip you'll see that loving aman's country, and his home, and his kids, and getting fair play, comes_before_ money. ' 'Yes, I guess it does!' he said thoughtful like, 'leastit _should_. We'll make it the policy of this paper to put it that wayanyhow. What next?' 'Now your laugh, ' said I. 'And while you are at it, make it a scream!' 'All right, ' he said, 'I haven't anything funny in yet, but I'll get it. Now show me where you want these spaced. ' So I showedhim, and every single time you look, you'll see Mr. _Herald_ is made upthat way, and you ought to hear me trolling out that Belgian line, softand easy, snapping in the graft quicklike, and then yelling out thescream. You bet it catches them! If I can't get that kid on to his job, 'spect I'll have to take it back myself; least if he can't get on, he'sdoomed to get off. I gave him a three days' try, and if he doesn't catchby that time, he never will. "

"But how are you going to know?" asked Douglas. 

"I'm going down early and follow him and drill him like a Dutch recruit, and he'll wake up my men, and interest them and fetch the laugh or he'llstop!"

"You think you got a fair price?" asked Douglas. 

"Know it! All it's worth, and it looks like a margin to me, " said Mickey. 

"That's all right then, and thank you for telling me about the papers, "said Douglas. "I enjoyed it immensely. I see you are a keen student ofhuman nature. "

"'Bout all the studying I get a chance at, " said Mickey. 

"You'll have opportunity at other things now, " said Douglas. "Since youmention it, I see your point about the papers, and if that works onbusiness men going to business, it should work on a _jury_. I think I'vehad it in mind, that I was to be a compendium of information and impresson a judge or jury what I know, and why what I say is _right_. You give methe idea that a better way would be to impress on them what _they_ know. Put it like this: first soften their hearts, next touch their pockets, then make them laugh; is that the idea?"

"Duck again! You're doing fine! I ain't made my living selling men papersfor this long not to know the big boys _some_, and more. Each man isdifferent, but you can cod him, or bluff him, or scare him, or let downthe floodgates; some way you can put it over if you take each oneseparate, and hit him where he lives. See? Finding his dwelling place isthe trouble. "

"Mickey, I do see, " cried Douglas. "What you tell me will be invaluable tome. You know I am from another land so I have personal ways of thinkingand the men I'm accustomed to are different. What I have been centring onis myself, and what I can do. "

"Won't work here! What you got to get a bead on here is the _otherfellow_, and how to _do_ him. See?"

"Take these books and fly, " said Douglas. "I've spent one of the mostprofitable hours of my life, but concretely it is an hour, and we're goingto the Country Club to-night and may stay as long as we choose and we'regoing to have a grand time. You like going to the country, don't you?"

"Ain't words for telling, " said Mickey, gathering his armload of books andracing down the hall. 

When the day's work was finished, with a load of books to deliver beforean office closed, they started on the run to the club house. Bruce waitedin the car while Mickey sped in with the books, and returning, to saveopening the door and crossing before the man he was fast beginning toidolize, Mickey took one of his swift cuts across the back end of the car. While his hand was outstretched and his foot uplifted to enter, from ahigh-piled passing truck toppled a box, not a big box, but large enough toknock Mickey senseless and breathless when it struck him between theshoulders. Douglas had Mickey in the car with orders for the nearesthospital, toward which they were hurrying, when the boy opened his eyesand sat up. He looked inquiringly at Douglas, across whose knees he hadfound himself. 

"Wha--what happened?" he questioned with his first good indrawing ofrecovered breath. 

"A box fell from a truck loaded past reason and almost knocked the lifeout of you!" cried Douglas. 

"'Knocked the life out of me?'" repeated Mickey. 

"You've been senseless for three blocks, Mickey. "

A slow horror spread over Mickey's face. 

"Wha--what was you going to do?" he wavered. 

"Running for a hospital, " said Douglas. 

"S'pose my head had been busted, and I'd been stretched on the glass tableand maybe laid up for days or knocked out altogether?" demanded Mickey. 

"You'd have had the best surgeon in Multiopolis, and every care, Mickey, "assured Douglas. 

"Ugh!" Mickey collapsed utterly. 

"Must be hurt worse than I thought, " was Douglas' mental comment. "Hecouldn't be a coward!"

But Mickey almost proved that very thing by regaining his senses again, and immediately falling into spasms of long-drawn, shuddering sobbing. Douglas held him carefully, every moment becoming firmer in his convictionof one of two things: either he was hurt worse or he was----He would notlet himself think it; but never did boy appear to less advantage. Douglasurged the driver to speed. Mickey heard and understood. 

"Never mind, " he sobbed. "I'm all right Mr. Bruce; I ain't hurt. Not much!I'll be all right in a minute!"

"If you're not hurt, what _is_ the matter with you?"

"A minute!" gasped Mickey, as another spasm of sobbing caught him. 

"I am amazed!" cried Douglas. "A little jolt like that! You are actinglike a coward, Mickey!"

The word straightened Mickey. 

"Coward! Who? Me!" he cried. "Me that's made my way since I can remember?Coward, did you say?"

"Of course not, Mickey!" cried Douglas. "Excuse me. I shouldn't have saidthat. But it is unlike you. What the devil _is_ the matter with you?"

"I helped carry in a busted head and saw the glass table once, " he cried. "Inch more and it would a-been my head--and I might have been knocked outfor days. O Lord! What will I _do?_"

"Mickey you're not afraid?" asked Douglas. 

"'Fraid? Me? 'Bout as good as coward!"

"What is the matter with you?" demanded Douglas. 

Mickey stared at him amazedly. 

"O Lord!" he panted. "You don't s'pose I was thinking about _myself_, doyou?"

"I don't know what to think!" exclaimed Douglas. 

"Sure! How could you?" conceded Mickey. 

He choked back another big dry sob. 

"Gimme a minute to think!" he said. "O God! What have I been doing? I seenow what I'm up against!"

"Mickey, " said Douglas Bruce, suddenly filled with compassion, "I ambeginning to understand. Won't you tell me?"

"I guess I got to, " panted Mickey. "But I'm afraid! O Lord, I'm soafraid!"

"Afraid of me, Mickey?" asked Douglas gently now. 

"Yes, afraid of you, " said Mickey, "and afraid of her. Afraid of her, morethan you. "

"You mean Miss Winton?" pursued Douglas. 

"Yes, I mean Miss Winton, " replied Mickey. "I guess I don't risk her, oryou either. I guess I go to the Nurse Lady. She's used to folks introuble. She's trained to know what to do. Why sure! That's the thing!"

"Your back hurts, Mickey?" questioned Douglas. 

"My back hurts? Aw forget my back!" cried Mickey roughly. "I ain't hurt, honest I ain't. "

Douglas took a long penetrating look at the small shaking figure, then hesaid softly: "I wish you wanted to confide in me, Mickey! I can't tell youhow glad I'd be if you'd trust me; but if you have some one else you likebetter, where is it you want to be driven?"

"_Course_ there ain't any one I _like_ better than you, 'cept----" hecaught a name on the tip of his tongue and paused. "You see it's likethis: I've been to this Nurse Lady before, and I know exactly what she'llsay and think. If you don't think like I do, and if you go and take----"

"Gracious Heaven Mickey, you don't think I'd try to take anything youwanted, do you?" demanded Douglas. 

"I don't know _what_ you'd do, " said Mickey. "I only know what one SwellDame I struck wanted to do. "

"Mickey, " said Douglas, "when I don't know what you are thinking about, Ican't be of much help; but I'd give considerable if you felt that you hadcome to trust me. "

"Trust you? Sure I trust you, about myself. But this is----" cried Mickey. 

"This is about some one else?" asked Douglas casually. 

Mickey leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his head bent with intensethinking. 

"Much as you are doing for me, " he muttered, "if you really care, if itmakes a difference to you--of course I can _trust_ you, if you _don't_think as I do!"

"You surely can!" cried Douglas Bruce. "Now Mickey, both of us are tooshaken to care for the country; take me home with you and let's havesupper together and become acquainted. We can't know each other on myground alone. I must meet you on yours, and prove that I'm really yourfriend. Let's go where you live and have supper. "

"Go where I live? You?" cried Mickey. 

"Yes! You come from where you live fresh and clean each day, so can I. Take me home with you. I want to go dreadfully, Mickey. Please?"

"Well, I ain't such a cad I'm afraid for you to see how I live, " he said. "Though you wouldn't want to come more than once; that ain't what I wasthinking about. "

"Think all you like, Mickey, " said Douglas. "Henry, drive to the end ofthe car line where you've gone before. "

On the way he stopped at a grocery, then a café, and at each place pilesof tempting packages were placed in the car. Mickey's brain was workingfast. One big fact was beginning to lift above all the others. Histreasure was slipping from him, and for her safety it had to be so. If hehad been struck on the head, forced to undergo an operation, and had laininsensible for hours--Mickey could go no further with that thought. He hadto stop and proceed with the other part of his problem. Of course she wasbetter off with him than where she had been; no sane person could disputethat; she was happy and looking improved each day but--could she be madehappier and cared for still better by some one else, and cured without thelong wait for him to earn the money? If she could, what would be the rightname for him, if he kept her on what he could do? So they came at last asnear as the car could go to Mickey's home in Sunrise Alley. At the foot ofthe last flight Mickey paused, package laden. 

"Now I'll have to ask you to wait a minute, " he said. 

He ascended, unlocked the door and stepped inside. Peaches' eyes gleamedwith interest at the packages, but she waved him back. As Mickey closedthe door she cried: "My po'try piece! Say it, Mickey!"

"You'll have to wait again, " said Mickey. "I got hit in the back with abox and it knocked the poetry out of me. You'll have to wait 'til aftersupper to-night, and then I'll fix the grandest one yet. Will that do?"

"Yes, if the box hit hard, Mickey, " conceded Peaches. 

"It hit so blame hard, Miss Chicken, that it knocked me down and knockedme out, and Mr. Bruce picked me up and carried me three blocks in his carbefore I got my wind or knew what ailed me. "

Peaches' face was tragic; her hands stretched toward him. Mickey wasyoung, and his brain was whirling so it whirled off the thought that camefirst. 

"And if it had hit me _hard_ enough to bust my head, and I'd been carriedto a hospital to be mended and wouldn't a-knowed what hurt me for days, like sometimes, who'd a-fed and bathed you, Miss?"

Peaches gazed at him wordless. 

"You close your mouth and tell me, Miss, " demanded Mickey, brutal withemotion. "If I hadn't come, what would you have done?"

Peaches shut her mouth and stared while it was closed. At last sheventured a solution. 

"You'd a-told our Nurse Lady, " she said. 

Mickey made an impatient gesture. 

"Hospitals by the dozen, kid, " he said, "and not a chance in a hundred I'dbeen took to the 'Star of Hope, ' and times when your head is busted, youdon't know a thing for 'most a _week_. What would you _do_ if I didn'tcome for a week?"

"I'd have to slide off the bed if it killed me, and roll to the cupboard, and make the things do, " said Peaches. 

"You couldn't get up to it to save your life, " said Mickey, "and there'snever enough for a week, and you couldn't get to the water--what would you_do?_"

"Mickey, what would I do?" wavered Peaches. 

"Well, I know, if you don't, " said Mickey, "and I ain't going to tell you;but I'll tell you this much: you'd be scared and hurt worse than you everwas yet; and it's soon going to be too hot for you here, so I got to moveyou to a cooler place, and I don't risk being the only one knowing whereyou are another day; or my think-tank will split. It's about split now. Idon't want to do it, Miss, but I got to, so you take your drink and lemmestraighten you, and wash your face, and put your pretties on; then Mr. Douglas Bruce, that we work for now, is coming to see you and he's goingto stay for supper--Now cut it out! Shut right up! Here, lemme fix you, and you see, Miss, that you act a _lady_ girl, and don't make me lose myjob with my boss, or we can't pay our rent. Hold still 'til I get yourribbon right, and slip a fresh nightie on you. There!"

"Mickey----" began Peaches. 

"Shut up!" said Mickey in desperation. "Now mind this, Miss! You belong to_me!_ I'm taking care of you. You answer what he says to you pretty oryou'll not get any supper this night, and look at them bundles he got. Situp and be nice! This is a party!"

Mickey darted around arranging the room, then he flung the door wide andcalled: "Ready!"

Douglas Bruce climbed the stairs and entered the door. As Mickey expected, his gaze centred and stopped. Mickey began taking packages from his hands;still gazing Douglas yielded them. Then he stepped forward when Mickeyplaced the chair, and said: "Mr. Douglas Bruce, this is Lily. This is LilyPeaches O'Halloran. Will you have a chair?" He turned to Peaches, puttinghis arm around her as he bent to kiss her. 

"He's all right, Flowersy-girl, " he said. "We _like_ to have him come. He's our friend. Our big, nice friend who won't let a soul on earth getus. He doesn't even want us himself, 'cause he's got _one_ girl. His girlis the Moonshine Lady that sent you the doll. Maybe she will come some daytoo, and maybe she'll make the Precious Child a new dress. "

Peaches clung to Mickey and past him peered at her visitor, and thevisitor smiled his most winning smile. He recognized Leslie's ribbon, andnoted the wondrous beauty of the small white face, now slowly flushing thefaintest pink with excitement. Still clinging she smiled back. Wordless, Douglas reached over to pick up the doll. Then the right thought came atlast. 

"Has the Precious Child been good to-day?" he asked. 

Peaches released Mickey, dropping back against her pillows, her smile nowdazzling. "Jus' as _good!_" she said. 

"Fine!" said Douglas, straightening the long dress. 

"An' that's my slate and lesson, " said Peaches. 

"Fine!" he said again as if it were the only adjective he knew. Mickeyglanced at him, grinning sympathetically, "She does sort of knock youout!" he said. 

"'Sort' is rather poor. Completely, would be better, " said Douglas. "She'sthe loveliest little sister in all the world, but she doesn't resembleyou. Is she like your mother?"

"Lily isn't my sister, only as you wanted me for a brother, " said Mickey. "She was left and nobody was taking care of her. She's my find and you betyour life I'm going to _keep_ her!"

"Oh! And how long have you had her, Mickey?"

"Now that's just what the Orphings' Home dame asked me, " said Mickey withfinality, "and we are nix on those dames and their askings. Lily is_mine_, I tell you. My family. Now you visit with her, while I getsupper. "

Mickey pushed up the table, then began opening packages and setting forththeir contents. Watching him as he moved swiftly and with assurance, hishead high, his lips even, a slow deep respect for the big soul in thelittle body began to dawn in the heart of Douglas Bruce. Understanding ofMickey came in rivers swift and strong, so while he wondered and while hewatched entranced, over and over in his head went the line: "Fools rush inwhere angels fear to tread. " With every gentle act of Mickey for the childDouglas' liking for him grew. When he went over the supper and with thejudgment of a nurse selected the most delicate and suitable food for her, in the heart of the Scotsman swelled the marvel and the miracle thatsilenced criticism. 

CHAPTER XI

_The Advent of Nancy and Peter_

When Leslie began the actual work of closing her home, and loading whatwould be wanted for the country, she found the task too big for the timeallotted, so wisely telephoned Douglas that she would be compelled topostpone seeing him until the following day. 

"Leslie, " laughed Douglas over the telephone, "did you ever hear of theman who cut off his dog's tail an inch at a time, so it wouldn't hurt sobadly?"

"I have heard of that particular dog. "

"Well this process of cutting me out of seeing you a day at a time remindsme of 'that particular dog, ' and evokes my sympathy for the canine asnever before. "

"It's a surprise I am getting ready for you Douglas!"

"It _is_ a surprise all right, " answered Douglas, "and 'Bearer ofMorning, ' I have got a surprise for you too. "

"Oh goody!" cried Leslie. "I adore surprises. "

"You'll adore this one!"

"You might give me a hint!" she suggested. 

"Very well!" he laughed. "Since last I saw you I have seen the loveliestgirl of my experience. "

"Delightful! Am I to see her also?"

"Undoubtedly!" explained Douglas. "And you'll succumb to her charms justas I did. "

"When may I meet her?" asked Leslie eagerly. 

"I can't say; but soon now. "

"All right!" agreed the girl. "Be ready at four tomorrow. "

Leslie sat in frowning thought a moment, before the telephone; then herever-ready laugh bubbled. "Why didn't I think of it while I was talking?"she wondered. "Of course Mickey has taken him to visit his Lily. I mustsee about that wrong back before bone and muscle harden. "

Then she began her task. By evening she had a gasoline stove set up, thekitchen provisioned, her father's room ready and arrangements sufficientlycompleted that she sent the car to bring him to his dinner of cornbreadand bacon under an apple tree scattering pink petals beside the kitchendoor, with every lake breeze. Then they went fishing and landed threeblack bass. 

Douglas Bruce did not mind one day so much, but he resented two. When hegreeted Mickey that morning it was not with the usual salutation of hisfriends, so the boy knew there was something not exactly right. He was notfeeling precisely jovial himself. He was under suspended judgment. He knewthat when Mr. Bruce had time to think, and talk over the situation withMiss Winton, both of them might very probably agree with the woman whosaid the law would take Lily from him and send her to a charity home forchildren. 

Mickey, with his careful drilling on the subject, was in rebellion. _How_could the law take Lily from him? Did the law know anything _about_ her?Was she in the _care_ of the law when he found her? Wouldn't the law haveallowed her to _die_ grovelling in filth and rags, inside a few morehours? He had not infringed on the law in any way; he had merely saved alife the law had forgotten to save. Now when he had it in his possessionand in far better condition than he found it, how had the law _power_ tostep in and rob him?

Mickey did not understand, while there was nothing in his heart that couldteach him. He had found her: he would keep her. The Orphans' Home shouldnot have her. The law should not have her. Only one possibility had anyweight with Mickey: if some one like Mr. Bruce or Miss Winton wanted togive her a home of luxury, could provide care at once, for which he wouldbe forced to wait years to earn the money; if they wanted her and theCarrel man of many miracles would come for them; did he dare leave herlying an hour, when there was even hope she might be on her feet? Therewas only one answer to that with Mickey, but it pained his heart. So hisgreeting lacked its customary spontaneity. 

By noon Bruce was irritable, while Mickey was as nearly sullen as it wasin his nature to be. At two o'clock Bruce surrendered, summoned the car, and started to the golf grounds. He had played three holes when heovertook a man who said a word that arrested his attention, so both ofthem stopped, and with notebooks and pencils, under the shade of a bigtree began discussing the question that meant more to Douglas thananything save Leslie. He dismissed Mickey for the afternoon, promising himthat if he would be ready by six, he should be driven back to the city. 

Mickey wanted to be alone to concentrate on his problem, but people wereeverywhere and more coming by the carload. He could see no place that wasthen, or would be, undisturbed. The long road with grassy sides gave bigpromises of leading somewhere to the quiet retreat he sought. Telling thedriver that if he were not back by six, he would be waiting down the road, Mickey started on foot, in thought so deep he scarcely appreciated thegrasses he trod, the perfume in his nostrils, the concert in his ears. What did at last arouse him was the fact that he was very thirsty. Thatmade him realize that this was the warmest day of the season. Instantlyhis mind flew to the mite of a girl, lying so patiently, watching theclock for his coming, living for the sound of his feet. 

Mickey stopped, studying the landscape. A cool gentle breeze crossed theclover field beside the way, refreshing him in its passing. He sucked hislungs full, then lifted his cap, shaking the hair from his forehead. Hestuffed the cap into his pocket, walking slowly along, intending to stopat the nearest farmhouse to ask for water. But the first home was not toMickey's liking. He went on, passing another and another. 

Then he came to land that attracted him. The fences were so straight. Thecorners so clean where they were empty, so delightful where they werefilled with alder, wild plum, hawthorn; attractive locations for the birdsof the bushes that were field and orchard feeders. Then the barn andoutbuildings looked so neat and prosperous; grazing cattle in rank meadowswere so sleek; then a big white house began to peep from the screen ofvines, bushes and trees. 

"Well if the water here gives you fever, it will anywhere, " said Mickey, and turning in at the open gate started up a walk having flower beds oneach side. There was a wide grassy lawn where the big trees scatteredaround afforded almost complete shade. Mickey never had seen a home likeit closely. He scarcely could realize that there were places in the worldwhere families lived alone like this. He tried to think how he would feelif he belonged there. When he reached the place where he saw Lily on acomfort under a big bloom-laden pear tree, his throat grew hard, his eyesdry and his feet heavy. Then the screen to the front door swung back as asmiling woman in a tidy gingham dress came through and stood awaitingMickey. 

"I just told Peter when he came back alone, I bet a penny you'd got off atthe wrong stop!" she cried. "I'm so glad you found your way by yourself. But you must be tired and hot walking. Come right in and have a glass ofmilk, then strip your feet and I'll ring for Junior. "

For one second Mickey was dazed. The next, he knew what it must mean. These people were the kind whom God had made so big and generous theydivided home and summer with tenement children from the big city thirtymiles away. Some boy was coming for a week, maybe, into what exactlyfilled Mickey's idea of Heaven, but he was not the boy. 

"'Most breaks my heart to tell you, " he said, "but I ain't the boy you'reexpecting. I'm just taking a walk and I thought maybe you'd let me have adrink. I've wanted one past the last three houses, but none looked as ifthey'd have half such good, cool water as this. "

"Now don't that beat the nation!" exclaimed the woman. "The Multiopolispapers are just oozing sympathy for the poor city children who are wildfor woods and water; and when I'd got myself nerved up to try one andthought it over till I was really anxious about it, and got my childrenall worked up too, here for the second time Peter knocks off plowing andgoes to the trolley to meet one, and he doesn't come. I've got a notion towrite the editor of the _Herald_ and tell him my experience. I think it'sfunny! But you wanted water, come this way. "

Mickey followed a footpath white with pear petals around the big house andstanding beside a pump waited while the woman stepped to the back porchfor a cup. He took it, drinking slowly. 

"Thank you ma'am, " he said as he handed it back, turning to the path. 

Yesterday had weakened his nerve. He was going to cry again. He took aquick step forward, but the woman was beside him, her hand on hisshoulder. 

"Wait a minute, " she said. "Sit on this bench under the pear tree. I wantto ask you something. Excuse me and rest until I come back. "

Mickey leaned against the tree, shutting his eyes, fighting with all hismight. He was too big to cry. The woman would think him a coward as Mr. Bruce had. Then things happened as they actually do at times. The womanhurriedly came from the door, sat on the bench beside him, and said: "Iwent in there to watch you through the window, but I can't stand this asecond longer. You poor child you, now tell me right straight what's thematter!"

Mickey tried but no sound came. The woman patted his shoulder. "Nowdoesn't it beat the band?" she said, to the backyard in general. "Just alittle fellow not in long trousers yet, and bearing such a burden he can'ttalk. I guess maybe God has a hand in this. I'm not so sure my boy hasn'tcome after all. Who are you, and where are you going? Don't you want tosend your ma word you will stay here a week with me?"

Mickey lifted a bewildered face. 

"Why, I couldn't, lady, " he said brokenly, but gaining control as he wenton. "I must work. Mr. Bruce needs me. I'm a regular plute compared withmost of the 'newsies'; you wouldn't want to do anything for me who has somuch; but if you're honestly thinking about taking a boy and he hasn'tcome, how would you like to have a little girl in his place? A little girlabout _so_ long, and _so_ wide, with a face like Easter church flowers, and rings of gold on her head, and who wouldn't be half the trouble a boywould, because she hasn't ever walked, so she couldn't get into things. "

"Oh my goodness! A crippled little girl?"

"She isn't crippled, " said Mickey. "She's as straight as you are, whatthere is of her. She had so little food, and care, her back didn't seem tostiffen, so her legs won't walk. She wouldn't be half so much trouble as aboy. Honest, dearest lady, she wouldn't!"

"Who are you?" asked the woman. 

Mickey produced a satisfactory pedigree, and gave unquestionablereferences which she recognized, for she slowly nodded at the names ofChaffner and Bruce. 

"And who is the little girl you are asking me to take?"

Mickey studied the woman and then began to talk, cautiously at first. Ashamed to admit the squalor and the awful truth of how he had found thething he loved, then gathering courage he began what ended in anoutpouring. The woman watched him, listening, and when Mickey had nofurther word: "She is only a tiny girl?" she asked wonderingly. 

"The littlest girl you ever saw, " said Mickey. 

"Perfectly helpless?" marvelled the woman. 

"Oh no! She can sit up and use her hands, " said Mickey. "She can feedherself, write on her slate, and learn her lessons. It's only that shestays put. She has to be lifted if she's moved. "

"You lift her?" queried the woman. 

"Could with one hand, " said Mickey tersely. 

"You say this young lawyer you work for, whose name I see in the _Herald_connected with the investigation going on, is at the club house now?" sheasked. 

"Yes, " answered Mickey. 

"He's coming past here this evening?" she pursued. 

Mickey explained. 

"About how much waiting on would your little girl take?" she asked next. 

"Well just at present, she does the waiting on me, " said Mickey. "You see, dearest lady, I have to get her washed and fix her breakfast and her lunchbeside the bed, and be downtown by seven o'clock, and I don't get back'til six. Then I wash her again to freshen her up and cook her supper. Then she says her lesson, her prayers and goes to sleep. So you see it'smostly _her_ waiting on _me_. A boy couldn't be less trouble than that, could he?"

"It doesn't seem like it, " said the woman, "and no matter how much bothershe was, I guess I could stand it for a week, if she's such a little girl, and can't walk. The difficulty is this: I promised my son Junior a boy andhis heart is so set. He's wild about the city. He's going to be gonebefore we know it. He doesn't seem to care for anything we have, or do. Idon't know just what he hoped to get out of a city boy; but I promised himone. Then I felt scared and wrote Mr. Chaffner how it was and asked him tosend me a real nice boy who could be trusted. If it were not for Junior--Mary and the Little Man would be delighted. "

"Well never mind, " said Mickey. "I'll go see the Nurse Lady and maybe shecan think of a plan. Anyway I don't know as it would be best for Lily. Ifshe came here a week, seems like it would kill me to take her back, and Idon't know how she'd bear staying alone all day, after she had got used tocompany. And pretty soon now it's going to get so hot, top floors in thecity, that if she had a week like this, going back would make her sick. "

"You must give me time to think, " said the woman. "Peter will soon be hometo supper. I'll talk it over with him and with Junior and see what theythink. Where could you be found in Multiopolis? We drive in every fewdays. We like to go ourselves, and there's no other way to satisfy thechildren. They get so tired and lonesome in the country. "

Mickey was aghast. "They _do?_ Why it doesn't seem possible! I wish Icould trade jobs with Junior for a while. What is his work?"

"He drives the creamery wagon, " answered the woman. 

"O Lord!" Mickey burst forth. "Excuse me ma'am, I mean----Oh my! Drives areal live horse along these streets and gathers up the cream cans we passat the gates, and takes them to the trolley?"

"Yes, " she said. 

"And he'd give up _that_ job for blacking somebody's shoes, or carryingpapers, or running errands, or being shut up all summer in a big hotbuilding! Oh my!"

"When will you be our way again?" asked the woman. "I'll talk this overwith Peter. If we decided to try the little girl and she did the 'waiting'as you say, she couldn't be much trouble. I should think we could manageher, and a boy too. I wish you could be the boy. I'd like to have _you_. I've been thinking if we could get a boy to show Junior what it is hewants to know about a city, he'd be better satisfied at home, but I don'tknow. It's just possible it might make him worse. Now such anunderstanding boy as you seem to be, maybe you could teach Junior thingsabout the city that would make him contented at _home_. Do you think youcould?"

"Dearest lady, I _get_ you, " said Mickey. "_Do I think I could?_ Well ifyou really wished me to, I could take your Junior to Multiopolis with mefor a week and make him so sick he'd never want to see a city again whilehis palpitator was running. "

"Hu'umh!" said the lady slowly, her eyes on far distance. "Let me think! Idon't know but that would be a fine thing for all of us. We have landenough for a nice farm for both boys, and the way things look now, landseems about as sure as anything; we could give them a farm apiece when weare done with it, and the girl the money to take to her home when shemarries--I would love to know that Junior was going to live on land as hisfather does; but all his life he's talked about working in the city whenhe grows up. Hu'umh!"

"Well if you want him cured of that, gimme the job, " he grinned. "You seelady, I know the city, inside out and outside in again. I been playing thegame with it since I can remember. You can't tell me anything I don't knowabout the lowest, poorest side of it. Oh I could tell you things thatwould make your head swim. If you want your boy dosed just sick as a horseon what a workingman gets in Multiopolis 'tween Sunrise Alley and BiddleBoulevard, just you turn him over to me a week. I'll fix him. I'll makethe creamery job look like 'Lijah charioteering for the angels to him, honest I will lady; and he won't ever _know_ it, either. He'll comethrough with a lump in his neck, and a twist in his stummick that meanshome and mother. See?"

The woman looked at Mickey in wide-eyed and open-mouthed amazement: "Wellif I ever!" she gasped. 

"If you don't believe me, try it, " said Mickey. 

"Well! Well! I'll have to think, " she said. "I don't know but it would bea good thing if it could be done. "

"Well don't you have any misgivings about it being done, " said Mickey. "It's being _done_ every day. I know men, hundreds of them, just scraping, and slaving and half starving to get together the dough to pull out. Ihear it on the cars, on the streets, and see it in the papers. They'rejumping their jobs and going every day, while hundreds ofSchmeltzenschimmers, O'Laughertys, Hansons, and Pietros are coming in totake their places. Multiopolis is more than half filled with crowd-outsfrom across the ocean now, instead of home folks' cradles, as it shouldbe. If Junior has got a hankering for Multiopolis that is going to cut himout of owning a place like this, and bossing his own job, dearest lady, cook him! Cook him quick!"

"Would you come here?" she questioned. 

"Would I?" cried Mickey. "Well try me and see!"

"I'm deeply interested in what you say about Junior, " she said. "I'll talkit over to-night with Peter. "

"Well I don't know, " said Mickey. "He might put the grand kibosh on it. Hard! But if Junior came back asking polite for his mush and milk, andoffering his Christmas pennies for the privilege of plowing, or drivingthe cream wagon, believe me dear lady, then Peter would fall on your neckand weep for joy. "

"Yes, in that event, he would, " said the lady, "and the temptation is sogreat, that I believe if you'll give me your address, I'll look you up thenext time I come to Multiopolis, which will be soon. I'd like to see yourLily before I make any promises. If I thought I could manage, I couldbring her right out in the car. Tell me where to find you, and I'll seewhat Peter thinks. "

Mickey grinned widely. "You ain't no suffragette lady, are you?" hecommented. 

"Well I don't know about that, " said the lady. "There are a good manythings to think of these days. "

"Yes I know, " said Mickey, "but as long as everything you say swings thecircle and rounds up with Peter, it's no job to guess what's mostimportant in your think-tank. Peter must be some pumpkins!"

"Come to think of it, he is, Mickey, " she said. "Come to think of it, I dosort of revolve around Peter. We always plan together. Not that we always_think_ alike: there are some things I just _can't_ make Peter see, that Iwish I _could;_ but I wouldn't trade Peter----"

"No I guess he's top crust, " laughed Mickey. 

"He is so!" said the woman. "How did you say I could reach you?"

"Well, the easiest way would be this. Here, I'll write the number foryou. "

"Fine!" said the woman. "I'll hurry through my shopping and call you--whenwould it suit you best?"

"Never mind me, " said Mickey. "For this, I'll come when you say. "

"What about three in the afternoon, then?"

"Sure!" cried Mickey. "Suits me splendid! Mostly quit for the day then. But ma'am, I don't know about this. Lily isn't used to anybody but me, shemay be afraid to come with you. "

"And I may think I would scarcely want to try to take care of her for aweek, when I see her, " said the woman. 

"You may think that now, but you'll change your mind when you see her, "said Mickey. "Dearest lady, when you see a little white girl that hasn'tever walked, smiling up at you shy and timid, you won't be any moreanxious for Orphings' Homes and Charity Palaces to swallow her up than Iam; not a bit! All I must think of is what Lily will say about coming. She's never been out of my room since I found her, and she hasn't seen anyone but Mr. Bruce, so she'll be afraid, and worried. _Seeing her_ is all Iask of _you!_ What I'm up against is what she's going to say; and how I'mgoing to take her _back_ after a week here, when it will be hotter thereand lonesomer than ever. "

"You surely give one things to think about, " commented the woman. 

"Do I?" queried Mickey. "Well I don't know as I should. Probably withPeter, and three children of your own, and this farm to run, you are busyenough without spending any of your time on me. "

"The command in the good book is plain: 'Bear ye one another's burdens, '"quoted the woman. 

"Oh yes! 'Burdens, ' of course!" agreed Mickey. "But that couldn't meanLily, 'cause she's nothing but joy! Just pure joy! All about her is that afellow loves her so, that it keeps him laying awake at nights thinking howto do what would be _best_ for her. She's mine, and I'm going to _keep_her; that's the surest thing you know. If I take you to see Lily, and if Idecide to let you have her a few days to rest her and fresh her up, youwouldn't go and want to put her 'mong the Orphings' Home kids, would you?You wouldn't think she ought to be took from me and raised in a flock ofevery kind, from every place. Would you lady?"

"No, I wouldn't, " said the lady. "I see how you feel, and I am sure Iwouldn't want that for one of mine. "

"Well, there's no question about her being _mine!_" said Mickey. "But Ilike you so, maybe I'll let you _help_ me a _little_. A big boy that canrun and play doesn't need you, dearest lady, half so much as my littlegirl. Do you think he does?"

"No, I think the Lord sent you straight here. If you don't stop I'll be soworked up I can't rest. I may come to-morrow. "

Mickey arose, holding out his hand. 

"Thank you dearest lady, " he said. "I must be getting out where the carwon't pass without my seeing it. "

"You wait at the gate a minute, " she said, "I want to send in a littlebasket of things to-night. I'll have it ready in a jiffy. "

Mickey slowly walked to the gate. When the woman came with a basketcovered with a white cloth, he thanked her again; as he took it he restedhis head against her arm, smiling up at her with his wide true eyes. 

"A thing I can't understand is, " he said, "why when the Lord was makingmothers, he didn't cut all of them from the same piece he did you. I'lljust walk on down the road and smell June beside this clover field. Is ityours?"

"Yes, " she said. 

"Would you care if I'd take just a few to Lily? I know she never saw any. "

"Take a bunch as big as your head if you want them. "

"Lily is so little, three will do her just as well; besides, she's got toremember how we are fixed, so she needn't begin to expect things to comeher way by baskets and bunches, " said Mickey. "She's bound to be spoiledbad enough as it is. I can't see how I'm going to come out with her, butshe's mine, and I'm going to keep her. "

"Mickey, " laughed the woman, "don't you think you swing around to Lilyjust about the way I do to Peter?"

"Well maybe I do, " conceded Mickey. 

"What kind of a car did you say Mr. Bruce has?"

"Oh the car is dark green, and the driver has sandy hair; and Mr. Bruce--why you'd know him anywhere! Just look for the finest man you ever saw, ifyou are out when he goes by, and that will be Mr. Douglas Bruce. "

"I guess I'll know him if I happen to be out. "

"Sure lady, you couldn't miss him, " replied Mickey. 

Carefully holding his basket he went down the road. The woman made supperan hour late standing beside the gate watching for a green car. Manywhirled past, then at last one with the right look came gliding along; soshe stepped out and raised her hand for a parley. The car stopped. 

"Mr. Douglas Bruce?" she asked. 

"At your service, Madam!" he answered. 

"Just a word with you, " she said. 

He arose instantly, swung open the car door, and stepping down walked withher to the shade of a big widely branching maple. The woman looked at him, and said flushing and half confused: "Please to excuse me for halting you, but I had a reason. This afternoon such an attractive little fellowstopped here to ask for a drink in passing. Now Peter and I had decidedwe'd try our hand at taking a city boy for a week or so for his vacation, and twice Peter has left his work and gone to the trolley station to fetchhim, and he failed us. I supposed Peter had missed him, so when I saw theboy coming, just the first glimpse my heart went right out to him----"

"Very likely----" assented Mr. Bruce. 

"He surely is the most winning little chap I ever saw with his keen blueeyes and that sort of light on his forehead, " said the woman. 

"I've noticed that, " put in the man. 

"Yes, " she said, "anybody would see that almost the first thing. So Ithought he was the boy I was to mother coming, and I went right at thejob. He told me quick enough that I was mistaken, but I could see he wasin trouble. Someway I'd trust him with my character or my money, but I gotto be perfectly sure before I trust him with my children. You see I havethree, and if ever any of them go wrong, I don't want it to be because Iwas _careless_. I thought I'd like to have him around some; my oldest boyis bigger, but just about his age. He said he might be out this way withyou this summer and I wanted to ask him in, and do what I could toentertain him; but first I wanted to inquire of you----"

"I see!" said Douglas Bruce. "I haven't known Mickey so long, but owing tothe circumstances in which I met him, and the association with him since, I feel that I know him better than I could most boys in a longer time. Thestrongest thing I can say to you is this: had I a boy of my own, I shouldbe proud if Mickey liked him and would consider being friends with him. Heis absolutely trustworthy, that I know. "

"Then I won't detain your further, " she said. 

Mickey, cheered in mind and heart, had walked ahead briskly with hisbasket, while as he went he formulated his plans. He would go straight tothe Sunshine Nurse, tell her about the heat and this possible chance totake Lily to the country for a week, and consult with her as to what theeffect of the trip might be, and what he could do with her afterward, thenhe would understand better. He kept watching the clover field beside theway. When he decided he had reached the finest, best perfumed place, hesaw a man plowing on the other side of the fence and thought it might bePeter and that Peter would wonder what he was doing in his field, soMickey set the basket in a corner and advanced. 

He was wonderfully elated by what had happened to him and the conclusionsat which he had arrived, as he came across the deep grasses beside thefence where the pink of wild rose and the snow of alder commingled, wheresong sparrows trilled, and larks and quail were calling. He approachedsmiling in utter confidence. As he looked at the man, at his height, hisstrong open face, his grip on the plow, he realized why the world of thelittle woman revolved around Peter. Mickey could have conceived of fewhappier fates than being attached to Peter, so he thought in amazement ofthe boy who wanted to leave him. Then a slow grin spread over his face, for by this time Peter had stopped his horses and was awaiting him with ananswering smile and hand outstretched. 

"Why son, I'm glad to see you!" he cried. "How did I come to miss you? Didyou get off at the wrong stop?"

Mickey shook his head as he took the proffered hand. 

"You are Peter?" he asked. 

"Yes, I'm Peter, " confirmed the man. 

"Well you're making the same mistake your pleasant lady did, " explainedMickey. "She thought I was the boy who had been sent to visit you, so shegave me the glad hand too. I wish I was in his shoes! But I'm not yourboy. Gee, your lady is a nice gentle lady. "

"You're all correct there, " agreed Peter. "And so you are not the boy whowas to be sent us. Pshaw now! I wish you were. I'm disappointed. I've beenwatching you coming down the road, and the way you held together andstepped up so brisk and neat took my eye. "

"I been 'stepping up brisk and neat' to sell papers, run errands, hopcars, dodge cars and automobiles, and climbing fire-escapes instead ofstairs, and keeping from under foot since I can remember, " laughed Mickey. "You learn on the streets of Multiopolis to step up, and watch sharpwithout knowing you are doing it. "

"You're a newsboy?" asked Peter. 

"I was all my life 'til a few days ago, " said Mickey. "Then I went intothe office of Mr. Douglas Bruce. He's a corporation lawyer in the IriquoisBuilding. "

"Hum, I've been reading about him, " said Peter. "If I ever have a case, I'm going to take it to him. "

"Well you'll have a man that will hang on and dig in and _sweat_ for you, "said Mickey. "Just now he's after some of them big office-holders who arebleeding the taxpayers of Multiopolis. Some of these days if you watchyour _Herald_ sharp, you're going to see the lid fly off of two or threethings at once. He's on a hot trail now. "

"Why I have seen that in the papers, " said Peter. "He was given the job offinding who is robbing the city, by James Minturn; I remember his name. And you work for him? Well, well! Sit down here and tell me about it. "

"I can't now, " said Mickey. "I must get back to the road. His car may passany minute, and I'm to be ready. Your pleasant lady said I might take afew clover flowers to my little sick girl, and just as I came to thefinest ones in the field, I saw you so I thought maybe I'd better tell youwhat I was doing before you fired me. "

"Take all you want, " said Peter. "I'd like to send the whole field, larksand all, to a little sick girl. I'd like especial to send her some ofthese clowny bobolink fellows to puff up and spill music by the quart forher; I guess nothing else runs so smooth except water. "

"I don't know what she'd say, " said Mickey gazing around him. "You see shehasn't ever walked, so all she's seen in her life has been the worst kindof bare, dark tenement walls, 'til lately she's got a high window whereshe can see sky, and a few sparrows that come for crumbs. This!"--Mickeyswept his arm toward the landscape--"I don't know what she'd say to this!"

"Pshaw, now!" cried Peter. "Why bring her out! You bring her right out!That's what we been wanting to know. Just what a city child would _think_of country things she'd never seen before. Bring her to see us!"

"She's a little bit of a thing and she can't walk, you know, " explainedMickey. 

"Poor little mite! That's too bad, " lamented Peter. "Wonder if shecouldn't be doctored up. It's a shame she can't walk, but taking care ofher must be easy!"

"Oh she takes care of herself, " said Mickey. "You see she is alone all dayfrom six 'til six; she must take care of herself, so she studies herlesson, and plays with her doll--I mean her Precious Child. "

"Too bad!" said Peter. "By jacks that's a sin! Did you happen to speak toMa about her?"

"We did talk a little, " admitted Mickey. "She was telling me of thevisitor boy who didn't come, and your son who doesn't think he'll want tostay; so we got to talking. She said just what you did about wanting tosee how a city child who hadn't ever seen a chicken, or a cow, or horsewould act----"

"Good Lord!" cried Peter. "_Is_ there a child in Multiopolis who hasn'tever seen a little chicken, or a calf?"

"Hundreds of them!" said Mickey. "I've scarcely seen a cow myself. I'veseen hens and little chickens in shop windows at Easter time----"

"But not in the orchard in June?" queried Peter. 

"No, 'not in the orchard in June!'" said Mickey. 

"Well, well!" marvelled Peter. "There's nothing so true as that 'one halfdoesn't know how the other half lives. ' I've heard that, but I didn'tquite sense it, and I don't know as I do yet. You bring her right out!"

"Your pleasant lady talked about that; but you see bringing her out andshowing her these things, and getting her used to them is _one_ thing;then taking her back to a room so hot I always sleep on the fire-escape, and where she has to stay all day alone, is _another_. I don't know but solong as she must go _back_ to what she has now, it would be better to_leave_ her there. "

"Humph! I see! What a pity!" exclaimed Peter. "Well, if you'll be comingthis way again, stop and see us. I'll talk to Ma about her. We often takea little run to Multiopolis. Junior wouldn't be satisfied till we got acar, and I can't say we ain't enjoying it ourselves. What was that youwere saying about my boy not thinking he'll stay?"

"_She_ told me, " said Mickey, "about the city bug he had in his system. Why don't you swat it immediate?"

"What do you mean?" inquired Peter. 

"Turn him over to me a week or two, " suggested Mickey. "I can give him adose of working in a city that will send him hiking back to home andfather. "

"It's worth considering, " said Peter. 

"I know that what I got of Multiopolis would make me feel like vonHindenberg if I had the job of handling the ribbons of your creamerywagon; and so I know about what would put sonny back on the farm, tickled'most to death to be here. "

"By gum! Well, I'll give you just one hundred dollars if you'll do it!"exclaimed Peter. "You see my grandfather and father owned this land beforeme. We've been on the plowing job so long we have it reduced to a system, so it comes easy for me, and I take pride and pleasure in it; I hadsupposed my boys would be the same. Do you really think you could manageit?"

"Sure, " said Mickey. "Only, if you really mean it, not now, nor ever, doyou want son to _know_ it. See! The medicine wouldn't work, if he knew hetook it. "

"Well I'll be jiggered!" laughed Peter. "I guess you could do it, if youwent at it right. "

"Well you trust me to do it right, " grinned Mickey. "Loan me sonny for aweek or two, and you can have him back for keeps. "

"Well it's worth trying, " said Peter. "Say, when will you be this wayagain?"

"'Most any day, " said Mickey. "And your lady said she'd be in Multiopolissoon, so we are sure to have a happy meeting before long. I think that isMr. Bruce's car coming. Goodbye! Be good to yourself!"

With a spring from where he was standing Mickey arose in air, alighted onthe top rail of the division fence, then balancing, he raced down ittoward the road. Peter watched him in astonishment, then went back to hisplowing with many new things on his mind. Thus it happened that aftersupper, when the children were in bed, and he and his wife went to thefront veranda for their usual evening visit, and talk over the day, shehad very little to tell him. 

As was her custom, she removed her apron, brushed her waving hair and worea fresh dress. She rocked gently in her wicker chair, while her voice wasmoved to unusual solicitude as she spoke. Peter also had performed a ritehe spoke of as "brushing up" for evening. He believed in the efficacy ofsoap and water, so his body, as well as his clothing, was clean. He sat onthe top step leaning against the pillar where the moonlight emphasized hisbig frame, accented the strong lines of his face and crowned his thickhair, as Nancy Harding thought it should be, with glory. 

"Peter, " she said, "did you notice anything about that boy, thisafternoon, different from other boys?"

"Yes, " answered Peter slowly, "I did Nancy. He didn't strike me as being_one_ boy. He has the best of three or four concealed in his lean person. "

"He's had a pretty tough time, I judge, " said Nancy. 

"Yet you never saw a boy who took your heart like he did, and neither didI, " answered Peter. 

Mickey holding his basket and clover flowers was waiting when the car drewup, and to Bruce's inquiry answered that a lady where he stopped for adrink had given him something for Lily. He left the car in the city, sought the nurse and luckily found her at leisure. She listened with thegreatest interest to all he had to say. 

"It's a problem, " she said, as he finished. "To take her to such a placefor a week, and then bring her back where she is, would be harder for herthan never going. "

"I got that figured, " said Mickey; "but I've about made up my mind, afterseeing the place and thinking over the folks, that it wouldn't _happen_that way. Once they see her, and find how little trouble she is, they'renot people who would send her back 'til it's cool, if they'd want to then. And there's this, too: there are other folks who would take her now, andsee about her back. Have I got the right to let it go a day, waiting toearn the money myself, when some one else, maybe the Moonshine Lady, orMr. Bruce, would do it _now_, and not put her in an Orphings' Home, either?"

"No Mickey, you haven't!" said the nurse. 

"Just the way I have it figured, " said Mickey. "But she's mine, and I'mgoing to _keep_ her. If her back is fixed, I'm going to have it done. Idon't want any one else meddling with my family. You haven't heardanything from the Carrel man yet?"

"No, " she said. 

"My, I wish he'd come!" cried Mickey. 

"So do I, " said the nurse. "But so far Mickey, I think you are doing allright. If she must be operated, she'd have to be put in condition for it;and while I suspect I could beat you at your job, I am positive you arefar surpassing what she did have. "

"Well I know that too, " said Mickey. "But surpassing nothing at all isn'tgoing either far or fast. I must do something. "

"If you could bring yourself to consent to giving her up----" suggestedthe nurse. 

"Well I can't!" interposed Mickey. 

"Just for a while!" continued the nurse. 

"Not for a minute! I found her! She's mine!"

"Yes, I know; but----" began the nurse. 

"I know too, " said Mickey. "Gimme a little time. " He studied the problemtill he reached his grocery. There he thriftily lifted the cloth to peep, and with a sigh of satisfaction pursued his way. Presently he opened hisdoor, to be struck by a wave of hot air and to note a flushed little faceand drawn mouth as he went into Peaches' outstretched arms. Then hedelivered the carefully carried clover and the following:

"_I got these from a big, pink field bewildering, That God made a-purpose for cows and childering. Her share is being consumed by the cow, Let's go roll in ours right now. _"

"Again!" demanded Peaches. 

Mickey repeated slowly. 

"How could we?" asked Peaches. 

"Easy!" said Mickey. 

"'Easy?'" repeated Peaches. 

"Just as easy!" reiterated Mickey. 

"Did you see it?" demanded Peaches. 

"Yes, I saw it to-day, " said Mickey. "It's like this: you see some folkslive in houses all built together, and work at selling things to eat, andwear, and making things, and doing other work that must be done likedoctors, and lawyers, and hospitals; _that's a city_. Then to _feed them_, other folks live on big pieces of land; the houses are far apart, withstreets between, and beside them the big fields where the wheat grows forour bread, and our potatoes, and the grass, and the clover like this tofeed the cows. To-day Mr. Bruce didn't play long, so I went walking andstopped at a house for a drink, and there was the nicest lady; we talkedsome and she give me our supper in that pretty basket; and she sent youthe clovers from a big pink field so sweet smelly it would 'most make yousick; and there are trees through it, and lots of birds sing, and thereare wild roses and fringy white flowers; and it's quiet 'cept the birds, and the roosters crowing, and the wind comes in little perfumery blows onyou, and such milk!"

"Better 'an our milk?" asked Peaches. 

"Their milk is so rich it makes ours look like a poorhouse relation, "scoffed Mickey. 

"Tell me more, " demanded Peaches. 

"Wait 'til I get the water to wash you, you are so warm. "

"Yes, it's getting some hot; but 'tain't nothing like on the rags lastsummer. It's like a real lady here. "

"A pretty warm lady, just the same, " said Mickey. 

Then he brought water and leaving the door ajar for the first time, hesoon started a draft; that with the coming of cooler evening lowered thechild's temperature, and made her hungry. As he worked Mickey talked. Thegrass, the blooming orchard, the hen and her little downy chickens, thebig cool porch, the wonderful woman and man, the boy whom they expectedand who did not come; and then cautiously, slowly, making sure sheunderstood, he developed his plan to take her to the country. Peaches drewback and opened her lips. Mickey promptly laid the washcloth over them. 

"Now don't begin to say you 'won't' like a silly baby, " he said. "Try itand see, then if you don't like it, you can come right back. You want toride in a grand automobile like a millyingaire lady, don't you? All theswells go away to the country for the summer, you got to be a swell lady!I ain't going to have you left way behind!"

"Mickey, would you be there?" she asked. 

"Yes lady, I'd be right on the job!" said Mickey. "I'd be there a lot morethan I am here. You go the week they wanted that boy, and he didn't come;then if you like it, I'll see if they won't board you, and you can have anice little girl to play with, and a fat, real baby, and a boy bigger thanme--and you should see Peter!"

Peaches opened her lips, Mickey reapplied the cloth. 

"Calm down now!" he ordered. "I've decided to do it. We got to humpourselves. This is our _chance_. Why there's milk, and butter, and eggs, and things to eat there like you never tasted, and to have a cool breeze, and to lie on the grass----"

"Oh Mickey, could I?" cried Peaches. 

"Sure silly! Why not?" said Mickey. "There's big fields of it, and thecows don't need it all. You can lie on the grass, or the clover, and hearthe birds, and play with the children. I'll take a day and get thingsstarted right before I leave you to come to work, like I'll have to. WhenI come at night, I'll carry your outdoors; why I'll take you down to thewater and you can kick your feet in it, where it's nice and warm; all thetime you can have as many flowers as your hands will hold; and such birdsinging, why Lily Peaches O'Halloran, there are birds as red as blood, yesma'am, and yellow as orange peel and light blue like this ribbon and darkblue like that--hold still 'til I fix you--and such singing!"

"Mickey, would you hold me?" wavered Peaches. 

"Smash anybody that lays a finger on you, unless you say so, " said Mickeypromptly. 

"And you'd stay a whole day?" she asked anxiously. 

"Sure!" cried Mickey. 

"An' if I was afraid you'd bring me back?" she went on. 

"Sure! Right away!" he promised. 

"An' they wouldn't anybody 'get' me there?"

"'Way out there 'mong the clover?" scoffed Mickey. "Why it's _here_they'll '_get_' you if they are going to. Nobody out there _wants_ you, but me. "

"Mickey, when will you take me?" she asked eagerly. 

"Before so very long, " promised Mickey. "You needn't be surprised to hearme coming with the nice lady to see you any day now, and to be wrapped ina sheet, and put in a big car, and just scooted right out to the veryplace that God made especial for little girls. To-night we put in anotherblesses, Lily. We'll pray, 'Bless the nice lady who sent our supper, 'won't we?"

"Yes Mickey, and 'fore you came I didn't want any supper at all, and now I_do_, " said Peaches. 

"You were too warm honey, " said Mickey. "We'll just fix this old hot city. We'll run right away from it. See? Now we'll have the grandest supper weever had. "

Mickey brought water, plates, and forks, and opened the basket. Peachesbolstered with her pillows cried out and marvelled. There was a quartbottle of milk wrapped in a wet cloth. There was a big loaf of crustybrown country bread. There was a small blue bowl of yellow butter, asquare of honey even yellower, a box of strawberries, and some powderedsugar, and a little heap of sliced, cold boiled ham. Mickey surveyed thetable. 

"Now Miss Chicken, here's how!" he warned. "I found you all warm andfeverish. If you load up with this, you'll be sick sure. You get a cup ofmilk, a slice of bread and butter, some berries and a teeny piece of meat. We can live from this a week, if the heat doesn't spoil it. "

"You fix me, " said Peaches. 

Then they had such a supper as they neither one ever had known, duringwhich Mickey explained wheat fields and bread, bees and honey, cows andclover, pigs and ham, as he understood them. Peaches repeated her lessonand her prayers and then as had become her custom, demanded that Mickeywrite his last verse on the slate, so she might learn and copy it on themorrow. She was asleep before he finished. Mickey walked softly, clearedthe table, placed it before the window, and taking from his pocket anenvelope Mr. Bruce had given him drew out a sheet of folded paper on whichhe wrote long and laboriously, then locking Peaches in, he slipped down tothe mail-box and posted this letter:

DEAR MISTER CARREL:

_I saw in papers I sold how you put different legs on a dog. I have alittle white flowersy-girl that hasn't ever walked. It's her back. A NurseLady told me at the "Star of Hope" how you came there sometimes, and thenext time you come, I guess I will let you see my little girl; and maybeI'll have you fix her back. When you see her you will know that to fix herback would be the biggest thing you ever did or ever could do. I got a jobthat I can pay her way and mine, and save two dollars a week for you. Icouldn't pay all at once, but I could pay steady; and if you'd lose allyou have in any way, it would come in real handy to have that much skatingin steady as the clock every week for as long as you say, and soon as Ican, I'll make it more. I'd give all I got, or ever can get, to cureLily's back, and because you fixed the dog, I'd like you to fix her. I dohope you will come soon, but of course I don't wish anybody else would getsick so you'd have to. You can ask if I am square of Mr. Douglas Bruce, Iriquois Building, Multiopolis, Indiana, or of Mr. Chaffner, editor ofthe_ Herald, _whose papers I've sold since I was big enough. _

MICHAEL O'HALLORAN. 

CHAPTER XII

_Feminine Reasoning_

With vigour renewed by a night of rest Leslie began her second day atAtwater Cabin. She had so many and such willing helpers that before noonshe could find nothing more to do. After lunch she felt a desire toexplore her new world. Choosing the shady side, she followed the roadtoward the club house, but one thought in her mind: she must return intime to take the car and meet Douglas Bruce as she had promised. 

She felt elated that she had so planned her summer as to spend it with herfather, while of course it was going to be delightful to have her loverwith her. So going she came to a most attractive lane that led from theroad between tilled fields, back to a wood on one side, and open pastureon the other. Faintly she heard the shouts of children, and yielding tosudden impulse she turned and followed the grassy path. A few more steps, then she stopped in surprise. An automobile was standing on the bank of abrook. On an Indian blanket under a tree sat a woman of fine appearanceholding a book, but watching with smiling face the line of the water, which spread in a wide pool above a rudely constructed dam, overflowing itin a small waterfall. 

On either bank lay one of the Minturn boys, muddy and damp, trying withhis hands to catch something in the water. Below the dam, in a bluebalbriggan bathing suit, stood James Minturn, his hands filled with a bigpiece of sod which he bent and applied to a leak. Leslie untied theribbons of her sunshade and rumpling her hair to the light breeze cameforward laughing. 

"Well Mr. Minturn!" she cried. "What is going to become of the taxpayersof Multiopolis while their champion builds a sod dam?"

Whether the flush on James Minturn's face as he turned to her wasexertion, embarrassment, or unpleasant memory Leslie could not decide; butshe remembered, after her impulsive greeting, that she had been with hiswife in that early morning meeting the day of the trip to the swamp. Shethought of many things as she went forward. James Minturn held out hismuddy hands as he said laughingly: "You see I'm not in condition for ourcustomary greeting. "

"Surely!" cried Leslie. "It is going to wash off, isn't it? If from you, why not from me?"

"Of course if you want to play!" he said. 

"Playing? You? Honestly?" queried Leslie. 

"Honestly playing, " answered the man. "The 'honestest' playing in all theworld; not the political game, not the money game, not anything calledmanly sport, just a day off with my boys, being a boy again. HeavensLeslie, I'm wild about it. I could scarcely sleep last night for eagernessto get started. But let me make you acquainted with my family. My sister, Mrs. Winslow, a friend of mine, Miss Leslie Winton; my sons' tutor, Mr. Tower; my little brother, William Minturn; my boys, Junior and Malcolm. "

"Anyway, we can shake hands, " said Leslie to Mrs. Winslow. "The habit isso ingrained I am scandalized on meeting people if I'm forced to neglectit. "

"Will you share my blanket?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 

"Thanks! Yes, for a little time, " said Leslie. "I am greatly interested inwhat is going on here. "

"So am I, " said Mrs. Winslow. "We are engaged in the evolution of an idea. A real 'Do-the-boy's-hall. '"

"It seems to be doing them good, " commented Leslie. 

"Never mind the boys, " said Mr. Minturn. "I object to such small menmonopolizing your attention. Look at the 'good' this is doing me. Andwould you please tell me why you are here, instead of disporting yourselfat, say Lenox?"

"How funny!" laughed Leslie. "I am out in search of amusement, and I'mfinding it. I think I'm perhaps a mile from our home for the summer. "

"You amaze me!" cried Mr. Minturn. "I saw Douglas this morning, and toldhim where I was coming, but he never said a word. "

"He didn't know one to say on this subject, " explained Leslie. "You see Irented a cabin over at Atwater and had my plans made before I told evenfather what a delightful thing was in store for him. "

"But how did it happen?"

"Through my seeing how desperately busy Daddy and Douglas have been allspring, Daddy especially, " replied Leslie. "Douglas is bad enough, butfather's just obsessed, so much so that I think he's carrying double. "

"I know he is, " said Mr. Minturn. "And so you made a plan to allow him toproceed with his work all day and then have the delightful ride, fishingand swimming in Atwater morning and evening. How wonderful! And of courseDouglas will be there also?"

"Of course, " agreed Leslie. "At least he shall have an invitation. I'mgoing to surprise him with it this very evening. How do you think he'lllike it?"

"I think he will be so overjoyed he won't know how to express himself, "said James Minturn. "But isn't it going to be lonely for you? Won't youmiss your friends, your frocks, and your usual summer round?"

"You forget, " said Leslie. "My friends and my frocks always have been forwinter. All my life I have summered with father. "

"How will you amuse yourself?" he asked. 

"It will take some time each day to plan what to do the next that willbring most refreshment and joy; I often will be compelled to drive in ofmornings with orders for my house-keeping, and when other things areexhausted, I am going to make an especial study of wild-bird music. "

"That is an attractive subject, " said Mr. Minturn. "Have you really madeany progress?"

"Little more than verifying a few songs already recorded, " replied Leslie. "I hear smatterings and snatches, but they are elusive, while I'm notalways sure of the identity of the bird. But the subject is thrillinglytempting. "

"It surely is, " conceded Mr. Minturn. "I could see that Nellie was alertthe instant you mentioned it. Come over here to the shade and tell me howfar you have gone. You see I've undertaken the boys' education. Malcolminherits his mother's musical ability to a wonderful degree. It ispossible that he could be started on this, and so begin his work while hethinks he's playing. "

Leslie walked to the spot indicated, far enough away that conversationwould not interrupt Mrs. Winslow's reading, and near enough to watch theboys; she and Mr. Minturn sat on the grass and talked. 

"It might be the very thing, " said Leslie. "Whatever gives even a fainthope of attracting a boy to an educational subject is worth testing. "

"One thing I missed, I always have regretted, " said Mr. Minturn, "I neverhad educated musical comprehension. Nellie performed and sang so well, andin my soul I knew what I could understand and liked in music she scorned. Sometimes I thought if I had known only enough to appreciate the rightthing at the right time, it might have formed a slender tie between us; soI want the boys both to recognize good music when they hear it; but theyhave so much to learn all at once, poor little chaps, I scarcely see whereto begin, and in a musical way, I don't even know how to begin. Tell meabout the birds, Leslie. Just what is it you are studying?"

"The strains of our famous composers that are lifted bodily for measuresat a time, from the song of a bird or indisputably based upon it, "answered Leslie. 

"Did you and Nellie have any success?"

"Indeed yes! We had the royal luck to hear exactly the song I had hoped;and besides we talked of many things and Nellie settled her future coursein her mind. When she went into the swamp alone and came out with anarmload of lavender fringed orchids she meant to carry to Elizabeth, andher heart firmly resolved to begin a new life with you, she told me shefelt like flying; that never had she been so happy. "

Leslie paused, glancing at James Minturn. He seemed puzzled: "I don'tunderstand. But nothing matters now. Tell me about the birds, " he said. 

"And it is what you admit you don't understand that I must tell you of, "said Leslie. "I've been afraid, horribly afraid you didn't understand, andthat you took some course you wouldn't have taken if you did. Whathappened in the swamp was all my fault!"

"The birds, Leslie, tell me of the birds, " commanded James Minturn. "Youcan't possibly know what occurred that separated Nellie and me. "

"No, I don't know your side of it; but I do know hers, and I don't thinkyou do, " persisted Leslie. "Now if you would be big enough to let me tellyou how it was with her that day, and what she said to me, your mind wouldbe perfectly at rest as to the course you have taken. "

"My mind is 'perfectly at rest now as to the course I have taken, '" saidMr. Minturn. "I realize that a man should meet life as it comes to him. Iendured mine in sweating humiliation for years, and I would have gone onto the end, if it had been a question of me only, but when the girl wassacrificed and the boys in a fair way to meet a worse fate than hers, thequestion no longer hinged on me. You have seen my sons during theirmother's régime, when they were children of wealth in the care ofservants; look at them now and dare to tell me that they are not greatlyimproved. "

"Surely they are!" said Leslie. "You did right to rescue them from theirenvironment; all the fault that lies with you so far is, that you did notdo from the start what you are now doing. The thing that haunts me isthis, Mr. Minturn, and I must get it out of my mind before I can sleepsoundly again--you will let me tell you--you won't think me meddling inwhat must be dreadful heartache? Oh you won't will you?"

"No, I won't, " said Mr. Minturn, "but it is prolonging heartache todiscuss this matter, and wasting time better used in the building of a soddam--indeed Leslie, tell me about the birds. "

"I will, if you'll answer one question, " said Leslie. 

"Dangerous, but I'll risk it, " replied Mr. Minturn. 

"I must ask two or three minor ones to reach the real one, " explained thegirl. 

"Oh Leslie, " laughed Mr. Minturn. "I didn't think you were so like theaverage woman. "

"A large number of men are finding 'the average woman' quite delightful, "said Leslie. "Men respect a masculine, well-balanced, argumentative woman, but every time they love and marry the impulsive, changeable, companionable one. "

"Provided she be endowed with truth, character, and common mother instinctenough to protect her young--yes--I grant it, and glory in it, " said Mr. Minturn. "I can furnish logic for one family, and most men I know feelqualified to do the same. "

"Surely!" agreed Leslie. "You were waiting for Nellie the night she camefrom the tamarack swamp with me, and she told me you had a little box, andthat with its contents you had threatened to 'freeze her soul, ' if she hada soul. I'll be logical and fair, and ask but the _one_ question I firststipulated. Here it is: did you wait until you made sure she had a soul, worthy of your consideration, before you froze it?"

James Minturn's laugh was ugly to hear. 

"My dear girl, " he said. "I made sure she had _not_ three years ago. "

"And I made equally sure that she had, " said Leslie, "in the tamarackswamp when she wrestled as Jacob at Peniel against her birth, herenvironment, her wealth, and triumphed over all of them for you and hersons. I can't go on with my own plan for personal happiness, until I knowfor sure if you perfectly understand that she came to you that night toconfess to you her faults, errors, mistakes, sins, if need be, and ask youto take the head of your household, and to help her fashion each hour ofher life anew. Did she have a chance to tell you all this?"

"No, " said Mr. Minturn. "But it would have made _no difference, _ if shehad. It came too late. "

"You have not the right to say that to any living, suffering human being!"protested Leslie. 

"I have a perfect right to say it to her, " said Mr. Minturn. "A right thatwould be justified in any court in the world, either of lawyers orpeople. "

"Then thank God, Nellie gets her trial higher. He will understand, andforgive her. "

"You don't know what she did, " said Mr. Minturn. "What she stood before meand the officers of the law, and admitted she did. "

"I don't care what she did! There were men forgiven on the cross; becausethey sincerely repented, God had mercy on them, so He will on her, andwhat's more, He won't have any on _you_, unless you follow His example andforgive when you are asked, by a woman who is as deeply repentant as shewas. "

"Her repentance comes too late, " said Mr. Minturn with finality. "Hererror is _not reparable_. "

"There is no such thing as true repentance being too late, " insistedLeslie. "You are distinctly commanded to forgive; you have got to do it!There is no error that is reparable. Since you hint tragedy, I willconcede it. If she had been directly responsible for the death of herchild, it was a mistake, criminal carelessness, but not a thing purposelyplanned; so she could atone for it by doing her best for you and theboys. "

"Any mother who once did the things she did is not fit to be trustedagain!"

"What nonsense! James Minturn, you amaze me!" said Leslie. "That is alittle too cold masculine logic. That is taking from the whole human racethe power to repent of and repair a mistake. "

"There are some mistakes that cannot be repaired!"

"I grant it, " said Leslie. "There are! _You are making one right now!_"

"That's the most strictly feminine utterance I ever heard, " said Mr. Minturn, with a short laugh. 

"Thank you, " retorted Leslie. "The compliment is high, but I accept it. Iask nothing better at the hands of fate than to be the most feminine ofwomen. And I've told you what I feel forced to. You can now go on withyour plans, knowing they are exactly what she had mapped out, hastily, butsurely. She said to me that she must build from the foundations, whichmeant a new home. "

"You are fatuously mistaken!" said Mr. Minturn. 

"She said to me, " reiterated Leslie forcefully, "that for ten years shehad done exactly what she pleased, lived only for her own pleasure, nowshe would do as _you_ dictated for a like time, live your way--I never wasfarther from a mistake in my life. If you think it doesn't take courage totell you this, and if you think I enjoy it, and if you think I don't wishI were a mile away----"

"I still maintain I know the lady better than you do, " said Mr. Minturn. "But you are wonderful Leslie, and I always shall respect and honour youfor your effort in our behalf. It does credit to your head and heart. Ienvy Douglas Bruce. If ever an hour of trial comes to you, I would feelhonoured for a chance to prove to you how much I appreciate----"

"Don't talk like that!" wailed Leslie. "It's all a failure if you do!Promise me that you will _think this over_. Let me send you the noteNellie wrote me before she went away. Won't you try to imagine what she issuffering to-day, in the change from what she went to you hoping, and whatshe received at your hands?"

"Let me see, " said James Minturn. "At this hour she is probably enduringthe pangs of wearing the most tasteful afternoon gown on the veranda ofwhatever summer resort suits her variable fancy, also the discomfiture ofthe woman she induced to bid high and is now winning from at bridge. I amparticularly intimate with her forms of suffering; you see I judge them bymy own and my children's during the past years. "

"Then you think I'm not sincere?" asked Leslie. 

"Surely, my dear girl!" said Mr. Minturn. "With all my heart I believeyou! I know you are loyal to her, and to me! It isn't _you_ I disbelieve, child, it is my wife. "

"But I've told you over and over that she's changed. "

"And I refuse to believe in her power to undergo the genuine and permanentchange that would make her an influence for good with her sons, oranything but an uncontrollable element in my home, " said Mr. Minturn. "WhyLeslie, if I were to hunt her up and ask her to come to my house, do youthink she would do it?"

"I know she would be most happy, " said Leslie. 

"Small plain rooms, wait on herself, children over the house and lawn atall times--Nellie Minturn? You amuse me!" he said. 

"There's no amusement in it for me, it is pitiful tragedy, " said Leslie. "She is willing, she has offered to change, you are denying her theopportunity. "

"You don't think deeply enough!" said the man. "Suppose, knowing her as Ido, I agreed to her coming to my house. Suppose I filled it with servantsto wait on her, and ruin and make snobs of the boys; it could only resultin a fiasco all around, and bring me again to the awful thing I have beenthrough once, in forcing a separation. The present is too good for theboys, and now they are my first consideration. "

"So I see, " said Leslie. "Nellie isn't getting a particle and she _is_their mother, and once she really awakened to the situation, she washungry to mother them, and to take her place in their hearts. I don't knowwhere she is, but feeling as she did when we parted, I know she's not atany summer resort playing bridge at this minute. "

"You are a friend worth having, Leslie; I congratulate my wife on sostaunch an advocate, " said James Minturn. "And I'll promise you this: I'llgo back to the hateful subject, just when I felt I was free from it. I'llthink on both sides, and I'll weigh all you've said. If I see aglimmering, I will do this much--I will locate her, and learn how genuinewas the change you witnessed, and I rather think I'll manage for you tosee also. Will that satisfy you?"

"That will make me radiant, because the change I witnessed was genuine. Iknow that wherever Nellie is to-day and whatever she is doing, she isstill firm as when she left me in her desire for reparation toward you andher sons. Please think fast, and find her quickly. "

"Leslie, you're incorrigible! Go bring Douglas to his surprise. He has aright to be happy. "

"So have you, " insisted Leslie. "More than he, because you have had suchdeep sorrow. Good-bye. "

Then Leslie took leave of the others, returned to the cabin, and hurriedto her room to dress for her trip to bring her lover. Douglas Bruce waswaiting when she stopped at the Iriquois and his greeting was joyous. Mr. Winton was cordial, but Douglas noticed that he seemed tired and worried, and inquired if he were working unusually hard. He replied that he was, and beginning to feel the heat a little. 

"Then we will drive to the country before dinner to cool off, " saidLeslie, seeing her opportunity. 

Both men agreed that would be enjoyable. After a few minutes of casualtalk they relaxed while making smooth passage over city streets and thealmost equally level highways of the country. At the end of half an hourDouglas sat upright, looking around him. 

"I don't recognize this, " he said. "Have we been here before, Leslie?"

"I think not, " she answered. "I don't know why. It is one of my best loveddrives. Always before we have taken the road to the club house, or some ofits branches. "

They began a gentle ascent, when directly across their way stretched theblue water of a lake. 

"Is here where we take the plunge?" inquired Douglas. 

"No indeed!" answered Leslie. "Here we speed until we gather such momentumthat we shoot across the water and alight on the opposite bank withoutstopping. Make your landing neatly, Rogers!"

"Why have we never been here before?" marvelled Douglas. "I don't rememberany other road one-half so inviting. Just look ahead here! See what abeautiful picture!" He indicated a vine of creeping blackberry spreadingover gold sand, its rough, deeply serrated leaves of most artisticcutting, with tufts of snowy bloom surrounding dark-tipped stamens intheir centres. 

"Isn't it!" answered Mr. Winton. "You know what Whitman said of it?"

"I'm not so well read in Whitman as you are. "

"Which is your distinct loss, " said Mr. Winton. "It was he who wrote, 'Arunning blackberry would adorn the parlours of Heaven. '"

"And so it would!" exclaimed Douglas. "What a frieze that would make for adining-room! Have you ever seen it used?"

"Never, " answered Leslie, "or many other of our most exquisite forms ofwild growth. "

"What beautiful country!" Douglas commented a minute later as the car spedfrom the swamp, ran uphill, and down a valley between stretches of tilledfarm land on either side, sloping back to the lakes now growing distant, then creeping up a gradual incline until Atwater flashed into sight. 

"Man! That's fine!" he said, rising in the car to better admire the view, at which Leslie signalled the driver to run slower. "I don't remember thatI ever saw anything quite so attractive as this. And if ever water inviteda swimmer--that white sand bed seems to extend as far into the lake as youcan see. Jove! Wasn't that a black bass under that thorn bush?"

Leslie's eyes were shining while her laugh was as joyous as any of thebirds. He need not say more. There was a bathing suit in his room; in tenminutes he could be cleaving the water to the opposite shore and have timeto return before dinner. The car sped down where the road ran level withthe water. A flock of waders arose and circled the lake. On the right wasthe orchard, the newly made garden, the tiny cabin with green lawn, hammocks swinging between trees, Indian blankets spread, and the odour ofcooking food in the air. The car stopped, Douglas sprang out and offeredhis hand as he saw Leslie intended descending. She took the hand and keptit in her left. With her right she included woods, water, orchard andcabin. 

"These are my surprise for you, " she said. "I am going to live here thissummer, and keep house for you and Dad while you run and reform the world. Welcome home, Douglas!"

He slowly looked around, then at Mr. Winton. 

"Do you believe her?" he asked incredulously. 

"Yes indeed! Leslie has the faculty of making good. And I'm one day aheadof you. She tried this on me last night. Hurry into your bathing suit;we'll swim before dinner, and then we'll fish. It was great going in thismorning! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!"

"Enjoy it!" cried Douglas. "Here is where the paucity of our language ismade manifest. "

Too happy herself for the right word, Leslie showed Douglas to his room, with its white bed, and row of hooks, on one of which hung the bathingsuit; then she went to put on her own, and they hurried to the lake. 

"You are happy here, Leslie?" asked Douglas. 

"Never in my life have I been so happy as I am this moment, " said Leslie, skifting the clear water with her hands while she waited for her fatherbefore starting the swim to the opposite shore. "I've got the most joyousthing to tell you. "

"Go on and tell, 'Bearer of Morning, '" he said. "I am so delighted I'mmaudlin. "

"Right over there, on the road to the club house, while 'seeking newworlds to conquer' this afternoon, I ran into James Minturn wearing abathing suit, to his knees in mud and water, building a sod dam for hisboys. "

"You did?" cried Douglas. 

"I did!" said Leslie. "Here's the picture: a beautiful winding stream, bigtrees like these on the banks, shade and flowers, birds, and air a-plenty, a fine appearing woman he introduced as his sister, a Minturn boy catchingfish with his bare hands on either bank, the brother Minturn must haveadopted legally, since he gave him his name----"

"He did, " interrupted Douglas. "He told me so----"

"I was sure of it, " said Leslie. "And an interesting young man, a tutor, bringing up more sod; the boys acted quite like any other agreeablyengaged children--but Minturn himself, looking like a man I never sawbefore, down in the sand and water building a sod dam--a sod dam I'mtelling you----"

"I notice what you are telling me, " cried Douglas. "It is duly impressingme. 'Dam' is all I can think of. "

"It's no wonder!" exclaimed Leslie. 

"What did he say to you?" queried Douglas. 

"It wasn't necessary for him to say anything, " said Leslie. "I could see. He is making over his boys and in order to do it sympathetically, and wintheir confidence and love, he is being a boy himself again. He has thelittle chaps under control now. There are love and admiration in theirtones when they speak to him, while they _obey_ him. Think of it!"

"It is something worth thinking of, " said Douglas. "He was driven toaction, but his methods must have been heroic; for they seem to haveworked. "

"Yes, for him and the boys, " said Leslie, "but they are not all hisfamily. "

"The remainder of his family always has looked out for herself to theexclusion of everything else in life, you have told me; I imagine she isstill doing it with wonderful success, " hazarded Douglas. 

"It amazes me how men can be so unfeeling. "

"So you talked to him about her?"

"I surely did!" asserted Leslie. 

"And I'll wager you wasted words, " said Douglas. 

"Not one!" cried the girl. "He will remember each one I spoke. If I don'thear of him taking some action soon, I'll find another occasion, and tryagain. He shall divide the joy of remaking those boys with their mother. "

"She will respectfully--I mean disdainfully, decline!"

"You don't believe she was in earnest in what she said to me then?" askedthe girl. 

"I am quite sure she was, " he answered, "but a few days of her former lifewith her old friends will take her back to her previous ways with greaterabandon than ever. You mark my words. "

"Bother your words!" cried Leslie emphatically. "I tell you Douglas, Iwent through the fire with her. I watched her soul come out white. Promiseme that if ever he talks to you, you won't say anything against her. "

"It would be a temptation, " he said. "Minturn is a different man. "

"So is she a different woman! Come on Dad, we are waiting for you, " calledLeslie. "What kept you so?"

"A paper fell from my pocket, so I picked it up and in glancing at it Ibecame interested in a thought that hadn't occurred to me before, and Iforgot. You must forgive your old Daddy; his hands are about full thesedays. Between my job for the city, and my own affairs, and those of afriend, I have all I can carry. Now let me forget business. I call thisgreat of the girl. And one of the biggest appeals to me is the bill offare. I had a dinner for a king last night. What have we to-night?"

"But won't anticipation spoil it?" she asked. 

"Not a particle, " he declared. 

"It's the fish we caught last night, baked potatoes, cress salad fromMinturn's brook, strawberries from Atwaters, cream from our rented cow, real clover cream, Mrs. James says, and biscuit. That's all. "

"Glory!" cried Mr. Winton. "Doesn't that thrill you? Let's head for thetallest tamarack of the swamp and then have a feast. "

On the opposite bank they rested a few minutes, then returned to dinner. Afterward, with Rogers rowing for Mr. Winton, and Leslie for Douglas, theywent bass fishing. When the boats passed on the far shore Leslie andDouglas had three, and Mr. Winton five. This did not prove that he was thebetter fisherman, only that he worked constantly; they lost much time inconversation which interested them; but as they enjoyed what they had tosay more than the sport, while Leslie only wished them to take the fishthey would use, it was their affair. The girl soon returned to theMinturns and secured a promise from Douglas that if Mr. Minturn talkedwith him, at least he would say nothing to discourage his friend about thesincerity of his wife's motives. Leslie's thoughts then turned to thesurprise Douglas had mentioned. 

"Oh, that pretty girl?" he inquired casually. 

"Yes, Lily, " she said. "Of course Mickey took you to see her! Is shereally a lovable child, and attractive? Could you get any idea of what isher trouble?"

Douglas carefully reeled while looking at Leslie with a speculative smile. "You refuse to consider an attractive young lady of greater beauty than Ihave previously seen?" he queried. 

"Absolutely! Don't waste time on it, " she said. 

"You'll have to begin again and ask me one at a time, " he laughed. "Whatwas your first?"

"Is she really a lovable child?" repeated Leslie. 

"She most certainly is, " said Douglas. "I could love her dearly. It'splain that Mickey adores her. Why when a boy gives up trips to thecountry, the chance to pick up good money, in order to stand over, wash, and cook for a little sick girl, what is the answer?"

"The one you have given--that he adores her, " conceded Leslie. "The nextwas, 'Is she attractive?'"

"Wonderfully!" cried Douglas. "And what she would be in health with fleshto cover her bones and colour on her lips and cheeks is now only dimlyforeshadowed. "

"She must have her chance, " said Leslie. "I was thinking of her to-day. I'll go to see her at once and bring her here. I will get the best surgeonin Multiopolis to examine her and a nurse if need be; then Mickey can comeout with you. "

"Would you really, Leslie?" asked Douglas. 

"But why not?" cried she. "That's one of the things worth while in theworld. "

"I'd love to go halvers with you, " proposed Douglas. "Let's do it! Whenwill you go to see her?"

"In a few days, " said Leslie. "The last one was, 'Could you get any ideaof what is the trouble?'"

"Very little, " said Douglas. "She can sit up and move her hands. He isteaching her to read and write. She had her lesson very creditably copiedout on her slate. She practises in his absence on poems Mickey makes. "

"Poems?"

"Doggerel, " explained Douglas. "Four lines at a time. Some of it ispathetic, some of it is witty, some of it presages possibilities. He maymake a poet. She requires a verse each evening, so he recites it, thenwrites it out, and she uses it for copy the next day. The finished productis to have a sky-blue cover and be decorated either with an Englishsparrow, the only bird she has seen, or a cow. She likes milk, and thepictures of cows give her an idea that she can handle them like herdoll----"

"Oh Douglas!" protested Leslie. 

"I believe she thinks a whole herd of cows could be kept on her bed, whileshe finds them quite suitable to decorate Mickey's volume, " said Douglas. 

"Why, hasn't she seen anything at all?"

"She has been on the street twice in her life that she knows of, " answeredDouglas. "It will be kind of you to take her, and cure her if it can bedone, but you'll have to consult Mickey. She is his find, so he claimsher, belligerently, I might warn you!"

"Claims her! _He has her?_" marvelled Leslie. 

"Surely! In his room! On his bed! Taking care of her himself, and doing amighty fine job of it! Best she ever had I am quite sure, " said Douglas. 

"But Douglas!" cried Leslie in amazement. 

"'But me no buts, ' my lady!" warned Douglas. "I know what you would say. Save it! You can't do anything that way. Mickey is right. She _is_ his. Hefound her in her last extremity, in rags, on the floor in a dark corner ofan attic. He carried her home in that condition, to a clean bed his motherleft him. Since, he has been her gallant little knight, lying on the flooron his winter bedding, feeding her first and most, not a thought forhimself. God, Leslie! I don't stand for anything coming between Mickey andhis child, his 'family' he calls her. He's the biggest small specimen Iever have seen. I'll fight his cause in any court in the country, if hisright to her is questioned, as it will be the minute she is taken to asurgeon or a hospital. "

"How old is she?" asked Leslie. 

"Neither of them knows. About ten, I should think. "

"How has he managed to keep her hidden this long?"

"He lives in an attic. The first woman he tried to get help from startedthe Home question, and frightened him; so he appealed to a nurse he metthrough being connected with an accident; she gave him supplies, instructions and made Lily gowns. "

"But why didn't she----?" began Leslie. 

"She may have thought the child was his sister, " said Douglas. "She's theloveliest little thing, Leslie!"

"Very little?" asked Leslie. 

"Tiny is the word, " said Douglas. "It's the prettiest sight I ever saw towatch him wait on her, and to see her big, starved, scared eyes follow himwith adoring trust. "

"Adoration on both sides, then, " laughed Leslie. 

"You imply I'm selecting too big words, " said Douglas. "Wait till you seeher, and see them together. "

"It's a problem!" said Leslie. 

"Yes, I admit that!" conceded Douglas, "but it isn't _your_ problem. "

"But they can't go on that way!" cried Leslie. 

"I grant that, " said Douglas. "All I stipulate is that Mickey shall beleft to plan their lives himself, and in a way that makes him happy. "

"That's only fair to him!" said Leslie. 

"Now you are grasping and assimilating the situation properly, " commentedDouglas. 

When they returned to the cabin they found Mr. Winton stretched in ahammock smoking. Douglas took a blanket and Leslie a cushion on the steps, while all of them watched the moon pass slowly across Atwater. 

"How are you progressing with the sinners of Multiopolis?" asked Mr. Winton of Douglas. 

"Fine!" he answered. "I've found what I think will turn out to be a bigdefalcation. Somebody drops out in disgrace with probably a penitentiarysentence. "

"Oh Douglas! How can you?" cried Leslie. 

"How can a man live in luxury when he is stealing other people's money topay the bills?" he retorted. 

"Yes I know, but Douglas, I wish you would buy this place and plow corn, or fish for a living. "

"Sometimes I have an inkling that before I finish with this I shall wishso too, " replied he. 

"What do you think, Daddy?" asked Leslie. 

"I think the 'way of the transgressor is hard, ' and that as always he paysin the end. Go ahead son, but let me know before you reach my office orany of my men. I hope I have my department in perfect order, but sometimesa man gets a surprise. "

"Of course!" agreed Douglas. "Look at that water, will you? Just beyondthat ragged old sycamore! That fellow must have been a whale. Isn't thisgreat?"

"The best of life, " said Mr. Winton, stooping to kiss Leslie as he saidgood-night to both. 

CHAPTER XIII

_A Safe Proposition_

When Mickey posted his letter, in deep thought he slowly walked home. Thatnight his eyes closed with a feeling of relief. He was certain that whenPeter and his wife and children talked over the plan he had suggested theywould be anxious to have such a nice girl as Lily in their home for aweek. He even went so far as the vague thought that if they kept her untilfall, they never would be able to give her up, and possibly she couldremain with them until he could learn whether her back could be cured, andmake arrangements suitable for her. In his heart he felt sure that Mr. Bruce or Miss Leslie would help him take care of her, but he had strongobjections to them. He thought the country with its clean air, birds, flowers and quiet the best place for her; if he allowed them to take her, she would be among luxuries which would make all he could dounappreciated. 

"She wasn't born to things like that; what's the use to spoil her withthem?" he argued. "Course they haven't spoiled Miss Leslie, but she wasn'ta poor kid to start on, and she has a father to take care of her, and Mr. Bruce. Lily has only me and I'm going to manage my family myself. Prettysoon those nice folks will come, and if she likes them, maybe I'll letthem take her 'til it's cooler. "

Mickey had thought they would come soon, but he had not supposed it wouldbe the following day. He went downtown early, spent some time drilling hisprotégé in the paper business, and had the office ready when Douglas Brucearrived an hour late. During that hour, Mickey's call came. He made anappointment to meet Mr. And Mrs. Peter Harding at Marsh & Jordan's at fouro'clock. 

"Peter must have wanted to see her so bad he quit plowing to come, "commented Mickey, as he hung up the receiver. "He couldn't have finishedthat field last night! They're just crazy to see Lily, and when they do, they'll be worse yet; but of course they wouldn't want to take her fromme, 'cause they got three of their own. I guess Peter is the safestproposition I know. Course he wouldn't ever put a little flowersy-girl inany old Orphings' Home. Sure he wouldn't! He wouldn't put his own there, course he wouldn't mine!"

"Mickey, what do you think?" asked Douglas as he entered. "I've moved tothe country!"

Mickey stared. Then came his slow comment: "Gee! The cows an' the clovergets all of us!"

"I can beat that, " said Douglas. "I'm going to live beside a lake where Ican swim every night and morning, and catch big bass, and live onstrawberries from the vines and cream straight from the cow----"

"I thought you'd get to the cow before long. "

"And you are invited to go out with me as often as you want to, and youmay arrange to have Lily out too! Won't that be fine?"

Mickey hesitated while his eyes grew speculative, before he answered withhis ever ready: "Sure!"

"Miss Winton made a plan for her father and me, " explained Douglas. "Sheknew we would lose our vacations this summer, so she took an old cabin onAtwater, and moved out. We are to go back and forth each morning andevening. I never was at the lake before, but it's not far from the clubhouse and it's beautiful. I think most of all I shall enjoy the swimmingand fishing. "

"I haven't had experience with water enough to swim in, " said Mickey. "Atub has been my limit. You'll have a fine time all right, and thank youfor asking me. I think Miss Winton is great. Ain't it funny how many finefolks there are in the world? 'Most every one I meet is too nice for anyuse; but I don't know any Swell Dames, my people are just common folks. "

"You wouldn't call Miss Winton a 'Swell Dame, ' then?"

"Well I should say nix!" cried Mickey. "You wouldn't catch her motoringaway to a party and leaving her baby to be slapped and shook out of itsbreath by a mad nurselady, 'cause she left it herself where the sun hurtits eyes. She wouldn't put a little girl that couldn't walk in anyOrphings' Home where no telling what might happen to her! She'd fix her aPrecious Child and take her for a ride in her car and be careful withher. "

"Are you quite sure about that Mickey?"

"Surest thing you know, " said Mickey emphatically. "Why look her straightin the eyes, and you can tell. I saw her coming away down the street, andthe minute I got my peepers on her I picked her for a winner. I guess youdid too. "

"I certainly did, " said Douglas. "But it is most important that I beperfectly sure, so I should like to have your approval of my choice. "

"I guess you're kidding now, " ventured Mickey. 

"No, I'm in earnest, " said Douglas Bruce. "You see Mickey, as I have saidbefore, your education and mine have been different, but yours is equallyvaluable. "

"What shall I do now? 'Scuse me, I mean--what do I mean?" asked Mickey. 

"To wait until I'm ready for you, " suggested Douglas. 

"Sure!" conceded Mickey. "It's because I'm used to hopping so lively onthe streets. "

"Do you miss the streets?" inquired Douglas. 

"Well not so much as I thought I would, " said Mickey, "'sides in a way I'mstill on the job, but I guess I'll get Henry's boy so he can go it allright. He seems to be doing fairly well; so does the old man. "

"Have you got him in training too?" asked Douglas. 

"Oh it's his mug, " explained Mickey impatiently. "S'pose you do own agrouch, what's the use of displaying it in your show window? Those thingsare dangerous. They're contagious. Seeing a fellow on the street lookinglike he'd never smile again, makes other folks think of their woes, sopretty soon everybody gets sorry for themselves. I'd like to see the wholeworld happy. "

"Mickey, what makes _you_ so happy to-day?"

"I scent somepin' nice in the air, " said Mickey. "I hear the rumble of thejoy wagon coming my way. "

"You surely look it, " declared Douglas. "It's a mighty fine thing to behappy. I am especially thinking that, because it looks like this lastbatch you brought me has a bad dose in it for a man I know. He won't behappy when he sees his name in letters an inch high on the front page ofthe _Herald_. "

"No, he won't, " agreed Mickey, his face dulling. "That _comes in my line_. I've seen men forced to take it right on the cars. Open a paper, slidedown, turn white, shiver, then take a brace and try to sit up and looklike they didn't care, when you could see it was all up with them. Gee, it's tough! I wish we were in other business. "

"But what about the men who work hard for their money, not to mincematters, that these men you are pitying steal?" asked Douglas. 

"Yes, I know, " said Mickey. "But there's a big bunch of taxpayers, so itdoesn't hit any _one_ so hard. It's tough on them, but honest, Mr. Bruce, it ain't as tough to lose your coin as it is to lose your glad face. Youcan earn more money or slide along without so much; but once you get theslick, shamed look on your show window, you can't ever wash it off. Sinceyour face is what your friends know you by, it's an awful pity to spoilit. "

"That's so too, Mickey, " laughed Bruce, "but keep this clearly in yourmind. _I'm not spoiling any one's face_. If any man loses his right tolook his neighbour frankly in the eye, from the job we're on, it is _his_fault, not _ours_. If men have lived straight we can't find defalcationsin their books, can we?"

"Nope, " agreed Mickey. "Just the same I wish we were plowing corn, 'steadof looking for them. That plowing job is awful nice. I watched a man theother day, the grandest big bunch of bone and muscle, driving a team ittook a gladiator to handle. First time I ever saw it done at close rangeand it got me. He looked like a man you'd want to tie to and stick 'tilthe war is over. If he ever has a case he is going to bring it to you. Butwhere he'll get a case out there ten miles from anybody, with the bluestsky you ever saw over his head, and black fields under his feet, I can'tsee. Yes, I wish we were plowing for corn 'stead of trouble. "

"You little dunce, " laughed Douglas. "We'd make a fortune plowing corn. "

"What's the difference how much you make if something black keeps ki-yi-ing at your heels 'bout how you make it?" asked Mickey. 

"There's a good strong kick in my heels, and the 'ki-yi-ing' is for thefeet of the man I'm after. "

"Yes, I know, " said Mickey, "but 'fore we get through with this I just gota hunch that you'll wish we had been plowing corn, too. "

"What makes you so sure, Mickey?" said Douglas. 

"Oh things I hear men say when I get the books keep me thinking, " repliedMickey. 

"What things?" queried Douglas. 

"Oh about who's going to get the axe next!" said Mickey. 

"But what of that?" asked Douglas. 

"Why it might be somebody you know!" he cried. "When you find these wrongentries you can't tell who made them. "

"I know that the man who made them deserves what he gets, " said Douglas. 

"Yes, I guess he does, " agreed Mickey. "Well go on! But when I grow up I'mgoing to plow corn. "

"What about the poetry?" queried Douglas. 

"They go together fine, " explained Mickey. "When the book is finished, I'dlike clover on the cover better than the cow; but if Lily wants the livestock it goes!"

"Of course, " assented Douglas. "But when she sees a real cow she maychange her mind. "

"Right in style! Ladies do it often, " conceded Mickey. "I've seen them sochangeful they couldn't tell when they called a taxi where they wanted tobe taken. " "Mickey, your observations on human nature would make a betterbook than your poetry. "

"Oh I don't know, " said Mickey. "You see I ain't really got _at_ thepoetry job yet. I have to be educated a lot to do it right. What I do nowI wouldn't show to anybody else, it's just fooling for Lily. But I got anaddress that gives me a look-in on the paper business if I ever want it. Iain't got at the poetry yet, but I been on the human-nature job from thestart. When you go cold and hungry if you don't know human nature--why you_know_ it, that's all!"

"You surely do, " said Douglas. "Now let's hustle this forenoon, and thenyou may have the remainder of the day. I am going fishing. "

"Thank you, " said Mickey, "I hope you get a bass as long as your arm, andI hope the man you are chasing breaks his neck before you get him. "

Mickey grinned at Douglas' laugh, and went racing about his work, then hehelped on his paper route until four, when he hurried to his meeting withNancy and Peter. 

"When everybody is so nice if you give them any show at all, I can'tunderstand where the grouchers get their grouch, " muttered Mickey, as hehopped from one toe to the other and tried to select the car at the curbwhich would be Peter's. 

"Hey you!" presently called a voice from one of them. Mickey sent a keenglance over a boy who had come up and entered the car. 

"Straw you!" retorted Mickey, landing on the curb in a flying leap. 

"Is your name Mickey?" inquired the boy. 

"Yep. Is your father's name Peter?" asked Mickey. 

"Yep. And mine is Peter too. So to avoid two Peters I am Junior. Come onin 'til the folks come. "

Formalities were over. Mickey laughed as he entered the car andstraightway began an investigation of its machinery. Now any boy is proudto teach another something he wants to know and does not, so by the timethe car was thoroughly explained any listener would have thought themacquaintances from birth. 

"Hurry!" cried Junior when his parents came. "I want to get home withMickey. I want him to show me----"

"Don't you hurry your folks, Junior, " said Mickey, "I'll show you allright!"

"Well it's about time I was seeing something. "

"Sure it is, " agreed Mickey. "Come on with me here, and I'll show you whatreal boys are!"

"Say father, I'm coming you know, " cried Junior. "I'm tired poking in thecountry. Just look what being in the city has made of Mickey. "

"Yes, just look!" cried Mickey, waving both hands and bracing on feet wideapart. "Do look! Your age or more, and about _half_ your beefsteak andbone. "

"But you got muscle. I bet I couldn't throw you!"

"I bet you couldn't either, " retorted Mickey, "'cause I survivedMultiopolis by being Johnny _not_ on the spot! I've dodged for my life andmy living since I can remember. I'm champeen on that. But you come on withme, and I'll get you a job and let you try yourself. "

"I'm coming, " said Junior. Then remembering he was not independent heturned to his mother. "Can't I take a job and work here?"

Mrs. Harding braced herself and succumbed to habit. "That will be as yourfather says. "

Junior turned toward his father, doubt in his eye, to receive a shock. There was not a trace of surprise or disapproval on the face of Peter. 

"Now maybe that would be the best way in the world for you to help meout, " he said. "You see me through planting and harvest and then I'llarrange to spare you, and you can see how you like it till fall. But youare too young to give up school and I don't agree to interrupting youreducation. "

Mrs. Harding entered the car. "Now Mickey, " she said as she distributedparcels, "you sit up there with Peter and show him the way, and we will gosee if we want to undertake the care of your little girl for a week. "

"Drop the anchor, furl the sail, right here, " directed Mickey when theyreached Sunrise Alley. "You know I told you dearest lady, about how scaredmy little girl is, having seen so few folks and not expecting you; so I'llhave to ask you to wait a few minutes 'til I go up and get her used toyour being here and then I'll have to sort of work her up to you one at atime. I 'spect you can't hardly believe that there's anything in all theworld so small, and so white, that's lived to have the brains she has, andyet hasn't seen the streets of this city but for a short ride on a street-car twice in her life, and hasn't talked to half a dozen people. She maytake you for a bear, Peter; you will be quiet and easy, won't you?"

"Why Mickey, " said Peter, "why of course, son!"

Mickey bounded up the stairs and swung wide his door. Again the awful heathit him in the face. He swallowed a mouthful, hastily shutting the door. "It's hard on Lily, " was his mental comment, "but I guess I'll just _save_that for Mr. And Mrs. Peter. I think a few gulps of it will do them good;it will show them better than talking why, once she's _out_ of it, sheshouldn't come back 'til cold weather at least, if at all. Yes I guess!"

"Most baked honey?" he asked, taking her hot hands. 

"Mickey, 'tain't near six, " she panted. 

"No it's two hours early, " said Mickey. "But you know Flowersy-girl, I'mgoing to take _care_ of you. It's getting too hot for you. Don't youremember what I told you last night?"

"'Bout laying on the grass an' the clover flowers?"

"Exactly yes!" said Mickey. "'Fore we melt let's roll up in this sheet andgo, Lily! What do you say?"

"Has--has the red-berry folks come?" she cried. 

"They're downstairs, Lily. They're waiting. "

Peaches began climbing into his arms. 

"Mickey, Mickey-lovest, hold me tight, " she panted. "Mickey, I'm scairtjust God-damned!"

"Wope! Wope lady! None of that!" cried Mickey aghast. "The place whereyou're going there's a _nice little girl_ that never said such a word inall her life, and if she did her mammy would wash the badness out of hermouth with soap, just like I'll have to wash out yours, if you don'twatch. You can't go in the big car, being held tight by me, else youpromise cross your heart never, not never to say that again. "

"Mickey, will soapin' take it out?" wailed Peaches. 

"Well my mammy took it out of _me_ that way!"

"Mickey get the soap, an' wash, an' scour it all out now, so's I can'tever. Mickey, quick before the nice lady comes that has flower fields, an'red berries, an' honey 'lasses. Mickey, hurry!"

"Oh you fool little sweet kid, " he half laughed, half sobbed. "You foollittle precious child-kid--I can't! There's a better way. I'll just put ona kiss so tight that no bad swearin's will ever pop out past it. There, like that! Now you won't ever say one 'fore the nice little girl, and whenI want you not to so bad, will you?"

"Not never Mickey! Not never, never, never!"

"The folks can't wait any longer, " said Mickey. "Here quick, I'll washyour face and comb you, and get a clean nightie on you, and your sweetestribbon. "

"Then it's pink, " declared Peaches, "an' Mickey, make me a pretty girl, so's the nice lady will like me to drink her milk. "

"Greedy!" said Mickey. "How can I make you pretty when the Lord didn't!"

"Ain't I pretty any at all?" queried Peaches. 

"Mebby you would be if you'd fatten up a little, " said Mickey judicially. "Can't anybody be pretty that's got bones sticking out all over them. "

"Mickey, is the girl where we are going pretty?"

"I don't know, " said Mickey. "I haven't seen her. She's a fine littlegirl, for she's at home taking care of her baby brother so's that hermammy can come and see if you are _nice enough_ to go to her house and not_spoil_ her children. See?"

Peaches nodded comprehendingly. 

"Mickey, I won't again!" she insisted. "I said not never, never, never. Didn't you _hear_ me?"

"Yes I heard you, " said Mickey, applying the washcloth, slipping on afresh nightdress, brushing curls, and tying the ribbon with fingersshaking with excitement and haste. "Yes I heard you, but that stuff seemsto come awful easy, Miss. You got to be careful no end. Now, I'm going tobring them. You just smile at them, and when they ask you, tell them theright answer _nice_. Will you honey? Will you _sure?_"

"Surest thing you know, " quoted Peaches promptly. 

"Aw-w-w-ah!" groaned Mickey. "That ain't right! Miss Leslie wouldn't eversaid that! You got that from me, too! I guess I better soap out my mouth'fore I begin on you. 'Yes ma'am, ' is the answer. Now you remember! I'lljust bring in the lady first. "

"I want to see Peter first!" announced Peaches. 

"Well if I ever!" cried Mickey. "Peter is a great big man, 'bout twice asbig as Mr. Bruce. You don't either! You want to see the nice lady first, 'cause it's up to _her_ to say if she'll take care of you. She may get madand not let you go at all, if you ask to see Peter _first_. You want tosee the nice lady first, don't you Lily?"

"Yes, if I got to, to see the cow. But I don't!" said Lily. "I want to seePeter. I like Peter the _best_. "

"Now you look here Miss Chicken, don't you start a tantrum!" cried Mickey. "If you don't see this nice lady first and be pretty to her, I'll just godown and tell them you _like_ lying here roasting, and they can go back totheir flower-fields and berries. See?"

Peaches drew a deep breath but her eyes were wilful. A wave of heat seemedto envelop them. 

"Sweat it out right now!" ordered Mickey. "When people do things for you'cause they are sorry for you, it's up to you to be polite, to pay backwith manners at least. See?"

Peaches' smile was irresistible: "Mickey, I feel so p'lite! I'll see thenice lady first. "

"Now there's a real, sure-enough lady!"

Mickey stooped to kiss Peaches again, take a last look at the hair ribbon, and straighten the sheet, then he ran; but he closed in the heat quicklyas he slipped through the doorway. A few seconds later with the Hardingfamily at his heels he again approached it. There he made his secondspeech. He addressed it to Peter and Junior. 

"'Cause she's so little and so scared, I guess the nice lady better go infirst, and make up with her. Then one at a time you can come, so so manystrangers won't upset her. "

Peter assented heartily, but with a suffocating gesture removed his coat, so Junior followed his example. Mickey cut short something about "extremeheat" on the lips of Mrs. Harding by indicating the door, and opening it. He quickly closed it after her, advancing to Peaches. 

"Lily, this is the nice lady I was telling you of who has got the birdsinging and the flower-fields----" he began. Peaches drew back, her eyeswide with wonder and excitement, but her mind followed Mickey's lead, forshe shocked his sense of propriety by adding: "and the good red berries. "

But Mrs. Harding came from an environment where to have "good redberries, " spicy smoked ham, fat chickens and golden loaves constituted afirst test of efficiency. To have her red berries appreciated did notoffend her. If Peaches had said "the sweetest, biggest red berries inNoble Country, " the woman would have been delighted, because that was herprivate opinion, but she was not so certain that corroboration wasunpleasant. She advanced, gazing at the child unconsciously gasping thestifling air. She took one hurried glance at the room in its scrupulousbareness, with waves of heat pouring in the open window, and bent overPeaches. 

"Won't you come out of this awful heat quickly, and let us carry you awayto a cool, shady place? Dear little girl, don't you want to come?" shequestioned. 

"Is Mickey coming too?" asked Peaches. 

"Of course Mickey is coming too!" said the lady. 

"Will he hold me?"

"He will if you want him to, " said Mrs. Harding, "but Peter is so muchbigger, it wouldn't tire him a mite. "

Mickey shifted on his feet and gazed at Peaches; as her eyes sought his, the message he telegraphed her was so plain that she caught it right. 

"Mickey is just awful strong, " she said. "I'll go if he'll hold me. But Iwant to _see_ Peter! I _like_ Peter!"

"Why you darling!" cried the nice lady. 

"And I like Junior, that Mickey told me about, and your nice little girlthat I mustn't ever say no sw----"

Mickey promptly applied the flat of his hand to the lips of the astonishedchild. 

"And you like the little girl and the fat toddly baby----" he prompted. 

"Yes, " agreed Peaches enthusiastically, twisting away her head, "and Ilike the milk and the meat--gee, I like the _meat_, only Mickey wouldn'tgive me but a tiny speck 'til he asked the Sunshine Nurse Lady. "

"You blessed child!" cried Nancy Harding. "Call Peter quickly!"

Mickey opened the door and signalled Peter and Junior. 

"She likes you. She asked for you. You can both come at once, " heannounced, holding the door at a narrow crack until they reached it, bothred faced, dripping, and fanning with their hats. Peter gasped for air. 

"My God! Has any living child been cooped in this all day?" he roared. "Get her out! Get her out quick! Get her out first and talk afterward. This will give her scarlet fever!"

A shrill shout came from behind the intervening lady who arose and steppedback as Peaches raised to her elbow, and stretched a shaking hand towardPeter. 

"Gee, Peter! You get your mouth soaped out first!" she cried. "Gee, Peter!I _like_ you, Peter!"

Peter bent over her and then stooping to her level he explored her withastonished eyes, as he cried: "Why child, you ain't big enough for anexclamation point!" Peaches didn't know what an exclamation point was, butMickey did. His laugh brought him again into her thought. 

"Mickey, let's beat it! Take me quick!" she panted. "Take me first andtalk afterward. Mickey, we just love these nice people, let's go drinktheir milk, and eat their red berries. "

"Well Miss Chicken!" said Mickey turning a dull red. 

The Harding family were laughing. 

"All right, everybody move, " said Peter. "What do you want to take withyou Mickey?"

"That basket there, " he said. "And that box, you take that Junior, and youtake the Precious Child, and the slate and the books dearest lady--andI'll take my family; but I ain't so sure about this, lady. She's sweatynow, and riding is the coolingest thing you can do. We mustn't make hersick. She must be well wrapped. "

"Why she couldn't take cold to-day----" began Peter. 

"You and Junior shoulder your loads and go right down to the car, " saidMrs. Harding. "Mickey and I will manage this. He is exactly right aboutit. To be taken from such heat to the conditions of motoring might----"

"Sure!" interposed Mickey, dreading the next word for the memories itwould awaken in the child's heart. "Sure! You two go ahead! We'll come inno time!"

"But I'm not going to lug a basket and have a little chap carrying achild. You take this and I'll take the baby!"

Mickey's wireless went into instant action so Peaches promptly rebelled. 

"I ain't no baby!" she said. "Miss Leslie Moonshine Lady sent me her hairribbons and I 'spect she's been crying for them back every day; and myname what granny named me is Peaches, so there!"

"Corrected! Beg pardon!" said Peter. "Miss Peaches, may I have the honourof carrying you to the car?"

"Nope, " said Peaches with finality. "Nobody, not nobody whatever, not thebiggest, millyingairest nobody alive can't ever carry me, nelse Mickeysays they can, and he is away off on the cars. I like you Peter! I justlike you heaps; but I'm Mickey's, so I got to do what he says 'cause hemakes me, jes like he ort, and nobody can't ever tend me like Mickey. "

"So that's the ticket!" mused Peter. 

"Yes, that's the ticket, " repeated Peaches. "I ain't heavy. Mickey carriedme up, down is easier. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "_I take my own family_. You take yours. We'll bethere in a minute. "

Peter and Junior disappeared with thankfulness and speed. Mrs. Harding andMickey wrapped Peaches in the sheet and took along a comfort for shelterfrom the air stirred by motion. Steadying his arm, which he wished shewould not, they descended. Did she think he wanted Peaches to suppose hecouldn't carry her? He ran down the last flight to show her, frighteningher into protest, and had the reward of a giggle against his neck and thetightening of small arms clinging to him. He settled in the car andwrapped Lily in the comfort until she had only a small peep of daylight. 

Mickey knew from Peaches' laboured breathing and the grip of her hands howagitated she was; but as the car glided smoothly along, driven skilfullyby mentality, guided by the controlling thought of a tiny lame back, shebecame easier and clutched less frantically. He kept the comfort over herhead. She had enough to make the change, to see so many strangers all atonce, without being excited by unfamiliar things that would bewilder andpositively frighten her. 

Mickey stoutly clung to a load that soon grew noticeably heavy; while overand over he repeated in his heart with fortifying intent: "She is myfamily, I'll take care of her. I'll let them keep her a while because itis too hot for her there, but they shan't _boss_ her, and they got to knowit first off, and they shan't take her from me, and they got to understandit. "

Right at that point Mickey's grip tightened until the child in his armsshivered with delight of being so enfolded in her old and only security. She turned her head to work her face level with the comfort and whisper inglee: "Mickey, we are going just stylish like millyingaire folks, ain'twe?"

"You just bet we are!" he whispered back. 

"Mickey, you wouldn't let them 'get' me, would you?"

"Not on your life!" said Mickey, gripping her closer. 

"And Peter wouldn't let them 'get' me?"

"No, Peter would just wipe them clear off the slate if they tried to getyou, " comforted Mickey. "We're in the country now Lily. Nobody will eventhink of you away out here. "

"Mickey, I want to see the country!" said Peaches. 

"No Miss! I'm scared now, " replied Mickey. "It was awful hot there andit's lots cooler here, even slow and careful as Peter is driving. If youget all excitement, and rearing around, and take a chill, and your backgets worse, just when we have such a grand good chance to make it better--you duck and lay low, and if you're good, and going out doesn't make yousick, after supper when you rest up, maybe I'll let you have a littlepeepy yellow chicken in your hand to hold a minute, and maybe I'll let yousee a cow. You'd give a good deal to see the cow that's going on yourbook, wouldn't you?"

Peaches snuggled down in pure content and proved her femininity as she didevery day. "Yes. But when I see them, maybe I'll like a chicken better, and put it on. "

"All right with me, " agreed Mickey. "You just hold still so this doesn'tmake you sick, and to-morrow you can see things when you are all nice andrested. "

"Mickey, " she whispered. 

Mickey bent and what he heard buried his face against Peaches' a secondand when lifted it radiated a shining glory-light, for she had whispered:"Mickey, I'm going to always mind you and love you best of anybody. "

Because she had expected the trip to result in the bringing home of thechild, Mrs. Harding had made ready a low folding davenport in her first-floor bedroom, beside a window where grass, birds and trees were almost intouch, and where it would be convenient to watch and care for her visitor. There in the light, pretty room, Mickey gently laid Peaches down and said:"Now if you'll just give me time to get her rested and settled a little, you can see her a peep; but there ain't going to be _much_ seeing ortalking to-night. If she has such a lot she ain't used to and gets sick, it will be a bad thing for her, and all of us, so we better just go slowand easy. "

"Right you are, young man, " said Peter. "Come out of here you kids! Cometo the back yard and play quietly. When Little White Butterfly gets restedand fed, we'll come one at a time and kiss her hand, and wish her pleasantdreams with us, and then we'll every one of us get down on our knees andask God to help us take such good care of her that she will get well atour house. "

Mickey suddenly turned his back on them and tried to swallow the lump inhis throat. Then he arranged his family so it was not in a draft, spongedand fed it, and failed in the remainder of his promise, because it went tosleep with the last bite and lay in deep exhaustion. So Mickey smoothedthe sheet, slipped off the ribbon, brushed back the curls, shaded thelight, marshalled them in on tiptoe, and with anxious heart studied theircompassionate faces. 

Then he telephoned Douglas Bruce to ask permission to be away from theoffice the following day, and ventured as far from the house as he felt hedared with Junior; but so anxious was he that he kept in sight of thewindow. And so manly and tender was his scrupulous care, so tiny anddelicate his small charge as she lay waxen, lightly breathing to show shereally lived, that in the hearts of the Harding family grew a deep respectfor Mickey, and such was their trust in him, that when he folded hiscomfort and stretched it on the floor beside the child, not even to eachother did they think of uttering an objection. So Peaches spent her firstnight in the country breathing clover air, watched constantly by herstaunch protector, and carried to the foot of the Throne on the lips ofone entire family; for even Bobbie was told to add to his prayer: "Godbless the little sick girl, and make her well at our house. "

CHAPTER XIV

_An Orphans' Home_

"Margaret, I want a few words with you some time soon, " said James Minturnto his sister. 

"Why not right now?" she proposed. "I'm not busy and for days I've knownyou were in trouble. Tell me at once, and possibly I can help you. "

"You would deserve my gratitude if you could, " he said. "I've suffereduntil I'm reduced to the extremity that drives me to put into words thething I have thrashed over in my heart day and night for weeks. "

"Come to my room James, " she said. 

James Minturn followed his sister. 

"Now go on and tell me, boy, " she ordered. "Of course it's about Nellie. "

"Yes it's about Nellie, " he repeated. "Did you hear any part of what thatvery charming young lady had to say to me at our chosen playground, notlong ago?"

"Yes I did, " answered Mrs. Winslow. "But not enough to comprehendthoroughly. Did she convince you that you are mistaken?"

"No. But this she did do, " said Mr. Minturn. "She battered the walls ofwhat I had believed to be unalterable decision, until she made thisopening: I must go into our affairs again. I have got to find out where mywife is, and what she is doing; and if the things Miss Leslie thinks aretrue. Margaret, I thought it was _settled_. I was happy, in a way;actually happy! No Biblical miracle ever seemed to me half so wonderful asthe change in the boys. "

"The difference in them is quite as much of a marvel as you think it, "agreed Mrs. Winslow. 

"It is greater than I would have thought possible in any circumstances, "said Mr. Minturn. "Do they ever mention their mother to you?"

"Incidentally, " she replied, "just as they do maids, footman or governess, in referring to their past life. They never ask for her, in the sense ofwanting her, that I know of. Malcolm resembles her in appearance and anyone could see that she liked him best. She always discriminated againstJames in his favour if any question between them were ever carried toher. "

"Malcolm is like her in more than looks. He has her musical ability in amarked degree, " said Mr. Minturn. "I have none, but Miss Winton suggesteda thing to me that Mr. Tower has been able to work up some, and while bothboys are deeply interested, it's Malcolm who is beginning to slip awayalone and listen to and practise bird cries until he deceives the birdsthemselves. Yesterday he called a catbird to within a few feet of him, byreproducing the notes as uttered and inflected by the female. "

"I know. It was a triumph! He told me about it. "

"James is well named, " said Mr. Minturn. "He is my boy. Already he'sbeginning to ask questions that are filled with intelligence, solicitudeand interest about my business, what things mean, what I am doing, andwhy. He's going to make the man who will come into my office, who in a fewmore years will be offering his shoulder for part of my load. You can'tunderstand what the change is from the old attitude of regarding me asworth no consideration; not even a gentleman, as my wife's servants wereteaching my sons to think. Margaret, how am I going back even to thethought that I may be making a mistake? Wouldn't the unpardonable error beto again risk those boys an hour in the company and influence whichbrought them once to what they were?"

"You poor soul!" exclaimed Mrs. Winslow. 

"Never mind that!" warned Mr. Minturn. "I'm not accustomed to it, and itdoesn't help. Have you any faith in Nellie?"

"None whatever!" exclaimed Mrs. Winslow. "She's so selfish it's simplyfiendish. I'd as soon bury you as to see you subject to her again. "

"And I'd much sooner be buried, were it not that my heart is set onwinning out with those boys, " said Mr. Minturn. "There is material forfine men in them, but there is also depravity that would shock youinexpressibly, instilled by ignorant, malicious servants. I wish LeslieWinton had kept quiet. "

"And so do I!" agreed Mrs. Winslow. "I could scarcely endure it, as Irealized what was going on. While Nellie had you, there was no indignity, no public humiliation at which she stopped. For my own satisfaction Iexamined Elizabeth before she was laid away, and I held my tongue becauseI thought you didn't know. When _did_ you find out?"

"A newsboy told me. He went with a woman who was in the park where ithappened, to tell Nellie, but they were insulted for their pains. Some waymy best friend Douglas Bruce picked him up and attached him, as I didWilliam; it was at my suggestion. Of course I couldn't imagine that out ofseveral thousand newsies Douglas would select the one who knew my secretand who daily blasts me with his scorn. If he runs into an elevator whereI am, the whistle dies on his lips; his smile fades and he actuallyshrinks from my presence. You can't blame him. A man _should be able toprotect the children he fathers_. What he said to me stunned me so, hethought me indifferent. In my place, would you stop him some day andexplain?"

"I most certainly would, " said Mrs. Winslow. "A child's scorn iswithering, and you don't deserve it. "

"I have often wondered what or how much he told Bruce, " said Mr. Minturn. 

"Could you detect any change in Mr. Bruce after the boy came into hisoffice?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 

"Only that he was kinder and friendlier than ever. "

"That probably means that the boy told him and that Mr. Bruce understoodand was sorry. "

"No doubt, " he said. "You'd talk to the boy then? Now what would you doabout Nellie?"

"What was it Miss Winton thought you _should_ do?"

"See Nellie! Take her back!" he exclaimed. "Give her further opportunityto exercise her brand of wifehood on me and motherhood on the boys!"

"James, if you do, I'll never forgive you!" cried his sister. "If you tearup this comfortable, healthful place, where you are the honoured head ofyour house, and put your boys back where you found them, I'll go home andstay there; and you can't blame me. "

"Miss Winton didn't ask me to go back, " he explained; "that couldn't bedone. I saw and examined the deed of gift of the premises to the city. Theonly thing she could do would be to buy it back, and it's torn up inside, and will be in shape for opening any day now, I hear. The city needed aChildren's Hospital; to get a place like that free, in so beautiful andconvenient a location--and her old friends are furious at her for bringingsickness and crooked bodies among them. No doubt they would welcome herthere, but they wouldn't welcome her anywhere else. She must have endowedit liberally, no hospital in the city has a staff of the strengthannounced for it. "

"James, you are wandering!" she interrupted. "You started to tell me whatMiss Winton asked of you. "

"That I bring Nellie here, " he explained. "That I make her mistress ofthis house. That I put myself and the boys in her hands again. "

"Oh good Lord!" ejaculated Mrs. Winslow. "James, are you actually thinkingof _that?_ Mind, I don't care for myself. I have a home and all I want. But for you and those boys, are you really contemplating it?"

"No!" he said. "All I'm thinking of is whether it is my duty to hunt herup and once more convince myself that she is heartless vanity personified, and utterly indifferent to me personally, as I am to her. "

"Suppose you do go to her and find that through pique, because you madethe move for separation yourself, she wants to try it over, or to get theboys again--she's got a mint of money. Do you know just how much she has?"

"I do not, and I never did, " he replied. "Her funds never in any part werein my hands. I felt capable of making all I needed myself, and I have. Iearn as much as it is right I should have; but she'd scorn my plan forlife and what satisfies me; and she'd think the boys disgraced, living asthey are. "

"James, was there an hour, even in your honeymoon, when Nellie forgotherself and was a lovable woman?"

"It is painful to recall, but yes! Yes indeed!" he answered. "Never did aman marry with higher hope!"

"Then what----?" marvelled Mrs. Winslow. 

"Primarily, her mother, then her society friends, then the power of hermoney, " he answered. 

"Just how did it happen?" she queried. 

"It began with Mrs. Blondon's violent opposition to children; when sheknew a child was coming she practically moved in with us, and spent hourspitying her daughter, sending for a doctor at each inevitable consequence, keeping up an exciting rush of friends coming when the girl should havehad quiet and rest, treating me with contempt, and daily holding me up asthe monster responsible for all these things. The result was nervousnessand discontent bred by such a course at such a time, until it amounted toactual pain, and lastly unlimited money with which to indulge every fancy. 

"In such circumstances delivery became the horror they made of it, although several of the doctors told me privately not to have theslightest alarm; it was simply the method of rich selfish women to makesuch a bugbear of childbirth a wife might well be excused for refusing toendure it. Sifted to the bottom that was _exactly what it was_. I didn'tknow until the birth of James that they had neglected to follow theinstructions of their doctors and made no preparation for nursing thechild; as a result, when I insisted that it must be done, shrieks of pain, painful enough as I could see, resulted in a nervous chill for the mother, more inhumanity in me, and the boy was turned over to a hired woman withhis first breath and to begin unnatural life. I watched the little chapall I could; he was strong and healthy, and while skilled nurses wereavailable he upset every rule by thriving; which was one more countagainst me, and the lesson pointed out and driven home that no young wifecould give a child such attention, so the baby was better off in the handsof the nurse. That he was reared without love, that his mother took not aniota of responsibility in his care, developed not a trait of motherhood, simply went on being a society belle, had nothing to do with it. 

"He did so well, Nellie escaped so much better than many of her friends, that in time she seemed to forget it and didn't rebel at Malcolm's advent, or Elizabeth's, but by that time I had been practically ostracized fromthe nursery; governesses were empowered to flout and insult me; I scarcelysaw my children, and what I did see made me furious, so I vetoed moreorphans bearing my name, and gave up doing anything. Then came the tragedyof Elizabeth. Surely you understand 'just how' it was done Margaret?"

"Of course I had an idea, but I never before got just the perfect picture, and now I have it, though it's the last word I _want_ to say to you, Godmade me so that I'm forced to say it, although it furnishes one moreexample of what is called inconsistency. "

"Be careful what you say, Margaret!"

"I must say it, " she replied. "I've encouraged you to talk in detail, because I wanted to be sure I was right in the position I was taking; butyou've given me a different viewpoint. Why James, think it over yourselfin the light of what you just have told me. Nellie never has been a motherat all! Her heart is more barren than that of a woman to whom motherhoodis physical impossibility, yet whose heart aches with maternal instinct!"

"Margaret!" cried James Minturn. 

"James, it's true!" she persisted. "I never have understood. For fear ofthat, I led you on and now look what you've told me. Nellie never had achance at natural motherhood. The thing called society made a foolishmother to begin with, while she in turn ruined her daughter, and ifElizabeth had lived it would have been passed on to her. You throw a newlight on Nellie. As long as she was herself, she was tender and loving, and you adored her; if you had been alone and moderately circumstanced, she would have continued being so lovable that after ten years your faceflushes with painful memory as you speak of it. I've always thought herabandoned as to wifely and motherly instinct. What you say proves she wasa lovable girl, ruined by society, through the medium of her mother andfriends. "

"If she cared for me as she said, she should have been enough of awoman----" began Mr. Minturn. 

"Maybe she _should_, but you must take into consideration that she was notherself when the trouble began; she was, as are all women, even those mostdelighted over the prospect, in an unnatural condition, _in so far thatusual conditions were unusual_, and probably made her ill, nervous, apprehensive, not herself at all. "

"Do you mean to say that you are changing?"

"Worse than that!" she said emphatically. "I have positively andpermanently changed. Even at your expense I will do Nellie justice. James, your grievance is not against your wife; it is against the mother who boreher, the society that moulded her. "

"She should have been woman enough----" he began. 

"Left alone, she was!" insisted Mrs. Winslow. "With the ills andapprehensions of motherhood upon her, she yielded as most young, inexperienced women would yield to what came under the guise of tendersolicitude, and no doubt eased or banished pain, which all of us avoidwhen possible; and the pain connected with motherhood is a thing in awe ofwhich the most practised physicians admit themselves almost stunned. Thewoman who would put aside pampering and stoically endure what money andfriends could alleviate is rare. Jim, pain or no pain to you, you mustfind your wife and learn for yourself if she is heartless; or whether insome miraculous way some one has proved to her what you have made plain aspossible to me. You must hunt her up, and if she is still under hermother's and society's influence, and refuses _to change_, let her remain. But--but if she has changed, as you have just seen me change, then youshould give her another chance if she asks it. "

"I can't!" he cried. 

"You must! The evidence is in her favour. "

"What do you mean?" he demanded impatiently. 

"Her acquiescence in your right to take the boys and alter their method oflife; her agreement that for their sakes you might do as you chose with nointerference from her; both those are the acknowledgment of failure on herpart and willingness for you to repair the damages if you can, " sheexplained. "Her gift of a residence, the furnishings of which would havepaid for the slight alterations necessary to transform a modern home intothe most beautiful of modern hospitals, in a wonderfully lovely location, and leave enough to start it with as fine a staff as money can provide--that gift is a deliberately planned effort at reparation; the limiting ofpatients to children under ten is her heart trying to tell yours that shewould atone. "

"O Lord!" cried James Minturn. 

"Yes I know, " said Mrs. Winslow. "Call on Him! You need Him! There is noquestion but that He put into her head the idea of setting a home for thehealing of little children, in the most exclusive residence district ofMultiopolis, where women of millions are forced to see it every time theylook from a window or step from their door. Have you seen it yourself, James?"

"Naturally I wouldn't haunt the location. "

"I would, and I did!" said Mrs. Winslow. "A few days ago I went over itfrom basement to garret. You go and see it. And I recall now that herlawyer was there, with sheets of paper in his hand, talking with workmen. I think he's working for Nellie and that she is probably directing thechanges and personally evolving a big, white, shining reparation. "

"It's a late date to talk about reparation, " he said. 

"Which simply drives me to the truism, 'better late than never!' and tothe addition of the comment that Nellie is only thirty and that but tenyears of your lives have been wasted; if you hurry and save the remainder, you should have fifty apiece coming to you, if you breathe deep, sleepcool, and dine sensibly, " said Mrs. Winslow. 

She walked out of the room and closed the door. James Minturn sat thinkinga long time, then called his car and drove to Atwater alone. He foundLeslie in the orchard, a book of bird scores in her hands, and severalsheets of music beside her. Her greeting was so cordial, so frankly sweetand womanly, he could scarcely endure it, because his head was filled withthoughts of his wife. 

"You are still at your bird study?" he asked. 

"Yes. It's the most fascinating thing, " she said. 

"I know, " he conceded. "I want the titles of the books you're using. Imentioned it to Mr. Tower, our tutor, and he was interested instantly, andfar more capable of going at it intelligently than I am, because he hassome musical training. Ever since we talked it over he and the boys havebeen at work in a crude way; you might be amused at their results, but tome they are wonderful. They began hiding in bird haunts and listening, working on imitations of cries and calls, and reproducing what they heard, until in a few weeks' time--why I don't even know their repertoire, butthey can call quail, larks, owls, orioles, whip-poor-wills, so perfectlythey get answers. James will never do anything worth while in music, he'stoo much like me; but Malcolm is saving his money and working to buy aviolin; he's going to read a music score faster than he will a book. I'mhunting an instructor for him who will start his education on the subjectswhich interest him most. Do you know any one Leslie?"

"No one who could do more than study with him. It's a branch that is justbeing taken up, but I have talked of it quite a bit with Mr. Dovesky, theharmony director of the Conservatory. If you go to him and make himunderstand what you want along every line, I think he'd take Malcolm as aspecial student. I'd love to help him as far as I've gone, but I'm only abeginner myself, and I've no such ability as it is very possible he mayhave. "

"He has it, " said Mr. Minturn conclusively. "He has his mother's fine earand artistic perception. If she undertook it, what a success she couldmake!"

"I never saw her so interested in anything as she was that day at thetamarack swamp, " said Leslie, "and her heart was full of other matterstoo; but she recognized the songs I took her to hear. She said she neverhad been so attracted by a new idea in her whole life. "

"Leslie, I came to you this morning about Nellie. I promised you to thinkmatters over, and I've done nothing else since I last saw you, hateful ashas been the occupation. You're still sure of what you said about herthen?"

"Positively!" cried Leslie. 

"Do you hear from her?" he asked. 

"No, " she answered. 

"You spoke of a letter----" he suggested. 

"A note she wrote me before leaving, " explained Leslie. "You see I'd beenwith her all day and we had raced home so joyously; and when things cameout as they did, she knew I wouldn't understand. "

"Might I see it?" he asked. 

"Surely, " said Leslie. "I spoke of that the other day. I'll bring it. "

When Leslie returned James Minturn read the missive several times; then hehanded it back, saying: "What is there in that Leslie, to prove yourpoints?"

"Three things, " said Leslie with conviction: "The statement that for anhour after she reached her decision she experienced real joy and expectedto render the same to you; the acknowledgment that she understood that youdidn't know what you were doing to her, in your reception of her; and thefinal admission that life now held so little for her that she would gladlyend it, if she dared, without making what reparation she could. What moredo you want?"

"You're very sure you are drawing the right deductions?" he asked. 

"I wish you would sit down and let me tell you of that day, " said Leslie. 

"I have come to you for help, " said James Minturn. "I would be more thanglad, if you'd be so kind. "

At the end: "I don't think I've missed a word, " said Leslie. "That day isand always will be sharply outlined. "

"You've not heard from her since that note?" he asked. "You don't knowwhere she is?"

"No, " said Leslie. "I haven't an idea where you could find her; butbecause of her lawyer superintending the hospital repairs, because of thewonderful way things are being done, Daddy thinks it's sure that the workis in John Haynes' hands, and that she is directing it through him. "

"If it were not for the war, I would know, " said Mr. Minturn. "Butunderstanding her as I do----"

"I think instead of understanding her so well, you scarcely know her atall, " said Leslie gently. "You may have had a few months of her realnature to begin with, but when her rearing and environment ruled her life, the real woman was either perverted or had small chance. Do you ever stopto think what kind of a man you might have been, if all your life you hadbeen forced and influenced as Nellie was?"

"Good Lord!" cried Mr. Minturn. 

"Exactly!" agreed Leslie. "That's what I'm telling you! She had got to therealization of the fact that her life had been husks and ashes; so shewent to beg you to help her to a better way, and you failed her. I'm notsaying it was your fault; I'm not saying I blame you; I'm merely statingfacts. "

"Margaret blames me!" said Mr. Minturn. "She thinks I'm enough at faultthat I never can find happiness until I locate Nellie and learn whethershe is with her mother and friends, or if she really meant what she saidabout changing, enough to go ahead and be different from principle. "

"Her change was radical and permanent. "

"I've got to know, " said Mr. Minturn, "but I've no faith in her ability tochange, and no desire to meet her if she has. "

"Humph!" said Leslie. "That proves that you need some changing yourself. "

"I certainly do, " said James Minturn. "If I could have an operation on mybrain which would remove that particular cell in which is stored thememory of the past ten years----"

"You will when you see her, " said Leslie, "and she'll be your surgeon. "

"Impossible!" he cried. 

"Go find her, " said Leslie. "You must to regain peace for yourself. "

James Minturn returned a troubled man, but with viewpoint shifting soimperceptibly he did not realize what was happening. On his way he decidedto visit the hospital, repugnant as the thought was to him. From afar hewas amazed at sight of the building. He knew instantly that it must havebeen the leading topic of conversation among his friends purposely avoidedin his presence. Marble pillars and decorations had been freshly cleaned, the building was snowdrift white; it shone through the branches of bigtrees surrounding it like a fairy palace. At the top of the steps leadingto the entrance stood a marble group of heroic proportions that waswonderful. It was a seated figure of Christ, but cut with the face of aman of his station, occupation, and race, garbed in simple robe, and inhis arms, at his knees, leaning against him, a group of children: thelean, sick and ailing, such as were carried to him for healing. Cut in thewall above it in large gold-filled letters was the admonition: "Sufferlittle children to come unto me. "

That group was the work of a student and a thinker who could carry an ideato a logical conclusion, and then carve it from marble. The thought itgave James Minturn, arrested before it, was not the stereotyped idea ofChrist, not the conventional reproduction of childhood. It impressed onMr. Minturn's brain that the man of Galilee had lived in the form of othermen of his day, and that such a face, filled with infinite compassion, wasmuch stronger and more forceful than that of the mild feminine countenancehe had been accustomed to associating with the Saviour. 

He entered the door to find his former home filled with workmen, and theopening day almost at hand. Everywhere was sanitary whiteness. Thereception hall was ready for guests, his library occupied by the matron;the dining-hall a storeroom, the second and third floors in separatewards, save the big ballroom, now whiter than ever, its touches of goldfreshly gleaming, beautiful flowers in tubs, canaries singing in a brasshouse filling one end of the room, tiny chairs, cots, every conceivableform of comfort and amusement for convalescing little children. The pipeorgan remained in place, music boxes and wonderful mechanical toys hadbeen added, rugs that had been in the house were spread on the floor. Nonormal man could study and interpret the intention of that place unmoved. All over the building was the same beautiful whiteness, the same comfort, and thoughtful preparation for the purpose it was designed to fill. Theoperating rooms were perfect, the whole the result of loving thought, careful execution, and uncounted expense. 

He came in time to the locked door of his wife's suite, and before he leftthe building he met her lawyer. He offered his hand and said heartily: "Mysister told me of the wonderful work going on here; she advised me to comeand see for myself. I am very glad I did. There's something bigger thanthe usual idea in this that keeps obtruding itself. "

"I think that too, " agreed John Haynes. "I've almost quit my practice towork out these plans. "

"They are my wife's, by any chance?"

"All hers, " said Mr. Haynes. "I only carry out her instructions as theycome to me. "

"Will you give me her address?" asked Mr. Minturn. "I should like to tellher how great I think this. "

"I carry a packet for you that came with a bundle of plans this morning, "said Mr. Haynes. "Perhaps her address is in it. If it isn't, I can't giveit to you, because I haven't it myself. She's not in the city, all herinstructions she sends some one, possibly at her mother's home, and theyare delivered to me. I give my communications to the boy who brings herorders. "

"Then I'll write my note and you give it to him. "

"I'm sorry Minturn, " said Mr. Haynes, "but I have my orders in the eventyou should wish to reach her through me. "

"She doesn't wish to hear from me?"

"I'm sorry no end, Mr. Minturn, but----"

"Possibly this contains what I want to know, " said Mr. Minturn. "Thankyou, and I congratulate you on your work here. It is humane in the finestdegree. "

James Minturn went to his office and opened the packet. It was a completeaccounting of every dollar his wife was worth, this divided exactly intothirds, one of which she kept, one she transferred to him, and the othershe placed in his care for her sons to be equally divided between them athis discretion. He returned and found the lawyer had gone to his office. He followed and showed him the documents. 

"What she places to my credit for our sons, that I will handle with theutmost care, " he said. "What she puts at my personal disposal I do notaccept. We are living comfortably, and as expensively as I desire to. There is no reason why I should take such a sum at her hands, even thoughshe has more than I would have estimated. You will kindly return this deedof transfer to her, with my thanks, and a note I will enclose. "

"Sorry Minturn, but as I told you before, I haven't her address. I'mworking on a salary I should dislike to forfeit, and my orders aredistinct concerning you. "

"You could give me no idea where to find her?"

"Not the slightest!" said the lawyer. 

"Will you take charge of these papers?" he questioned. 

"I dare not, " replied Mr. Haynes. 

"Will you ask her if you may?" persisted Mr. Minturn. 

"Sorry Minturn, but perhaps if you should see my instructions in the case, you'd understand better. I don't wish you to think me disobliging. "

Mr. Minturn took the sheet and read the indicated paragraph written in hiswife's clear hand:

_Leslie Winton was very good to me my last day in Multiopolis. She waswith me when I reached a decision concerning my future relations with Mr. Minturn, as I would have arranged them; and I am quite sure when she knowsof our separation she will feel that it would not have occurred had Jamesknown of this decision of mine. It would have made no difference; but I amconvinced Leslie will think it would, and that she will go to James aboutit. I doubt if it will change his attitude; but if by any possibility itshould, and if in any event whatever he comes to you seeking my address, or me, I depend on you to in no way help him, if it should happen that youcould. For this reason I am keeping it out of your power, unless I makesome misstep that points to where I am. I don't wish to make any mysteryof my location, or to disregard any intention that it is barely possibleLeslie could bring Mr. Minturn to, concerning me. I merely wish to be leftalone for a time; to work out my own expiation, if there be any; and totest my soul until I know for myself whether it is possible for a socialleopard to change her spots. I have got to know absolutely that I ambeyond question a woman fit to be a wife and mother, before I again trustmyself in any relation of life toward any one_. 

Mr. Minturn returned the sheet, his face deeply thoughtful. "I see herpoint, " he said. "I will deposit the papers in a safety vault until shecomes, and in accordance with this, I shall make no effort to find her. Mywife feels that she must work out her own salvation, and I am beginning torealize that a thorough self-investigation and revelation will not hurtme. Thank you. Good morning. "

CHAPTER XV

_A Particular Nix_

Peaches awakened early the following morning, but Mickey was watchingbeside her to help her remember, to prompt, to soothe, to comfort and toteach. He followed Mrs. Harding to the kitchen and from the prepared foodselected what he thought came closest filling the diet prescribed by theSunshine Nurse, and then he carried the tray to a fresh, cool Peachesbeside a window opening on a grassy, tree-covered lawn. Her room wasbewildering on account of its many, and to the child, magnificentfurnishings. She found herself stretching, twisting and filled with a wilddesire to walk, to see the house, the little girl and the real baby, thelawn beyond her window, the flower-field, the red berries where they grew, and the birds and animals from which came the most amazing sounds. 

After doing everything for Peaches he could, Mickey went to his breakfast. Mary Harding and Bobbie were so anxious to see the visitor they couldscarcely eat. Knowing it was no use to try forcing them, their motherexcused them and they ventured as far as the door. There they stopped, gazing at the little stranger, while she stared back at them; but she wasnot frightened, because she knew who they were and that they would be goodto her, else Mickey would not let them come. So when Mary, holding littlebrother's hand, came peeping around the door-casing, Peaches withdrew herattention from exploration of the strip of lawn in her range andconcentrated on them. If they had come bounding at her, she would havebeen frightened, but they did not. They stood still, half afraid, watchingthe tiny white creature, till suddenly she smiled at them and held out herhand. 

"I like you, " she said. "Did you have red berries for breakfus?"

Mary nodded and smiled back. 

"I think you're a pretty little girl, " said Peaches. 

"I ain't half as pretty as you, " said Mary. 

"No a-course you ain't, " she admitted. "Your family don't put your ribbonon you 'til night, do they? Mickey put mine on this morning 'cause I haveto look nice and be jus' as good, else I have to be took back to the hotroom. Do you have to be nice too?"

"Yes, I have to be a good girl, " said Mary. 

"What does your family do to you if you don't mind?"

"I ain't going to tell, but it makes me, " said Mary. "What does yours doto you?"

"I ain't going to tell either, " said Peaches, "but I get jus' as good!What's your name?"

"Mary. "

"What's his?"

"Bobbie. Mostly we call him little brother. Ain't he sweet?" asked Mary. 

"Jus' a Precious Child! Let him mark on my slate. "

Mickey hurried to the room. As he neared the door he stepped softly andpeeped inside. It was a problem with him as to how far Mary and Bobbiecould be trusted. Having been with Peaches every day he could notaccurately mark improvements, but he could see that her bones did notprotrude so far, that her skin was not the yellow, glisteny horror it hadbeen, that the calloused spots were going under the steady rubbing ofnightly oil massage, so lately he had added the same treatment to herfeet; if they were not less bony, if the skin were not soft and taking ona pinkish colour, Mickey felt that his eyes were unreliable. 

Surely she was better! Of course she was better! She had to be! She atemore, she sat up longer, she moved her feet where first they had hunghelpless. She was better, much better, and for that especial reason, nowwas the time to watch closer than before. Now he must make sure that a bigstrong child did not drag her from the bed, and forever undo all he hadgained. Since he had written Dr. Carrel, Mickey had rubbed in desperation, not only nights but mornings also, lest he had asked help before he wasready for it; for the Sunshine Lady had said explicitly that the sick backcould not be operated until the child was stronger. He was workingaccording to instructions. 

Mickey watched. Any one could have seen the delicate flush on Peaches'cheek that morning, the hint of red on her lips, the clearing whites ofher lovely eyes. She was helping Bobbie as Mickey had taught her. AndBobbie approved mightily. He lifted his face, put up his arms and issuedhis command: "Take Bobbie!"

"No! No, Bobbie, " cautioned Mary. "Mother said no! You must stay on thefloor! Sister will take you. You mustn't touch Peaches 'til God makes herwell. You asked Him last night, don't you know? Mother will spanksomething awful if you touch her. You must be careful 'til her back iswell, mother said so, and father too; father said it crosser than mother, don't you remember?"

"Mustn't touch!" repeated Bobbie, drawing back. 

Mickey was satisfied with Mrs. Harding's instructions, but he took theopportunity to emphasize a few points himself. He even slipped one white, bony foot from under the sheet and showed Mary how sick it was, and howcarefully it must be rubbed before it would walk. 

"I can rub it, " announced Mary. 

"Well don't you try that, " cautioned Mickey. 

"Why go on and let her!" interposed Peaches. "Go on and let her! Aftertoday you said you'd be gone all day, an' if rubbing in the morning andevening is good, maybe more would make me walk sooner. Mickey I ain't eversaid it, 'cause you do so much an' try so hard, but Mickey, _I'm justabout dead to walk!_ Mickey, I'm so tired being lifted. Mickey, I want toget up an' _go_ when I want to, like other folks!"

"Well that's the first time you ever said that. "

"Well 'tain't the first time I ever could a-said it, if I'd a-wanted to, "explained Peaches. 

"I see! You game little kid, you, " said Mickey. "All right Mary, you askyour mother and if she says so, I'll show you how, and maybe you can rubLily's feet, if you go slow and easy and don't jar her back a speck. "

"Ma said I could a-ready, " explained Mary. "Ma said for me to! She saidall of us would, all the time we had while you were away, so she'd getbetter faster. Ma said she'd give a hundred dollars if Peaches would getso she could walk here. "

Mickey sat back on his heels suddenly. 

"Who'd she say that to?" he demanded. 

"Pa. And he said he'd give five hundred. "

"Aw-a-ah!" marvelled Mickey. 

"He did too!" insisted Mary. "This morning 'fore you came out. And Juniorwould too. He'd give all in his bank! And he'd rub too! He said he would. "

"Well, if you ain't the nicest folks!" cried Mickey. "Gee, I'm glad Ifound you!"

"Jus' as glad!" chimed in Peaches. 

"Mary bring Robert here!" called Mrs. Harding from the hall. Mary obeyed. Mickey moved up and looked intently at Peaches. 

"Well Lily, " he asked, "what do you _think_ of this?"

"I wouldn't trade this for Heaven!" she answered. 

"The country is all the Heaven a-body needs, in June. "

"Mickey, bring in the cow now!" ordered Peaches. 

"Bring in the cow?" queried Mickey. 

"Sure, the little red cow in the book that makes the milk. I want you tomilk her right here on my bed!"

"Well, if I ever!" gasped Mickey. "Sure, I'll bring her in a minute; but acow is big, Lily! Awful, great big. I couldn't bring her in here; butmaybe I can drive her where you can see, or I don't know what would be theharm in taking you where the cows are. But first, one thing! Now you lookright at me, Miss Chicken. There's something I got to _know_ if you got inyour head _straight_. Who found you, and kept them from 'getting' you?"

"Mickey-lovest, " replied Peaches promptly. 

"Then who d'you belong to?" he demanded. 

"Mickey!" she answered instantly. 

"Who you got to do as I say?" he continued. 

"Mickey, " she repeated. 

"Whose _family_ are you?" he pursued. 

"Mickey's!" she cried. "Mickey, what's the matter? Mickey, I love youbest. I'm all yours. Mickey, I'll go back an' never say a word 'bout thehotness, or the longness, or anything, if you don't _want_ me here. "

"Well I do want you here, " said Mickey in slow insistent tone. "I want youright here! But you got to _understand_ a few things. You're mine. I'mgoing to keep you; you got to understand that. "

"Yes Mickey, " conceded Peaches. 

"And if it will help you to be rubbed more than I can rub you while I gotto earn money to pay for our supper when we go home, and fix your back, and save for the seminary, I'll let the nice pleasant lady rub you; andI'll let a good girl like Mary rub you, and if his hands ain't so big theyhurt, maybe I'll let Peter rub you; he takes care of Bobbie, maybe hecould you, and he's got a family of his own, so he knows how it feels; butit's _nix_ on anybody else, Miss Chicken, see?"

"They ain't nobody else!" said Peaches. 

"There is too!" contradicted Mickey. "Mary said Junior would rub yourfeet! Well he _won't!_ It's nix on Junior! _He's only a boy! He ain't gota family. He hasn't had experience. He doesn't know anything aboutfamilies! See?_"

"He carries Bobbie, an' I bet he's heavier 'an me. "

For the first time Mickey lost his temper. 

"Now you looky here, Miss Chicken, " he stormed. "I ain't saying what he_can_ do, I'm saying what he _can't!_ See? You are mine, and I'm going tokeep you! He can lift me for all I care, but he can't carry you, nor rubyour feet, nor nothing; because he didn't find you, and you ain't his; andI won't have it, not at all! Course he's a good boy, and he's a nice boy, and you can play with him, and talk to him, I'll let you just be awfulnice to him, because it's polite that you should be, but when it comes tocarrying and rubbing, it's nix on Junior, because he's got no family anddoesn't understand. See?"

"Umhuh, " taunted Peaches. 

"Well, are you going to promise?" demanded Mickey. 

"Maybe, " she teased. 

"Back you go and never see a cow at all if you don't promise, " threatenedMickey. 

"Mickey, what's the matter with you?" cried Peaches suddenly. "What yougetting a tantrum yourself for? You ain't never had none before. "

"That ain't no sign I ain't just busting full of them, " said Mickey. "Badones, and I feel an awful one as can be coming right now, and comingquick. Are you going to promise me nobody who hasn't a _family_, carriesyou, and rubs you?"

Peaches looked at him in steady wonderment. 

"I guess you're pretty tired, an' you need to sleep a while, or somepin, "she said. "If you wasn't about sick yourself, you'd know 'at anybody 'ceptyou 'ull get their dam-gone heads ripped off if they touches me, nelse_you_ say so. _Course_, you found me! _Course_, they'd a-got me, if youhadn't took me. _Course_, I'm yours! _Course_, it's nix on Junior, an'it's _nix_ on Peter if you say so. Mickey, I jus' love you an' love you. I'll go back now if you say so, I tell you. Mickey _what's_ the matter?"

She stretched up her arms, and Mickey sank into them. He buried his facebeside hers and for the first time she patted him, and whispered to him asshe did to her doll. She rubbed her cheek against his, crooned over him, and held him tight while he gulped down big sobs. 

"Mickey, tell me, " she begged, like a little mother. "Tell me honey? Areyou got a pain anywhere?"

"No!" he said. "Maybe I _was_ kind of strung up, getting you here andbeing so awful scared about hurting you; but it's all right now. You arehere, and things are going to be fine, only, will you, cross your heart, _always and forever remember this: it's nix on Junior, or any boy, whoain't got a family, and doesn't understand?_"

"Yes Mickey, cross my heart, an' f'rever, an' ever; an' Mickey, you mustget the soap. I slipped, an' said the worse yet. I didn't mean to, butMickey, I guess you can't _trust_ me. I guess you got to soap me, or beatme, or somepin awful. Go on an' do it, Mickey. "

"Why crazy!" said Mickey. "You're mixed up. You didn't say anything! Whatyou said was all rightest ever; rightest of anything I ever heard. _It wasjust exactly what I wanted you to say_. I just _loved_ what you said. "

"Well if I ever!" cried Peaches. "Mickey, you was so mixed up you didn'thear me. I got 'nother chance. Goody, goody! Now show me the cow!"

"All right!" said Mickey. "I'll talk with Mrs. Harding and see how shethinks I best go at it. Lily, you won't ever, ever forget that particularnix, will you?"

"Not ever, " she promised, and lifted her lips to seal the pact with a kissthat meant more to Mickey than all that had preceded it. 

"Just how do you feel, anyway, Flowersy-girl?"

"Fine!" said Peaches. "I can tell by how it is right now, that it isn'tgoing to get all smothery an' sweatin's here; whoohoo it's so good, Mickey!"

Mickey bent over her holding both hands and whispered: "Then just you keepright before your eyes where you came from, Miss, and what you must go_back_ to, if you don't behave. You will be a good girl, won't you?"

"Honest, Mickey-lovest, jus' as good. "

"Well how goes it with the Little White Butterfly?" asked Peter at thedoor. 

Mickey looked at Peaches to slightly nod encouragement, then he slippedfrom the room. She gave Peter a smile of wonderment and answered readily:"Grand as queen-lady. You're jus' so nice and fine. "

Now Peter hadn't known it, but all his life he had been big; handled roughtools, tasks, implements and animals; while his body grew sinewy and hard, to cope with his task, his heart demanded more refined things; so ifPeaches had known the most musical languages on earth, she could not haveused words to Peter that would have served her better. He radiatedcontent. 

"Good!" he cried. "That's grand and good! I didn't take a fair look at youlast night. It was so sissing hot in that place and you went to sleepbefore I got my chores done; but now we must get acquainted. Tell mehoney, does any particular place in your little body hurt you? If theredoes, put your hand and show Peter where. "

Peaches stared at Peter, then she faintly smiled at him and laid afluttering hand on her left side. 

"Oh shockings!" mourned Peter. "That's too bad! That's vital! Your heart'sright under there, honey. Is there a pain in your _heart?_"

Peaches nodded solemnly. 

"Not _all_ the time!" she explained. "Only like now, when you are so_good_ to me. Jus' so fine and good. "

Then and there Peter surrendered. He bent and kissed the hand he held, andsaid with tears saturating his words, just as tears do permeate speechsometimes: "Pshaw now, Little White Butterfly! I never was more pleased tohear anything in my life. Ma and I have talked for years of having somecity children here for summer, but we've been slow trying it because wehear such bad reports from many of them, and it's natural for people toshield their own; but I guess instead of shielding, we may have beendenying. I can't see anything about you children to hurt ours; and Inotice a number of ways where it is beneficial to have you here. It'ssurely good for all of us. You're the nicest little folks!"

Peaches sat up suddenly and smiled on Peter. 

"Mickey is nice an' fine, " she told him. "Not even you, or anybody, isnice as Mickey. An' I'm _going_ to be. I'd _like_ to be! But you see, Ilaid alone all day in a dark corner so long, an' I got so wild like, 'atwhen granny did come, I done an' said jus' like she did, but Mickeydoesn't like it. He's scairt 'most stiff fear I'll forget an' say badswearin's, an' you'll send me back to the hotness, so's I won't getbetter. Would you send me back if I forget _just once_, Peter?"

"Why pshaw now!" said Peter. "Pshaw Little Soul, don't you worry aboutthat. You try _hard_ to remember, and be like Mickey wants you to, and ifyou make a slip, I'll speak to Ma about it, and we'll just turn a deafear, and away out here, you'll soon forget it. "

Just then, Mickey, trailing a rope, passed before the window; there was acrunching sound; a lumbering cow stopped, lifted a mouth half filled withgrass, and bawled her loudest protest at being separated from her calf. Peaches had only half a glance, but her shriek was utter terror. Shelaunched herself on Peter and climbed him, until her knees were on hischest, and her fingers clutching his hair. 

"God Jesus!" she screamed. "It 'ull eat me!"

Peter caught her in his arms, turning his back. Mickey heard, and saw, andrealized that the cow was too big and had appeared too precipitately, andbellowed too loudly. He should have begun on the smallest calf on theplace. He rushed the cow back to Junior, and himself to Peaches, who, sobbing wildly, still clung to Peter. As Mickey entered, frightened anddespairing, he saw that Peter was much concerned, but laughing until hisshoulders shook, and in relief that he was, and that none of the childrenwere present, Mickey grinned, acquired a slow red, and tried to quietPeaches. 

"Shut that window!" she screamed. "Shut it quick!"

"Why honey, that's the cow you wanted to see, " soothed Mickey. "That's thenice cow that gave the very milk you had for breakfast. Junior was goingto milk her where you could see. We thought you'd _like_ it!"

"Don't let it get me!" cried Peaches. 

"Why it ain't going to get anything but grass!" said Mickey. "Didn't yousee me leading it? I can make that big old thing go where I please. Comeon, be a game kid now. You ain't a baby coward girl! It's only a cow! Youare going to put it on your book!"

"I ain't!" sobbed Peaches. "I ain't ever going to drink milk again! I jus'bet the _milk_ will _get_ me!"

"Be game now!" urged Mickey. "Mary milks the cow. Baby Bobbie runs rightup to her. Everything out here is big, Lily. I ran from the horses. Ijumped on a fence, and Junior laughed at me. "

"Mickey, what did you say?" wavered Peaches. 

"I didn't say anything, " said Mickey. "I just jumped. "

"Mickey, I jumped, an' I said it, both. I said it right on Peter, " shebravely confessed. "Mickey, I said the worst yet! I didn't know I _did_, 'til I heard it! But Mickey, I got another chance!"

Peaches wiped her eyes, tremulously glanced at the window, and stillclinging to Mickey explained: "I was just telling Peter about theswearin's, an' Mickey, don't feel so bad. He won't send me back for justonce. Mickey, Peter has got 'a deaf ear. ' He _said_ he had! He ain't goin'to hear it when I slip a swearin's, an' Mickey, I am tryin'! Honest I'mtryin' jus' as hard, Mickey!"

Mickey turned a despairing face toward Peter. 

"Just like she says, " assured Peter. "We've all got our faults. You'llhave to forgive her Mickey. "

"Me? Of course!" conceded Mickey. "But what about you? You don't want yournice little children to hear bad words. "

"Well, " said Peter, "don't make too much of it! It's likely there are nowords she can say that my children don't know. Just ignore and forget it!She won't do it often. I'm sure she won't!"

"Are you sure you won't, Miss?" demanded Mickey. 

"Sure!" said Peaches, and in an effort to change the subject: "Mickey, isthat cow out there yet?"

"No. Junior took her back to the barnyard. "

"Mickey, I ain't going to put a cow on my book; but I want to see heragain, away off. Mickey, take me where I can see. You said last night youwould. "

"But the horses are bigger than the cows. You'll get scared again, andwith scaring and crying you'll be so bad off your back won't get anybetter all day, and to-morrow I got to leave you and go to work. "

"Then I'll see all the things to-day, an' to-morrow I'll think about them'til you come back. Please Mickey! If things don't get Bobbie an' Mary, they won't get me!"

"That's a game little girl!" said Mickey. "All right, I'll take you. Butyou ought to have----"

"Have what Mickey?" she inquired, instantly alert. 

"Well never you mind what, " said Mickey. "You be a good girl and liestill, so your back will be better, and watch the bundle I'll bring hometo-morrow night. "

Peaches shivered in delight. Mickey proceeded slowly, followed by theentire family. 

"Mickey, it's so big!" she marvelled. "Everything is so far away, an' sobig!"

"Now isn't it!" agreed Mickey. "You see it's like I told you. Now let meshow you the garden. "

He selected that as a safe proposition. Peaches grasped the idea readilyenough. Mrs. Harding gathered vegetables for her to see. When they reachedthe strawberry bed Mickey knelt and with her own fingers Peaches pulled aberry and ate it, then laughed, exclaimed, and cried in delight. Shepicked a flower, and from the safe vantage of the garden viewed the cowsand horses afar; and the fields and sheep were explained to her. Mickeycarried her across the road, Mary brought a comfort, and for a whole hourthe child lay under a big tree with pink and white clover in a foot-deepborder around her. When they lifted her she said: "Mickey, to-night we putin the biggest blesses of all. "

"What?" inquired Mickey. 

"Bless the nice people for such grand things, an' the berries; but nevermind about the cow. "

Then Mickey took her back to the house. She awoke from a restful nap tofind a basket of chickens waiting for her, barely down dry from theirshells. She caught up a little yellow ball, and with both hands clutchedit, exclaiming and crying in joy until Mickey saw the chicken wasdrooping. He pried open her excited little fingers; but the chickenremained limp. Soon it became evident that she had squeezed the life fromit. 

"Oh Peaches, you held it too tight!" wailed Mickey. "I'm afraid you'vemade it sick!"

"I didn't mean to Mickey!" she protested. 

Mrs. Harding reached over and picked the chicken from Mickey's fingers. 

"That chicken wasn't very well to begin with, " she said. "'You give it tome, and I'll doctor it up, while you take another one. Which do you want?"

"Yellow, " sniffed Peaches, "but please hurry, and Mickey, you hold thisone. Maybe I held too hard!"

"Yes you did, " laughed Peter. "But we wanted to see what you'd do. Onelittle chicken is a small price for the show you give. It's all right, Butterfly. "

"Peter, you make everything all right, don't you?"

"Well honey, I would if I could, " said Peter. "But that's something of acontract. Now you rest till after dinner, and if Ma and Mickey agree onit, we'll go see the meadow brook and hear the birds sing. "

"The water!" shouted Peaches. "Mickey, you promised----"

"Yes I remember, " said Mickey. "I'll see how cold it is and if I think itwon't chill you--yes. "

"Oh gee!" chortled Peaches. "'Nother blesses!"

"What does she mean?" asked Peter. 

Mickey explained. 

"Can't see how it would hurt her a mite, " said Peter. "Water is warm, niceday. It will be good for her. "

"All right, " said Mickey, "then we'll try it. But how about the plowingPeter, shouldn't I be helping you?"

"Not to-day, " said Peter. "I never allow my work to drive me, so I getpleasure from life my neighbours miss, and I'll compare bank accounts withany of them. To-morrow I'll work. To-day I'm entertaining company, orrather they are entertaining me. I think this is about the best day of mylife. Isn't it great, Ma?"

"It just is! I can't half work, myself!" answered Nancy Harding. "I justwonder if we could take a little run in the car after supper?"

"What do you think about it, Mickey?" asked Peter. 

"Why, I can't see that coming out hurt her any. "

"Then we'll go, " said Peter. 

"Do I have to be all covered?" questioned Peaches. 

"Not nearly so much, " explained Mickey. "I'll let you see a lot more. There's a bobolink bird down the street Peter wants to show you. "

"'Street!'" jeered Junior. "That's a road!"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I got a lot to learn. You tell me, will you Junior?"

"Course!" said Junior, suddenly changing from scorn to patronage. "Nowlet's take her to the creek!"

"Well that's quite a walk, " said Peter. "We're not going there unless Icarry the Little White Butterfly. You want me to take you, don't you?"

Peaches answered instantly. 

"Mickey always carries me. He can! And of course I like _him_ the best;but after him, I like you best Peter, so you may, if he'll let you. "

"So that's the way the wind blows!" laughed Peter. "Then Mickey, it's upto you. "

"Why sure!" said Mickey. "Since you are so big, and got a family of yourown, so you understand----"

"What Mickey?" asked Peter. 

"Oh how to be easy with little sick people, " answered Mickey, "and that aman's family is _his_ family, and he don't want anybody else butting in!"

"I see!" said Peter, struggling with his facial muscles. "Of course! Butthis sheet is going to be rather bunglesome. Ma, could you do anythingabout it?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Harding. "Mary, you run up to the flannel chest, and getBobbie's little blue blanket. "

Peter lifted the child to his broad breast, she slipped her arms aroundhis neck, and laid her head on his shoulder. 

Bloom time was past, but bird time was not, while the leaves were stillfreshly green and tender. Some of them reached to touch Peaches' gold hairin passing. She was held high to see into nests and the bluebirds' hollowin the apple tree. Peaches gripped Peter and cried: "Don't let it get myfeet!" when the old turkey gobbler came rasping, strutting, and spittingat the party. Mickey pointed to Mary, who was unafraid, and Peaches'clutch grew less frantic but she defended: "Well, I don't care! I bet ifshe hadn't ever seen one before, an' then a big thing like that would comeright at her, tellin' plain it was goin' to eat her alive, it would scarethe livers out of her. "

"Yes I guess it would, " conceded Peter. "But you got the eating end of itwrong. It isn't going to eat us, we are going to eat it. AboutThanksgiving, we'll lay its head on the block and Ma will stuff it----"

"I've quit stuffing turkeys, Peter, " said Mrs. Harding. "I find it spoilsthe flavour of the meat. "

"Well then it will stuff us, " said Peter, "all we can hold, and mince pie, plum pudding, and every good thing we can think of. What piece of turkeydo you like best, Butterfly?"

Mickey instantly scanned Peter, then Mrs. Peter, and tensely waited. 

"Oh stop! Stop! Is _that a turkey bird?_" cried Peaches. 

"Surely it is, " said Mrs. Harding. "Why childie, haven't you ever seen aturkey, either?"

"No I didn't ever, " said Peaches. "Can turkey birds sing?"

Just then the gobbler stuck forward his head and sang: "Gehobble, hobble, hobble!" Peaches gripped Peter's hair and started to ascend him again. Mrs. Harding waved her apron; the turkey suddenly reduced its size three-fourths, skipped aside, and a neat, trim bird, high stepping and dainty, walked through the orchard. Peaches collapsed in Peter's arms in open-mouthed wonder. "Gosh! How did it cave in like that?" she cried. 

Peter's shoulders were shaking, but he answered gravely: "Well that's away it has of puffing itself up and making a great big pretense that it isgoing to flop us, and then if just little Bobbie or Ma waves an apron or astick it gets out of the way in a hurry. "

"I've seen Multiopolis millyingaires cave in like that sometimes when Iwaved a morning paper with an inch-high headline about them, " commentedMickey. 

Peter Harding glanced at his wife, then they laughed together. Peterstepped over a snake fence, went carefully down a hill, crossed the meadowto the shade of a tree, sat on the bank of the brook and watched Peachesas she studied first the clear babbling water, then the grass trailing inthe stream, the bushes, trees, and then the water again. 

"Mickey, come here!" she commanded. "Put your head right down beside mine. Now look just the way I do, an' tell me what you see. "

"I see running water, grassy banks, trees, the birds, the sky and theclouds--the water shows what's above it like a mirror, Lily. "

Peaches pointed. Mickey watched intently. 

"Sure!" he cried. "Little fish with red speckles on them. Shall I catchyou one to see?"

"'Tain't my eyes then?" questioned Peaches. 

"Your eyes, Miss?" asked Mickey bewildered. 

"'Tain't my eyes seein' things that yours doesn't?"

Mickey took her hand and drew closer. 

"Well, it isn't any wonder you almost doubt it, honey, " he said. "I wouldtoo, if I hadn't ever seen it before. But I been on the trolley, and on afew newsboys' excursions, and in the car with Mr. Bruce, and I've got towalk along the str--roads some, so I know it's real. Let me show you----!"

Mickey slipped down the bank, scooped his hands full of water, and liftedthem, letting it drip through his fingers. Then he made a sweep andbrought up one of the fish, brightly marked as a flower, and gasping inthe air. 

"Look quick!" he cried. "See it good! It's used to water and the airchokes it, just like the water would you if a big fish would take you andhold your head under; I got to put it back quick. "

"Mickey, lay it in my hand, just a little bit!"

Mickey obeyed while Peaches examined it hurriedly. 

"Put it back!" she cried. "I guess that's as long as I'd want to bechoked, while a fish looked at me. "

Mickey exchanged the fish for a handful of wet, vividly coloured pebbles, then brought a bunch of cowslips yellow as gold, and a long willow whipwith leaves on, and when she had examined these, she looked inquiringly atMrs. Harding. 

"Nicest lady, may I put my feet in your water?"

"How about the temperature of it, Mickey?" inquired Mrs. Harding. 

"It's all right, " said Mickey. "I've washed her in colder water lots oftimes. The Sunshine Lady said I should, to toughen her up. "

"Then go ahead, " said Mrs. Harding. 

"Peter, may I?" asked Peaches. 

"Surely!" agreed Peter. "Whole bunch may get in if Ma says so!"

"Well, I don't say so!" exclaimed Mrs. Harding. "The children have theirgood clothes on and they always get to romping and dirty themselves andthen it's bigger washings and mine are enough to break my back right now. "

Peter looked at his wife intently. "Why Nancy, I hadn't heard you complainbefore!" he said. "If they're too big, we must wear less and make themsmaller, and I'll take an hour at the machine, and Junior can turn thewringer. All of you children listen to me. Your Ma is feeling the size ofthe wash. That means we must be more careful of our clothes and help herbetter. If Ma gets sick, or tired of us, we'll be in a fix, I tell you!"

"I didn't say I was sick, or tired of you, I'm just tired of washing!"said Mrs. Harding. 

"I see!" said Peter. "But it is a thing that has got to be done, likeplowing and sowing. "

"Yes I know, " said Mrs. Harding, "but plowing and sowing only come once ayear. Washing comes once and twice a week. "

"Let me, " said Mickey. "I always helped mother, and I do my own and Lily'sat home. Of course I will here, and I can help you a lot with yours!"

"Yes a boy!" scoffed Mrs. Harding. 

"Well I'll show you that a boy can work as well as a girl, if he's beentaught right, " said Mickey. 

"I wasn't bringing up any question of work, " said Mrs. Harding. "I justdidn't want the children to dirty a round of clothing apiece. They maywade when their things are ready for the wash anyway. Go on Peaches!"

Peter moved down the bank and prepared to lower her to the water, but shereached her arms for Mickey. 

"He promised me, " she said. "Back there on his nice bed in the hot room hepromised me this. "

"So I did, " said Mickey, radiating satisfaction he could not conceal. "SoI did! Now, I'll let you put your feet in, like I said. "

"Will the fish bite me?" she questioned timidly. 

"Those little things! What if they did?"

Thus encouraged she put her toes in the water, gripping Mickey and waitingbreathlessly to see what happened. Nothing happened, while the warm, running water felt pleasant, so she dipped lower, and then did her best tomake it splash. It wasn't much of a splash, but it was a satisfyingperformance to the parties most interested, and from their eagerness thewatchers understood what it meant to them. Junior sidled up to his mother. 

"Ain't that tough?" he whispered. 

She bit her lip and silently nodded. 

"Look at her feet, will you?" he breathed. 

She looked at him instead, then suddenly her eyes filled with a mist likethat clouding his. 

"_Think they'll ever walk?_" he questioned. 

"I don't know, " she said softly, "but it looks as if God has given us thechance to make them if it's possible. "

"Well say what's my share?" he said. 

"Just anything you see that you think will help. "

"If I be more careful not to dirty so many clothes, will it help?" heasked. 

"It would leave me that much more time and strength to give to her, " shesaid. 

"Will all I can save you in any way be helping her that much?" hepersisted. 

"Surely!" she said. "Soon as he's out of sight, I'm going to begin on her. But don't let them hear!"

Junior nodded. He sat down on the bank watching as if fascinated the feettrying to splash in the water. Mickey could feel the effort of the smallbody. 

"You take her now, " he said to Peter. Then he threw off his shoes andstockings, turned up his knee breeches and stepped into the water, wherehe helped the feet to kick and splash. He rubbed them and at last pickedup handfuls of fine sand and lightly massaged with it until he broughta pink glow. 

"That's the stuff, " indorsed Peter. "Look at that! You're pulling theblood down. "

"Where's the blood?" asked Peaches. 

Peter explained the circulatory system and why all the years of lying, with no movement, had made her so helpless. He told her why scarce andwrong food had not made good blood to push down and strengthen her feet sothey would walk. He told her the friction of the sand-rubbing would pullit down, while the sun, water, and earth would help. Peaches with wideeyes listened, her breath coming faster and faster, until suddenly sheleaned forward and cried: "Rub, Mickey! Rub 'til the blood flies! Rub 'emhot as hell!"

"Well, Miss Chicken!" he cried in despair. 

Peaches buried her shamed face on Peter's breast. He screened her with abig hand. 

"Now never you mind! Never you mind!" he repeated. "Everybody turn a deafear! That was a slip! Nobody heard it! You mean Little Butterfly White, 'rub hard. ' Say rub hard and that will fix it!"

"Mickey, " she said in a faint voice so subdued and contrite as to beridiculous, "Mickey-lovest, won't you please to rub hard! Rub jus' ashard!"

Mickey suddenly bent to kiss the bony little foot he was chafing. 

"Yes darling, I'll rub 'til it a-most bleeds, " he said. 

When the feet were glowing with alternate sand-rubbing and splashing incold water, Peter looked at his wife. 

"I think that's the ticket!" he said. "Nancy, don't you? That pulls downthe blood with rubbing, and drives it back with cold water, and pulls itdown, to be pushed back again--ain't that helping the heart get in itswork? Now if we strengthen her with right food, and make lots of pureblood to run in these little blue canals on her temples, and hands andfeet, ain't we gaining ground? Ain't we making headway?"

"We've just got to be, " said Mrs. Harding. "There's no other way to figureit. But this is enough for a start. "

Peaches leaned toward her and asked: "May we do this again to-morrow, nicest lady?"

"Well I can't say as we can come clear here every day; I'm a busy woman, and my spare time is scarce; and even light as you are, you'd be a loadfor me; I can't say as we can do this when Peter is busy plowing andharvesting and Junior is away on the cream wagon, and Mickey is in town athis work; we can't do just this; but there is something we can do thatwill help the feet quite as much. We can bring a bucket of sand up to thehouse, and set a tub of water in the sun, and you can lie on a comfortunder an apple tree with Mary and Bobbie to watch you, and every few hourswe can take a little time off for rubbing and splashing. "

"My job!" shouted Junior. "I get a bucket and carry up the sand!"

"I bring the tub and pump the water!" cried Mary. 

"Me shoo turkey!" announced Bobbie. 

"I lift the tub to the edge of the shade and carry out the Butterfly!"said Peter. 

"And where do I come in?" demanded Mickey. 

"Why Mickey, you 'let' them!" cried Peaches. "You '_let_' them! An' youearn the money to pay for the new back, when I get strong enough to haveit changed, an' the Carrel man comes! Don't you 'member?"

"Sure!" boasted Mickey, taking on height. "I got the biggest job of all! Igot the job that really does the trick, and to-morrow I get right afterit. Now I must take you back to the house to rest a while. "

"Aw come on to the barn with me!" begged Junior. "Let father carry her!Ain't you going to be any company for me at all?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Wait a minute! I'd like to go to the barn with you. "

He dried Peaches' feet with his handkerchief, stuffed his stockings in hispocket, and picked up his shoes. 

"Lily, can you let Peter take you back to rest 'til supper time, so I cansee what Junior wants to show me?"

"Yes I can, " said Peaches. "Yes I can, 'cause I'm a game kid; but I don'twish to!"

"Now you look here, Miss Chicken, that hasn't got anything to do with it, "explained Mickey. "Every single time you can't have your way, 'cause itain't good for you. If all these nice folks are so kind to you, you mustthink part of the time about what they want, and just now Junior wants_me_, so you march right along nice and careful with Peter, and prettysoon I'll come. "

Peaches pouted a second, then her face cleared by degrees, until it liftedto Peter with a smile. 

"Peter, will you please to carry me while Mickey does what Junior wants?"she asked with melting sweetness. 

"Sure!" said Peter. "I'm the one to take you anyway, big and strong as anox; but that's a pretty way to ask, and acting like a nice lady!"

Peaches radiated pride while Peter returned her to the couch, brought hera glass of milk and a cracker, pulled the shade, and going out softlyclosed the door. In five minutes she was asleep. 

An hour before supper time Mickey appeared and without a word beganwatching Mrs. Harding. Suddenly her work lightened. When she was ready forwater, the bucket was filled, saving her a trip to the pump. When shelifted the dishpan and started toward the back door, Mickey met her withthe potato basket. When she glanced questioningly at the stove, he put inmore wood. He went to the dining-room and set the table exactly as it hadbeen for dinner. He made the trip to the cellar with her and brought upbread and milk, while she carried butter and preserves. As she told Peterthat night, no strange woman ever had helped her as quickly andunderstandingly. 

With dishwashing he was on hand, for he knew that Peaches' fate hung onhow much additional work was made for Mrs. Harding. That surprised womanfound herself seated in a cool place on the back porch preparing thingsfor breakfast, while Mickey washed the dishes, and Mary carried them. Peaches was moved to the couch in the dining-room where she could look on. 

Then wrapped in Bobbie's blanket and held closely in Mickey's arms, thechild lay quivering with delight while the big car made the trip to theclub house, and stopped under the trees to show Peaches where Mr. Bruceplayed, and then slowly ran along the country road, with all its occupantstalking at once in their effort to point out everything to her. No onerealized how tired she was, until in calling her attention to a coltbeside its mother, she made no response, then it was discovered that shewas asleep, so they took her home and put her to bed. 

CHAPTER XVI

_The Fingers in the Pie_

When Mickey went the following morning to bring water for the inevitablewashing, Mrs. Harding said to him: "Is it possible that child is awakethis early?"

"No. She is sleeping like she'd never come to, " said Mickey. "I'll wait'til the last minute before I touch her. "

"You shouldn't wake her, " said Mrs. Harding. 

"But I must, " said Mickey. "I can't go away and leave her not washed, fed, and fixed the best I can. "

"Of course I understand that, " said Mrs. Harding, "but now it's different. Then you were forced, this is merely a question of what is best for her. Now Mickey, we're all worked up over this till we're most besideourselves, so we want to help; suppose you humour us, by letting us pleaseourselves a trifle. How does that proposition strike you?"

"Square, from the ground up, " answered Mickey promptly. "But what wouldplease you?"

"Well, " said Mrs. Harding, "it would please me to keep this house quiet, and let that child sleep till the demands of her satisfied body wake herup. Then I'd love to bathe her as a woman would her own, in like case; andcook her such dainties as she should have: things with lots of lime inthem. I think her bones haven't been built right; I believe I could makeher fifty per cent better in three months myself; and as far as taking heraway when this week is up, you might as well begin to make different plansright now. If she does well here, and likes it, she can't be taken backwhere I found her, till cool weather, if I can get the consent of my mindto let her go then. Of course I know she's yours, so things will be as yousay, but think a while before you go against me. If I do all I can for herI ought to earn the privilege of having my finger in the pie a littlebit. "

"So far as Lily goes, " said Mickey, "I'd be tickled 'most to death. Iain't anxious to pull and haul, and wake up the poor, little sleepy thing. Every morning it 'most makes me sick. I'd a lot rather let her sleep itout as you say, but while Lily is mine, and I've got to do the best by herI can, you are Peter's so he must do the best by you he can; and did younotice how he jumped on that washing business yesterday? How we going tosquare up with Peter?"

"I'm perfectly willing to do what I said for the sake of that child. I'vecome to be mighty fond of you Mickey, in the little time I've known you;if I didn't like and want to help Peaches I'd do a lot for her, just toplease you----"

"Gee, you're something grand!" cried Mickey. 

"Just common clay, commonest kind of clay Mickey, " said Mrs. Harding. "Butif you want to know how you could 'square' it with me, which will 'square'it with Peter--I'll tell you. You may think I'm silly; but as we're made, we're made, and this is how it is with me: of course I love Peter, mychildren, my home, and I love my work; but I've had this job without 'jotor tittle' of change for fifteen years, and I'm about stalled with thesameness of it. I know you'll think I'm crazy----"

"I won't!" interrupted Mickey. "You go on and tell me! The sameness of itis getting you and----"

"Just the way you flew around and did things last night perfectly amazedme. I never saw a boy like you before; you helped me better and with moresense than any woman I ever hired, and thinking it over last night, I saidto myself, 'Now if Mickey would be willing to trade jobs with me, it wouldgive me a change, and it wouldn't be any more woman's work for him thanwhat he _is_ doing----"

"Well never you mind about the 'woman's work' part of it, " said Mickey. "That doesn't cut any ice with me. It's men's work to eat, and I don'tknow who made a law that it was any more 'woman's work' to cook for menthan it is their own. If there _is_ a law of that kind, I bet a liberty-bird the _men_ made it. I haven't had my show at law-making yet, but whenI get it, there are some things I can see right now that I'm going to fixfor Lily, and I'd sooner fix them for you too, than not. Just _what_ wereyou thinking?"

Mrs. Harding went to Mickey, took him by the shoulder, turned him towardthe back door and piloted him to the porch, where she pointed eastindicating an open line. It began as high as his head against the side ofthe Harding back wall and ran straight. It crossed the yard between treesthat through no design at all happened to stand in line with those of theorchard so that they formed a narrow emerald wall on each side of a green-carpeted space that led to the meadow, where it widened, ran down hill andcrossed lush grass where cattle grazed. Then it climbed a far hill, treecrested, cloud capped, and in a mist of glory the faint red of the risingsun worked colour miracles with the edges of cloud rims, tinted them withflushes of rose, lavender, streaks of vivid red, and a broad stripe ofpale green. Alone, on the brow of the hill, stood one giant old appletree, the remains of an early-day orchard. It was widely branching, symmetrically outlined, backed and coloured by cloud wonder, above andaround it. The woman pointed down the avenue with a shaking finger, andasked: "See that Mickey? Start slow and get all of it. Every time I'vestepped on this back porch for fifteen years, summer or winter, I've seenthat just as it is now or as it was three weeks ago when the world wasblooming, or as it will be in the red and gold of fall, or the later graysand browns, and when it's ice coated, and the sun comes up, I thinksometimes it will kill me. I've neglected my work to stand staring, many'sthe time in summer, and I've taken more than one chill in winter--I'vetried to show Peter, and a few times I've suggested----"

"He ought to have seen for himself that you should have had a window cutthere the first thing, " said Mickey. 

"Well, he didn't; and he doesn't!" said Mrs. Harding. "But Mickey, forfifteen years, _there hasn't been a single morning when I went to the backporch for water_----"

"And you ought to have had water inside, fifteen years ago!" cried Mickey. 

"_Why so I had!_" exclaimed Mrs. Harding. "And come to think of it, I'vementioned _that_ to Peter, over and over, too. But Mickey, what I startedto say was, that I've been perfectly possessed to follow that path andwatch the sun rise while sitting under that apple tree; and never yet haveI got to the place where there wasn't bread, or churning, or a baby, orvisitors, or a wash, or ironing, or some reason why I couldn't go. MaybeI'm a fool, but sure as you're a foot high, I've got to take that trippretty soon now, or my family is going to see trouble. And last nightthinking it over for the thousandth time I said to myself: since he's sohandy, if he'd keep things going just one morning, just one morning----"

Mickey handed her a sun hat. 

"G'wan!" he said gruffly. "I'll do your work, and I'll do it right. Lilycan have her sleep. G'wan!"

The woman hesitated a second, pushed away the hat, took her bearings andcrossed the walk, heading directly toward the old apple tree on the farcrest. Her eyes were set on the rising sun, and as she turned to close theyard gate, Mickey could see that there was an awed, unnatural expressionon her face. He stepped into the dining-room. By the time Peter and Juniorcame with big buckets of milk, Mickey had the cream separator rinsed andtogether, as he had helped Mrs. Harding fix it the day before. With hisfirst glance Peter inquired: "Where's Ma?"

"She's doing something she's been crazy to for fifteen years, " answeredMickey calmly, as he set the gauge and poured in the first bucket of milk. 

"Which ain't answering where she is. "

"So 'tain't!" said Mickey, starting the machine. "Well if you'll line up, I'll show you. Train your peepers down that green subway, and on out toglory as presented by the Almighty in this particular stretch of country, and just beyond your cows there you'll see a spot about as big as Bobbie, and that will be your nice lady heading straight for sunrise. She saidshe'd wanted to go for fifteen years, but there always had been churning, or baking, or something, so this morning, as there wasn't a thing but whatI could do as good as she could, why we made it up that I'd finish herwork and let her see her sunrise, since she seems to be set on it; andwhen she gets back she's going to wash and dress Lily for a _change_. Strange how women folks get discouraged on their job, among their bestfriends, who would do anything in the world for them, 'cept just to seethat a little bit of change would help them. It will be a dandy scheme forLily, 'cause it lets her get her sleep out, and it will be good for you, 'cause if Mrs. Harding doesn't get to sit under that apple tree and watchsunup pretty soon, things are going to go wrong at this house. "

Peter's lower jaw slowly sagged. 

"If you don't hurry, " said Mickey, "even loving her like you do, andloving you as she does, she's going to have them nervous prostrations likethe Swell Dames in Multiopolis get when they ask a fellow to carry apackage, and can't remember where they want to send it. She's not there_yet_. She's ahead of them now, for she _wants_ to sit under that appletree and watch sunup; but if she hadn't got there this morning or soonnow, she'd a-begun to get mixed, I could see that plain as the City Hall. "

"Mickey, what else can you see?" asked Peter. 

"Enough to make your head swim, " said Mickey. 

"Out with it!" ordered Peter. 

"Well, " said Mickey gravely, and seemingly intent on the separator, butcovertly watching Peter, "well, if you'd a-cut that window she's wantedfor fifteen years, right over her table there where the line comes, shewould a-been seeing that particular bit of glory--you notice Peter, thatprobably there's nothing niftier on earth than just the little spot she'sbeen pining for; look good yourself, and you'll see, there she's justclimbing the hill to the apple tree--look at it carefully, and then stepinside and focus on what she's faced instead. "

"What else does she want?" inquired Peter. 

"She didn't mention anything but to watch sunup, just once, under thatapple tree, " said Mickey. "I don't know _what_ she wants; but from one dayhere, I could tell you things she _should_ have. "

"Well go ahead and tell, " said Peter. 

"Will you agree not to break my neck 'til I get this cream in the can, andwhat she keeps strained, and these buckets washed?" asked Mickey. "I wantto have her job all done when she gets back, 'cause I promised her, andthat's quite a hike she's taking. "

"Well I was 'riled' for a minute, but I might as well hold myself, " saidPeter. "Looks like you were right. "

"Strangers coming in can always see things that folks on the job can't, "consoled Mickey. 

"Well go on and tell me what you've seen here Mickey!"

Mickey hoisted the fourth bucket. 

"Well, I've seen the very nicest lady I ever saw, excepting my mother, "said Mickey. "I've seen a man 'bout your size, that I like better than anyman I know, barring Mr. Douglas Bruce, and the bar is such a little one itwould take a microscope to find it. " Peter laughed, which was what Mickeyhoped he would do, for he drew a deep breath and went on with greaterassurance: "I've seen a place that I thought was a new edition of Heaven, and it is, only it needs a few modern improvements----"

"Yes Mickey! The window, and what else?"

"You haven't looked at what I told you to about the window yet, " saidMickey. 

"Well since you insist on it, I will, " said Peter. 

"And while you are in there, " suggested Mickey, "after you finish withthat strip of brown oilcloth and the pans and skillets adorning it, cottonup to that cook stove, and imagine standing over it while it is roaring, to get three meals a day, and all the baking, fruit canning, boilingclothes, and such, and tell me if Lily's bed was in so much hotter a placethan your wife is, all but about three hours each day. "

Mickey listened as intently as he could for the separator he dared notstop, heard not a sound for what seemed a long time, and then came amazingones. He grinned sympathetically as Peter emerged red faced and raging. 

"And you're about the finest man I ever met, too, " commented Mickey, stillbusy with the cream. "You can see what a comfort this separator must be, but it's the _only_ thing your nice lady has got, against so many for yourwork it takes quite a large building to keep them in. Junior was showingme last night and telling me what all those machines were made for. Youknow Peter, if there was money for a hay rake, and a manure spreader, anda wheel plow, and a disk, and a reaper, and a mower, and a corn planter, and a corn cutter, and a cider press, and a windmill, and a silo, and anautomobile--you know Peter, there _should_ have been enough for thatwindow, and the pump inside, and a kitchen sink, and a bread-mixer, and adish-washer; and if there wasn't any other single thing, there ought to besome way you sell the wood, and use the money for the kind of a summerstove that's only hot under what you are cooking, and turns off the flamethe minute you finish. Honest there had Peter! I got a little gasoline onein my room that's better than what your nice lady has. The things sheshould have would cost something, cost a lot for all I know, but I betwhat she needs wouldn't take half the things in the building Junior showedme did; and it couldn't be the start of what a sick wife, and doctorbills, and strange women coming and going, and abusing you and thechildren would cost----"

"Shut up!" cried Peter. "That will do! Now you listen to me young man. Since you are so expert at seeing things, and since you've traded workwith my wife, to _rest her_ by _changing her job_, suppose you just keepyour eyes open, and make out a list of what she should have to do her workconvenient and easy as can be, and of course, comfortably. That stove'shot yet! And breakfast been over an hour too! Nothing like it must begoing full blast, and things steaming and frying!"

"Sure!" said Mickey. 

"Watch a few days, and then we'll talk it over. If it is your train time, ride down with Junior, and I'll stay in the house till she comes. I guessLittle White Butterfly won't wake up; and if she does, she'll be all rightwith me. Mary dresses herself and Bobbie. Is Mary helping her Ma right?"

"Well some, " said Mickey. "Not all she could! But her taking care ofBobbie is a big thing. Junior could do a lot of things, but he doesn'tseem to see them, and----"

"And so could I?" asked Peter. "Is that the ticket?"

"Yes, " said Mickey. 

"All right young man, " said Peter. "Fix us over! We are ready for anythingthat will benefit Ma. She's the pinwheel of this place. Now you scoot! Ican see her coming. "

"It's our secret then?" asked Mickey. 

"Yes, it's our secret!" answered Peter gravely. 

Mickey took one long look at Peaches and went running to the milk wagon. Junior offered to let him drive, so for the first time he took the linesand guided a horse. He was a happy boy as he spun on his heel waiting afew minutes for the trolley. He sat in the car with no paper in which tosearch for headlines, no anxiety as to whether he could dispose of enoughto keep Peaches from hunger that night, sure of her safety and comfort. The future, coloured by what Mrs. Harding had said to him, took on such arosy glow it almost hurt his mental eyes. He revelled in greater freedomfrom care than he ever had known. He sat straighter, and curiously watchedthe people in the car. When they entered the city and the car swung downhis street near the business centre, Mickey stepped off and hiding himselfwatched for the passing of the boy, on his old route. Before long it came, "I _like_ to sell papers, " in such good imitation of his tone and callthat Mickey's face grew grave and a half-jealous little ache began in hisheart. 

"Course we're better off, " he commented. "Course I can't go back now, andI wouldn't if I could; but it makes me want to swat any fellow using mycall, and taking my men. Gee, the kid is doing better than I thought hecould! B'lieve he's got the idea all right. I'll just join theprocession. "

Mickey stepped into line and followed, pausing whenever a paper was sold, until he was sure that his men were patronizing his substitute, then heovertook him. 

"Good work, kid!" he applauded. "Been following you and you're doing well. Lemme take a paper a second. Yes, I thought so! You're leaving out thebiggest scoop on the sheet! Here, give them a laugh on this 'ChasingWrinkles. ' How did you come to slide over it and not bump enough to wakeyou up? Get on this sub-line, 'Males seeking beauty doctors to renewyouth. '"

"How would you cry it?" asked the boy. 

"Aw looky! Looky! Looky!" Mickey shouted, holding his side with one handand waving a paper with the other. "All the old boys hiking to the beautyparlours. Pinking up the glow of youth to beat Billie Burke. Corner onicicles; Billie gets left, 'cause the boys are using all of them! Oh my!Wheel o' time oiled with cold cream and reversed with an icicle! Morningpaper! Tells you how to put the cream on your face 'stead of in thecoffee! Stick your head in the ice box at sixty, and come out sixteen!Awah get in line, gentlemen! Don't block traffic!"

When the policemen scattered the crowd Mickey's substitute had not a paperremaining. With his pocket full of change he was running to the neareststand for a fresh supply. Mickey went with him and watched with criticaleye while the boy tried a reproduction of what he called "a daily scream!"The first time it was rather flat. 

"You ain't going at it right!" explained Mickey. "'Fore you can makeanybody laugh on this job, you must see the fun of life yourself. Beautyparlours have always been for the Swell Dames and the theatre ladies, whopink up, while their gents hump to pay the bill. You ought always take onepaper home, and _read_ it, so you know what's going on in the world. Nowfrom what I've read, I know that the get-a-way of the beauty parlours iscold cream. And one of the show ladies the boys are always wild over toldthe papers long ago 'bout how she used icicles on her face to pink it up. Now if you'd a-knowed this like you should, the minute you clapped yourpeepers on that, 'Chasing Wrinkles, ' you'd a-knowed where your laugh camein today, like I've told you over and over you _must_ get it. Bet Chaffnerput that there on purpose for me. Which same gives me an idea. You beencalling the Hoc de Geezer war, and the light-weight champeen of Mexico, and 'the psychological panic' something fine; but did you sell out onthem? Not on your topknot! You lost your load on the scream. _Get the jokeof life soaked in your system good_. On this, you make yourself see theplutes, and the magnates, and the city officials leaving their jobs, andhiking to the beauty parlours, to beat the dames at their daily stunt ofbeing creamed and icicled and--it's funny! When it's so funny to you thatyou just howl about it, why it's catching! Didn't you see me catch themwith it? Now go on and do it again, and get the _scream_ in. "

The boy began the cry with tears of laughter in his eyes. He kept it up ashe handed out papers and took in change. Satisfied, Mickey called to him:"Tell your sire it's all over but polishing the silver. "

He started down the street glancing at clocks he was passing, with nimblefeet threading the crowds until he reached the _Herald_ office; there hedodged in and making his way to the editorial desk he waited his chance. When he saw an instant of pause in the work of the busy man, he startedhis cry: "Morning papers! I _like_ to sell them!" and so on to the"Chasing Wrinkles. " There because he was excited, for he knew that hisreception would depend on how good a laugh he gave them, Mickey outdidhimself. Reporters waiting assignments crowded around him; Mr. Chaffnerbeckoned, and Mickey stepped to him. 

"Found it all right, did you, young man?"

"The scream lifted the load!" cried Mickey. "War, and waste, andwickedness, didn't get a look in. "

"I thought you'd like that!" laughed the editor. 

"Biggest scoop yet!" said Mickey. "Why it took the police to scatter thecrowd. They struggled to get papers, 'til they looked like the bird on thecoin they were passing in, trying to escape the awful things it goesthrough on the money, and get back to nature where perfectly good birdsbelong. Honest, they did!"

"Have you any poetry for me yet?"

"No, but I'm headed that way, " answered Mickey. 

"How so?" inquired the editor. 

"Why I've got another kid so he can do my stunt 'til nobody knows thedifference, and I've gone into Mr. Bruce's office, and we're after thegrafters. "

"Douglas Bruce?" queried Mr. Chaffner. 

"Yes, " said Mickey. "He's my boss, and say, he's the finest man you evermet; and his Joy Lady is nice as he is, and prettier than moonshine on thepark lake. I never saw a lady who could hold a candle to Miss LeslieWinton, and they just love to tell folks they're engaged. "

Suddenly the editor arose from his chair, gripped his desk, leaned acrossit toward Mickey, and almost knocked him from his feet with one word. 

"_What?_"

Mickey staggered. At last he recovered his breath. 

"Mr. Bruce and Miss Leslie don't care if I tell, " he defended. "They allthe time tell it!"

"_What?_"

"Why that they are going to be married, soon as Mr. Bruce gets the grafterwho's robbing the taxpayers of Multiopolis, and collects his big fee. That's what. "

As suddenly as he had arisen Mr. Chaffner dropped back, and in a stupefiedway still looked at Mickey. Then: "You come with me, " Mr. Chaffner saidrising, and he entered a small room and closed the door. 

"Now you tell me all about this engagement. "

"Maybe they don't want it in the papers yet, " said Mickey. "I guess I'lllet Mr. Bruce do his own talking. "

"But you said they told everybody. "

"So they do, " said Mickey. "And of course they'd tell you. You can callhim. His number is 500-X. "

The editor made a note of it, studying Mickey. 

"Yes, that would be the better way, of course, " he agreed. "You have along head, young man. And so you think Miss Leslie Winton is a fine younglady?"

"Surest thing you know, " said Mickey. "Why let me tell you----"

And then in a few swift words, Mickey sketched in the young woman sointelligent she had selected him from all the other "newsies" by adescription, and sent him to Mr. Bruce; how she had dolls ready to giveaway, and poor children might ride in her car; how she lived with "darlingold Daddy, " and there Mickey grew enthusiastic, and told of the resthouse, and then the renting of the cabin on Atwater by the mostconsiderate of daughters for her father and her lover, and when he couldnot think of another commendatory word to say, Mickey paused, while adazed man muttered a word so low the boy scarcely heard it. 

"I don't know why you say _that!_" cried Mickey. 

"Ommh!" said Mr. Chaffner, slowly. "I don't either, only I didn'tunderstand they were _engaged_. It's my business to find and distributenews, and get it fresh, 'scoop it, ' as our term is, and so, Mickey, wheninvestigations are going on, and everybody knows a denou--a big surpriseis coming, in order to make sure that my paper gets in on the groundfloor, I make some investigation for myself, and sometimes by accident, sometimes by intuition, sometimes by sharp deduction we _happen_ to landbefore the investigators. Of course we have personal, financial, andpolitical reasons for not spoiling the game. Now we haven't gone into theCity Hall investigation as Bruce has and we can't show figures, but weknow enough to understand where he's coming out; so when the gig upsets, we have our side ready and we'll embroider his figures with what thepublic is entitled to, in the way of news. "

"Sure! But I don't see why you act so funny!"

"Oh it's barely possible that I've got ahead of your boss on a fewfeatures of his investigation. "

"Aw-w-wh!" said Mickey. "Well I hope you ain't going to rush in and spoil_his_ scoop. You see he doesn't know who he's after, himself. We talkabout it a lot of times. I tell him how I've sold papers, and seen menlike he's chasing get their dose, and go sick and white, and can't everface men straight again; but he says stealing is stealing, and cut whereit will, those who rob the taxpayers must be exposed. I told him maybehe'd be surprised, and maybe he'd be sorry; but he says it's got to bestopped, no matter who gets hurt. "

"Well he's got his nerve!" cried the editor. 

"Yes!" agreed Mickey. "He's so fine himself, he thinks no other men worthsaving could go wrong. I told him I wished the men he was after wouldbreak their necks 'fore he gets them, but he goes right on. "

"Mickey, you figure closer than your boss does. "

"In one way I _do_, " conceded Mickey. "It's like this: he knows books, andmen, and how things _should_ be; but I know how they _are_. See?"

"I certainly see, " said the intent listener. "Mickey, when it comes to theplace where you think you know better than your boss, while it's badbusiness for me to tell you, keep your eye open, and maybe you can savehim. Books and theories are all right, but there are times when a mancomes a cropper on them. You watch, and if you think he's riding for afall, you come skinning and tell me, not over the 'phone, _come and tellme_. Here, take this, it will get you to me any time, no matter where I amor what I'm doing. Understand?"

"You think Mr. Bruce is going to get into trouble?"

"His job is to get other people into trouble----"

"But he says he ain't got a thing to do with it, " said Mickey. "He saysthey get themselves into trouble. "

"That's so too, " commented Mr. Chaffner. "Anyway, keep your mouth tightshut, and your eyes wide open, and if you think your boss is getting intodeep water, you come and tell me. I want things to go right with _you_, because I'm depending on that poem for my front page, soon. "

Mickey held out his hand. 

"Sure!" he agreed. "I'm in an awful good place now to work up the poetrypiece, being right out among the cows and clover. And about Mr. Bruce, gee! I wish he was plowing corn. I just hate his job he's doing now. Sureif I see rocks I'll make a run for you. Thanks Boss!"

Mickey had lost time, and he hurried, but things seemed to be happening, for as he left the elevator and sped down the hall, he ran into Mr. JamesMinturn. With a hasty glance he drew back, and darted for the office door. Mr. Minturn's face turned a dull red. 

"One minute, young man!" he called. 

"I'm late, " said Mickey shortly. "I must hurry. "

"Bruce is late too. I just came from his office and he isn't there, "answered Mr. Minturn. 

"Well I want to get it in order before he comes. "

"In fact you want anything but to have a word to say to me!" hazarded Mr. Minturn. 

"Well then, since you are such a good guesser, I ain't just crazy aboutyou, " said Mickey shortly. 

"And I'm tired of having you run from me as if I were afflicted withsmallpox, " said Mr. Minturn. 

"If your blood is right, smallpox ain't much, " said Mickey. "I haven't apicture of myself running from _that_, if it really wanted a word withme. "

"But you have a picture of yourself running from me?"

"Maybe I do, " conceded Mickey. 

"I've noticed it on occasions so frequent and conspicuous that others, nodoubt, will do the same, " said Mr. Minturn. "If you are all Bruce thinksyou, then you should give a man credit for what he tries to do. Yousurprised me too deeply for words with the story you brought me one day. Iknew most of your facts from experience, better than you did, except theone horrible thing that shocked me speechless; but Mickey, when I had timeto adjust myself, I made the investigations you suggested, and proved whatyou said. I deserve your scorn for not acting faster, but what I had to docouldn't be done in a day, and for the boys' sake it had to be done asprivately as possible. There's no longer any reason why you should regardme as a monster----"

"I'm awful glad you told me, " Mickey said. "I surely did have you sized upsomething scandalous. And yet I couldn't quite make out how, if my viewwas right, Mr. Bruce and Miss Leslie would think so much of you. "

"They are friends I'm proud to have, " said Mr. Minturn. "And I hope you'llconsider being a friend to me, and to my boys also. If ever a times comeswhen I can do anything for you, let me know. "

"Now right on that point, pause a moment, " said Mickey. "You _are_ afriend to my boss?"

"I certainly am, and I'm under deep obligations to Miss Winton. If ever myhome becomes once more what it was to start with, it will be her work. Could a man bear heavier obligation than that?"

"Well hardly, " said Mickey. "Course there wouldn't likely ever be anythingyou could do for Miss Leslie that would square _that_ deal; but I'mworried about my boss something awful. "

"Why Mickey?" asked Mr. Minturn. 

"That investigation you started him on. "

"I did start him on that. What's the matter?"

"Well the returns are about all in, " said Mickey, "and the man who drawsthe candy suit is about ready to put it on. See?"

"Good! Exactly what he should do. "

"Yes exactly, " agreed Mickey dryly, "but _who_ do you figure it is? We gotsome good friends in the City Hall. "

"Always is somebody you don't expect, " said Mr. Minturn. "Don't waste anysympathy on them, Mickey. "

"Not unless in some way my boss got himself into trouble, " said Mickey. 

"There's no possible way he could. "

"About the smartest man in Multiopolis thinks yes, " said Mickey. "I justbeen talking with him. "

"Who, Mickey?" asked Mr. Minturn, instantly. 

"Chaffner of the _Herald_, " said Mickey. 

"_What!_"

Mr. Minturn seized the boy's arm, shoved him inside his door and closedit. Mickey pulled away and turned a belligerent face upward. 

"Now nix on knocking me down with _your_ 'whats!'" he cried. "I just beenhammered meller with his, and dragged into his room, and shut up, andscared stiff, about twenty minutes ago. "

"_The devil you say!_" exploded Mr. Minturn. 

"No, I said Chaffner!" insisted Mickey. "Chaffner of the _Herald_. I'mgoing to write a poetry piece for his front page, some day soon now. Ibeen selling his paper all my life. "

"And so you're a friend of Chaffner's?"

"Oh not bosom and inseparable, " explained Mickey. "I haven't seen so awfulmuch of him, but when I do, we get along fine. "

"And he said----?" questioned Mr. Minturn. 

"Just what I been afraid of all the time, " said Mickey. "That theseinvestigations at times got into places you didn't _look_ for, and madeawful trouble; and that my boss _might_ get it with his. "

"Mickey, you will promise me something?" asked Mr. Minturn. "You see Istarted Mr. Bruce on this trying to help him to a case that would bringhim into prominence, so if it should go wrong, it's in a way through me. If you think Douglas is unlike himself, or worried, will you tell me? Willyou?"

"Why surest thing you know!" cried Mickey. "Why I should say I would! Gee, you're great too! I think I'll like you awful well when we getacquainted. "

Mickey was busy when Bruce entered, and with him was Leslie Winton. Theybrought the breath of spring mellowing into summer, freighted withemanations of real love, touched and tinctured with joy so habitual it hadbecome spontaneous on the part of Leslie Winton, and this morningcontagious with Douglas Bruce. Mickey stood silent, watched them closely, and listened. So in three minutes, from ragged scraps and ejaculationseffervescing from what was running over in their brains, he knew that theyhad taken an early morning plunge into Atwater, landed a black bass, had abreakfast of their own making, at least in so far as gathering wild redraspberries from the sand pit near the bridge; and then they had raced tothe Multiopolis station to start Mr. Winton on a trip west to try to sellhis interest in some large land holdings there, the care of which he wasfinding burdensome. 

"Heavens, how I hope Daddy makes that sale!" cried Leslie. "I've been soworried about him this summer. "

"I wondered at you not going with him, " said Douglas. 

"He didn't seem to want me, " said Leslie. "He said it was a flying tripand he was forced to be back before some reports from his office werefiled; so he thought I wouldn't enjoy it; and for the first time in mylife he told me distinctly that he didn't have _time_ for me. Fancy Daddy!I can't understand it. "

"I've noticed that he has been brooding and preoccupied of late, not atall like himself, " said Douglas. "Have you any idea what troubles him?"

"Of course! He told me!" said Leslie. "It's Mr. Swain. When Daddy was aboy, Mr. Swain was his father's best friend, and when grandfather died, heasked him to guide Daddy, and he not only did that, but he opened hispurse and started him in business. Now Mr. Swain is growing old, and someof his investments have gone wrong; just when political changes madebusiness close as could be, he lost heavily; and then came the war. Therewas no way but for Daddy to stay here and fight to save what he could forhim. He told me early last fall; we talked of it again in the winter, andthis spring most of all--I've told you!"

"Yes I know! I wish I could help!" said Douglas. 

"I do too! I wish it intensely, " said Leslie. "When father comes, we'llask him. We're young and strong, and we should stand by. I never saw Daddyin such a state. He _must_ sell that land. He _said_ so. He said lastnight he'd be forced to sell if he only got half its value, and thatwouldn't be enough. "

"Enough for what?" asked Douglas. 

"To help Mr. Swain, " said Leslie. 

"He's going to use his fortune?" queried Douglas. 

"I don't know that Daddy has holdings large enough to deserve the word, "said Leslie. "He's going to use what he has. I urged him to; it's all hecan do. "

"Did you take into consideration that it may end in his failure?" askedDouglas. 

"I did, " said Leslie, "and I forgot to tell him, but I will as soon as hecomes back: he can have all mother left me, too, if he needs it. "

"Leslie, you're a darling, but have you ever had even a small taste ofpoverty?" asked Douglas. 

"No! But I've always been curious, if I did have, to see if I couldn't somanage whatever might be my share, that it would appear to the worldwithout that peculiar state of grime which always seems to distinguishit, " said the girl. "I'm not afraid of poverty, and I'm not afraid ofwork; it's dishonour that would kill me. Daddy accepted obligations; ifthey involve him, which includes me also, then to the last cent wepossess, we pay back. "

Mickey drew the duster he handled between vacuum days across a table andsteadily watched first Douglas, then Leslie, both of whom had forgottenhim. 

"That should be good enough for Daddy; what about me?" asked Douglas. "Ifever I get in a close place, does the same hold good?"

"If I know what you are doing, surely!"

"I knew you were a 'Bearer of Morning' first time I saw you, " saidDouglas. "But we are forgetting Mickey. "

Mickey promptly stepped forward, putting away the duster to be ready forerrands. 

"How are you this morning?" asked Douglas. 

"Fine!" answered Mickey. "I've taken my family to the country, too!"

"Why Mickey! without saying a word!" cried Douglas. 

"Well it happened so fast, " said Mickey, "and I didn't want to bother youwhen your head was so full of your old investigation and your own moving. "

"Did you hear that Leslie?" he asked. "Mickey dislikes my investigation asmuch as the man who comes out short is going to, any day now. So you'vemoved Peaches to the country? You should have told me, first. "

"I'm sorry if you don't like it, " said Mickey. "You see my room wasgetting awful hot. I never was there days this time of year, and nights Islept on the fire-escape; all right for me, but it wouldn't do for Lily. Why should I have told you?"

"Because Miss Winton had plans for her, " explained Douglas. "She intendedto take her to Atwater, and she even contemplated having her back examinedfor you. "

Mickey's eyes danced and over his face spread a slow grin ofcomprehension. 

"Well?" ejaculated Douglas. 

"Nothing!" said Mickey. 

"Well?" demanded Douglas. 

Mickey laughed outright. Then he sobered suddenly and spoke gravely, directly to Miss Winton. 

"Thank you for thinking of it, and planning for her, " he said. "I wasafraid you would. "

"Thank me for something you feared I would do! Mickey, aren't you gettingthings mixed?"

"Thank you for thinking of Lily and wanting to help her, " explainedMickey, "but she doesn't need you. She's mine and I'm going to keep her;so what I can do for her will have to be enough, until I can do better. "

"I see, " said Leslie. "But suppose that she should have attention at once, that you can't give her, and I can?"

"Then I'd be forced to let you, even if it took her from me, " agreedMickey. "But thank the Lord, things ain't that way. I didn't take my say-so for it; I went to the head nurse of the Star of Hope; she's gone to thenew Elizabeth Home now; she loves to nurse children best. All the timefrom the first day she's told me how, and showed me, so Lily has beentaken care of right, you needn't worry about that. And where she is now, if she was a queen-lady she couldn't have grander; honest she couldn't!"

"But Mickey, how are you going to pay for all that?" queried Douglas. 

"Easy as falling off a car in a narrow skirt, " said Mickey. "'Member thatbig house where things are Heaven-white, and a yard full of trees, and thefence corners are cut with the shears, and the street--I mean the road--swept with a broom, this side the golf grounds about two miles?"

"Yes, " said Douglas. "The woman there halted my car one evening and spoketo me about you. "

"Oh she did?" exclaimed Mickey. "Well I hope you gave me a good send-off, 'cause she's a lady I'm most particular about. You see I stopped there fora drink, the day you figured instead of playing, and she told me about aboy who was to be sent out by the _Herald_ and hadn't come, and as she wasready, and interested, she was disappointed. So I just said to her if theboy didn't come, how'd she like to have a nice, good little girl thatwouldn't ever be the least bother. Next day she came to see us, and awayLily went sailing to the country in a big automobile, and she isn't comingback 'til my rooms are cool, if she can be spared then. "

"But how are you going to pay, Mickey? Most people only take children fora week----?"

"Yes I know, " said Mickey. "But these folks haven't ever tried it before, and they don't know the ropes, so we're doing it our own way, and it workssomething grand. "

"If they are suited----" said Douglas. "That place is far better thanwhere we feel so comfortable. "

"We started this morning, " said Mickey. "The lady and I traded jobs; shesat on a hill under an apple tree and watched sunrise. I washed thedishes, sep'rated the cream, and scrubbed the porch for her. When Lilywakes up, the lady is going to bathe, rub, feed her, and see to her likeshe owned her, to pay me back. It's a bargain! You couldn't beat it, couldyou?"

"Of course if you want to turn yourself into a housemaid!" said Douglasirritably. 

Mickey laughed, and Leslie sent a slightly frowning glance toward Douglas. 

"You can search me!" cried the boy, throwing out his hands in his familiargesture. "Why I just love to! I always helped mother! Pay? I'll pay allright; the nice lady will say I do, and so will Peter. It's my mostimportant job to make her glad of me as I am of her. And if you put it upto me, I'd a lot rather have my job than yours; and I bet I get more joyfrom it for my family!"

"Croaker!" laughed Bruce. 

"'Tain't going to be a scream for the fellow who comes short, " warnedMickey. 

"So you're planning not to allow me to do anything for Lily?" inquiredMiss Winton. 

"Well there's something you can do this minute if you'd like, " saidMickey. "I was going to hurry up and see my Sunshine Nurse, but it's along way to the new hospital, and you could do as well, if you would. "

"Mickey, I'd love to. What is it? And may I see your family? You know Ihaven't had a peep yet. "

"Well soon now, you may, " said Mickey. "You see I ain't quite ready. "

"Mickey, what do you know about the new Elizabeth Home?" asked Douglas. 

"Only that a rich lady gave her house and money, and that my SunshineNurse is going to be there after this. I was going for my first trip to-night. "

"I wondered, " said Douglas. "Mickey, when you get there, you'll find thatyou've been there _before_. "

"My eye!" cried Mickey. 

"Fact! Mr. Minturn did put his foot down, and took his boys----" beganDouglas. 

"Yes he was telling me this morning. That's what I get for stopping at thefirst page. If I'd a-looked inside, bet I'd have known that long ago. " "Hewas telling you?" queried Douglas. 

"Yes. I guess I must kind of shied at him 'til he noticed it; I didn't_know_ I did, but he caught me and told me his troubles by force. We shookhands to quit on. Say, he's just fine when you know him, and there doesn'tseem to be a thing on earth he wouldn't do for you, Miss Leslie. Why hesaid if ever he found happiness again, and his home become what it should, it would be because you were sorry for him, and fixed things. "

"Mickey, did he really?" rejoiced the girl. "Douglas, when may Mickey showme what he wants me to do?"

"Right now, " he answered. "I got a load of books while he was awayyesterday and I haven't started them yet. Now is the best time. "

When Mickey made a leap from the trolley platform that night, at what healready had named Cold Cream Junction, he was almost buried under boxes. He stepped high and prideful, for he had collected the money from hispaper route and immediately spent some of it under Leslie Winton'ssupervision. 

Pillow bolstered, on the front porch, on his comfort lay the tiny girl heloved. Mickey stopped and made a detailed inspection. Peaches leanedforward and reached toward him; her greeting was indescribably sweet. Mickey dropped the bundles and went into her arms; even in his joy henoted a new strength in her grip on him, an unusual clinging. He drew backhalf alarmed. 

"You been a good girl?" he queried suspiciously. 

"Jus' as good!" asserted Peaches. 

"You didn't go and say any----?"

"Not ever Mickey-lovest! Not one!" she cried. "I ain't even _thinked_ one!That will help, Peter says so!"

"You have been washed and fed and everything all right?" he proceeded. 

"Jus' as right!" she insisted. 

"You like the nice lady?" he went on. 

"Jus' love the nice lady, an' Mary, an' Bobbie, an' Peter, an' Junior, jus' love all of them!" she affirmed. 

"Well I hope I don't bust!" he said. "I never was so glad as I am thateverything is good for you. "

"They's two things that ain't good. "

"Well if things ain't right here, with what everybody's doing for you, they ought to be!" cried Mickey. "You cut complaining right out, MissChicken!"

"You forgot to set my lesson, an' I ain't had my po'try piece for twodays. That ain't complainin'. "

"No 'tain't honey, " conceded Mickey regretfully. "No 'tain't! That's justall right. I thought you were going to start kicking, and I wasn't goingto stand for it. Course I'll set your lesson; course I'll make up yourpiece, but you must give me a little time. I was talking with Mr. Chaffnerof the _Herald, our_ paper you know, and he's beginning to get in a hurryabout his piece, too. "

"I want mine first!" demanded Peaches. 

"Sure! You'll get it first! Always! But I'm going to do something for youbefore I make it, 'cause I won't know how it goes 'til afterward. See?"

"What you going to do?" she questioned. "What's all the bundles? My theylook excitements!"

"And so they are!" triumphed Mickey. "Where are all the folks? Do theyleave you alone like this?"

"No, they don't leave me alone only when I'm asleep in the room, " saidPeaches. "They saw you coming an' went away 'cause they know familieslikes to be alone, sometimes. Ain't they smart to know that?"

"They are!" said Mickey. "First, you come to your bed a little while. Igot something for you. "

"Ooh Mickey! Those bundles jus' look----!"

"Now you hold on. You wait and see, Miss!"

Mickey carried her in then he returned for the boxes. He opened one andfrom it selected a pair of pink stockings and slipped them on Peaches;then tiny, soft buckskin moccasins embroidered and tied with ribbons tomatch the hose. Peaches squealed and clapped her hand over her mouth tomuffle the sound; but Mrs. Harding heard and came to the door. Mickeyasked for help. 

"Young ladies who are going automobiling and taking walks are well enoughto have dresses, and things that all _good_ girls have, " he announced. "But I'm a little dubious about how these things go. Will you dress her?"

"Yes, " said Mrs. Harding. "You fill the water bucket and the wood box, andstart the fire for supper. "

Mrs. Harding looked over the contents of the box and from plain softpieces of underwear chose a gauze shirt, a dainty combination suit and atucked and trimmed petticoat, while Peaches laughed and sobbed for purejoy. Then Mickey came, and Mrs. Harding went away. After various trials hedecided on a white dress with pink ribbons run in the neck, sleeves, andbelt, slipping it on her and carefully fastening it. 

"Mickey, I want the glass!" she begged. "Please, oh please hurry, Mickey. "

"Now you just wait, Miss Chicken!" said Mickey. 

Then he brushed her hair and put on a new pink ribbon, not so large asthose she had, but much more becoming. He laid a soft warm little graysweater with white collar and cuffs in reach, and in turning it shediscovered a handkerchief and a pair of gloves in one pocket. Immediatelyshe searched the other and produced a purse with five pennies in it. Thenfor no reason at all, Peaches began to cry. 

"Well Miss Chicken!" exclaimed Mickey in surprise, "I thought you'd bepleased!"

"Pleased!" sobbed Peaches. "Pleased! Mickey, I'm dam--I'm busted!"

"Oh well then, go on and cry, if you want to, " agreed Mickey. "But you'dlook much nicer to show Mrs. Harding and Peter if you wouldn't!"

Peaches immediately wiped her eyes. Mickey lifted and carried her back tothe porch, placing her in a pillow-piled big chair. Then he put the gloveson her hands, set a hat on her head and tied the pink ribbons. Peachesboth laughed and cried at that, while the Harding family came in becausethey could not wait. Mickey raised and put in Peaches' shaking fingers thecrowning glory of any small girl: a wonderful little pink parasol. Peachesappeared for a minute as if a faint were imminent. 

"Now do you see why I couldn't come with a poetry piece when my head wasso full of these things?"

"Yes Mickey, but you will before night?" she begged. 

"You want it even now?" he marvelled. 

"More 'an the passol, even!" she declared. 

"Well you fool little sweet kid!" cried Mickey and choked. He fled aroundthe house as Peter came out. In his ears as he went sounded Peter's bigvoice and the delighted cries of the family. 

"I want Mickey!" wailed Peaches. 

He heard her call and ran back fast for fear he might be so slow reachingher that Peter would serve. But to his joy he found that he alone wouldanswer. 

"I want to see me!" demanded Peaches. 

"Sure you do!" cried Peter. "I'll just hand down the big hall mirror soyou can see all of you at once. "

He brought it and set it before her. Peaches stared and drew back. Shecried, "Aw-w--ah!" in a harsh, half-scared voice. She gripped Mickey withone hand and the parasol with the other; she leaned and peeped, andmarvelled, and smiled at a fully clothed little girl in the glass, whilethe image smiled back. Peaches thought of letting go of Mickey to touchher hat and straighten her skirt, but felt so lost without him, that shehanded Peter the parasol, and used that hand, while the other clung to herrefuge. When Mickey saw the treasure go in his favour, he swallowed lumpsof emotion so big that the Hardings could see them running down histhroat. Peaches intent on the glass smiled, grimaced, tilted her head, andfinally began flirting outrageously with herself, until all of themlaughed and recalled her. She looked at Peter, smiled her most winsomesmile and exclaimed: "Well ain't I the----"

"Now you go easy, Miss Chicken, " warned Mickey. 

"Mickey, if you hadn't stopped me I'd done it sure!" sobbed Peaches, collapsing against him. "'F I had, would you a-took these bu'ful things'way from me?" "No I wouldn't!" said Mickey. "I couldn't to save me. But I_should!_"

"Mickey, I'm so tired, " she said. "Take my hat an' put it where I can seeit, an' my passol, an' my coat; gee, I don't have to be wrapped in sheetsno more, an' lay me down. Quick Mickey, I'm sick-like. "

"Well I ought to had the sense not to spring so much all at once, " saidMickey, "but it all seemed to belong. Sure I will, you poor kid!"

"And Mickey, you won't forget the lesson and the po'try piece?" shepanted. 

"No, I won't forget, " promised Mickey, as he stretched her among hertreasures and watched her fall asleep even while he slipped the glovesfrom her fingers. 

Next morning she found the lesson and the poetry on her slate. Mrs. Harding bathed and clothed her in the little garments, and showed herenough more for the changes she would need, even two finer dresses forSunday. She left the coat, hat, and parasol in reach. Then Peachesresolutely took up her pencil and set herself to copy the lines withoutknowing enough of the words to really understand; but she was extremelywell acquainted with one word that Mickey had said "just flew out of hismouth when he looked at her, " and in her supreme satisfaction over her newpossessions she was sure the lines must be concerning them. Most of allshe was delighted with her slippers. A hundred times that morning shelooked down, wiggled her toes and moved her feet so that she could seethem better. Between whiles she copied over and over:

_LILY

Miss L. P. O'Halloran daily went walking, In slippers so nifty the neighbours were talking. The minute she raised her gay pink parasolThe old red cow began to friskily bawl. When they observed the neat coat on her back, All the guineas in the orchard cried: "Rack! Pot rack!"She was so lovely a bird flying her way, Sang "Sweet, sweet, sweet!" all the rest of the day. _

Peter came in to visit a few minutes, so she gave him the slate to see ifhe could read her copy, and by this ruse she found what the lines were. She was so overjoyed she opened her lips and then clapped both hands overthem, to smother the ejaculation at her tongue's end. To distract Petershe stuck out her foot and moved it for him to see. 

"Ain't that pretty, an' jus' as soft and fine?" she asked. 

"Yes, " said Peter. "They remind me of a flower called 'Lady Slipper, ' thatgrows along the edge of the woods. It's that shape and the prettiest goldyellow, but little, they'd about fit your doll. "

"Oh Peter, could you get me one? I want to see. "

"Why I would, but they are all gone now, honey, " answered Peter. "Nextyear I'll remember and bring you some when they bloom. But it's likely bythat time you can go yourself, and see them. "

"Do you honest think it Peter?" asked Peaches, leaning forward eagerly. 

"Yes I honest think it, " repeated Peter emphatically. 

"But I won't be here then, " Peaches reminded him. 

"Well it won't be my fault, if you're not, " said Peter. 

CHAPTER XVII

_Initiations in an Ancient and Honourable Brotherhood_

"Now father, you said if I'd help till after harvest, I could go toMultiopolis and hunt a job, " Junior reminded Peter. "When may I?"

"I remember, " said Peter. "You may start Monday morning if you want to. Maand I have talked it over, and if you're bound to leave us, I guessthere'd never be a better time. I can get Jud Jason to drive the creamwagon for me, and I'll do the best I can at the barn. I had hoped thatwe'd be partners and work together all our days; but if you have decidedupon leaving us, of course you won't be satisfied till you've done it. "

"Well I can try, " said Junior, "and if I don't like it I can come back. "

"I don't know about that, " objected Peter. "Of course I'd have other helphired; your room would be occupied and your work contracted for----"

"Well I hadn't figured on that, " he said. "I supposed I could go and tryit, and if I didn't like it I could come home. Couldn't I come home Ma?"

Nancy slowly became a greenish white colour; but the situation had beendiscussed so often, it worried her dreadfully; now that it had to be met, evasion would do no good. Peter grimly watched her. He knew she wasstruggling with a woman's inborn impulse to be the haven of her children, her son, her first-born, especially. He was surprised to hear her saying:"Why I hardly think so Junior, it wouldn't be a right start in life. Youmust figure that whatever kind of work you find, or whoever you work for, there will be things you won't like or think fair, but if you are going tobe your own man, you must begin like a man; and of course a man doesn't gointo business with his mind made up to run for his mother's petticoats, the first thing that displeases him. No, I guess if you go, you must startwith your mind made up to stay till the October term of school opens, anyway. "

"Then we'll call that settled, " said Peter. "You may go with Mickey on theMonday morning car and we probably won't see you again till you are one ofthe leading business men of Multiopolis, and drive out in your automobile. Have you decided which make you'll get?"

"Well from what I've learned driving yours, if I were buying one myself, I'd get a Glide-by, " said Junior. "They strike me as the best car on themarket. "

Peter glanced sharply at his son. When he saw that the answer wasperfectly sincere, his heart almost played him the trick he had expectedfrom his wife. 

"All right Ma, gather up his clothes and get them washed, and have himready, " said Peter. 

"I thought maybe you'd take me in the car and sort of look around withme, " said Junior. 

"I don't see how I am going to do it, with both our work piled on me, "said Peter. "And besides, I'm a farmer born and bred; I wouldn't have thefirst idea about how to get a boy a job in the city or what he ought to door have. Mickey is on to all that; he'll go with you, won't you Mickey?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "And you can save a lot by using my room. It is high, but it's clean"--Junior scowled but Mickey proceeded calmly--"and while itgets hot in the daytime, if you open the door at night, and push the bedbefore the window, it soon cools off, while very hottest times I alwaystake to the fire-escape. It's nice and cool there. "

"Of course! That will be the ticket, " said Peter heartily. "A boy startingwith everything to learn couldn't expect to earn much, and when youhaven't Ma and me to depend on for your board you'll be glad to have thebed free. Thank you Mickey, that's fine!"

Junior did not look as if he thought it were. Presently he asked: "Howmuch money ought I to take to start on, Mickey?"

"Hully gee!" said Mickey. "Why your fare in! You're going to make money, kid, not to spend it. If I was turned loose there with just one cent I'dbe flying by night, and if I hadn't the cent, I'd soon earn it. "

"How could you Mickey?" asked Junior eagerly. 

"With or without?" queried Mickey. 

"Both!" exclaimed Junior. 

"Well, 'without, '" said Mickey, "I'd keep my lamps trimmed and burning, and I'd catch a lady falling off a car, or pick up a purse, or a kid, orrun an errand. 'With, ' there'd be only one thing I'd think of, becausepapers are my game. I'd buy one for a penny and sell it for two; buy two, sell for four; you know the multiplication table, don't you? But of courseyou don't want a street job, you want in a factory or a store. If youcould do what you like best, what would it be Junior?"

Junior opened his mouth several times and at last admitted he hadn'tthought that far: "Why I don't know. "

"Well, " said Mickey calmly, "there's making things, that's factories. There's selling them, that's stores. There's doctors, and lawyers, that'sprofessional, like my boss. And there's office-holders, like the men he isafter, but of course you'd have to be old enough to vote and educatedenough to do business, and have enough money earned at something else tobuy your office; that's too far away. Now if you don't like the street, there's the other three. The quickest money would be in the first two. Ifyou were making things, what would you make?"

"Automobiles!" said Junior. 

"All right!" said Mickey, "we can try them first. If we can't find afactory that you'd like, what would you rather sell?"

"Automobiles, " said Junior promptly. 

"Gee!" said Mickey. "I see where we hit that business at both ends. If wemiss, what next?"

"I don't know, " said Junior. "I'll make up my mind when I have lookedaround some. "

"You can come closer deciding out here, than you can in the rush of thestreets, " said Mickey. "There, you'll be rustling for your supper, andyou'll find boys hunting jobs thick as men at a ball game, and lots ofthem with dads to furnish their room and board. "

Junior hesitated, but Mickey excused himself and without having been toldwhat to do, he accomplished half a day's work for Mrs. Harding, then begansome of Peter's jobs and afterward turned his attention to hearingPeaches' lesson and setting her new copy. When Junior paid his fare Mondaymorning, Mickey, judging by the change he exhibited, realized that bothhis mother and father had given him, to start on, a dollar to spend. Mickey would have preferred that he be penniless. He decided as they rancityward that the first thing was to part Junior from his money, so hetold him he would be compelled to work in the forenoon, and for a while inthe afternoon, and left him to his own devices on the street, with ameeting-place agreed on at noon. 

When Mickey reached the spot he found Junior with a pocket full of candy, eating early peaches, and instead of hunting work, he had attended threepicture shows. Mickey could have figured to within ten cents of what wasleft of one of Junior's dollars; but as the cure did not really beginuntil the money disappeared, the quicker it went the better. As he ate hissandwich and drank his milk, he watched Junior making a dinner of meat, potatoes, pie and ice-cream, and made a mental estimate of the remains ofthe other dollar. As a basis for a later "I told you so, " he remonstrated, and pointed out the fact that there were hundreds of unemployed men ofstrength, skilled artisans with families to support, looking for work thatminute. 

"I know your dad signed up that contract with Jud Jason, " he said, "'causeI saw him, and that means that he's got no use for you for three months;so you must take care of yourself for that long at least, if you got anyginger in you. Of course, " explained Mickey, "I know that most city menthink country boys won't stick, and are big cowards, but I'm expecting youto show them just where they are mistaken. I know you're not lazy, and Iknow you got as much sand and grit as any city boy, but you must _proveit_ to the rest of them. You must show up!"

"Sure!" said Junior. "I'll convince them!"

By night the last penny of the second dollar was gone, so Junior borrowedhis fare to his room from Mickey, who was to remain with him to show himthe way back and forth, and to spend an early hour in search ofemployment. It was Mickey's first night away from Peaches, and while heknew she was safe, he felt that when night came she would miss him. Thethought that she might cry for him tormented him to speech. He pointed outto Junior very clearly that he would have to mark corners and keep hiseyes open because he need not expect that he could leave her longer thanthat. Junior agreed with him, for he had promised Peaches in saying good-bye to keep Mickey only one night. 

He had treated himself to candy and unusual fruits until his money wasgone, while by night these and a walk of miles on hot pavement had bredsuch an appetite that he felt he had not eaten a full meal in years, sowhen Mickey brought out the remains of the food Mrs. Harding had givenhim, her son felt insulted. But Mickey figured a day on the basis of whathe had earned, what he had expended, what he must save to be ready whenthe great surgeon came, and prepared exactly as he would have done forhimself and Peaches. On reaching the tenement and climbing until his legsached, Junior faced stifling heat, but Mickey opened the window andstarted a draft by setting the door wide. While they ate supper, Mickeytalked unceasingly, but Junior was sulkily silent. He tried the fire-escape, but one glance from the rickety affair, hung a mile above theground it seemed to him, was enough, so he climbed back in the window andtossed on the bed. 

Junior did his first real thinking that night. He was ravenous beforemorning and aghast at what he was offered for breakfast. He was eager tofind work and he knew for what his first day's wage would go. In justiceto his own sense of honour and in justice to Junior, mere common fairness, such as he would have wanted in like case, for the first few days Mickeyhonestly and unceasingly hunted employment. With Junior at his elbow hesuffered one rebuff after another, until it was clear to him that it wasimpossible for a country boy unused to the ways of the city to find or tohold a job at which he could survive, even with his room provided, whilethe city swarmed with unemployed men. Everywhere they found the work theywould have liked done by an Italian, Greek, Swede, German, or Polander whoseemed strong as oxen, oblivious, as no doubt they were, to treatmentJunior never had seen accorded a balky mule, and able to live on a chunkof black bread, a bit of cheese, and a few cents' worth of stale beer. When Mickey had truly convinced himself of what he had believed, with afree conscience he then began allowing Junior to find out for himselfexactly what he was facing. By that time Junior had lost himself on theway to Mickey's rooms, spent a night wandering the streets, andbreakfastless was waiting before the Iriquois. 

Mickey listened sympathetically, supplied a dime, which seemed to be allhe had, for breakfast, and said as he entered the building: "Well kid, 'til we can find a job you'll just have to go up against the street. If Ican live and save money at it, you ought to be smart enough to _live_. Goto it 'til I get my day's work done. You just can't go home, becausethey'll think you don't amount to anything; the fellows will make game ofyou, and besides Jud is doing wonderfully well, your father said so. Heseemed so tickled over him, I guess the fact is he is getting more helpfrom him that he ever did from Junior boy, so your job there isn't open. Go at whatever you can see that needs to be done, 'til I get my work overand we'll try again. I'll be out about three, and you can meet me here. "

Empty and disheartened Junior squeezed the dime and hurried toward thenearest restaurant. But the transaction had been witnessed by a boy ashungry as he, and hardened to the street. How Junior came to be sprawlingon the sidewalk he never knew; only that his hand involuntarily opened infalling and he threw it out to catch himself, so he couldn't find thedime. Before noon he was sick and reeling with sleeplessness and hunger. He was waiting when it was Mickey's time to lunch, but he did not come, and in desperation Junior really tried the street. At last he achieved anickel by snatching a dropped bundle from under a car. He sat a long timein a stairway looking at it, and then having reached a stage where he wasmore sick, and less hungry, he hunted a telephone booth and tried to gethis home, only to learn that the family was away. Gladdened by the thoughtthat they might be in the city, he walked miles, watching the curb beforestores where they shopped, searching for their car, and he told himselfthat if he found it, nothing could separate him from the steering gearuntil he sped past all regulation straight to his mother's cupboard. 

He had wanted ham and chicken in the beginning; later helping himself tocold food in the cellar seemed a luxury; then crackers and cookies in thedining-room cupboard would have satisfied his wildest desire; and beforethree o'clock, Junior, in mad rebellion, remembered his mother's slopbucket. How did she dare put big pieces of bread and things good enoughfor any one to eat in feed for pigs and poultry! If he ever reached homehe resolved he would put a stop to that. 

At three to Mickey's cheerful, "Now we'll find a job or make it, " heanswered: "No we will find a square meal or steal it, " and then he told. Mickey watched him reflectively, but as he figured the case, it was notfor him to suggest retreat. He condoled, paid for the meal, and startedhunting work again, with Junior silent and dogged beside him. To thesurprise of both, almost at once they found a place for a week with aflorist. 

Junior went to work. After a few tasks bunglingly performed, he was triedon messenger service and started with his carfare to deliver a boxcontaining a funeral piece. He had no idea where he was to go, or what carline to take. In his extremity a bootblack came to his aid. He safelydelivered the box at a residence where the owner was leaving his door forhis car. He gave Junior half a dollar. Junior met the first friendlygreeting he had encountered in Multiopolis, as he reached the street. 

Two boys larger than he walked beside him and talked so frankly, thatbefore he reached his car line, he felt he had made friends. They offeredto show him a shorter cut to the car line just by going up an alley andout on a side street. At the proper place for seclusion, the one behindknocked him senseless, and the one before wheeled and relieved him ofmoney, and both fled. Junior lay for a time, then slowly came back, but hewas weak and ill. He knew without investigating what had happened, andpreferring the mercy that might be inside to that of the alley, he crawledinto a back door. It proved to be a morgue. A workman came to hisassistance, felt the lump on his head, noticed the sickness on his face, and gave him a place to rest. Junior was dubious from the start aboutfeeling better, as he watched the surroundings. The proprietor came pastand inquired who he was and why he was there. Junior told him, and showedthe lumps behind his ear and on his forehead, to prove his words. 

The man was human. He gave Junior another nickel and told him which car totake from his front door. He had to stand aside and see five pieces ofcharred humanity from a cleaning-establishment explosion, carried throughthe door before he had a chance to leave it. He reached the florist's twohours late and in spite of his story and his perfectly discernible bumpsto prove it, he was discharged as a fool for following strangers into analley. 

On the streets once more and penniless, he started to walk the miles tohis room. When he found the building he thought it would be cooler toclimb the fire-escape and sit on it until he decided what to do, then hecould open the door from the inside. At the top he thrust a foot, head, and shoulders into the room and realized he had selected the wrong escape. He tried to draw back, but two men leaped for him, and as he was doubledin the window he could not make a swift movement. 

He was landed in the middle of the room, cursed for a prowling thief, hisprotestations silenced, his pockets searched, and when they yieldednothing, his body stripped of its clean, wholesome clothing and he waspitched down the stairs. He appealed to several people, and found that theless he said the safer he was. He snatched a towel from a basket ofclothes before a door, twisted it around him, and ran down the street toMickey's front entrance. With all his remaining breath he sped up flightafter flight of stairs and at last reached the locked door, only to findthat the key was in the pocket of his stolen trousers, and he could notforce his way with his bare hands. He could only get to his clothing bytrying the fire-escapes again. He was almost too sick to see or cling tothe narrow iron steps, but that time he counted carefully, and lookeduntil he was sure before he entered. He found his clothes, and in theintense heat dressed himself, but he could not open the door. He sat onthe fire-escape to think. 

Presently he espied one of the men who had robbed him watching him fromanother escape, and being afraid and beaten sore, he crept into the heat, and lay on the bed beside the window. After a while a breath of air camein, and Junior slept the sleep of exhaustion. When he awoke it wasmorning, his head aching, his mouth dry, and the room cooler. Glancingtoward the door he saw it standing open and then noticed the disorder ofthe room, and of himself, and sat up to find he was on the floor, oncemore disrobed, and the place stripped of every portable thing in it, eventhe bed, little stove, and the trunk filled with clothes and a fewpersonal possessions sacred to Mickey because they had been his mother's. The men had used the key in Junior's pocket to enter while he slept, drugged him, and carried away everything. He crept to the door and closedit, then sank on the floor and cried until he again became unconscious. Itwas four o'clock that afternoon when Mickey looked in and understood thesituation. He bent over Junior's bruised and battered body, stared at hisswollen, tear-stained face, and darting from the room, brought water, andthen food and clothing. 

Redressed and fed, Junior lay on the floor and said to Mickey: "Go to thenearest 'phone and call father. Tell him I'm sick, to come in a hurry withthe car. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "But hadn't we better wait 'til morning now, and getyou rested and fed up a little?"

"No, " said Junior. "The sooner he sees the fix I'm in the better he willrealize that I'm not a quitter; but that this ain't just the place for me. Mickey, did you ever go through this? Why do I get it so awful hard?"

"It's because the regulars can tell a mile off you are country, Junior, "said Mickey. "All my life I've been on the streets so they knew me forcity born, and supposed I'd friends to trace them and back me if theyabused me; and then, I always look ahead sharp, and don't trust a livingsoul about alleys. You say the next escape but one? I've got to find them, and get back my things. I want mother's, and Lily and I can't live thiswinter with no bed, and no stove, and nothing at all. "

"I'm sorry about your mother's things Mickey, but don't worry over therest, " said Junior. "Pa and Ma won't ever be willing to give up Peachesagain, I can see that right now, and if they keep her, they will have totake you too, because of course you can't be separated from her; yourgoods, I'll pay back. I owe you a lot as it is, but I got some money inthe bank, and I'll have to sell my sheep. "

Junior laid his head on his arm and sobbed weakly. 

"Don't Junior, " said Mickey. "I feel just awful about this. I thought youhad a place that would earn your supper, and you had the room, and wouldbe all right. "

"Why of course!" said Junior. 

Mickey looked intently at him. "Now look here Junior, " he said, "I got tosquare myself on this. I didn't think all the time you'd like Multiopolis, when you saw it with the bark off. Course viewing it on a full stomach, from an automobile, with spending money in your pocket, and a smooth runto a good home before you, is one thing; facing up to it, and asking it tohand out those things to you in return for work you can do here, withoutknowing the ropes, is another. You've stuck it out longer than I would, honest you have, but it isn't your game, and you don't know how, and you'dbe a fool to learn. I thought you'd get enough to satisfy you when youcame, but seeing for yourself seemed to be the only way to cure you. "

"Oh don't start the 'I told you so, '" said Junior. "Father and mother willhand it out for the rest of my life. I'd as lief die as go back, but I'mgoing; not because I can't get in the game, and make a living if you can, even if I have to go out and start as you did, with a penny. I'm goingback, but not for the reason you think. It's because seen at close range, Multiopolis ain't what it looks like from an automobile. I know somethingthat I really know, and that comes natural to me, that beats it a mile;and now I've had my chance, and made my choice. I'm so sore I can't walk, but if you'll just call father and tell him to come in on high, I'llsettle with you later. "

"Course if that's the way you feel, I'll call him, " said Mickey, "butJunior, let me finish this much I was trying to say. I knew Multiopoliswould do to you all it had done to me, and I knew you wouldn't like it;but I _didn't_ figure on your big frame and fresh face spelling country'til it would show a mile down the street. I _didn't_ figure on yougetting the show I would, and I _didn't_ intend anything worse shouldhappen to you than has to me. Honest I didn't! I'm just about sick overthis Junior. Don't you want to go to Mr. Bruce's office--I got a key andhe won't care--don't you want to go there and rest a little, and feed upbetter, before I call your father?"

"No I don't! I got enough and I know it! They must know it some time; itmight as well come at once. "

"Then let's go out on the car, " said Mickey. 

"I guess you don't realize just how bad this is, " said Junior. "You callfather, and call him quick and emphatic enough to bring him. "

"All right then, " said Mickey. "Here goes!"

"And put the call in nearest place you can find and hustle back, " saidJunior. "I'm done with alleys, and sluggers, and robbers. Goliath couldn'thave held his own against two big men, when he was fifteen, and I guessfather won't think I'm a coward because they got away with me. But youhurry!"

"Sure! I'll fly, and I'll get him if I can. "

"There's no doubt about getting him. This is baked potato, bacon, blackberry roll, honey and bread time at our house. They wouldn't be awayjust now, and it's strange they have been so much this week. "

Mickey gave Junior a swift glance; then raced to the nearest telephone. 

"You Mickey?" queried Peter. 

"Yes. It's you for S. O. S. , and I'm to tell you to come on high, and loseno time in starting. "

"Am I to come Mickey, or am I too busy?"

"You are to come, Peter, to my room, and in a hurry. Things didn't workaccording to program. "

"Why what's the matter, Mickey?"

"Just what I told you would be when it came to getting a job here; but Ididn't figure on street sharks picking on Junior and robbing him, andfollowing him to my room, and slugging him 'til he can't walk. You comePeter, and come in a hurry, and Peter----"

"You better let me start----" said Peter. 

"Yes, but Peter, one minute, " insisted Mickey. "I got something to say toyou. This didn't work out as I planned, and I'm awful sorry, and you'll betoo. But Junior is cured done enough to suit you; he won't ever want toleave you again, you can bank on that--and he ain't hurt permanent; but ifyou have got anything in your system that sounds even a little bit like 'Itold you so, ' forget it on the way in, and leave instructions with thefamily to do the same. See? Junior is awful sore! He don't need anythingrubbed in in the way of reminiscences. He's ready to do the talking. See?"

"Yes. You're sure he ain't really hurt?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Three days will fix him, but Peter, it's been mightyrough! Go easy, will you?"

"Mickey have you got money----"

"All we need, just you get here with the car, and put in a comfort andpillow. All my stuff is gone!"

Peter Senior arrived in a surprisingly short time, knelt on the floor andlooked closely at his sleeping boy. 

"Naked and beaten to insensibility, you say?"

Mickey nodded. 

"Nothing to eat for nearly two days?"

Another affirmation. Peter arose, pushed back his hat and wiped the sweatfrom his brow. 

"I haven't been thinking about anything but him ever since he left, " hesaid, "and what makes me the sorest is that the longer I think of it, thesurer I get that this is my fault. I didn't raise him right!"

"Aw-w-ah Peter!" protested Mickey. 

"I've got it all studied out, " said Peter, "and I didn't! There have beentwo mistakes, Junior's and mine, and of the two, mine is twice as big asthe boy's. "

Peter stooped and picked up his son, who stirred and awakened. When hefound himself in his father's arms Junior clung to him and whispered overand over: "Father, dear father!" Peter gripped him with all his might andwhispered back: "Forgive me son! Forgive me!"

"Well I don't know what for?" sobbed Junior. 

"You will before long, " said Peter. He drove to a cool place, and let thecar stand while he called his wife, and explained all of the situation hesaw fit. She was waiting at the gate when they came. She never said a wordexcept to urge Junior to eat his supper. But Junior had no appetite. 

"I want to run things here for a few minutes, " he said. "When the childrenfinish, put them to bed, and then let me tell you, and you can decide whatyou'll do to me. "

"Well, don't you worry about that, " said Peter. 

"No I won't, " said Junior, "because there's nothing you can do that willbe half I deserve. "

When the little folks were asleep, and Mickey had helped Mrs. Hardingfinish the work, and Jud Jason had been paid five dollars for his contractand had gone home, Junior lay in the hammock on the front porch, while hisfather, mother and Mickey sat close. When he started to speak Peter said:"Now Junior, wait a minute! You've been gone a week, and during that timeI've used my brains more than I ever did in a like period, even when I wascourting your Ma, and the subject I laboured on was what took you awayfrom us. I've found out why you were not satisfied, and who made youdissatisfied. The guilty party is Peter Harding, aided and abetted by oneNancy Harding, otherwise known as Ma----"

"Why father!" interrupted Junior. 

"Silence!" said Peter. "I've just found out that it's a man's job to bethe _head of his family_, and I'm going to be the head of mine after this, and like Mickey here, 'I'm going to keep it. ' Let me finish. I've spentthis week thinking, and all the things I have thought would make a biggerbook than the dictionary if they were set down. Why should you ask to beforgiven for a desire to go to Multiopolis when I carried you there as ababy, led you as a toddler, and went with you every chance I could trumpup as a man? Who bought and fed you painted, adulterated candy as a child, when your Ma should have made you pure clean taffy at home from our maplesyrup or as good sugar as we could buy? Often I've spent money that nowshould be on interest, for fruit that looked fine to you there, and provedto be grainy, too mellow, sour or not half so good as what you had athome. 

"I never took you hunting, or fishing, or camping, or swimming, in yourlife; but I haven't had a mite of trouble to find time and money to takeyou to circuses, which I don't regret, I'll do again; and picture shows, which I'll do also; and other shows. I'm not condemning any form ofamusement we ever patronized so much, we'll probably do all of it again;but what gets me now, is how I ever came to think that the only_interesting things_ and those worth taking time and spending money on, were running to Multiopolis, to eat, to laugh, to look, and getting littleto show for it but disappointment and suffering for all of us. You haven'thad the only punishment that's struck the Harding family this week, Junior. Your Ma and I have had our share, and I haven't asked her if shehas got enough, but speaking strictly for myself, I have. "

"I wouldn't live through it again for the farm, " sobbed Mrs. Harding. "Isee what you are getting at Pa, and it's we who are the guilty parties, just as you say. "

Junior sat up and stared at them. 

"I don't so much regret the things I did, " said Peter, "as I condemnmyself for the things I haven't done. I haven't taught you to ride so youdon't look a spectacle on a horse, and yet horses should come as naturalas breathing to you. You should be a skilled marksman; you couldn't hit awash-tub at ten paces. You should swim like a fish, with a hundred lakesin your country; you'd drown if you were thrown in the middle of one andleft to yourself. You ought to be able to row a boat as well as it can bedone, and cast a line with all the skill any lad of your age possesses. That you can't make even a fair showing at any sport, results from thefact that every time your father had a minute to spare he took you andheaded straight for Multiopolis. Here's the golf links at our door, and ifever any game was a farmer's game, and if any man has a right to hold uphis head, and tramp his own hills, and swing a strong arm and a free one, and make a masterly stroke, it's a _land owner_. There's no reason whyplowing and tilling should dull the brains, bend the back, or make a pack-horse of a man. Modern methods show you how to do the same thing a betterway, how to work one machine instead of ten men, how to have time for avacation, just as city men do, and how to have money for books, and music, and school, instead of loading with so much land it's a burden to pay thetaxes. I have quite a bunch of land for sale, and I see a way open to makethree times the money I ever did, with half the hard work. We've turnedover a new leaf at this place from start to finish, including the house, barn, land, and family. A year from now you won't know any of us; but thatlater. Just now, it's this: I'm pointing out to you Junior, exactly howyou came to have your hankering for Multiopolis. I can see you followedthe way we set you thinking, that all the amusing things were there, thesmart people, the fine clothes, the wealth, and the freedom----"

"Yes you ought to see the 'amusing things' and the 'happy people' whenyour stomach's cramping and your head splitting!" cried Junior. "I tellyou down among them it looks different from riding past in an automobile. "

"Exactly!" conceded Peter. "Exactly what I'm coming at. All your life I'vegiven you the wrong viewpoint. Now you can busy yourselves planning how tomake our share of the world over, so it will bring all the joy of liferight to the front door. I guess the first big thing is to currycomb thewhole place, and fix it as it should be to be most convenient for us. Thenwe better take a course of training in making up our minds to be_satisfied_ with what we can afford. Junior, does home look better to youthan it did this time last week?"

"Father, " began Junior, and sobbed aloud. 

"The answer is sufficient, " said Peter dryly. "Never mind son! When, withour heads put together, we get our buildings and land fixed right, Isuggest that we also fix our clothes and our belongings right. I can't seeany reason why a woman as lovely as Ma, should be told from any otherpretty woman, by her walk or dress. I don't know why a man as well set upas I am, shouldn't wear his clothes as easy as the men at the club house. I can't see why we shouldn't be at that same club house for a meal once ina while, just to keep us satisfied with home cooking, and that game looksinteresting. Next trip to Multiopolis I make, I'm going to get saddles forJunior and Mickey and teach them what I know about how to sit and handle ahorse properly; and it needn't be a plow horse either. Next day off Ihave, I'm going to spend hauling lumber to one of these lakes we decideon, to build a house for a launch and fishing-boat for us. Then when wehave a vacation, we'll drive there, shelter our car, and enjoy ourselveslike the city folks by the thousand, since we think what they do so rightand fine. They've showed us what they like, flocking five thousand at aclip, to Red Wing Lake a few miles from us. Since we live among what theyare spending their thousands every summer to enjoy, let's help ourselvesto a little pleasure. I am going to buy each of us a fishing rod, and geta box of tackle, soon as I reach it, and I'm going fast. I've wastedsixteen years, now I'm on the homestretch, and it's going to be a stretchof all there is in me to make our home the sweetest, grandest place onearth to us. Will you help me, Nancy?"

"I think maybe I'll be saved nervous prostration if I can help just a fewof these things to take place. "

"Yes, I've sensed that, " said Peter. "Mickey pointed that out to me themorning you jumped your job and headed for sunup. For years, just _halfyour time and strength has been thrown away using old methods andimplements in your work, and having the kitchen unhandy and inconvenient;and I'm the man who should have seen it, and got you right tools for yourjob at the same time I bought a houseful for myself and my work_. We muststir up this whole neighbourhood, and build a big entertainment house, where we can have a library suitable for country folks, and satisfying totheir ways of life. It's got to have music boxes in it, and a floor fitfor dancing and skating, and a stage for our own entertainments, and thefolks we decide to bring here to amuse us. We can put in a picture machineand a screen, that we can pay for by charging a few cents admission thenights we run it, and rent films once or twice a week from a good cityshow. We could fix up a place like that, and get no end of fun andeducation out of it, without going thirty miles and spending enough moneyin one night to get better entertainment for a month at home, and in acool, comfortable hall, and where we can go from it to bed in a fewminutes. Once I am started, with Mickey and Junior to help me, I'm goingto call a meeting and talk these things over with my neighbours, and getthem to join in if I can. If I can't, I'll go on and put up the buildingand start things as I think they should be, and charge enough admittanceto get back what I invest; and after that, just enough to pay runningexpenses and for the talent we use. I'm so sure it can be done, I'm goingto do it. Will you help me, son?"

"Yes father, I'd think it was fine to help do that, " said Junior. "_Now_may I say what I want to?"

"Why yes, you might son, " said Peter, "but to tell the truth I can't seethat you have anything to say. If you have got the idea, Junior, that youhave wronged us any, and that it's your job to ask us to forgive you forwanting to try the things we started and kept you hankering after all yourlife so far, why you're mistaken. If I'd trained you from your cradle tolove your home, as I've trained you to love Multiopolis, you never wouldhave left us. So if there is forgiving in the air, you please forgive me. And this includes your Ma as well. I should ask her forgiveness too, for awhole lot of things that I bungled about, when I thought I was loving herall I possibly could. I've got a new idea of love so big and all-encompassing it includes a fireless cooker and a dish-washing machine. I'mgoing to put it in practice for a year; then if my family wants to changeback, we'll talk about it. "

"But father----" began Junior. 

"Go to bed son, " said Peter. "You can tell us what happened when you ain'tas sleepy as you are right now. "

Junior arose and followed his mother to the kitchen. 

"Ain't he going to let me tell what a fool I've been at all?" he demanded. 

"I guess your Pa felt that when he got through telling what fools we'vebeen, there wasn't anything left for you to say. I know I feel that way. This neighbourhood does all in its power, from the day their children areborn, to teach them that _home_ is only a _stopping-place, _ to eat, andsleep, and work, and be sick in; and that every desirable thing in life isto be found _somewhere else_, the else being, in most cases, Multiopolis. Just look at it year after year gobbling up our boys and girls, and thinkover the ones you know who have gone, and see what they've come to. Amongthe men as far as I remember, Joel Harris went into a law office and madea rich, respectable man; and two girls married and have good homes; theothers, many of them, I couldn't name to you the places they are in. Thisneighbourhood needs reforming, and if Pa has set out to attempt it, I'lllend a hand, and I guess from what you got this week, you'll be in aposition to help better than you could have helped before. "

"Yes I guess so too, " said Junior emphatically. 

He gladly went back to the cream wagon. Peter didn't want him to, butthere was a change in Junior. He was no longer a wilful discontented boy. He was a partner, who was greatly interested in a business and feltdissatisfied if he were not working at furthering it. He had little tosay, but his eyes were looking far ahead in deep thought. The firstmorning he started out, while Junior unhitched his horse, Peter filled thewagon and went back to the barn where Mickey was helping him. 

Junior, passing, remembered he had promised Jud Jason to bring a bundle hehad left there, and stopped for it. He stepped into the small front doorand bent for the package lying in sight, when clearly and distinctly aroseMickey's voice lifted to reach Peter, at another task. 

"Course I meant him to get enough to make him good and sick of it, like weagreed on; but I never intended him to get any such a dose as he had. "

Junior straightened swiftly, and his lower jaw dropped. His father's replywas equally audible. 

"Of course I understand _that_, Mickey. "

"Surest thing you know!" said Mickey. "I like Junior. I like him betterthan any other boy I ever knew, and I've known hundreds. I tell you Peter, he was gamer than you'll ever believe to hang on as long as he did. "

"Yes I think that too, " said Peter. 

"You know he didn't come because he was all in, " explained Mickey. "Youcan take a lot of pride in that. He'd about been the limit when he quit. And he quit, not because he was robbed and knocked out, but because whathe had seen showed him that Multiopolis wasn't the job he wanted for alife sentence. See?"

"I hope you are right about that, " said Peter. "I'm glad to my soul to gethim home, cured in any way; but it sort of gags me to think of him ashaving been scared out. It salves my vanity considerable to feel, as yousay, that he had the brains to sense the situation, and quit because hefelt it wasn't the work for which he was born. "

Then Mickey's voice came eagerly, earnestly, warming the cockles ofJunior's heart. 

"Now lemme tell you Peter; I was there, and I _know_. It _was_ that way. _It was just that way exact!_ He wasn't scared out, he'd have gone at itagain, all right, if he'd seen anything in it he _wanted_. It was just ashis mother felt when she first talked it over with me, and the same withyou later: that if he got to the city, and got right up against earning aliving there, he would find it wasn't what he wanted; and he did, like allof us thought. Course I meant to put it to him stiff; I meant to 'niciatehim in the ancient and honourable third degree of Multiopolis all right, so he'd have enough to last a lifetime; but I only meant to put him upagainst what I'd. Had myself on the streets; I was just going to test hisginger; I wasn't counting on the robbing, and the alleys, and theknockout, and the morgue. Gee, Peter!"

Then they laughed. A dull red surged up Junior's neck, and flooded hisface. He picked up the bundle, went silently from the barn, and climbed onthe wagon. The jerk of the horse stopping at its accustomed place told himwhen to load the first can. He had been thinking so deeply he was utterlyoblivious to everything save the thought that it had been prearrangedamong them to "cure" him; even his mother knew about, if he heard aright, had been the instigator of the scheme to let him go, to be what Mickeycalled "initiated in the ancient and honourable third degree ofMultiopolis. "

Once he felt so outraged he thought of starting the horse home, taking thetrolley, going back to Multiopolis and fighting his way to what his fatherwould be compelled to acknowledge success. He knew that he could do it; hewas on the point of vowing that he _would_ do it; but in his heart he knewbetter than any one else how repulsed he was, how he hated it, and againsta vision of weary years of fighting, came that other vision of himselfplanning and working beside his father to change and improve their homelife. 

"Say Junior are you asleep?" called Jud Jason. "You sit there like youcouldn't move. D'ye bring my bundle?"

"Yes, it's back there, " answered Junior. "Get it!"

"How'd you like Multiopolis?" asked Jud. 

Junior knew he had that to face. 

"It's a cold-blooded sell, Jud, " he said promptly. "I'm glad I went when Idid, and found out for myself. You see it's like this, Jud: I _could_ havestayed and made my way; but I found out in a few days that I wouldn't givea snap for the way when it was made. We fellows are better off right wherewe are, and a lot of us are ready to _throw away_ exactly what _many ofthe men in Multiopolis are wild to get_. Now let me tell you----"

Junior told him, and through putting his experience into words, he easedhis heart and cleared his brain. He came to hints of great and wonder-working things that were going to happen soon. There was just apossibility that Jud gleaned an idea that the experience in Multiopolishad brought his friend home to astound and benefit the neighbourhood. Atany rate Junior picked up the lines with all the sourness gone from histemperament, which was usually sweet, except that one phrase of Mickey's, and the laughter. Suddenly he leaned forward. 

"Jud, come here, " he said. Junior began to speak, and Jud began tounderstand and sympathize with the boy he had known from childhood. 

"Could we?" asked Junior. 

"'Could we?' Well, I just guess we _could!_"

"When?" queried Junior. 

"This afternoon, if he's going to be off, " said Jud. 

"Well I don't know what his plans are, but I could telephone from here andby rustling I could get back by two. I've done it on a bet. Where will wego, and what for?"

"To Atwater. Fishing is good enough excuse. "

"All right! Father will let me take the car. "

"Hayseed! Isn't walking good enough to suit you? What's the matter withthe Elkhart swale, Atwater marsh, and the woods around the head of thelake----"

"Hold the horse till I run in and 'phone him. "

When he came down the walk he reported: "He wants to go fishing awful bad, and he'll be ready by two. That's all settled then. We'll have a finetime. "

"Bully!" said Jud laconically, and started to the house of another friend, where a few words secured a boy of his age a holiday. Junior drove fast ashe dared and hurried with his work; so he reached home a little beforetwo, where he found Mickey with poles and a big can of worms ready. Despite the pressing offer of the car, they walked, in order to showMickey the country which he was eager to explore on foot. Junior said thesunfish were big as lunch plates at Atwater, the perch fine, and often ifyou caught a grasshopper or a cricket for bait, you got a big bass aroundthe shore, and if they had the luck to reach the lake, when there was noone ahead of them, and secured a boat they were sure of taking some. 

"Wouldn't I like to see Lily eating a fish I caught, " said Mickey, searching the grass and kicking rotting wood as he saw Junior doing tofind bass bait. 

"Minnies are the real thing, " explained Junior. "When we get the schemefather laid out going, before we start fishing, you and I will take a netand come to this creek and catch a bucketful of right bait, and then we'llhave man's sport, for sure. Won't it be great?"

"Exactly what the plutes are doing, " said Mickey. "Gee, Junior, if your Padoes all the things he said he was going to, you'll be a plute yourself!"

"Never heard him say anything in my life he didn't do, " said Junior, "anddidn't you notice that he put _you_ in too? You'll be just as much of aplute as I will. "

"Not on your bromide, " said Mickey. "He is _your_ father, and you'll be inbusiness with him; I'll just be along sometimes, as a friend, maybe. "

"I usually take father at just what he says. I guess he means you to stayin our family, if you like. "

"I wonder now!" said Mickey. 

"Looks like it to me. Father and mother both like you, and they're daffyabout Peaches. "

"It's because she's so little, and so white, and so helpless, " Mickeyhastened to explain, "and so awful sweet!"

"Well for what ever it is, it _is_, " said Junior, "and I'm just as crazyabout her as the rest. Look out kid! That fellow's coming right at us!"

Junior dashed for the fence, while Mickey lost time in turning to see what"that fellow" might be; so he faced the ram that had practised on MalcolmMinturn. With lowered head, the ram sprang at Mickey. He flew in air, andit butted space and whirled again, so that before the boy's breath wasfully recovered he lifted once more, with all the agility learned on thestreets of Multiopolis; but that time the broad straw hat he wore toprotect his eyes on the water, sailed from his head; he dropped the poles, and as the ram came back at him he hit it squarely in the face with thebait can, which angered rather than daunted it. Then for a few minutesMickey was too busy to know exactly what happened, and movements were tooquick for Junior. When he saw that Mickey was tiring, and the ram was not, he caught a rail from the fence and helped subdue the ram. Panting theyclimbed the fence and sat resting. 

"Why I didn't know Higgins had that ram, " said Junior. "We fellows alwayscrossed that field before. Say, there ain't much in that

 '_Gentle sheep pray tell me why, In the pleasant fields you lie?_'

business, is there?"

"Not much but the lie, " said Mickey earnestly. 

Junior dropped from the fence and led the way toward a wood thick withunderbrush, laughing until his heart pained. As they proceeded they heardvoices. 

"Why that sounds like my bunch, " said Junior. 

He whistled shrilly, which brought an immediate response, and soon twoboys appeared. 

"Hello!" said Junior. 

"Hello!" answered they. 

"Where're you going?" asked Junior. 

"To Atwater Lake, fishing. Where you?"

"There too!" said Junior. "Why great! We'll go together! Sam, this isMickey. "

Mickey offered his hand and formalities were over. 

"But I threw our worms at the ram, " said Mickey. 

"Well that was a smart trick!" cried Junior. 

"Wasn't it?" agreed Mickey. "But you see the ram was coming and I had theworms in my strong right, so I didn't stop to think I'd spent an hourdigging them; I just whaled away--"

"Never mind worms, " said Jud. "I guess we got enough to divide; if youfellows want to furnish something for your share, you can find some grubsin these woods, and we'll get more chance at the bass. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "What are grubs and where do you look for them?"

"Oh anywhere under rotting wood and round old logs, " said Jud. "B'lieveit's a good place right here, Mickey; dig in till I cut a stick to helpwith. "

Mickey pushed aside the bushes, dropped on his knees and "dug in. " Asecond later, with a wild shriek, he rolled over and over striking andscreaming. 

"Yellow jackets!" shouted Jud. "Quick fellers, help Mickey! He's got tooclose to a nest!"

Armed with branches they came beating the air and him; until Mickey had afleeting thought that if the red-hot needles piercing him did not kill, the boys would. Presently he found himself beside a mudhole and as theothers "ouched" and "o-ohed" and bewailed their fate, and grabbed mud andplastered it on, he did the same. Jud generously offered, as he had not somany stings, to help Mickey. Soon even the adoring eyes of Peaches couldnot have told her idol from the mudhole. He twisted away from anapproaching handful crying: "Gee Jud! Leave a feller room to breathe! Ifyou are going to smother me, I might as well die from bites!"

"Bites!" cried the boys while all of them laughed wildly, so wildly thatMickey flushed with shame to think he had so little appreciation of thefun calling a sting a bite, when it was explained to him. 

"Well they sure do get down to business, " he chattered, chilling from theexquisite pain of a dozen yellow-jacket stings, one of which on his lefteyelid was rapidly closing that important organ. He bowed a willing headfor Jud's application of cold mud. 

Finally they gathered up their poles and bait and again started toward thelake. The day was warm, and there was little air in the marsh, and on theswampy shore they followed. Suddenly Jud cried: "I tell you fellows, what's the use of walking all the way round the lake? Bet the boats willbe taken when we get there! Let's cut fishing and go swimming right herewhere there's a cool, shady place. It will be good for you Mickey, it willcool off your stings a lot. "

Mickey promptly began to unbutton, and the others did the same. Then theymade their way through the swamp tangle lining the shore at the head ofthe lake, and tried to reach the water beside the tamaracks. Sam andJunior found solid footing, and waded toward deep water. Jud pilotedMickey to a spot he thought sufficiently treacherous, and said: "Looksgood here; you go ahead Mickey, and I'll come after you. "

Mickey was unaccustomed to the water. He waded in with the assurance hehad seen the others use, but suddenly he cried: "Gee boys, I'm suckingright down!"

Then on his ears fell a deafening clamour. "Help! Help! Quicksands!Mickey's sinking! Help him!"

Mickey threw out his arms. He grabbed wildly; while a force, seeminglygentle but irresistible, sucked him lower and lower, and with each inch itbore him down, gripped tighter, and pulled faster. When he glanced at theboys he saw panic in their faces, and he realized that he was probablylost, and they were terror stricken. The first gulp of tepid shore waterthat strangled him in running across his gasping lips made him think ofPeaches. Struggling he threw back his head and so saw a widespreadingbranch of a big maple not far above him. All that was left of Mickey wentinto the cry: "Junior! Bend me that branch!" Junior swiftly climbed thetree, crept on the limb, and swayed it till it swept the water, thenMickey laid hold; just a few twigs, and then as Junior backed, and thebranch lifted higher and higher, Mickey worked, hand over hand, andfinally grasped twigs that promised to stand a gentle pull. 

Then Jud began to shout instructions: "Little lower, Junior! Get a bettergrip before you pull hard, Mickey! Maple is brittle! Easy! It will snapwith you! Kind of roll yourself and turn to let the water in and loosenthe sand. Now roll again! Now pull a little! You're making it! You are outto your shoulders! Back farther, Junior! Don't you fall in, or you'll bothgo down!"

Mickey was very quiet now. His small face was pallid with the terror ofleaving Peaches forever with no provision for her safety. The grip of thesucking sand was yet pulling at his legs and body; while if the branchbroke he knew what it meant; that sucking, insistent pulling, and cavingaway beneath his feet told him. Suddenly Mickey gave up struggling, sethis teeth, and began fighting by instinct. He moved his shoulders gently, until he let the water flow in, then instead of trying to work his feet heheld them rigid and flattened as he could, and with the upper part of hisbody still rolling, he reached higher, and kept inching up the branch asJunior backed away, until with sickening slowness he at last reached woodthick as his wrist. Then he dragged his helpless body after him to safety, where he sank in a heap to rest. 

"Jud, it's a good thing I went in there first, " he said. "Heavy as youare, you'd a-been at the bottom by now, if there _is_ any bottom. "

Mickey's gaze travelled slowly over his lumpy, purple frame, and then helooked closely at the others. "Why them stingers must a-give about all ofit to me, " he commented. "I don't see any lumps on the rest of you. "

"Oh we are used to it, " scoffed Jud. "They don't show on you after you getused to them. 'Sides most all mine are on my head, I kept 'em off with thebushes. "

"So did I, " chimed in Sam and Junior with one voice. 

"I guess I did get a lot the worst of it, " conceded Mickey. "But if theyonly stung your heads, it's funny you didn't know where to put your mud!"

"Well I'll tell you, " said Jud earnestly. "On your head they hurt worst ofall. They hurt so blame bad, you get so wild like you don't know where you_are_ stung, and you think till you cool off a little, you got them allover. "

"Yes I guess you do, " agreed Mickey. 

The boys were slowly putting on their clothing and Junior was scowlingdarkly. Jud edged close. 

"Gosh!" he whispered. "I thought it was only a little spring! I didn'tthink it was a quicksand!"

"You cut out anything more!" said Junior tersely. 

Jud nodded. After a while they started home, walking slowly and each onebeing particularly careful of and good to Mickey. When he had rested, hecould see that it was only an accident; such an astounding one he forgothis bites and could talk of little else. 

They made another long pause under a big tree, and Mickey felt so muchbetter as they again started home, that Junior lagged behind, and Judseeing, joined him. Junior asked softly: "Have any more?"

Jud nodded. 

"What?" whispered Junior. 

Jud told him. 

"Oh that! Nothing in that! Go on!"

So they struck into the path they had followed from the swamp to thewoods, when suddenly a warm, yielding, coiling thing slipped underMickey's feet. With a wild cry he leaped across the body of a bigrattlesnake that had been coiled in the path. As he arose, clear cutagainst the light launched the ugly head and wide jaws of the rattler, then came the sickening buzz of its rattles in mad recoil for a secondstroke. 

"Run Mickey! Jump!" screamed Junior. 

"What is it?" asked Mickey bewildered. 

"Rattlesnakes! Sure death!" yelled Jud. "Run fool!"

But Mickey stood perfectly still, and looked, not where the increasingbuzz came from, but at them. They had no choice. Jud carried a heavy club;he threw himself in front of Mickey and as the second stroke came, heswung at the snake's head. The other boys collected their senses and beatit to pulp, then the dead mate it watched beside. Junior glared at Jud, but when he saw how frightened he was, he knew what had happened. 

Mickey gazed at the snakes in horror. 

"Ain't that a pretty small parcel to deal out sudden death in?" he asked. "And if they're laying round like that, ain't we taking an awful risk tobe wading through here, this way? Gee, they're the worst sight I eversaw!"

Mickey became violently ill. He lay down for a time, while the boys waitedon him, and at last when he could slowly walk toward home, they went on. Jud and Sam left them at the creek, and Junior and Mickey started up theHarding lane. Suddenly Mickey sat down in a fence corner, leaned againstthe rails, and closed his eyes. 

"Gee!" he said. "Never felt so rotten in all my life. "

"Maybe that snake grazed you. "

"If it did, would it kill me?" asked Mickey dully. 

"Well after the yellow-jacket poison in your blood, and being so tired andhot, you wouldn't stand the chance you'd had when we first started, " saidJunior. "Do you know where it came closest to you?"

"Back of my legs, I s'pose, " said Mickey. 

"If it had hit you, it would leave two places like needles stuck in, justthe width of its head apart. I can't find any-thing that looks like it, thank the Lord!"

"Here too!" said Mickey. "You see if it or the quicksands had finished me, I haven't things fixed for Lily. They might '_get'_ her yet. If anythingshould happen to me, she would be left with no one to take care of her. "

"Father would, " offered Junior. "Mother never would let anybody take her. I know she wouldn't. "

"Well I don't, " said Mickey, "and here is where guessing doesn't cut anyice. I must be _sure_. To-night I'll ask him. I'd like to know how ithappens that sudden death has just been rampaging after me all this trip, anyway. I seemed to get it coming or going. "

Junior did not hide his grin quickly enough. 

"Aw-w-w-ah!" grated Mickey, suddenly tense and alert. 

He sprang to his feet. So did Junior. 

"Say, look here----" cried Mickey. 

"All right, 'look here, '" retorted Junior. His face flamed Ted, thenpaled, and his hands gripped, while his jaw protruded in an ugly scowl. Then slowly and distinctly he quoted: "Course I meant to put it to youstiff; I meant to 'niciate you in the ancient and honourable third degreeof the Country all right, so's you'd have enough to last a lifetime; but Ionly meant to put you up against what I'd had myself in the fields andwoods; I was just going to test your ginger; I wasn't counting on the_quicksand_, and the _live_ snake, finding its dead mate Jud fixed foryou. "

"So you were sneaking in the barn this morning, when we thought you weregone?" demanded Mickey. 

"Easy you!" cautioned Junior. "Going after the bundle I promised Jud was_not_ sneaking----"

"So 'twasn't, " conceded Mickey, instantly. "So 'twasn't!"

He looked at Junior a second. 

"You heard us, then?" he demanded. "All of it?"

"I don't know, " answered Junior. "I heard what I just repeated, and whatyou said about my being game, and exactly why I came back; thank you for_that_, even if I lick you half to death in a minute--and I heard that myown mother first fixed it up with you, and then father agreed. Oh I heardenough----!"

"And so you got a grouch?" commented Mickey. 

"Yes I did, " admitted Junior. "But I got over all of it, after I'd hadtime to think, but that third degree business; that made me so sore I toldJud about it, and he said he'd help me pay you up; but we struck the samerock you did, in giving you a bigger dose than we meant to. Honest Mickey, Jud didn't know there was a _real_ quicksand there, and of course wedidn't dream a live snake would follow and find the one the boys hunted, killed, and set for you this morning----"

"Awful innocent!" scoffed Mickey. "'Member you didn't know about the rameither?"

"Honest I _didn't_, Mickey, " persisted Junior. "I thought steering youinto the yellow jackets was to be the first degree! Cross my heart, Idid. "

Suddenly Mickey whooped. He tumbled on the grass in the fence corner andtwisted in wild laughter until he was worn out. Then he struggled up, andheld out his hand to Junior. 

"If you're willing, " he said, "I'll give you the grip, and the passwordwill be, 'Brothers!'"

CHAPTER XVIII

_Malcolm and the Hermit Thrush_

"Mr. Dovesky, I want a minute with you, " said James Minturn. 

"All right, Mr. Minturn, what is it?"

"You are well acquainted with Mrs. Minturn?"

"Very well indeed!" said Mr. Dovesky. "I have had the honour of workingwith her in many concerts. "

"And of her musical ability you are convinced?"

"Brilliant is the only word, " exclaimed the Professor. 

"My reason for asking is this, " said Mr. Minturn: "one of our boys, thesecond, Malcolm, is like his mother, and lately we discovered that he hasher gift in music. We ran on it through Miss Leslie Winton, who interestedMrs. Minturn in certain wild birds. "

"Yes I know, " cried the Professor eagerly. 

"When she became certain that she had heard a--I think she said SongSparrow, sing Di Provenza from Traviata--correct me if I am wrong--untilshe felt that Verdi copied the bird or the bird copied the master, shetold my wife, and Nellie was greatly interested. "

"Yes I know, " repeated the musician. "She stopped here one day in passingand told me what she had heard from Miss Winton. She asked me if I thoughtthere were enough in the subject to pay for spending a day investigatingit. I knew very little, but on the chance that she would have a moreprofitable time in the woods than in society, I strongly urged her to go. She heard enough to convince her, for shortly after leaving for her usualsummer trip she wrote me twice concerning it. "

"You mean she wrote you about studying bird music?"

"Yes, " said the Professor, "the first letter, if I remember, came fromBoston, where she found much progress had been made; there she heard of aman who had gone into the subject more deeply than any one ever before hadinvestigated, and written a book. Her second letter was from the countrynear Boston, where she had gone to study under his direction. I havethought about taking it up myself at odd times this spring. "

"That is why I am here, " said Mr. Minturn. "I want you to begin at once, and go as far as you are able, taking Malcolm with you. The boys have beenspending much of their time in the country lately, hiding in blinds, selecting a bird and practising its notes until they copy them soperfectly they induce it to answer. They are proud as Pompey when theysucceed; and it teaches them to recognize the birds. I believe this issetting their feet in the right way. But Malcolm has gone so fast and sofar, that he may be reproducing some of the most wonderful of the songs, for all I know, for the birds come peering, calling, searching, even tothe very branch which conceals him. Isn't it enough for a beginning?"

"Certainly, " said the musician. 

"He's been badly spoiled by women servants, " said Mr. Minturn, "but themen are taking that out of him as fast as it can be eliminated. I believehe is interested enough to work. I think his mother will be delighted onher return to find him working at what she so enjoys. Does the propositioninterest you?"

"Deeply!" cried the Professor. "Matters musical are extremely dull herenow, and I can't make my usual trip abroad on account of the war; I shouldbe delighted to take up this new subject, which I could make serve me inmany ways with my advanced Conservatory pupils. "

"May I make a suggestion?" asked Mr. Minturn. 

"Most assuredly, " exclaimed the Professor. 

"You noticed I began by admitting I didn't know a thing about it, so I'llnot be at all offended if you indorse the statement. My boys are large, and old for the beginning they must make. I have to go carefully to findwhat they care for and will work at; so that I get them started withoutmaking them feel confined and forced, and so conceive a dislike for thestudy to which I think them best adapted. Would you find the idea of goingto the country, putting a tuned violin in the hands of the lad, andletting him search for the notes he hears, and then playing the composers'selections to him, and giving his ear a chance, at all feasible?"

"It's a reversal, but he could try it. "

"Very well, then, " said Mr. Minturn rising. "All I stipulate is that youallow the other boys and the tutor to go along and assimilate what theycan, and that when you're not occupied with Malcolm, their tutor shallhave a chance to work in what he can in the way of spelling, numbers, andnature study. Is it a bargain?"

"A most delightful one on my part, Mr. Minturn, " said Mr. Dovesky. "Whenshall I begin?"

"Whenever you have selected the instrument you want the boy to have, callMr. Tower at my residence and arrange with him to come for you, " said Mr. Minturn. "You can't start too soon to suit the boy or me. "

"Very well then, I'll make my plans and call the first thing in themorning, " said the Professor. 

James Minturn went home and told what he had done. 

"Won't that be great, Malcolm?" cried James Jr. "Maybe you can do themusic so well you can be a birdman and stand upon a stage before athousand people and make all of them think you're a bird. "

"I believe I'd like to do it, " said Malcolm. "If I find out the people whomake music have gone and copied in what the birds sing, and haven't toldthey did it, I'll tell on them. It's no fair way, 'cause of course thebirds sang their songs before men, didn't they father?"

"I think so, but I can't prove it, " said Mr. Minturn. 

"Can you prove it, Mr. Tower?" asked Malcolm. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Tower, "science proves that the water forms developedfirst. Crickets were singing before the birds, and both before manappeared. "

"Then that's what I think, " said Malcolm. 

"When are they to begin, James?" asked Mrs. Winslow. 

"Mr. Dovesky is to call Mr. Tower in the morning and tell him whatarrangements he has been able to make, " answered Mr. Minturn. "Malcolm, you are old enough to recognize that he is a great man, and it is a bigthing for him to leave his Conservatory and his work, and go to the woodsto help teach one small boy what the birds say. You'll be very polite andobey him instantly, will you not?"

"Do I have to mind him just like he was Mr. Tower?"

"I don't think you are obeying Mr. Tower because you must, " said AuntMargaret. "Seems to me I saw you with your arms around his neck lastnight, and I think I heard you tell him that you'd give him all yourmoney, except for your violin, if he wouldn't go away this winter. Honestly, Malcolm, do you obey Mr. Tower because you feel forced to?"

"No!" cried Malcolm. "We have dandy times! And we are learning a lot too!I wonder if Mr. Dovesky will join our campfire?"

"Very probably he'll be eager to, " said Mrs. Winslow, "and more thanlikely you'll obey him, just as you do father and Mr. Tower, because youlove to. "

"Father, are William and I going to study the birds?" asked James. 

"If you like, " said Mr. Minturn. "It would please me greatly if each ofyou would try hard to understand what Mr. Dovesky teaches Malcolm, and tolearn all of it you can, and to produce creditable bird calls if possible;and of course these days you're not really educated unless you know thebirds, flowers, and animals around you. It is now a component anddelightful part of life. "

"Gee, it's a pity mother isn't here, " said Malcolm. "I bet she knows moreabout it than Mr. Dovesky. "

"I bet she does, too, " agreed James. "But she wouldn't go where we do. There isn't a party there, and if a mosquito bit her she'd have a fit. "

"Aw! She would if she wanted to!" insisted Malcolm. 

"Well she wouldn't _want_ to!" said James. 

"Well she might, smarty, " said Malcolm. "She did once! I saw the boots andskirt she was going to wear. Don't you wish she liked the things we dobetter than parties, father?"

"Yes, I wish she did, " said Mr. Minturn. "Maybe she will. "

"If she'd hear me call the quail and the whip-poor-will, she'd like it, "said Malcolm. 

"She wouldn't like it well enough to stay away from a party to go with youto hear it, " said James. 

"She might!" persisted Malcolm. "She didn't know about this when she wentto the parties. When she comes back I'm going to tell her; and I'm goingto take her to hear me, and I'll show her the flowers and my fish-pond, and yours and father's. Wouldn't it be fun if she'd wear the boots again, and make a fish-pond too?"

"Yes, she'd wear boots!" scoffed James. 

"Well she would if she wanted to, " reiterated Malcolm. "She wore them whenshe wanted to hear the birds; if she did once, she would again, if shepleased. "

"Well she wouldn't please, " laughed James. 

"Well she _might_, " said Malcolm stubbornly. "Mightn't she, father?"

"If she went once, I see no reason why she shouldn't again, " said Mr. Minturn. 

"Course she'll go again!" triumphed Malcolm. "I'll make her, when shecomes. "

"Yes 'when' she comes!" jeered James. "She won't ever live here! Shewouldn't think this was good enough for Lucette and Gretchen! And she gaveaway our house for the sick children, and she hates it at grandmother's!Bet she doesn't ever come again!"

"Bet she does!" said Malcolm instantly. 

"Would you like to have mother come here, Malcolm?" interrupted Mr. Minturn quietly. 

"Why----" he said and shifted his questioning gaze toward Aunt Margaret, "why--why--well, I'll tell you, father: if she would wear boots and go seethe birds and the flowers--if she would do as we do----Sometimes in thenight I wake up and think how pretty she is, and I just get hungry to seeher--but of course it would only kick up a row for her to come here--ofcourse she better stay away--but father, if she _would_ come, and if she_would_ wear the boots--and if she'd let old slapping Lucette go, and liveas we do, father, _wouldn't that be great?_"

"Yes I think it would, " said James Minturn conclusively, as he excusedhimself and arose from the table. 

"James, " said Malcolm, when they went to their schoolroom, "if Mr. Doveskygoes to shutting us up in the study and won't let us play while we learn, what will we do to him to make him sick of his job?"

"Oh things would turn up!" replied James. "But Malcolm, wouldn't you kindo' hate to have him see you be mean?"

"Well father saw us be mean, " said Malcolm. 

"Yes, but what would you give if he _hadn't?_"

"I'm not proud of it, " replied Malcolm. 

"Yes and that's just it!" cried James. "That's just what comes of livinghere. All of them are so polite, and if you are halfway decent they are sogood to you, and they help you to do things that will make you into a manwho needn't be ashamed of himself--that's just it! How would you like togo back and be so rough and so mean nobody at all would care for us?"

"Father wouldn't let us, would he?" asked Malcolm. 

"He wouldn't if he could help it, " said James. "He didn't used to seem asif he could help it. Don't you remember he would tell us it was not theright way, and try to have us be decent, and Lucette would tell mother, and mother would fire him? I wonder how she could! And if she could then, why doesn't she now? I guess he doesn't want to stop her party to botherwith us; but if she ever conies and wants to take us back like we were, Malcolm, I'm not going. I _like_ what we got now. Mother always said wewere to be gentlemen; but we never could be that way. Father and Mr. Towerand Mr. Dovesky are gentlemen, just as kind, and easy, and fine. When wewere mean as could be, and acted like fight-cats, you remember father andMr. Tower only _held_ us; they didn't get mad and beat us. If mother comesyou may go with her if you want to. "

"I wish she'd come with us!" said Malcolm. 

"Not mother! We ain't her kind of a party. "

"I know it, " admitted Malcolm slowly. "Sometimes I want her just awful. Iwonder why?"

"I guess it's 'cause a boy is born wanting his mother. I want her myself alot of times, but I wouldn't go with her if she'd come today, so I don'tknow _why_ I want her, but I _do_ sometimes. "

"I didn't know you did, " said Malcolm. 

"Well I do, " said James, "but I ain't ever going. Often I think thequeerest things!"

"What queer things do you think, James?"

"Why like this, " said James. "That it ain't _safe_ to let children bejerked, and their heads knocked. You know what Lucette did to Elizabeth? Ithink she hit her head too hard. She gave me more cake, and said I was agood boy for saying the ice made her sick, but all the time I thought itwas hitting her head. I wouldn't be the boy who said that again, if I hadto be shot for _not_ saying it, like the French boy was about thesoldiers. 'Member that day?"

"Yes I do, " said Malcolm shortly. 

"You know you coaxed her off the bench, and I pushed her in!" said James, slowly. 

"Yes, " said Malcolm. "And I kicked her. And I wasn't mad at her a bit. Iwonder _why_ I did it!"

"I guess you did it because you were more of an animal than a decent boy, same as I pushed her, " said James. "I guess I won't ever forget that Ipushed her. "

"Pushing her wasn't as bad as what I did, " said Malcolm. "I guess ain'teither one of us going to feel right about Elizabeth again, long as welive. "

"Malcolm, we can't get her back, " said James, "but if any way happens thatwe ever get another little sister, we'll take care of her like father_wanted to_. "

"You bet we will!" said Malcolm. 

Next morning the boys had the car ready. They packed in all their birdbooks, their flower records, and botanies, and were eagerly waiting whenthe call from Mr. Dovesky came. At once they drove to his home for him, and from there to a music store where a violin was selected for Malcolm. 

Mr. Dovesky was so big, the boys stood in awe of his size. He was soclean, no boy would want him to see him dirty. He was so handsome, it wasgood to watch his face, because you had to like him when he smiled. He wasso polite, that you never for a minute forgot that soon you were going tobe a man, and if you could be the man you wished, you would be exactlylike him. Both boys were very shy of him and very much afraid his entranceinto their party would spoil their fun. 

When they left the music store, Malcolm carefully carrying his new violin, Mr. Dovesky his, and a roll of music, the boys with anxious hearts awaiteddevelopments. 

"Now Mr. Tower, " said Mr. Dovesky, "suppose we drive wherever you arelikely to find the birds you have been practising on, and for a start letme hear just what you have done and can do, and then I can plan better towork in with you. "

When they reached the brook they stopped to show the fish pools and thenentered an old orchard, long abandoned for fruit growing and so worminfested as to make it a bird Paradise. Cuckoos, jays, robins, bluebirds, thrashers, orioles, sparrows, and vireos, nested there, singing on wing, among the trees, on the fences, and from bushes in the corners. 

Malcolm and Mr. Dovesky secreted themselves on a board laid across therails of an alder-filled fence corner, then the boy began pointing out thebirds he knew and giving his repetition of their calls, cries, bits ofsong, sometimes whistled, sometimes half spoken, half whistled, any vocalrendition that would produce the bird tones. He had practised carefully, he was slightly excited, and sooner than usual he received replies. Littlefeathered folk came peeping, peering, calling, and beyond questionanswering Malcolm's notes. In an hour Mr. Dovesky was holding his breathwith interest, suggesting corrections, trying notes himself, and when hefelt he had whistled accurately and heard a bird reply, he was as proud asthe boy. 

Then a thing happened that none of them had mentioned, because they werenot sure enough that it would. A brown thrush, catching the unusualatmosphere of the orchard that morning, selected the tallest twig of anapple tree and showed that orchard what real music was. 

The thrush preened, flirted his feathers, opened his beak widely and sanghis first liquid notes. "Starts on C, " commented Mr. Dovesky softly. 

"Three times, and does it over, to show us we needn't think it was anaccident and he can't do it as often as he pleases, " whispered Malcolm. Mr. Dovesky glanced at the boy and nodded. 

"There he goes from C to E, " he commented an instant later, "repeats that--C again, falls to B, up to G, repeats that--I wish he would wait till Iget my pencil. "

"I can give it to you, " said Malcolm. "He does each strain over as soon ashe sings it. I know his song!"

On the back of an envelope, Mr. Dovesky was sketching a staff of music innatural key, setting off measures and filling in notes. As the birdconfused him with repetitions or trills on E or C so high he had to watchsharply to catch just what it was, his fingers trembled when he addedlines to the staff for the highest notes. For fifteen minutes the blessedbird sang, and at each rendition of its full strain, it seemed to growmore intoxicated with its own performance. Finishing the last notesperfectly, the bird gave a hop, glanced around as if he were saying: "Nowany one who thinks he can surpass that, has my permission to try. " From abush a small gray bird meouwed in derision and accepted the challenge. Thewatchers could not see him, but he came so close singing the same songthat he deceived Mr. Dovesky, for he said: "He's going to do it over fromthe bushes now!"

"Listen!" cautioned Malcolm. "Don't you hear the difference? He starts thesame, but he runs higher, he drops lower, and does it quicker, and I thinkthe notes clearer and sweeter when the little gray fellow sings them, andyou should see his nest! Do you like him better?"

"Humph!" said Mr. Dovesky. "Why I was so entranced with the firstperformance I didn't suppose anything could be better. I must have time tolearn both songs, and analyze and compare. "

"I can't do gray's yet, " said Malcolm. "It's so fine, and cut up, withgoing up and down on the jump, but I got the start of it, and the partthat goes this way----"

"This is my work!" cried Mr. Dovesky. "Is there any chance the apple-treebird will repeat his performance?"

"Mostly he doesn't till evening, " answered Malcolm. "He's pretty sure toagain to-morrow morning, but old cat of the bushes, he sings any time itsuits him all day. His nest isn't where he sings, and he doesn't everperch up so high and make such a fuss about it, but I think mother wouldlike his notes best. "

"First, " said Mr. Dovesky, "I'll take down what Mr. Brown Bird sang, andlearn it. I'd call that a good start, and when I get his song so I canwhistle, and play it on the instruments, then we'll go at Mr. Cat's song, and see if I can learn why, and in what way you think it finer. "

"Oh, it goes from high to low quicker, more notes in a bunch, and sweetertones trilling, " explained Malcolm. Mr. Dovesky laughed, saying in aquestion of music that would constitute quite a difference. They went tothe brook and lunched and made easy records of syllabic calls that couldbe rendered in words and by whistling. Then all of them gathered aroundMr. Dovesky while he drew lines, crossed them with bands and explained thestaff, and different time, and signatures, and together they had theirfirst music lesson. 

Malcolm whistled the thrush song while Mr. Dovesky copied the notes, tunedthe violin, and showed the boy how the strings corresponded to the lineshe had made, where the notes lay on them, and how to draw them out withthe bow. He could not explain fast enough to satisfy the eager lad. AfterMr. Dovesky had gone as far as he thought wise, and left off with music, he wandered with Mr. Tower hunting flowers in which he seemed almost asmuch interested as the music. Malcolm clung to the violin, and over andover ran the natural scale he had been taught; then slowly, softly, withwavering awkward bow, he began whistling plain easy calls, and hunting upand down the strings for them. 

That day was the beginning. Others did not dawn fast enough to suitMalcolm, while the ease with which he mastered the songs of the orchardand reproduced them, in a few days set him begging to be taken to theswamp to hear the bird that sang "from the book. " Leslie Winton was addedto the party that day. Malcolm came from the land of the tamarackobsessed. James, William, and the tutor did not care for that location, but Malcolm and Mr. Dovesky wanted to erect a tent and take provisions andtheir instruments and live among the dim coolness, where miracles of songburst on the air at any moment. They heard and identified the veery. Theywent on their knees at their first experience with the clear, bell-tonednotes of the wood thrush. With a little practice Malcolm could reproducethe "song from the book. " He talked of it incessantly, sang and whistledit, making patent to every member of the family that what was in his heartwas fully as much a desire to do the notes so literally that he would winthe commendation of his mother, as to obtain an answer from anunsuspecting bird; for that was the sport. The big thing for which tostrive! They worked to obtain a record so accurately, to reproduce it soperfectly that the bird making it would answer and come at their call. Theday Malcolm, hidden in the tamarack swamp, coaxed the sparrow, nowflitting widely in feeding its young, he knew not how far, to the bushsheltering him, and with its own notes set it singing against him as arival, the boy was no happier than Mr. Dovesky. 

Mr. Minturn could not quite agree to the camp at the swamp, but heprovided a car and a driver and allowed them to go each morning and oftento remain late at night to practise owl and nighthawk calls, veery notes, chat cries, and the unsurpassed melody of the evening vespers of theHermit bird. This song once heard, comprehended, copied, and reproduced, the musician and the boy with music in his heart, brain, and finger tips, clung to each other and suffered the exquisite pain of the artistexperiencing joy so poignant it hurt. After a mastery of those notes as totime, tone, and grouping, came the task of perfecting them so that thebird would reply. 

Hours they practised until far in the night, and when Malcolm felt hereally had located a bird, gained its attention, and set it singingagainst him, he was wild, and nothing would satisfy him but that hisfather should go to the swamp with him, and well hidden, hear and see thathe called the bird. Gladly Mr. Minturn assented. Whether the boy succeededin this was a matter of great importance to his father, but it was notparamount. The thing that concerned him most was that Malcolm's interestin what he was doing, his joy in the study he was making, had bred a deepregard in his heart for his instructor. The boy loved the man intensely ina few days, and immediately began studying with him, watching him, copyinghim. He moved with swift alertness, spoke with care to select the bestword, and was fast becoming punctiliously polite. 

On their return Mr. Dovesky had fallen into the habit of lunching with theMinturns. The things of which he and the boy reminded each other, thenotes they reproduced by whistling, calling, or a combination, theexecution of these on the violin, the references Mr. Dovesky made tocertain bird songs which recalled to his mind passages in operas, insecular and sacred productions, his rendition of the wild music, and thenthe human notes, his comparison of the two, and his remarks on differentcomposers, his mastery of the violin, and his ability to play longpassages preceding and following the parts taken from the birds, wereintensely absorbing and educative to all of them. Then Mr. Tower would addthe description and history of each bird in question. Mr. Minturn startedthe boys' library with interesting works on ornithology, everything thathad been written concerning strains in bird and human music; the lives andcharacters of the musicians in whose work the bird passages appeared, orwho used melodies so like the birds it made the fact apparent thefeathered folk had inspired them. This led to minute examination of thelives of the composers, in an effort to discover which of them werecountry born and had worked in haunts where birds might be heard. Thediffering branches of information opened up seemed endless. The changethis work made in the boys appeared to James Minturn and his sister assomething marvellous. That the work was also making a change in the heartof the man himself, was an equal miracle he did not realize. 

As each day new avenues opened, he began to understand dimly how much itwould have meant to him in his relations with his wife, if he had begunlong ago under her tuition and learned, at least enough to appreciate theone thing outside society, which she found absorbing. He began to see thatif he had listened, and tried, and had induced her to repeat to him partsof the great composers she so loved, on her instruments, when they reachedhome, he soon could have come to recognize them, and so an evening at theopera with her would have meant pleasure to himself instead of stolidendurance. Ultimately it might have meant an effective wedge with which topry against the waste of time, strength and money on the sheer amusementof herself in society. Once he started searching for them, he found manyways in which he might have made his life with his wife different, ifindeed he had not had it in his power to effect a complete change byhaving been firm in the beginning. 

Of this one thing he was sure to certainty: that if he had been able tointroduce any such element of interest into his wife's residence as hehad, through merely saying the word, in his own, it surely would have madesome of the big difference then it was making now. He found himselfbrooding, yearning over his sons, and his feeling for them broadening anddeepening. As he daily saw James seeking more and more to be with him, tounderstand what he was doing, his pride in being able to feel that he hadhelped if it were no more than to sit in court and hand a marked book atthe right moment, he began to make a comrade of, and to develop a feelingof dependence on, the boy. 

He watched Malcolm with his quicker intellect, his daily evidence oftemperament, his rapidly developing musical ability, and felt the tingleof pride in his lithe ruddy beauty, so like his mother, and his talent, solike hers. The boy, under the interest of the music, and with the progresshe was making in doing a new, unusual thing, soon began to develop hermannerisms; when he was most polite, her charm was apparent; when he wasoffended, her hauteur enveloped him. When he was pleased and happy, herdelicate tinge of rose flushed his transparent cheek, while the lights onhis red-brown hair glinted with her colour. He shut himself in his roomand worked with his violin until time to start to the tamarack swamp. WhenMr. Minturn promptly appeared with the car, he found Malcolm had borrowedMr. Dovesky's khaki suit and waders for him, and on the advice of the boyhe wore the stiff coarse clothing, which the tamaracks would not tear, themosquitoes could not bite through, and muck and water would not easilypenetrate--there were many reasons. 

When they reached the swamp both of them put on boots and then, followinghis son and doing exactly what he was told, James Minturn forgot law, politics, and business. With anxious heart he prayed that the bird the ladwished to sing would evolve its sweetest notes, and that his high hope ofreproducing the music perfectly enough to induce the singer to answerwould be fulfilled. Malcolm advanced softly, slipping under branches, around bushes, over deep moss beds that sank in an ooze of water at thepressure of a step and sprung back on release. Imitating every caution, stepping in the boy's tracks, and keeping a few rods behind, followed hisfather. He had rolled his sleeves to the elbow, left his shirt open at thethroat, while for weeks the joy of wind and weather on his bared head hadbeen his, so that as he silently followed his son he made an impressivefigure. At a certain point Malcolm stopped, motioning his father to cometo him. 

"Now this is as far as I've gone yet, " he whispered. "You stay here, andwe'll wait till the music begins. If I can do it as well as I have forthree nights, and get an answer, I'm going to try to call the Hermit birdI sing with. If a hen answers, I'll do the male notes, and try to coax herwhere you can see. If a male sings, I'll do his song once or twice to showyou how close I can come, and then I'll do the hen's call note, and see ifI can coax him out for you. If I creep ahead, you keep covered as much asyou can and follow; but stay as far as that big tree behind me, and don'tfor your life move or make a noise when I'm still. I'll go far ahead as Iwant to be, to start on. Now don't forget to be quiet, and listen hard!"

"I won't forget!" said James Minturn. 

"Oh but it will be awful if one doesn't sing to-night!"

"Not at all!" answered Mr. Minturn. "This is a new experience for me; I'llget the benefit of a sight of the swamp that will pay for the trip, if Idon't even see a bird. "

By the boy's sigh of relief the father knew he had quieted his anxiety. Malcolm went softly ahead a few yards, and stopped, sheltering himself ina clump of willow and button bushes. His father made himself asinconspicuous as he could and waited. He studied the trunks of the bigscaly trees, the intermingled branches covered with tufts of tiny spines, and here and there the green cones nestling upright. The cool water risingaround his feet called his attention to the deep moss bed, silvery greenin the evening light. Here and there on moss mounds at the tree bases hecould see the broad leaves and ripening pods that he thought must bemoccasins seeding. Then his eye sought the crouching boy, and he againprayed that he would not be disappointed; with his prayer came the answer. A sweep of wings overhead, a brown flash through the tamaracks, and then aburst of slow, sweet notes, then silence. 

James Minturn leaned forward, his eyes on his son, his precious littlelad. How the big strong man hoped, until it became the very essence ofprayer, that he would be granted the pride and pleasure, the triumph, ofsuccess; for his ears told him that to reproduce the notes he had justheard would undoubtedly be the crowning performance of bird music; surelythere could be no other songster gifted like that! The bird made a shortflight and sang again. Across the swamp came a repetition of his notesfrom another of his kind, so the brown streak moved in that direction. Atits next pause its voice arose again, sweeter for the mellowing distance, and then another bird, not so far away, answered. The bird replied andcame winging in sight, this time peering, uttering a short note, unlikeits song; and not until it came searching where he could see itdistinctly, did James Minturn awake to the realization that the last noteshad been Malcolm's. His heart swelled big with prideful possession. What awonderful accomplishment! What a fine boy! How careful he must be to helpand to guide him. 

Again the bird across the swamp sang and the one in sight turned in thatdirection. Then began a duet that was a marvellous experience. The farbird called. Malcolm answered. Soon they heard a reply. Mr. Minturn sawthe boy beckoning him, and crept to his side. 

"It's a female, " whispered Malcolm. "I'm going to sing the male notes andcalls, and try to toll her. You follow, but don't get too close and scareher. "

The father could see the tense poise of Malcolm, stepping lightly, avoiding the open, stooping beneath branches, hiding in bushes, making hisway onward, at every complete ambush sending forth those wonderful notes. At each repetition it seemed to the father that the song grew softer, morepleading, of fuller intonation; and then his heart almost stopped, for hebegan to realize that each answer to the boy's call was closer than theone before. Malcolm would sleep that night with a joyful heart. He wastolling the bird he imitated; it was coming at his call, of that therecould be no question. His last notes came from a screen of spreadingbutton bushes and northern holly. At the usual interval they heard thereply, but recognizably closer. Malcolm raised his hand without moving orlooking back, but his father saw, and interpreted the gesture to mean thatthe time had come for him to stop. He took a few steps to conceal himself, for he was between trees when the signal came, and paused, already soelated he wanted to shout; he scarcely could restrain the impulse. Whatwas the use in going farther? His desire was to race back to Multiopolisat speed limit to tell Mr. Dovesky, Margaret, and Mr. Tower what a triumphhe had witnessed. He wanted to talk about it to his men friends andbusiness associates. 

Distinctly, through the slowly darkening green, he could see the boyputting all his heart into the song. James Minturn watched so closely hewas not mistaken in thinking he could see the lad's figure grow tense ashe delivered the notes, and relax when the answer relieved his anxiety asto whether it would come again, and then gather for another trial. At thelast call the reply came from such a short distance that Mr. Minturn beganintently watching from his shelter to witness the final triumph of seeingthe bird Malcolm had called across the swamp, come into view. He could seethat the boy was growing reckless, for as he delivered the strain, hestepped almost into the open, watching before him and slowly going ahead. With the answer, there was a discernible movement a few yards away. Mr. Minturn saw the boy start, and gazed at him. With bent body Malcolm staredbefore him, and then his father heard his amazed, awed cry: "_Why mother!_Is that _you_, mother?"

"_Malcolm! Are you Malcolm?_" came the incredulous answer. 

James Minturn was stupefied. Distinctly he could see now. He did notrecognize the knee boots, the outing suit of coarse green material, butthe beautiful pink face slowly paling, the bright waving hair framing it, he knew very well. Astonishment bound him. Malcolm advanced another step, still half dazed, and cried: "Why, have I been calling _you?_ I thought itwas the bird I saw, still answering!"

"And I believed you were the Hermit singing!" she said. 

"But you fooled the bird, " said the boy. "Close here it answered you. "

"And near me it called you, " said Mrs. Minturn. "Your notes were quite asperfect. "

Malcolm straightened and seemed reassured. 

"Why mother!" he exclaimed. "When did you study _bird_ music? Have youjust come back?"

"I've been away only two weeks, Malcolm, " she answered, "and if it hadn'tbeen for learning the bird notes, I'd have returned sooner. "

"But where have you _been?_" cried the boy. 

"At home. I reserved my suite!" she answered. 

"But home's all torn up, and pounding and sick people, and you hatepounding and sick people, " he reminded her. 

"There wasn't so very much noise, Malcolm, " she said, "and I've changedabout sickness. You have to suffer yourself to do that. Once you learn howdreadful pain is, you feel only pity for those who endure it. Every nightwhen the nurses are resting, I change so no one knows me, and slip intothe rooms of the suffering little children who can't sleep, and try tocomfort them. "

"Mother, who takes care of _you?_" he questioned. 

"A very sensible girl named Susan, " she answered. 

The boy went a step closer. 

"Mother, have you changed about anything besides sickness?" he askedeagerly. 

"Yes Malcolm, " said his mother. "I've changed about every single thing inall this world that I ever said, or did, or loved, when you knew me. "

"You have?" he cried in amazement. "Would you wear that dress and come tothe woods with us now, and do some of the things we like?"

"I'd rather come here with you, and sing these bird notes than anythingelse I ever did, " she answered. 

Malcolm advanced another long stride. 

"Mother, is Susan a pounding, beating person like Lucette?" he askedanxiously. 

"No, " she said softly. "Susan likes children. When she's not busy for me, she goes into the music room and plays games, and sings songs to littlesick people. "

"Because you know, " said Malcolm, "James and I talk it over when we arealone, we never let father hear because he loved Elizabeth so, and he's sofine--mother you were _mistaken_ about father not being a gentleman, noteven Mr. Dovesky is a finer gentleman than father--and father loved herso; but mother, James and I _saw_. We believe if it had been the cream, itwould have made us sick too, and we're so _ashamed_ of what we did; if wehad another _chance_, we'd be as good to a little sister as father is tous. Mother, we wish we had her back so we could try _again_----"

Nellie Minturn shut her eyes and swayed on her feet, but presently shespoke in a harsh, breathless whisper, yet it carried, even to the ears ofthe listening man. 

"Yes Malcolm, I'd give my life, oh so gladly if I could bring her back andtry over----"

"You wouldn't have any person like Lucette around, would you mother?" hequestioned. 

"Not ever again Malcolm, " she answered. "I'd have Little Sister back if itwere possible, but that can't ever be, because when we lose people asElizabeth went, they never can come back; but I'll offer my life to comeas near replacing her as possible, and everywhere I've neglected you, andJames, and father. I'll do the best there is in me, if any of you love me, or _want_ me in the least, or will give me an opportunity to try. "

"Mother, would you come where we are? Would you live as we do?" marvelledthe boy. 

"Gladly, " she answered. "It's about the only way I could live now, I'vegiven away so much of the money. "

"Then I'll ask father!" cried the boy. "Why I forgot! Father is right backhere! Father! Father! Father come quick! Father it wasn't the Hermit birdat all, it was mother! And oh joy, father, joy! She's just changed andchanged, till she's _most as changed as we are!_ She'll come back, father, and she'll go to the woods with us, oh she will! Father, you're _glad_, aren't you?"

When Nellie Minturn saw her husband coming across the mosses, his armsoutstretched, his face pain-tortured, she came swiftly forward, and as shereached Malcolm, Mr. Minturn caught both of them in his arms crying: "Mysweetheart! My beautiful sweetheart, give me another chance, and this timeI'll be the head of my family in deed and in truth, and I'll make life goright for all of us. "

CHAPTER XIX

_Establishing Protectorates_

"I'm sorry no end!" said Mickey. "First time I ever been late. I washelping Peter; we were so busy that the first thing I knew I heard the humof her gliding past the clover field, so I was left. I know how hardyou're working. It won't happen again. "

Mickey studied his friend closely. He decided the time had come to watch. Douglas Bruce was pale and restless, he spent long periods in frowningthought. He aroused from one of these and asked: "What were you and Peterdoing that was so very absorbing?"

"Well about the most interesting thing that ever happened, " said Mickey. "You see Peter is one of the grandest men who ever lived; he's so fine anddoing so many _big_ things, in a way he kind of fell behind in the_little_ ones. "

"I've heard of men doing that before, " commented Douglas. "Can't you tellme a new one?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "You know the place and how good it seems on theoutside--well it didn't look so good inside, in the part that countedmost. You've noticed the big barns, sheds and outbuildings, all the modernconveniences for a man, from an electric lantern to a stump puller;everything I'm telling you--and for the nice lady, nix! Her work tablefaced a wall covered with brown oilcloth, and frying pans heavy enough tosprain Willard, a wood fire to boil clothes and bake bread, in this hotweather, the room so low and dark, no ice box, with acres of ice closeevery winter, no water inside, no furnace, and carrying washtubs to thekitchen for bathing as well as washing, aw gee--you get the picture?"

"I certainly do, " agreed Douglas, "and yet she was a neat, nice-lookinglittle woman. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "If she had to set up housekeeping in Sunrise Alleyin one day you could tell her place from anybody else's. Sure, she's anice lady! But she has troubles of her own. I guess everybody has. "

"Yes, I think they have, " assented Douglas. "I could muster a few rightnow, myself. "

"Yes?" cried Mickey. "That's bad! Let's drop this and cut them out. "

"Presently, " said Douglas. "My head is so tired it will do me good tothink about something else a few minutes. You were saying Mrs. Harding hadtrouble; what is it?"

Mickey returned to his subject with a chuckle. 

"She was 'bout ready to tackle them nervous prostrations so popular withthe Swell Dames, " he explained, "because every morning for fifteen yearsshe'd faced the brown oilcloth and pots and pans, while she'd been wild towatch sunup from under a particular old apple tree; when she might haveseen it every morning if Peter had been on his job enough to saw a windowin the right place. Get that?"

"Yes, I get it, " conceded Douglas. "Go on!"

"Well I began her work so she started right away, and before she got backin comes Peter. When he asks where she was and why she went, I was afraid, but for her sake I told him. I told him everything I had noticed. At firsthe didn't like it. "

"It's a wonder he didn't break your neck. "

"Well, " said Mickey judicially, "as I size Peter up he'd fight an awfulfight if he was fighting, but he ain't much on _starting_ a fight. Iworked the separator steady, and by and by when I 'summed up theargument, ' as a friend of mine says, I guess that cream separator didn'tlook any bigger to Peter, set beside a full house and two or three shedsfor the stuff he'd brought to make _his_ work easier, than it did to me. "

"I'll wager it didn't, " laughed Douglas. 

"No it didn't!" cried Mickey earnestly. "And when he stood over it awhile, that big iron stove made his kitchen, where his wife lived most of herday, seem 'bout as hot as my room where he was raving over Lily havingbeen; and when he faced the brown oilcloth and the old iron skillets for afew minutes of silent thought, he bolted at about two. Peter ain't soslow!"

"What did he do?" asked Douglas. 

"Why we planned to send her on a visit, " said Mickey, "and cut thatwindow, and move in the pump, and invest in one of those country gasplants, run on a big tank of gasoline away outside where it's all safe, and a bread-mixer, and a dishwasher, and some lighter cooking things; butwe got interned. "

"How Mickey?" interestedly inquired Douglas. 

"Remember I told you about Junior coming in to hunt work because he wastired of the country, and how it turned out?" said Mickey. 

"Yes I recall perfectly, " answered Douglas. 

"There's a good one on me about that I haven't told you yet, but I will, "said Mickey. "Well when son came home, wrapped in a comfort, there was aripping up on the part of Peter. He just 'hurled back the enemy, ' and whodo you think he hit the hardest?"

"I haven't an idea, " said Douglas. 

"In your shoes, I wouldn't a-had one either, " said Mickey. "Well, hedidn't go for Junior, or his Ma, or me. Peter stood Mister Peter Hardingout before us, and then didn't leave him a leg to stand on. He provedconclusive he'd used every spare moment he'd had since Junior was in shortclothes, carrying him to Multiopolis to amuse him, and feed him treats, and show him shows; so he was to blame if Junior developed a big consumingappetite for such things. How does the argument strike you?"

"Sound!" cried Douglas. "Perfectly sound! It's precisely what the landowners are doing every day of their lives, and then wailing because thecities take their children. I've had that studied out for a year past. "

"Well Peter figured it right there for us in detail, " said Mickey. "Thenhe tackled Ma Harding and her sunup, and then he thought out a way tofurnish entertainment and all the modern comforts right there at home. "

"What entertainment?" said Douglas. 

"Well he specified saddles and horses to ride, " grinned Mickey, "andswimming, and a fishing-boat and tackle for all of us, a launch onwhatever lake we like best, a big entertainment house with a floor forskating and dancing, and a stage for plays we will get up ourselves, and amovie machine. I'm to find out how to run one and teach them, and thenhe'll rent reels and open it twice a week. The big hole that will cave inon the north side of Multiopolis soon now will be caused by the slump whenour neighbourhood withdraws its patronage and begins being entertained byPeter. And you'll see that it will work, too!"

"Of course it will, " agreed Douglas. "Once the country folk get the ideait will go like a landslide. So that's what made you late?"

"Well connected with that, " explained Mickey. "Peter didn't do a thing butfigure up the price he'd paid for every labour-saver he ever bought forhimself, and he came out a little over six thousand. He said he wouldn'thave wanted Ma in a hardware store selecting his implements, so he guessedhe wouldn't choose hers. He just drew a check for what he said was herdue, with interest, and put it in her name in the bank, and told her tocut loose and spend it exactly as she pleased. "

"What did she do?" marvelled Douglas. 

"Well she was tickled silly, but she didn't lose her head; she beganinvestigating what had been put on the market to meet her requirements. Atpresent we are living on the threshing floor mostly, and the whole houseis packed up; when it is unpacked, there'll be a bathroom on the secondfloor, and a lavatory on the first. There'll be a furnace in one room ofthe basement, and a coal bin big enough for a winter's supply. We canhitch on to the trolley line for electric lights all over the house, andbarn, and outbuildings, and fireless cooker, iron, and vacuum cleaner, anda whole bunch of conveniences for Ma, including a washing machine, andstationary tubs in the basement. Gee! Get the picture?"

"I surely do! What else Mickey?" asked Douglas. "You know I've a house tofurnish soon myself. "

"Well a new kitchen on the other end of the building where there's abreeze, and a big clover field, and a wood, and her work table right whereit is in line with her private and particular sunup. There's a big sinkwith hot and cold water, and a dishwasher. There's a bread-mixer and alittle glass churn, both of which can be hitched to the electricity torun. There's a big register from the furnace close the work table forwinter, and a gas cook stove that has more works than a watch. "

"What does the lady say about it?"

"_Mighty little!_" said Mickey. "She just stands and wipes the shinyplaces with her apron or handkerchief, and laughs and cries, 'cause _she'sso glad_. It ain't set up yet, but you can see just standing before itwhat it's going to mean for her. And there's a chute from the upstairs tothe basement, to scoot the wash down to the electric machine to rub them, and a little gas stove with two burners to boil them, and the iron I toldyou of. Hanging it up is the hardest part of the wash these days, andsince they have three big rooms in the basement, Peter thought thismorning that he could put all the food in one, and stretch her lines inthe winter for the clothes to dry in the washroom. The furnace will heatit, and it's light and clean; we are going to paint it when everything isin place. "

"Is that all?" queried Douglas. 

"It's a running start, " said Mickey; "I don't know as Peter will ever getto 'all'. The kitchen is going to have white woodwork, and blue walls andblue linoleum, and new blue-and-white enamelled cooking things from startto finish, with no iron in the bunch except two skillets saved for frying. Even the dishpan is going to be blue, and she's crying and laughing sametime while she hems blue-and-white wash curtains for the windows. All thehouse is going to have hardwood floors, the rooms cut more convenient; outgoes the old hall into just a small place to take off your wraps, and theremainder added to the parlour. All the carpets and the old heavy curtainsare being ground up and woven into rugs. Gee, it's an insurrection! MaHarding and I surely started things when we planned to dose Junior onMultiopolis, and let her 'view the landscape o'er. ' You can tell by herface she's seeing it! If she sails into the port o' glory looking moreglorified, it'll be a wonder! And Peter! You ought to see Peter! AndJunior! You should see Junior planning his room. And Mickey! You must seeMickey planning his! And Mary and Bobbie! And above all, you should seeLily! Last I saw of her, Peter was holding her under her arms, and she wasshoving her feet before her trying to lift them up a little. We've mostrubbed them off her with fine sand, and then stuck them in cold water, andthen sanded them again, and they're not the same feet--that's a cinch!"

"Is that the sum of the Harding improvements?" asked Douglas, drawing finelines on a sheet of figures before him. 

"Well it's a fair showing, " said Mickey. "We ain't got the new rugs, andthe music box, and the books; or the old furniture rubbed and oiled yet. When the house is finished, Peter expressly specified that his lady was toget her clothes so she could go to the club house, and not be picked for acountry woman by what she _wore_. "

"Mickey, this is so interesting it has given my head quite a rest. Maybenow I can see my way clearly. But one thing more: how long are youplanning to stay there? You talk as if----"

"'Stay there?'" said Mickey. "Didn't you hear me say there was a horse andsaddle and a room for me, and a room for Lily? 'Stay there!' Why for everand ever more! That's _home!_ When I got into trouble and called on Peterto throw a lifeline, he did it up browner than his job for Ma. A _line_was all I asked; _but Peter established a regular Pertectorate_--_nobodycan 'get' us now_----"

"You mean Peter adopted both of you?" cried Douglas. 

"Sure!" indorsed Mickey with a flourish. "You see it was like this: whenwe dosed Junior with Multiopolis, the old threshing machine took a handand did some things to him that wasn't on the program; he found out aboutit, and it made him mad. When he got his dander up he hit back by turningold Miss Country loose on me. First I tried a ram and yellow jackets; thenonly a little bunch of maple twigs was all the pull I had to keep me fromgoing to the bottomless pit by the way of the nastiest quicksand onAtwater Lake. Us fellows went back one day and fed it logs bigger than Iam, and it sucked them down like Peter does a plate of noodles. ThenJunior thought curling a big dead rattler in the path, and shunting me soI'd step right on it, would be a prime joke; but he didn't figure on thesnake he had fixed for me having a mate as big and ugly as it was, thatwould follow and coil zipping mad over the warm twisting body----"

"Mickey!" gasped Douglas. 

"Just so! Exactly what I thought--and then some. When I dragged what wasleft of me home that night, and figured out where I'd been if the bigmaple hadn't spread its branch just as wide as it did, or if the snake hadhit my leg 'stead of my britches--when I took my bearings and saw where Iwas at, the thing that really hurt me worst was that if I'd gone, eitherdown or up, I hadn't done anything for Lily but give her a worse horrorthan she had, of being 'got' by them Orphings' Home people, when I shouldhave made her _safe forever_. I took Peter to the barn and told him justhow it was, 'cause I felt mighty queer. I wasn't so sure that one scratchon my leg that looked ugly mightn't a-been the snake striking through thecloth and dosing me some, I was so sick and swelled up; it turned out tobe yellow jackets, but it might a-been snakes, and I was a little upset. As man to man I asked him what I ought to do for my _family_ 'fore I tookany more _risks_. A-body would have thought the jolt the box gave me wouldhave been enough, but it wasn't! It took the snake and the quicksand tojust right real wake me up. First I was some sore on Junior; but prettyquick I saw how funny it was, so I got over it----"

"He should have had his neck broken!"

"Wope! Wope! Back up!" cautioned Mickey. "Nothing of the kind! You ain'tfiguring on the starving, the beating, being knocked senseless, robbed ofall his clothes _twice_, and landing in the morgue with the cleaning-housevictims. Gee, Junior had reasons for his grouch!"

Douglas Bruce suddenly began to laugh wildly. 

"Umhum! That's what I told you, " said Mickey. "Well, that night I laid thecase before Peter, out on the hay wagon in the barnyard, so moon white youcould have read the _Herald_, the cattle grunting satisfied all around us, katydids insisting on it emphatic, crickets chirping, and the old roostercalling off the night watches same as he did for that first Peter, whodenied his Lord. I thought about that, as I sat and watched the big fellowslowly whittling the rack, and once in a while putting in a question, andwhen I'd told him all there was to tell, he said this: he said _sure_ Lilywas _mine_, and I had a perfect _right_ to _keep_ her; but the law _might_butt in, 'cause there _was_ a law we couldn't evade that _could_ step inand take her any day. He said too, that if she had to go to the hospital, sudden, first question a surgeon would ask was who were her parents, andif she had none, who in their place could give him a right to operate. Hesaid while she was _mine_, and it was my _right_, and _my job_, the lawand the surgeon would say _no_, 'cause we were not related, and I was notof age. He said there were times when the law got its paddle in, and wentto fooling with red tape, it let a sick person lay and die while itdecided what to do. He said he'd known a few just exactly such cases; soto keep the law from making a fool of itself, as it often did, we'd betterstep in and fix things to suit us before it ever got a showdown. "

"What did he do?" asked Douglas Bruce eagerly. 

"Well, after we'd talked it over we moved up to the back porch and Peterexplained to Ma, who is the boss of that family, only she doesn't _know_it, and she said for him to do exactly what his conscience and his Goddictated. That's where his namesake put it over that first Peter. OurPeter said: 'Well if God is to dictate my course, you remember what Hesaid about "suffering the little children to come to Him, " and we arecommanded to be like Him, so there's no way to _twist_ it, but that itmeans _suffer them to come to us_, ' he said. 

"Ma she spoke quick and said: 'Well we've got them!'

"Peter said, 'Yes, we've got them; now the question is whether we _keep_them, or send them to an Orphings' Home. '

"The nice lady she said faster than I can tell you: 'Peter Harding, I'mashamed of you! There's no question of that kind! There's never going tobe!'

"'Well don't get het up about it, ' said Peter. 'I knew all the time there_wasn't_, I just _wanted to hear you say so plain and emphatic_. So far asI'm concerned, my way is clear as noonday sun, ' said Peter. 'Then you gofirst thing in the morning and adopt them, and adopt them _both_, ' saidMa. 'Lily will make Mary just as good a sister as she could ever have, 'said she, and then she reached over and put her arms right around me andshe said, 'And if you think I'm going to keep on trying to run this housewithout Mickey, you're mistaken. ' I began to cry, 'cause I had had a bigday, and I was shaking on my feet anyway. Then Peter said, 'Have youfigured it out to the end? Is it to be 'til they are of age, or forever?'She just gripped tighter and said fast as words can come, 'I say make itforever, and share and share alike. I'm willing if you are. ' Peter, hesaid, 'I'm willing. They'll pay their way any place. Forever, and shareand share alike, is my idea. Do you agree, Mickey?' 'Exactly what do youmean?' I asked, and Peter told me it was making me and Lily both his, justas far as the law could do it; we could go all the farther we wanted toourselves. He said it meant him getting the same for me and Lily as he didfor his own, and leaving us the same when he died. I told him he _needn'tdo that_, if he'd just keep off the old Orphings' Home devil, that's hadme scared stiff all my days, I'd tend to _that_, so now me and Lily belongto Peter; he's our _Pertectorate_. "

"Mickey, why didn't you tell me?" asked Douglas. "Why didn't you want meto adopt you?"

"Well so far as 'adopting' is concerned, " said Mickey, "I ain't _crazy_about it, with anybody. But that's the _law_ you men have made; a boy mustobey it, even if he'd rather be skinned alive, and when he _knows_ itain't _right or fair_. That's the law. I was up against it, and I didn'tknow but I _did_ have the snake, and Peter was on hand and made thatoffer, and he was grand and big about it. I don't love him any more than Ido you; but I've just this minute discovered that it ain't in my skin tolove any man more than I do Peter; so you'll have to get used to the factthat I love him just as well, and say, Mr. Bruce, Peter is the finest manyou ever knew. If you'll come out and get acquainted, you'll just betickled to have him in the Golf Club, and to come to his house, and tohave him at yours. His nice lady is exactly like Miss Winton, only older. Say, she and Peter will adopt you too, if you say so, and between us, justas man to man, Peter is a regular lifesaver! If you got a chance youbetter catch on! No telling what you might want of him!"

"Mickey, you do say the most poignant things!" cried Douglas. "I'd giveall I'm worth to catch on to Peter right now, and cling for much _more_than life; but what I started, I must finish, and Peter isn't here. "

"Well what's the matter with me?" asked Mickey. "Have you run into theyellow jackets too? 'Cause if you have, I'm ahead of you, so I know whatto do. Just catch on to me!"

"Think you are big enough to serve as a straw for a drowning man, Mickey?"inquired Douglas. 

"Sure! I'm big enough to establish a _Pertectorate_ over you, this minute. The weight of my body hasn't anything to do with the size of my heart, orhow fast I can work my brains and feet, if I must. "

"Mickey, " said Douglas despairingly, "it's my candid opinion that no onecan save me, right now. "

Mickey opened his lips, and showed that his brain _was_ working byshutting them abruptly on something that seemed very much as if it hadstarted to be: "Sure!"

"Is that so?" he substituted. 

"Yes, I'm in the sweat box, " admitted Douglas. 

"And it's uncomfortable and weakening. What's the first thing we must doto get you out?"

"What I'm facing now is the prospect that there's no way for me to getout, or for my friends to get me out, " admitted Douglas. "I wish I _had_been plowing corn. "

The boy's eyes were gleaming. He was stepping from one foot to the otheras if the floor burned him. 

"Gosh, we must saw wood!" he cried. "You go on and tell me. I been upagainst a lot of things. Maybe I can think up something. Honest, maybe Ican!"

"No Mickey, there's nothing you or any one can do. A miracle is requirednow, and miracles have ceased. "

"Oh I don't know!" exclaimed Mickey. "Look how they been happening to meand Lily right along. I can't see why one mightn't be performed for youjust as well. I wish you wouldn't waste so much time! I wish you hadn'tspent an hour fooling with what I was telling you; _that_ would keep. Iwish you'd give me a job, and let me get busy. "

Douglas Bruce smiled forlornly. 

"I'd gladly give you the job of saving me, my dear friend, " he said, "butthe fact is I haven't a notion of how to go to work to achieve salvation. "

"Is somebody else getting ahead of you?"

"Not that I know of! No I don't think so. That isn't the trouble, " saidDouglas. 

"I do wish you'd just plain tell me, " said Mickey. "Now that I got the_Pertectorate_ all safe over Lily, I'd do anything for you. Maybe I couldthink up some scheme. I'm an awful schemer! I wish you'd _trust_ me! Youneedn't think I'd _blab!_ Come on now!"

Suddenly Douglas Bruce's long arms stretched across the table before him, his head fell on them, and shuddering sobs shook him. Mickey's dance stepsbecame six inches high, while in desperation he began polishing the tablewith his cap. Then he reached a wiry hand and commenced rubbing Douglas upand down the spine. The tears were rolling down his cheeks, but his voicewas even and clear. 

"Aw come on now!" he begged. "Cut that out! That won't help none! Whatshall I _do?_ Shall I call Mr. Minturn? Shall I get Miss Leslie on thewire?"

Bruce arose and began walking the floor. 

"Yes, " he said. "Yes! 'Bearer of Morning, ' call her!"

Mickey ran to the telephone. In a minute, "Here she is, " he announced. "Shall I go?"

"No! Stay right where you are. "

"Hello Leslie! Are you all right? I'm sorry to say I am not. I'm upagainst a proposition I don't know how to handle. Why just this: rememberyour father told me in your presence that if in the course of myinvestigations I reached his office, I was to wait until he got back? Yes. I thought you'd remember. You know the order of the court gave me accessto the records, but the officials whose books I have gone over haven'tbeen pleased about it, although reflection would have told them if ithadn't been I, it would have been some other man. But the point is this:I'm almost at the finish and I haven't found what obviously existssomewhere. I'm now up to the last office, which is your father's. Theshortage either has to be there, or in other departments outside those Iwas delegated to search; so that further pursuit will be necessary. Two orthree times officials have suggested to me that I go over your father'srecords first, as an evidence that there was no favouritism; now I havereached them, and this proposition: if I go ahead in his, as I have inother offices, I disobey his express order. If I do not, the gang will setup a howl in to-morrow morning's paper, and they will start aninvestigation of their own. Did you get anything from him this morningLeslie? Not for four days? And he's a week past the time he thought hewould be back? I see! Leslie, what shall I do? In my morning's mail thereis a letter from the men whose records I have been over, giving me thisultimatum: 'begin on Winton's office immediately, or we will. '

"Tell them to go ahead? But Leslie! Yes I know, but Leslie----Yes! You areordering me to tell them that I propose to conduct the search in hisdepartment as I did theirs, and if they will not await his return fromthis business trip, they are perfectly free to go ahead----You are _sure_that is the thing you want said? But Leslie----Yes, I know, but Leslie itis _disobeying_ him, and it's barely possible there might be a traitorthere; better men than he have been betrayed by their employees. I admitI'm all in. I wish you would come and bring your last letter from him. We'll see if we can't locate him by wire. It's an ugly situation. Ofcourse I didn't think it would come to this. Yes I wish you would! If yousay so, I will, but----All right then. Come at once! Good-bye!"

Douglas turned to his desk, wrote a few hasty lines and said to Mickey:"Deliver that to Muller at the City Hall. "

Mickey took the envelope and went racing. In half the time he would haveused in going to the City Hall he was in the _Herald_ Building, makingstraight for the office of the editor. Mr. Chaffner was standing with agroup of men earnestly discussing some matter, when his eye was attractedby Mickey, directly in range, and with the tip of his index finger he wascutting in air letters plainly to be followed: "S. O. S. " Chaffner noddedslightly, and continued his talk. A second later he excused himself, andMickey followed to the private room. 

"Well?" he shot at the boy. 

"Our subm'rine has sunk our own cotton. "

"Humph!" said Chaffner. "I've known for two weeks it was heading your way. Just what happened?"

Mickey explained and produced the letter. Chaffner reached for it. Mickeydrew back. 

"Why I wouldn't dare do just that, " he said. "But I know that's what's init, because I heard what he said, and by it you could tell what she said. I've told you every word, and you said the other day you knew; please tellme if I should deliver this letter?"

"If you want to give me a special with the biggest scoop of ten years, "said Chaffner, "and ruin Douglas Bruce and disgrace the Wintons, take itright along. "

"Aw gee!" wailed Mickey, growing ghastly. "Aw gee, Mr. Chaffner! Why you_can't_ do that! Not to _them!_ Why they're the _nicest folks;_ and'tain't two weeks ago I heard Miss Leslie say to Mr. Bruce right in ouroffice, 'losing money I could stand, disgrace would _kill_ me. ' You can'tkill her, Mr. Chaffner! Why she's the nicest, and the prettiest----Shefound me, and sent me to the boss, like I told you. Honest she did! Whyyou can't! You just _can't!_ Why Mr. Chaffner, I can see by your nice eyesyou can't! Aw gee, come on now!"

Mickey's chin hooked over the editor's elbow, his small head was againsthis arm, his eyes were dripping tears, but his voice controlled and steadywas entreating. 

"You know there's a screw loose somewhere, " explained Mickey. "You know'darling old Daddy' couldn't ever have done it; and if somebody under himhas gone wrong, maybe he could make it up, if he was here and had an houror so. That day, Miss Leslie said he should give all he had for hisfriend, and he could have all of hers. If she'd be willing for the moneyto go for her 'dear old Daddy's' _friend_, course she'd be glad to use itfor her Daddy, and she's got a lot from her mother, and maybe Daddy hassold the land he went to sell, and all of that ought to be enough; and ifit isn't, I know who will help them. Honest I do!"

"Who, Mickey?" demanded Mr. Chaffner, instantly. 

"Mr. Minturn! Mr. James Minturn!" said Mickey. "He's Mr. Bruce's bestfriend, and he _told_ me he would do _anything_ for Miss Leslie, that dayright after I saw you, for if his home ever came right again, it would be'cause she made it; and she _did_ make it, and it is _right_, and he's socrazy happy he can't hardly keep on the floor. _Course_ he'd pay MissLeslie back. He _said_ he would. He's the nicest man!"

"Isn't your world rather full of nice men, Mickey?"

Mickey renewed his grip. His eyes were pleading, the white light on hisbrow was shining, his voice was irresistibly sweet: "You just bet my worldis full of nice men, packed like sardines; but they'll all scrooge up alittle and make room for you on the top layer among the selects! Come onnow! Rustle for your place before we revolve and leave you. All your lifeyou'll be sorry if you make that scoop, and kill Miss Leslie, and shame'darling old Daddy, ' and ruin my boss. Oh I say Mr. Chaffner, you _can't!_You can't ever sleep nights again, if you do! They haven't ever doneanything to you. You'll be the _nicest_ man of all, if you'll _tell mewhat to do_. 'Twon't take you but a second, 'cause you _know_. Oh tell me, for the love of God tell me, Mr. Chaffner! _You'll be the nicest man Iknow, if you'll tell me_. "

The editor looked down in Mickey's compelling eyes. He laid his hand onthe lad's brow and said: "That would be worth the price of any scoop Iever pulled off, Mickey. Are you going to be a lawyer or write that poetryfor me?"

"If I'd ever even thought of law, _this_ would cook me, " said Mickey. "Poetry it is, as soon as I earn enough to pay for finding out how to doit right. "

"And when you find out, will you come on my staff, and work directly underme?" asked Mr. Chaffner. 

"Sure!" promised Mickey. "I'd rather do it than anything else in theworld. It would suit me fine. That is, if you're coming in among my nicemen----"

Mr. Chaffner held out his hand. "This is going to cost me something inprestige and in cash, " he said, "but Mickey, you make it _worthwhile_. Here are your instructions: _don't_ deliver that letter! Cut for Minturnand give it to him. Tell him if he wants me, to call any time inside anhour, and that he hasn't longer than noon to make good. He'll understand. If you can't beat a taxi on foot, take one. Have you money?"

"Yes, " said Mickey, "but just suppose he isn't there and I can't findhim?"

"Then find his wife, and tell her to call me. "

"All right! Thanks, boss! You're simply great!"

Mickey took the taxi and convinced the driver he was in a hurry. He dancedin the elevator, ran down the hall, and into Mr. Minturn's door. There hestopped abruptly, for he faced Miss Winton and Mrs. Minturn, whose palingface told Mickey that he was stamped on her memory as she was on his. Hepulled off his cap, and spoke to Mr. Minturn. 

"Could I see you a minute?" he asked. 

"Certainly! Step this way. Excuse us ladies. "

Mickey showed the letter, told what had caused it to be written, and thathe had gone to Mr. Chaffner instead of delivering it, and whatinstructions had been given him there. Mr. Minturn picked up the telephoneand called Mr. Chaffner. When he got him he merely said: "This is Minturn. What's the amount, and where does he bank his funds? Thank you very muchindeed. "

Then he looked at Mickey. "Till noon did you say?"

"Yes, " cried Mickey breathlessly, "and 'tisn't so long!"

"No, " said Mr. Minturn, "it isn't. Ask Mrs. Minturn if I may speak withher a moment. "

"Shall I come back or stay there?" inquired Mickey. 

"Come back, " said Mr. Minturn. "I may need you. "

Mickey stood before Mrs. Minturn. 

"Please will you speak with Mr. Minturn a minute?"

"Excuse me Leslie, " said the lady, rising, and entering the private room. There she turned to Mickey. "I remember you very well, " she said, with asteady voice. "You needn't shrink from me. I've done all in my power toatone. It will never be possible for me to think of forgiving myself; butyou'll forgive me, won't you?"

"Sure! Why lady, I'm awful sorry for you. "

"I'm sorry for myself, " said she. "What was it you wanted, Mr. Minturn?"

"Suppose you tell Mrs. Minturn about both your visits here, " suggested Mr. Minturn to Mickey. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "You see it was like this lady. This morning Mr. Bruce's head is down, and if he doesn't get help before noon, he and MissLeslie and all those nice people are in trouble. I thought Mr. Minturnought to know, so I slipped in and told him. "

"What is the trouble, lad?" asked Mrs. Minturn. 

"Why you see Miss Leslie's 'darling old Daddy' is one of the cityofficials, and of course Mr. Bruce left him 'til last, because he would a-staked his life he'd find the man he was hunting before he got to hisoffice, and he _didn't!_"

"What, James?" said the lady, turning hurriedly. 

"Tell her about it, Mickey, " said Mr. Minturn calmly. 

"Well there ain't much to tell, " said Mickey. "My boss he just keptstacking up figures; two or three times he thought he had his man and thenhe'd strike a balance; and the men whose records he searched kept gettingmadder, and Mr. Winton went west to sell some land. Someway he's been gonea week longer than he expected; and my boss is all through except him, andnow the other men say if he doesn't begin on Mr. Winton's books rightaway, _they_ will, and he told my boss _not to 'til he got back_. A whileago I was in the _Herald_ office talking to Mr. Chaffner, whose papersI've sold since I started and I was telling him what nice friends I had, and how Mr. Bruce and Miss Leslie were engaged, and he like to ate me up. When I couldn't see why, he told me about investigations he had his men, like I'm going to be, make, and sometimes they get a 'scoop' on the menappointed to do the job, and he told me he had a 'scoop' on this, and if Isaw trouble coming toward my boss, I was to tell him and maybe--he didn'tsay sure, but _maybe_ he'd do something. "

"Oh James!" cried Mrs. Minturn. 

"Wait dear! Go on Mickey, " said Mr. Minturn. 

"Well, " said Mickey, "the elevated jumped the track this morning when myboss got a letter saying if he didn't go on at once with Mr. Winton'soffice, somebody else would; and the people who have been in the air eversince are due to land at noon, and it's pretty quick now, and they are toonice for any use. Did you ever know finer people?"

"No I never did, " said Mrs. Minturn; "but James, I don't understand. Tellme quickly and plainly. "

"Chaffner just gave me the figures, " he said, holding over a slip ofpaper. "If that amount is to Mr. Winton's credit on his account with thecity, at the Universal Bank before noon--nothing at all. If it's _not_, disgrace for them, and I started it by putting Bruce on the case. I'llraise as much as I can, but I can't secure enough by that time without menknowing it. Mr. Winton has undoubtedly gone to try to secure what heneeds; but he's going to be too late. There never has been a worse time toraise money in the history of this country. "

"But if _money_ is the trouble, " said Mrs. Minturn, "you said you neverwould touch what I put in your name for yourself, why not use it for him?If that isn't enough, I will gladly furnish the remainder. That I'm not astranded, forsaken woman is due to Leslie Winton; all I have wouldn't bebig enough price to pay for you, and my boys, and my precious home. Bequick James!"

Mr. Minturn was calling the Universal Bank. 

Mickey and Mrs. Minturn waited anxiously. They involuntarily drewtogether, and the woman held the boy in a close grip, while her facealternately paled and flushed, and both of them were breathing short. 

"I want the cashier!" Mr. Minturn was saying. 

"Don't his voice just make you feel like you were on the rock of ages?"whispered Mickey. 

Mrs. Minturn smiling nodded. 

"Hello, Mr. Freeland. This is Minturn talking--James Minturn. You willremember some securities I deposited with you not long ago? I wish to usea part of them to pay a debt I owe Mr. Winton. Kindly credit his accountwith--oh, he's there in the bank? Well never mind then. I didn't know hewas back yet. Let it go! I'll see him in person. And you might tell himthat his daughter is at my office. Yes, thank you. No you needn't sayanything about that to him; we'll arrange it ourselves. Good-bye!"

"Now where am I at?" demanded Mickey. 

"I don't think you know, Mickey, " said Mr. Minturn, "and I am sure Idon't, but I have a strong suspicion that Mr. Winton will be here in a fewminutes, and if his mission has been successful, his face will tell it;and if he's in trouble, that will show; and then we will know what to do. Mr. Bruce would like to know he is here, and at the bank I think. "

"I'll go tell him right away, " said Mickey. 

Douglas was walking the floor as Mickey entered. 

"You delivered the letter?" he cried. 

Mickey shook his head, producing the envelope. 

"You didn't!" shouted Bruce. "You didn't! Thank God! Oh, thank God you_didn't!_"

"Aw-w-ah!" protested Mickey. 

"Why didn't you?" demanded Douglas. 

"Well you see, " said Mickey, "me and Mr. Chaffner of the _Herald_ weretalking a while ago about some poetry I'm going to write for his firstpage, soon now--I've always sold his papers you know, so I sort of belong--and I happened to tell him I was working for you, and how fine you were, and about your being engaged to Miss Leslie, and he seemed to kind ofthink you was heading for trouble; he just plain _said so_. I was soscared I begged him not to let _that_ happen. I told him how everythingwas, and finally I got him to promise that if you _did_ get into troublehe'd help you, at least he _almost_ promised. You see he's been anewspaper man so long, he eats it, and sleeps it, and he had a 'scoop'--"

"'He had a scoop?'" repeated Douglas. 

"Yes! A great one! Biggest one in ten years!" said the boy. "He loved itso, that me trying to pry him loose from it was about like working to movethe Iriquois Building with a handspike. All he'd promise that first tripwas that if I'd come and tell him when I saw you'd got into trouble, he'd_see_ what he could do. "

"Wanted to pump you for material for his scoop, I suppose?" commentedDouglas. 

"Wope! Wope! Back up!" warned Mickey. "He didn't pump me a little bit, andhe didn't _try_ to. He told me nearly three weeks ago just what _would_happen about now, as he had things doped out, and they have. I didn't_think_ that letter should be delivered this morning, 'cause you had nobusiness in 'darling old Daddy's' office if he said 'stay out. '" In cameMickey's best flourish. "_Why he mightn't a-been ready!_" he exclaimed. "He had his friend to help you remember, I heard Miss Leslie tell you hedid. And she told him to. She told you he could have what she had, youremember of course. He might a-had to use some of his office money realquick, to save a friend that he _had_ to save if it took all he had andall Miss Leslie had; and _that_ was right. I asked you the other day if aman might use the money he handled, and you said yes, he was _expected_to, if he had his books straight and the money in the bank when his timefor accounting came. 'Tain't time to account yet; but you was doing thisinvestigating among his bunch, and so I guess if he did use the money forhis friend, he had to go on that trip he was too busy to take Miss Leslie, and sell something, or do something to get ready for you. _That's_ allright, ain't it?"

"Yes, if he could _do_ it, " conceded Douglas. 

"Well he can!" triumphed Mickey. "He can just as easy, 'cause he's down atthe Universal Bank doing it right now!"

"What?" cried Douglas. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Back on time! At the bank fixing things so you caninvestigate all you want to. What's the matter with 'darling old Daddy?'_He's all right!_ Go on and write your letter over, and tell them anxious, irritated gents, that you'll investigate 'til the basement and cupola arefinished, just as soon as you make out the reports you are figuring up_now_. That will give you time to act independent, and it will give Daddytime to be ready for you----"

"Mickey, what if he didn't get the land sold?" wavered Douglas. "What ifhis trip was a failure?"

"Well that's fixed, " said Mickey, stepping from one toe to the other. "Don't ruffle your down about that. If 'darling old Daddy' has bad luck, and for staking his money and his honour on his friend, he's going to getpicked clean and dished up himself, why it's fixed so he _isn't!_ See?"

"_It's fixed?_" marvelled Douglas. 

"Surest thing you know!" cried Mickey. "You've had your _Pertectorate_ allsafe a long time, and didn't know it. "

"Mickey, talk fast! Tell me! What do you mean?"

"Why that was fixed three weeks ago, I tell you, " explained Mickey. "WhenMr. Chaffner said you would strike trouble, I wasn't surprised any, 'causeI've thought all the time you _would;_ and when you did, I went skinningto him, and he told me _not_ to deliver that letter; and he was grand, just something grand! He told me what had to happen to save you, so I keptthe letter, and scuttled for Mr. James Minturn, who started all this, andI just said to him, 'Chickens, home to roost, ' or words like that; and hegot on the wire with Chaffner, and 'stead of giving that 'scoop' to allMultiopolis and the whole world, he give Mr. Minturn a few figures on ascrap of paper that he showed to his nice lady--gosh you wouldn't everbelieve she _was_ a nice lady or could be, but honest, Mr. Bruce, me andher has been holding hands for half an hour while we planned to help youout, and say, she's so nice, she's just peachy--and she's the _same_woman. I don't know how that happens, but she's the same woman who firedme and the nice lady from Plymouth, and now she _ain't_ the same, andthese are the words she said: 'All I have on earth would not be enough topay Leslie Winton for giving you back to me, and my boys, and my precioushome. ' 'Precious home!' Do you get that? After her marble palace, whereshe is now must look like a cottage on the green to her, but 'precioushome' is what she said, and she ought to know----"

"Mickey go on! You were saying that Mr. Chaffner gave Mr. Minturn somefigures--" prompted Douglas. 

"Yes, " said Mickey. "His precious 'scoop, ' so Mr. Minturn showed her, andshe said just as quick to put that amount to Mr. Winton's credit at theUniversal Bank, so he called the bank to tell them; when he got thecashier he found that 'darling old Daddy' was there that minute----"

"'Was there?'" cried Douglas. 

"'_Was there_, '" repeated Mickey; "so Mr. Minturn backed water, and _then_he told the cashier he needn't mention to Mr. Winton that he was going toturn over some securities he had there to pay a debt he owed him, 'causenow that he was home, they could fix it up between themselves. But he toldthe cashier to tell Mr. Winton that Miss Leslie was in his office. He said'Daddy' would come to her the minute he could, and then if he was happyand all right, it meant that he had sold his land and made good; and if hewas broke up, we would know what to do about putting the money to hiscredit. The nice lady said to put a lot more than he needed, so if theydid investigate they could see he had plenty. See? Mr. Minturn said wecould tell the minute we saw him----"

"Well young man, can you?" inquired a voice behind them. 

With the same impulse Douglas and Mickey turned to Mr. Winton and Lesliestanding far enough inside the door to have heard all that had been said. A slow red crept over Mickey's fair face. Douglas sprang to his feet, hishand outstretched, words of welcome on his lips. Mr. Winton put him asidewith a gesture. 

"I asked this youngster a question, " he said, "and I'm deeply interestedin the answer. _Can you?_"

Mickey stepped forward, taking one long, straight look into the face ofthe man before him; then his exultant laugh trilled as the notes ofPeter's old bobolink bird on the meadow fence. 

"Surest thing you know!" he cried in ringing joy. "You're tired, you needwashing, sleep, and a long rest, but there isn't any glisteny, green lookon your face. It's been with you, like I told Mr. Chaffner it's in theBible; only with you, it's been even more than a man 'laying down his lifefor his friend, ' it was a near squeak, but you made it! Gee, you made it!I should say I _could_ tell!"

Mr. Winton caught Mickey, lifting him from his feet. "God made a jewelafter my heart when he made you lad, " he said. "If you haven't got afather, I'm a candidate for the place. "

"Gee, you're the nicest man!" said Mickey. "If I was out with a telescopesearching for a father, I'd make a home run for you; but you see I'mfairly well fixed. Here's my boss, too fine to talk about, that I work forto earn money to keep me and my family; there's Peter, better than gold, who's annexed both me and my child; there's Mr. Chaffner punching me upevery time I see him about my job for him, soon as I finish school; I'd_like_ you for a father, only I'm crazy about Peter. Just you come and see_Peter_, and you'll understand----"

"I'll be there soon, " said Mr. Winton. "I have reasons for wanting to knowhim thoroughly. And by the way, how do you do, Douglas? How is the greatinvestigation coming on? 'Fine!' I'm glad to hear it. Push it with allyour might, and finish up so we can have a month on Atwater without comingback and forth. I feel as if I'd need about that much swimming to make meclean, as the young man here suggests; travelling over the west inmidsummer is neither cool nor cleanly; but it's great, when things sell asours did. Land seems to be moving, and there's money under the surface;nobody has lost so much, they are only economizing; we must do thatourselves, but Swain and I are both safe, so we shall enjoy a few years ofwork to recoup some pretty heavy losses; we're not worth what we were, butwe are even, with a home base, the love of God big in our hearts, anddoubly all right, since if we couldn't have righted ourselves, our friendswould have saved us, thanks to this little live wire on my left!"

"Oh Daddy, if you'd searched forever, you couldn't have found a bettername for Mickey!" cried Leslie. "Come on Douglas let's go home and rest. "

"Just as soon as I write and start Mickey with a note, " said Douglas. "Goahead, I'll be down soon. "

He turned to his desk, wrote a few lines, and sealing them, handed theenvelope to the waiting boy. 

"City Hall, " he said. "And Mickey, I see the whole thing. It will takesome time to figure just what I do owe you----"

"Aw-a-ah g'wan!" broke in Mickey, backing away. 

"Mickey, we'll drive you to take the note, and then you come with us, "said Douglas. 

"Thanks, but it would try my nerve, " said Mickey, "and I must help Petermove in the pump!"

CHAPTER XX

_Mickey's Miracle_

That night Mickey's voice, shrill in exuberant rejoicing, preceded himdown the highway, so the Hardings, all busy working out their new plansfor comfort, understood that something unusually joyous had happened. Peaches sat straighter in her big pillow-piled chair, leaned forward, andsmilingly waited. 

"Ain't he happy soundin'?" she said to Mrs. Harding, who sat near hersewing. "I guess he has thought out the best po'try piece yet. Mebby thistime it will be good enough for the first page of the _Herald_. "

"Young as he is, that's not likely, " said the literal woman. "There's nomanner of doubt in my mind but that he _can_ do great newspaper work whenhe finishes his education and makes his start; but I think Mr. Bruce willuse all his influence to turn him toward law. "

"Mr. Douglas Bruce is a swell gentl'man, " said Peaches, "and me and Mickeyjust loves him for his niceness to us; but we got _that_ all settled. Mickey is going to write the po'try piece for the first page of the_Herald_--that's our paper--and then we are going to make all my piecesinto a bu'ful book, like I got it started here. "

Peaches picked up a small notebook, scrupulously kept, and lovinglyglanced over the pages, on each of which she had induced Mickey to writein his plainest script one section of her nightly doggerel; and if hefailed from the intense affairs of the day, she left a blank page for himto fill later. Taken together, the remainder of her possessions were asnothing to Peaches compared with that book. Not an hour of the day passedthat it was not in her fingers, every line of it she knew by heart, andshe learned more from it than all Mickey's other educational efforts. Peter scraped a piece of fine black walnut furniture free from theaccumulated varnish of years, and ran an approving hand over the smoothdark surface, seasoned with long use. He smiled at her. She smiled back, falling into a little chant that had been on her lips much of the time oflate: "You know, Peter! You know, Peter! We know somepin' we won't tell!"

Peter nodded, beaming on her. 

"Just listen to that boy, Peter, he must be perfectly possessed!" saidNancy. 

"He didn't ever sound so glad before!" cried the child eagerly. 

Mickey came up the walk radiant. He divided a smile between Mrs. Hardingand Peter, and bowed low before Peaches as he laid a package at her feet. Then he struck an attitude of exaggerated obeisance and recited:

"_Days like this I'm tickled silly, When I see my August Lily. No other fellow, dude or gawk, Owns a flower that can laugh and talk. _"

Peaches immediately laughed; so did all of them. 

"Peter, " asked Mickey, "were you ever so glad that you thought you wouldbust wide open?"

"I was, " said Peter; "I am this minute. "

"Would you mind specifying circumstances?"

"Not a bit, " said Peter. "First time was when Ma said she'd marry me, andI got my betrothal kiss; second, was the day she said she'd forgive myyears of selfish dunderheadedness, and start over. Now you, Mickey, what'syours?"

"The great investigation is over, so far as our commission goes, " answeredMickey. "Multiopolis isn't robbed where she was sure she was. Her accountsbalance in the departments we've gone over. Nobody gets the slick face, the glass eye, the lawn mower on his cocoanut, or dons the candy suit fromour work; but some folks I love had a near squeak, and I got a monthvacation! Think of that, Miss Lily Peaches O'Halloran! Gee, let's getthings fixed up here and have a party, to show the neighbouring gentlemenwhat's coming to them, before the weather gets so cold they won't havetime to finish their jobs this fall. Some of them will squirm, but wedon't care. Some of them will think they won't do it, but they _will_. Kiss me, Lily! Hug me tight, and let me go dig on the furnace foundation'til I sweat this out of me. "

When the children were sleeping that night he sat on the veranda and toldMrs. Harding and Peter exactly what he thought wise to repeat of the day'sexperience and no more; so that when he finished, all they knew was thatthe investigation was over, so far as Mr. Bruce was concerned, Mickey hada vacation, and was a happy boy. 

As she came to dinner the next day, Mary laid a bundle of mail beside herfather's plate. When he saw it, Peter, as was his custom, reached for the_Herald_ to read the war headlines. He opened the paper, gave it a shake, stared at it in amazement, scanned a few lines and muttered: "Well for theLord's sake!"

Then he glanced over the sheets at Mickey and back again. The family aroseand hurried to a point of vantage at Peter's shoulder, while he spread thepaper wide and held it high so that all of them could see. Enclosed in asmall ruled space they read:

_Sacred to the memory of the biggest scoop, That ever fell in Mister Chaffner's soup, And was pitched by this nicest editor-man, Where it belonged, in the garbage can, To please his friend, Michael O'Halloran. Whoop fellers, whoop, for the drownded scoop, That departed this life in our Editor's soup! All together boys, Scoop! Soup! Whoop!_

They rushed at Mickey, shook hands, thumped, patted and praised him, whena wail arose to the point of reaching his consciousness. 

"Mickey, what?" cried Peaches. 

"Let me take it just a minute, Peter, " said Mickey. 

"Wait a second, " suggested Mrs. Harding, picking up a big roll that theyhad knocked to the floor. "This doesn't look like catalogues, and it'saddressed to you. Likely they've sent you some of your own. "

"Now maybe Mr. Chaffner did, " said Mickey, almost at the bursting point. "Course he is awful busy, the busiest man in the world, I expect, but he_might_ have sent me a copy of my poetry, since he used it. "

With shaking fingers he opened the roll, and there were several copies ofthe _Herald_ similar to the one Peter held, and on the top of one wasscrawled in pencil: "Your place, your desk, and your salary are readywhenever you want to begin work. You can't come too soon to suit me. --CHAFFNER. "

Mickey read it aloud. 

"Gee!" he said. "I 'most wish I had education enough to begin right now. I'd _like_ it! I could just go _crazy_ about that job! Yes honey! Yes, I'mcoming!"

He caught up another paper, and hurried across the room, quietly butdecidedly closing the door behind him, so when Mary started to follow, Junior interposed. 

"Better not, Molly, " he said. "Mickey wants to be alone with his familyfor a few minutes. Say father, ain't there a good many newspaper menworked all their lives, and got no such show as that?"

"I haven't a doubt of it, " said Peter. 

"Mickey must have written that, and sent it in before he came homeyesterday, " said Mrs. Harding. "I call it pretty bright! I bet if thetruth was told, something went wrong, and he was at the bottom of shuttingit up. Don't you call that pretty bright, Pa?"

"I guess I'm no fair judge, " said Peter. "I'm that prejudiced in hisfavour that when he said, 'See the cat negotiate the rat' out in the barn, I thought it was smart. "

"Yes, and it was, " commented Junior. "It's been funny for everybody to'negotiate' all sorts of things ever since that north pole business, so itwas funny for the cat too. Father, do you think that note really meansthat Mr. Chaffner would give Mickey a place on his paper, and pay himright now?"

"I don't know why Chaffner would write it out and sign his name to it ifhe _didn't_ mean it, " said Peter. 

"You know he is full of stuff like that, " said Junior. "He could do someevery day about people other than Peaches if he wanted to. Father, ain'tyou glad he's in our family? Are you going to tell him to take that job ifhe asks you?"

"No I ain't, " said Peter. "He's too young, and not the book learning to dohimself justice, while that place is too grown up and exciting for a boyof his nerve force. Don't you think, Nancy?"

"Yes, I do, but you needn't worry, " said Mrs. Harding. "Mickey knows thathimself. Didn't you hear him say soon as he read it, that he hadn't theeducation yet? He's taken care of himself too long to spoil his life now, and he will see it; but I marvel at Chaffner. He ought to have knownbetter. And among us, I wonder at Mickey. Where did he get it from?"

"Easy!" said Peter. "From a God-fearing, intelligent mother, and anirresponsible Irish father, from inborn, ingrained sense of right, and ahand-to-hand scuffle with life in Multiopolis gutters. Mickey is allright, and thank God, he's _ours_ If he does show signs of wanting to goto the _Herald_ office, discourage him all you can, Ma; it wouldn't begood for him--yet. "

"No it wouldn't; but it would be because he needs solid study and schoolroutine to settle him, and make him _great_ instead of a clown, as thatwould at his age. But if you think there is anything in the _Herald_office that could _hurt_ Mickey, you got another think coming. It wouldn'thurt Mickey; but it would be mighty good for the rest of them. The_Herald_ has more honour and conscience than most; some of the papers arejust disgraceful in what they publish, and then take back next day; whilefolks are forced to endure it. Sit up and eat your dinners now. I want toget on with my work. "

"Mickey, what happened?" begged Peaches as Mickey came in sight, carryingthe papers. 

He was trembling and tensely excited as her sharp eyes could see. Theyrested probingly a second on him, then on the paper. Her lips tightenedwhile her eyes darkened. She stretched out her hand. 

"Mickey, let me see!" she commanded. 

Mickey knelt beside her, spreading out the sheet. Then he took her hand, setting a finger on the first letter of his name and slowly moved along asshe repeated the letters she knew best of all, then softly pronounced thename. She knew the _Herald_ too. She sat so straight Mickey was afraid shewould strain her back, lifting her head "like a queen, " if a queen liftsher head just as high as her neck can possibly stretch, and smiled a coldlittle smile of supreme self-satisfaction. 

"Now Mickey, go on and read what you wrote about _me_, " her Highnesscommanded. 

The collapse of Mickey was sudden and complete. He stared at Peaches, atthe paper, opened his lips, thought a lie and discarded it, shut his lipsto pen the lie in for sure, and humbly and contritely waited, a silentcandidate for mercy. Peaches had none. To her this was the logical outcomeof what she had been led to expect. There was the paper. The paper was the_Herald_. There was the front page. There was Mickey's name. She had noconception of Mickey writing a line which did _not_ concern her; also hehad expressly stated that all of them and the whole book were to be abouther. She indicated the paper and his name, while the condescension of herwaiting began to be touched with impatience. 

"Mickey, why don't you go on and read what it says about me?" shedemanded. 

Mickey saw plainly what must be done. He gazed at her and suddenly, forthe first time, a wave of something new and undefined rushed through him. This exquisitely delicate and beautiful little Highness, sitting soproudly straight, and so uncompromisingly demanding that he redeem hispromises, made a double appeal to Mickey. Her Highness scared him until hewas cold inside. He was afraid, and he knew it. He wanted to run, and heknew it; yet no band of steel could have held him as this bit of whitefemininity, beginning to glow a soft pink from slowly enriching blood, nowheld and forever would hold him, and best of all he knew that. It was inhis heart to be a gentleman; there was nothing left save to be one now. Hetook both Peaches' hands, and began preparing her gently as was in hispower for what had to come. 

"Yes, Flowersy-girl, " he said, "I'll read it to you, but you won'tunderstand 'til I tell you----"

"I always understand, " she said sweepingly. 

"You know how wild like I came home last night, " explained Mickey. "Well, I had reason. Some folks who have been good to us, and that I love like welove Peter and Ma, had been in awful danger of something that would makethem sore all their lives, and maybe I had some little part in putting itover, so it never touched them; anyway, they thought so, and I was tickledpast all sense and reason about it. It was up to the editor of the_Herald_ to decide; and what he did, was what I begged him to. Course leftto himself, he would a-done it anyway, _after he had time to think_----"

"Mickey, read my po'try piece about me, an' then talk, " urged Peaches. 

"Honey, you make me so sick I can't tell you. "

"Mickey, what's the matter?"

Peaches' penetrating eyes were slowly changing to accusing. She drew adeep breath, giving him his first cold, unrelenting look. 

"Mister Michael O'Halloran, " she said in incisive tones, "did you write apo'try piece for the first page of the _Herald, not_ about me?"

"Well Miss Chicken, " he cried, "I wish you wouldn't talk so much! I wishyou'd let me _tell_ you. "

"I guess you ain't got anything to tell, " said Peaches, folding her armsand tilting her chin so high Mickey feared she might topple backward. 

"I guess I have!" shouted Mickey. "_I_ didn't put that there! I didn't_mean_ it to _be_ there! If I'd a-put it there, and _meant_ it there, andknowed it would _be_ there, it would a-been about you, of course! Answerme this, Miss. Any single time did I ever _not_ do anything that I said Iwould?"

"Nothing but this, " admitted Peaches. 

"There you go again!" said Mickey. "I tell you I _didn't_ do _this_, andwhen I tell you, I tell true, Miss, get that in your system. If you'd letme explain how it was, you'd see that I didn't have a single thing to dowith it. "

Peaches accomplished a shrug that was wonderful, and gazed at the ceiling, her lips closed. Mickey watched her a second, then he began softly:"Flowersy-girl, I don't see what you mean! I don't know why you act likethis! I don't know what's to have a tantrum for, when I didn't _mean_ itto be there, and didn't _know_ it would be there. Honest, I don't!"

"Go on an' read it!" she commanded. 

Mickey obeyed. As he finished she faced him in wonder. 

"Why they ain't a damn bit of sense to it!" she cried. 

"_Course_ there ain't!" agreed Mickey. "Course there _would be_ no senseto anything that wasn't about _you!_"

"Then what did you put it there in my place for?"

"I didn't! I'm trying to tell you!" persisted Mickey. 

Peaches shed one degree of royal hauteur. "Well why don't you go on an'tell, then?"

"Aw-w-ah! Well if you don't maneuver to beat a monoplane! I've tried totell you, and you won't _let_ me. If you stop me again, I'm going to marchout of this room and stay 'til you bawl your eyes red for me. "

"If you go, I'll call Junior!" said Peaches instantly. 

"Well go on and call him!"

He turned, his heart throbbing, his eyes burning with repressed tears, thebig gulp in his throat audible to Peaches, as her little wail was to him. He whirled and dropping on his knees took her in his arms. She threw hersaround his neck, buried her face against his cheek, and they cried it outtogether. At last she produced a bit of linen, and mopped Mickey's eyesand face, then her own. While still clinging to him she whispered:"Mickey, I'm jus' about _dead_ to have it be the _Herald_, an' the _frontpage_, an' _you_, an' _not_ about _me!_"

"Flowersy-girl, I'm just as sorry as you are, " said Mickey. "It was thisway: I was just crazy over things our editor-man did, that saved our dearboss and the lovely Moonshine Lady who gave you your Precious Child andher 'darling old Daddy' from such awful trouble it would just a-killedthem; honest it would Lily! When our editor-man was so great and nice, anddid what he didn't _want_ to at all, I went sort of wild like, and when Iwas off for the day and got on the streets, everything pulled me his way. I was anxious just to see him again, and if I'd done what I wanted to, I'da-gone in the _Herald_ office and knelt down, and said: 'Thank you, ohthank you!' and kissed his feet, but of course I knew men didn't do likethat, and it would have shamed him, but I had to do something or bust, andI went running for the office like flying, and my mind got whirlingaround, and that stuff began to come. 

"I slipped in and back to his desk, like I may if I want to, and there hesat. He had a big white sheet just like this before it is printed, spreadout, and a pencil in his fingers, and about a dozen of his best men werecrowding 'round with what they had for the paper to-day. I've told you howthey do it, often, and when I edged up some of the men saw me. They knew Ihad a pass to him, so they stepped back just as he said: 'Well boys, who'sgot some _big stuff_ to fill the space of our departed scoop?' That'departed' word means lost, gone, and it's what they say about people whenthey--they go for good. Then he looked up to see who would speak first, and noticed me. 'Oh there is the little villain who scooped our scoop, right now, ' he said. 'Let's make him fill the space he's cut us out of. ' Ithought it was a joke, but I wasn't going to have all that bunch of theswellest smarties who work for him put it clear over me; I've kidded backwith my paper men too long for that; so I stepped back and shot it at him, that what's printed there, and when I got to the end and invited thefellows to 'Whoop, ' Lily, you could a-heard them a mile. I saw they wasstarting for me, so I just slung in a 'Thank you something awful, boss, 'and ducked through and between, and cut for life; 'cause if they'd a-gotme, I might a-been there yet. They are the _nicest_ men on earth, but theyget a little keyed up sometimes, and a kid like me couldn't keep even. Nowthat's all there is to it, Lily, honest, cross my heart! I _didn't_ knowthey would put it there. I didn't know they thought it was _good_ enough. I wouldn't a-let them for the life of them, if I'd _known_ they was goingto. "

"You jus' said it once, Mickey?" inquired Peaches. 

"Jus' once, Flowersy-girl, fast as I could rattle. "

"It's twice as long as mine ever are, " she said. "I don't see how they'membered. "

"Oh that!" cried Mickey. "Why honey, that's easy! Those fellows jump on toa thing like chained lightning, and they got a way of writing that is justa lot of little twists and curls, but one means a whole sentence--theycall it 'shorthand'--and doing that way, they can set down talk as fast asanybody can speak, and there were a dozen of them there with pencils andpaper in their fingers. That wasn't anything for them!"

"Mickey, are you going to learn to write that way?"

"Sure!" said Mickey. "Before I go to the _Herald_ to take my desk, and my'signment, ' I've got to know, and you ought to know too; 'cause I alwayshave to bring what I write to you first, to see if you like it. "

"Yes, if the mean old things don't go an' steal my place again, when youdon't know it, " protested Peaches. 

"Well, don't you fret about that, " said Mickey. "They got away with methis time, but they won't ever again, 'cause I'll be on to their tricks. See? Now say you forgive me, and eat your dinner, 'cause it will bespoiled, and you must have a good rest, for there's going to be somethinglovely afterward. You ain't mad at me any more, Lily?"

"No, I ain't mad at you, but I'm just so----"

"Wope! wope!" cautioned Mickey. 

Peaches pulled away indignantly. 

"--so--so--so _estremely mad_ at those paper men! Mickey, I don't thinkI'll ever let you be a _Herald_ man at all if they're going to leave meout like that!"

"What do you care about an old paper sold on the streets, and ground upfor buckets, and used to start fires, anyway?" scoffed Mickey. "Why don'tyou sit up on the shelf in a nice pretty silk dress and be a book lady? Iwouldn't be in the papers at all, if I were you. "

"No, an' I won't, either!" cried Peaches instantly. "Take the old paperan' put what you please in it. I shall have all about _me_ in the nicesilky covered book on the shelf; so there, you needn't try to make me doanything else, 'cause I shan't ever!"

"Course you shan't!" agreed Mickey. 

He went back to the dinner table to find the family finished and gone. Hecarried what had been left for him to the back porch, and eating hastilybegan helping to get things in place. As always he went to Mrs. Hardingfor orders. She was a little woman, so very like his mother in size, colouring, speech, and manner, that Mickey could almost forget she was nottruly his, when every hour she made him feel her motherly kindness; sofrom early habit it was natural with him to seek her first, and do what hecould to assist her before he attempted anything else. All the help Peterhad from him came when he found no more to do for Mrs. Harding. As hewashed the dishes while she sat sewing for the renovation of the house, hesaid to her: "When you dress Lily for this afternoon I wish you'd make herjust as pretty as you can, and put her very nicest dress on her. "

"Why Mickey, is some one coming?" she asked. 

"I don't know, " said Mickey, "but I have a hunch that my boss, and MissLeslie, and her father may be out this afternoon. They have been talkingabout it a long time, but I kept making every excuse I could think up tokeep them away. "

"Why, Mickey?" asked Mrs. Harding, looking at him intently. She paused inher sewing, running the needle slowly across the curtain material. 

"Well, for a lot of reasons, " said Mickey. "A fellow of my size doesn'toften tackle a family, and when he does, if he's going to be square aboutit, he has got to do a lot of _thinking_. One thing was that it's hard forme to get Lily out my head like I first saw her. I guess I couldn't tellyou so you'd get a fair idea of how dark, dirty, alone, and little, andmiserable she was. Just with all my heart I was ashamed of her folks, andsick sorry for her; but I can't bear for anybody else to be! I didn't wantany of them to see her 'til she was fed, and fatted up a lot, and trained'til how nice she really is shows plain. It just hurt me to think of it. "

"Um-m-uh!" agreed Mrs. Harding, differing emotions showing on her face. "Isee, Mickey. "

"Then, " continued Mickey, "I'm sticking sore and mean on one point. I_did_ find her! She _is_ mine! I _am_ going to keep her! Nobody in allthis world takes her, nor God in Heaven!"

"Mickey, be careful what you say, " she cautioned. 

"I don't mean anything wicked, " explained Mickey. "I'm just telling youthat nobody on earth can have her, and I'd fight 'til I'd die with her, before even Heaven gets her. I don't mean anything ugly about it. I'm justtelling you friendly like, how I _feel_ about her. "

"I see Mickey, " said Mrs. Harding. "Go on!"

"Well, lots of reasons, " said Mickey. "She wasn't used to folks, so theyscared her. She was crazy with fear about the Orphings' Home getting her, while I wasn't any too sure myself. I flagged one Swell Dame, and like togot caught in a trap and lost her. Then my Sunshine Nurse helped me all Ineeded; so not knowing how much women were alike, I didn't care to gorushing in a lot on Lily just to find out. She was a little too preciousto experiment with. 

"That Home business has been a big, grinning, 'Get-you-any-minute devil, 'peeping 'round the corner at me ever since mother went. I could dodge himfor myself, but I couldn't take any _risks_ for Lily. _These Orphings'Homes ain't no place for children_. 'Stead of the law building them, andpenning the little souls starving for home and love in them, what it_should_ do is to make people who pay the money to run them, take thechildren in their _own homes_ and love and raise them _personal_. If everyfamily in the world that has no children would take two, and them that haswould take just one, all the Orphings' Homes would make good hospitals andschools; while the orphings would be fixed like Lily and I are. Course Iknow all folks ain't the same as you and Peter; but in the long run, children are _safer in homes_ than they are in _squads_. 'Most any kind ofa home beats no home at all. You can stake your liberty-birds on that. "

"You surely can, " agreed Mrs. Harding. 

"You just bet, " persisted Mickey. "When I didn't know what they would do, I didn't want them pestering 'round, maybe to ruin everything; and when I_did_, I didn't want them any more, 'cause then I saw their idea would beto take her themselves, and in one day they would a-made all I could dolook like thirty cents. She was mine, and what she had with me was so muchbetter than what she would a-had without me, or if the law got her, that Ithought she was doing well enough. I see now she could a-had more; but Ithought then it was all right!"

"Now Mickey, don't begin that, " said Mrs. Harding. "What you did was tofind her, and without a doubt, save her life; at least if you didn't, youlanded her in a fairly decent home where all of us will help you do _whatyou think best for her;_ and there's small question but we can beat anyOrphans' Home yet in existence. And as for the condition in which I foundher, it _was_ growing warm in that room, but I'll face any court in theuniverse and swear I never saw a cleaner child, or one in better conditionfor what you had to begin on. The Almighty Himself couldn't have coveredthose awful bones with flesh and muscle, and smoothed the bed sores andscars from that little body; and gone much faster training her right, unless He was going back to miracles again. As far as miracles areconcerned, I think from what you tell me, and what the child's conditionproves, that you have performed the miracle yourself. To the day of mydeath I'll honour, respect, and love you, Mickey, for the way in whichyou've done it. I've yet to see a woman who could have done better, so Iwant you to know it. "

"I don't know the right words to say to you and Peter. "

"Never mind that, " said Mrs. Harding. "We owe you quite as much, andsomething we are equally as thankful for. It's an even break with us, Mickey, and no talk of obligations on either side. We prize Junior as heis just now, fully as much as you do anything you've gained. "

Mickey polished the plates and studied Mrs. Harding. Then he spoke again:"There's one more obligation I'm just itching to owe you. "

"Tell me about it, Mickey, " she said. 

"Well right in line with what we been talking of, " said Mickey. "Justsuppose a big car comes chuffing up here this afternoon, like I have ahunch it will, and all those nice folks so polite and beautifully dressedcome to see us, I know you are busy, but I'll work afterward to pay back, if you and Peter will dust up a little--course I know the upset fix we arein; but just glorify a trifle, and lay off and _keep right on the jobwithout a second of letting up_, 'til they are gone. See?"

"You mean you don't want to be left _alone_ with them?"

"You get me!" cried Mickey. "You get me clearly. I don't want to be leftalone with them, for them to put ideas in Lily's head about a nicer carthan ours, and a bigger house, and finer dolls and dresses, and going tothe city to stay with them on visits; or me going to live with Mr. Winton, to be the son he should have found for himself long ago. I guess I haveLily sized up about as close as the next one; and she has got all that is_good_ for her, right now. She'd make the worst spoiled kid you ever sawif she had half a chance. What she needs to make a grand woman of her, like you and mother, is clean air, quiet, good food like she's got here, with bone as well as muscle in it; and just enough lessons and child playwith children to keep her brains going as fast as her body, and no sillypampering to make her foolish and disagreeable. I know how little and sickshe is, but she shan't use it for capital to spoil her whole life. See?"

"'Through a glass darkly, '" quoted Mrs. Harding laughing. "Oh Mickey, Ididn't think it of you. You're deeper than the well. "

"That's all right, " said Mickey, his face flushing. "Often I hear you say'let good enough alone. ' My sentiments exact. Lily is fine, and so am I. Let us alone! If you and Peter will do me the 'cap-sheaf favour, as hewould say, you'll dust up and _spunk_ up, and the very first hint thatcomes--'cause it's coming--at the very first hint of how Miss Leslie wouldlove to take care of the dear little darling awhile, smash down with thenix! _Smash like sixty!_ Keep your eyes and ears open, and if you could, dearest lady, beat them to it: I'd be tickled silly if you manage _that_. If you could only tell them how careful she has to be handled, and takencare of, and how strangers and many around would be bad for her----"

"Mickey, the minute they see the shape things are in here, it will givethem the chance they are after, so they will begin that very thing, " shesaid. 

"I know it, " conceded Mickey. "That's why I'd put them off if I could, 'til we were fixed and quiet again. But at _that_, their chance isn't sogrand. This isn't worrying Lily any. She saw all of it happen, she knowswhat's going on. What I want, dearest lady, is for you to get on the job, and spunk up to them, just like you did about Junior going away. I didn'tthink you'd get through with that, and I know Peter didn't; but you _did_, fine! Now if you and Peter would have a little private understanding andengineer this visit that I scent in the air, so that when you see they aregoing to offer pressing invitations to take Lily, and to take me, and putme at work that I wasn't born to do; if you'd only have a receiver out, and when your wires warn you what's coming down the line, first andbeforehand, _calm_ and _plain_, fix things so the nix wouldn't even beneeded; do you get me, dearest Mother Harding, do you see?"

"That I do!" said Mrs. Harding rising abruptly. "I'll go and speak toPeter at once, then we'll shift these workmen back, and quiet them as muchas we can. I'll slip on a fresh dress, and put some buttermilk in thewell, and fix Peaches right away, if she's finished her nap----"

Mrs. Harding's voice trailed back telling what she would do as shehastened to Peter. Mickey, with anxious heart, helped all he could, washed, slipped on a fresh shirt, and watched the process of adjustingPeaches' hair ribbon. 

"Now understand, I don't _know_ they're coming, " he said. "I just _think_they will. "

Because he thought so, for an hour the Harding premises wore a noticeableair of expectation. All the family were clean and purposely keeping so;but the waiting was long, while work was piled high in any direction. Peaches started the return to normal conditions by calling for her slate, and beginning to copy her lesson. Mary with many promises not to scatterher scraps, sat beside the couch, cutting bright pictures from the papers. Mickey grew restless and began breaking up the remains of packing cases, while Junior went after the wheelbarrow. Mrs. Harding brought out hersewing, and Peter went back to scraping black walnut furniture. Mickeypassed him on an errand to the kitchen and asked anxiously: "Did she tellyou?"

"Yes, " said Peter. 

"Will you make it a plain case of 'nobody home! nobody home?'" questionedMickey. 

"I will!" said Peter emphatically. 

Being busy, the big car ran to the gate before they saw it coming. LeslieWinton and Douglas Bruce came up the walk together, while Mr. Winton andMrs. Minturn waited in the car, in accordance with a suggestion fromDouglas that the little sick girl must not see too many strange people atonce. Mickey went to meet them, and Peaches watching, half in fear andwholly in pride, saw Douglas Bruce shake his hand until she frowned lestit hurt, clap him on the back, and cry: "Oh but I'm proud of you! Say thatwas great!"

Leslie purposely dressed to emphasize her beauty, slipped an arm acrosshis shoulders and drawing him to her kissed his brow. 

"Our poet!" she said. "Oh Mickey, hurry! I'm so eager to hear the ones inthe book Douglas tells me you are making! Won't you please read them tous?"

Mickey smiled as he led the way. "Just nonsense stuff for Lily, " he said. "Nothing but fooling, only the prayer one, and maybe two others. "

An abrupt movement from Peaches as they advanced made Mrs. Harding glanceher way in time to see the first wave of deep colour that ever had floodedthe child's white face, come creeping up her neck and begin tinging hercheeks, even her forehead. With a swift movement she snatched her poetrybook, which always lay with her slate and primer, thrusting it under herpillow; when she saw Mrs. Harding watching her she tilted her head andpursed her lips in scorn: "'Our!'" she mimicked. "'Our!' Wonder whose shethinks he is? Nix on her!"

Mrs. Harding, caught surprisedly, struggled to suppress a laugh as sheturned to meet her guests. Mickey noticed this. He made his introductions, and swiftly thrust Peaches' Precious Child into her arms, warning in awhisper: "_You be careful, Miss!_"

Peaches needed the reminder. She loved the doll. She had been drilled sooften on the thanks she was to tender for it, that with it in her fingersshe thought of nothing else, so her smile as Leslie approached was lovely. She held out her hand and before Mickey could speak announced: "Jus' asglad to see you! Thank you ever so much for my Precious Child!"

Nothing more was necessary. Leslie was captivated and would scarcely makeway for Douglas to offer his greeting. Mary ran to call her father, whilethe visitors seated themselves to say the customary polite things; buteach of them watched a tiny white-clad creature, with pink ribbons tomatch the colour in a flawless little face, rounded to the point ofdelicate beauty, overshadowed by a shower of gold curls, having red lipsand lighted by a pair of big, blue-gray eyes with long dark lashes. WhenMrs. Harding saw both visitors look so intently at Peaches, andintercepted their glance of admiration toward each other, she looked againherself, and then once more. 

Peaches spoke imperiously. "Mickey-lovest, come here and bend down yourhead. "

Mickey slipped behind Douglas' chair, knelt on one knee, and leaned to seewhat Peaches desired of him. She drew her hankerchief from her waistribbon, rubbed it across his forehead, looked at the spot with frowningintentness, rubbed again, and then dropping the handkerchief, laid a handon each side of his head, bent it to her and kissed the spot fervently;then she looked him in the eyes and said with solicitous but engagingsweetness: "_Mickey, I do wish you would be more careful what you get onyour face!_"

Mickey drew back thrilled with delight, but extremely embarrassed. "Aw-a-ah you fool little kid!" he muttered, and could not look at his friends. 

Watching, Douglas almost shouted, while the flush deepened on MissWinton's cheeks. Peter began talking to help the situation, so all of themjoined in. 

"You are making improvements that look very interesting around here, " saidDouglas to Mrs. Harding. 

"We are doing our level best to evolve a sanitary, modern home for all ofus, and to set an example for our neighbours, " she said quietly. "Wealways got along very well as we were, but lately, we have found we couldhave things much more convenient, and when God gave us two more dearchildren, we needed room for them, and comforts and appliances to takecare of our little new daughter right. When we got started, one thing ledto another until we are pretty well torn up; but we've saved the bestplace for her, and the worst is over. "

"Yes we are on the finish now, " said Peter. 

"I did think of taking her and going to my sister's, " continued Mrs. Harding, "but Peaches isn't accustomed to meeting people, while Mickey andI both thought being among strangers and changing beds and food would beworse for her than the annoyance of remodelling; then too, I wanted verymuch to see the work here done as I desired. At first I was doubtful aboutkeeping her, but she doesn't mind in the least; she even takes herafternoon naps with hammers pounding not so far from her----"

"Gee, there is no noise and jar here to compare with Multiopolis, " saidMickey. "She's all right, getting stronger every day. "

Peaches spread both hands, looking at them critically, back and palm. 

"They are better, " she said. "You ought to seen them when they was soclawy they made Mickey shiver if I touched him; and first time I wanted tokiss something or go like granny did, he wouldn't let me 'til I cried, an'then he made me put it on his forehead long time, 'til I got so the bonesdidn't scratch him; didn't you Mickey?"

"Well I wish you wouldn't tell everything!"

"Then I won't, " said Peaches, "'cause _I'm_ your fam'ly, an' I must dowhat _you_ say; an' _you_ are _my_ fam'ly, an' you must do what _I_ say. Are you a fam'ly?" she questioned Leslie and Douglas. 

"We hope to be soon, " laughed Leslie. 

"Then, " said Peaches, "you can look how we're fixing our house so you canmake yours nice as this. Mickey, I want to show that pretty lady in theauto'bile my Precious Child. "

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I'll go tell her. And the man with her is MissLeslie's father, just like Peter is ours; you want to show him the Child, don't you?"

"Maybe!" said Peaches with a tantalizing smirk. 

"Miss Chicken, you're getting well too fast, " commented Mickey inamazement as he started to the car. 

Because of what Mr. Winton had said to him the previous day, he composedand delivered this greeting when he reached it: "Lily is asking to showyou her Precious Child, Mrs. Minturn, and I want both of you to see ourhome, and meet our new father and mother. Letting us have them is onething the law does that makes up a little for the Orphings' Homes mostkids get who have had the bad luck to lose their own folks. "

"Mickey, are you prejudiced against Orphans' Homes?" asked Mrs. Minturn asshe stepped from the car. 

"Ain't no name for it, " said Mickey. "I'm dead against bunching childrenin squads. If rich folks want to do something worth while with theirmoney, they can do it by each family taking as many orphings as they canafford, and raising them personal. See?"

"I should say I do!" exclaimed the lady. "I must speak to James aboutthat. We have two of our own, and William, but I believe we could manage afew more. "

"I know one I'd like very much to try, " said Mr. Winton, but Mickey neverappeared so unconscious. 

He managed his introductions very well, while again Peaches justified herappellation by being temptingly sweet and conspicuously acid. When Mickeyreached Peter in his round of making friends acquainted, he slid his armthrough that of the big man and said smilingly: "Nobody is going to mix mewith Peter's son by blood--see what a fine chap Junior is; but Peter and Ifixed up my sonship with the Almighty, whom my Peter didn't deny, when hetook me in, and with the judge of the Multiopolis courts; so even if itdoesn't show on the outside, I belong, don't I?"

Peter threw his left arm around Mickey even as he shook hands with hisright: "You surely do, " he said, "by law and by love, to the bottom of allour hearts. "

The visit was a notable success. The buttermilk was cold, the spice cakewas fresh, the apples and peaches were juicy, the improvements highlycommendable. Peter was asked if he would consider a membership in the GolfClub, the playhouse was discussed, and three hours later a group of warmfriends parted, with the agreement that Mickey was to spend a day of thelatter part of the week fishing on Atwater. The Hardings smiled broadly. "Well son, did we manage that to your satisfaction?" asked Peter. 

"Sure!" said Mickey. "I might have been mistaken in what half of that tripwas for, but I think not. "

"So do I, " said Mrs. Harding emphatically. "They were just itching to gettheir fingers on Peaches; while Bruce and Mr. Winton both were chagrinedover our getting you first. "

"We feel bad about that too, don't we, Peter?" laughed Mickey. 

"Well, I would, " said Peter, "if it were the other way around. I didn'tmind the young fellow. You'll be with him every day, and he'll soon haveboys of his own no doubt; but I feel sorry for Mr. Winton. He looks hungrywhen he watches you. He could work you into his business fine. "

"He's all right, he's a nice man, " said Mickey, "but I've lived off the_Herald_ all my life 'til this summer, so when school is over I gostraight to Mr. Chaffner. "

The Winton car ran to the club house; sitting in a group, the occupantslooked at each other rather foolishly. 

"Seems to me you were going to bring Peaches right along, if you likedher, Leslie, " laughed Douglas. 

"The little vixen!" she said flushing. 

"Sorry you didn't care for her, " he commented. 

"It is a pity!" said Leslie. "But I didn't 'miss bringing her along' anyfarther than Mrs. Minturn missed taking her to the hospital to be examinedand treated!"

"I'll have to go again about that, " said Mrs. Minturn. "I just couldn'tseem to get at it, someway. "

"No, you 'just couldn't seem to, '" agreed Douglas. "And Mr. Winton 'justcouldn't seem to' lay covetous hands on Mickey, and bear him away to behis assistant any more than I could force him to be my Little Brother. Ihope all of us have a realizing sense that we are permitted to be good andloyal friends; but we will kindly leave Mickey to make his ownarrangements, and work out his own salvation, and that of his child. AndLeslie, I didn't hear you offering to buy any of the quaint dishes and oldfurniture you hoped you might pick up there, either. "

"Heavens!" cried Leslie half tearfully. "How would any one go aboutoffering to buy an old platter that was wrapped in a silk shawl and keptin the dresser drawer during repairs, or ask a man to set a price on oldfurniture, when he was scraping off the varnish of generations, andshowing you wood grain and colouring with the pride of a veterancollector? I feel so silly! Let's play off our chagrin, and then we'll bein condition for friendship which is the part that falls to us, if Iunderstand Mickey. "

"Well considering the taste I've had of the quality of his friendship, Ihope you won't be surprised at the statement that I feel highly honoured, "said Mr. Winton, leading the way, while the others thoughtfully followed. 

With four days' work the Harding home began to show what was beingaccomplished. The song of the housewife carried to the highway. Neighbourspassing went home to silent, overworked drudges, and critically examinedfor the first time stuffy, dark kitchens, reeking with steam, heat, andthe odour of cooking and decorated with the grime of years. The littleleaven of one home in the neighbourhood, as all homes should be, set themthinking. A week had not passed until people began calling Mrs. Harding tothe telephone to explain just what she was doing, and why. Men would stopto ask Peter what was going on, so every time he caught a victim, he neverreleased him until the man saw sunrise above a kitchen table, a line inthe basement for a winter wash, kitchen implements from a pot scraper andfood pusher to a gas range and electric washing machine, with a furnaceand hardwood floors thrown in. Soon the rip of shovelled shingles, thesound of sawing, and the ring of hammers filled the air. 

The Harding improvements improved so fast, that sand, cement, and the bigpile of lumber began accumulating at Peter's corner of the crossroadsbelow the home, for the playhouse. Men who started by calling Peter afool, ended by borrowing his plans and belabouring themselves for theirfoolishness; for the neighbourhood was awakening and beginning to developa settled conviction as to what constituted the joy of life, and that theplace to enjoy it was at home, and the time immediately. Peter's rewardwas not only in renewed happiness for himself and Nancy; equal to it washis pleasure over the same renewal for many of his lifelong friends. 

Mickey started on his day to Atwater with joyful anticipation, but hejumped from Douglas' car and ran up the Harding front walk at threeo'clock, his face anxious. He saw the Harding car at the gate, andwondered at Peter sitting dressed for leisure on the veranda. 

"Got anxious about Lily, " he explained. "Out on the lake I thought I heardher call me, then I had the notion she was crying for me. They laughed atme, but I couldn't stand it. Is she asleep, as they said she'd be?"

Peter opened his lips, but no word came. Mickey slowly turned a ghastlywhite. Peter reached in his side pocket, drew out a letter, and handed itto the boy. Mickey pulled the sheet from the envelope, still staring atPeter, then glanced at what he held and collapsed on the step. Peter movedbeside him, laid a steadying arm across his shoulders and proved his fearwas as great as Mickey's by being unable to speak. At last the boyproduced articulate words. 

"_He came?_" he marvelled. 

"About ten this morning, " said Peter. 

"He took her to the hospital?" panted Mickey. 

"Yes, " said Peter. 

"Why did you let him?" demanded Mickey. 

That helped Peter. He indicated the letter. 

"There's your call for him!" he said, emphatically. "You asked me to adopther so I could give him orders to go ahead when he came. "

"Why didn't you telephone me?" asked Mickey. 

"I did, " said Peter. "The woman who answered didn't know where you were, but she said their car had gone to town, so I thought maybe they'd findyou there. I was just going to call them again. "

"Was she afraid?" wavered Mickey. 

"Yes, I think she was, " said Peter. 

"Did she cry for me?" asked Mickey. 

"Yes she did, " admitted Peter, who hadn't a social lie in his being, "butwhen he offered to put off the examination till he might come again, sheclimbed from the cot and made him take her. Ma went with her. "

"The Sunshine Nurse came?" questioned Mickey. 

"Yes, " said Peter, "and Mrs. Minturn. She sent for him to see about anoperation on a child she is trying to save, so when it was over, he showedher your letter. She brought them out in her car, and Ma went back withthem. "

"She may be on that glass table right now, " gulped Mickey. "What time isit? When's the next car? Run me to the station will you, and if you've gotany money, let me have it 'til I get to mine. "

"Of course!" said Peter. 

"Will Junior and Mary be all right?" asked Mickey, pausing in hisextremity to think of others. 

"Yes, they often stay while we go. "

"Hurry!" begged Mickey. 

Peter took hold of the gear and faced straight ahead. 

"She's oiled, the tank full, the engine purring like a kitten, " he said. "Mickey, I always wanted to beat that trolley just once, to show it I_could_, if I wasn't loaded with women and children. Awful nice road----"

"Go on!" said Mickey. 

Peter smiled, sliding across the starter. 

"Sit tight!" he said tersely. 

The big car slipped up the road no faster than it had gone frequently, passed the station, then on and on; Mickey twisted to look back at therattle of the trolley stopping behind them, watching it with wishful eye. Peter opened his lips to say: "Just warmed up enough, and an even start!"

The trolley came abreast and whistled. Peter blew his horn, glancing thatway with a little "come on" forward jerk of his head. The motormannodded, touched his gear and the car started. Peter laid prideful, lovinghands on his machinery; for the first time with legitimate racing excuse, as he long had wished to, he tried out his engine. Mickey could see thefaces of the protesting passengers and the conductor grinning in the door, but Peter could not have heard if he had tried to tell him. Flying it was, smooth and even, past fields, orchards, and houses; past people who criedout at them and shook their fists. Mickey looked at Peter and registeredfor life each line of his big frame and lineament of his face, as hegripped the gear and put his car over the highway. When they reached thepavement, Mickey touched Peter's arm. "Won't make anything by gettingarrested, " he cautioned. 

"No police for blocks yet, " said Peter. 

"Well there's risk of life and damage suit at each crossing!" shoutedMickey, so Peter slowed a degree; but he was miles ahead of allregulations as he stopped before the gleaming entrance. Mickey sprang fromthe car and hurried up the steps. Mrs. Minturn arose from a seat and cameto meet him. 

"Take me to her quick!" begged Mickey. 

Silently she led the way to her suite in her old home, and opened thedoor. Mickey had a glimpse of Mrs. Harding, his Sunshine Nurse, and threemen, one of whom he recognized from reproductions of his features in thepapers. A very white, tired-looking Peaches stretched both hands anduttered a shrill cry as Mickey appeared in the doorway. His answer wasinarticulate while his arms spread widely. Then Peaches arose, and in afew shuffling but sustained steps fell on his breast, gripping him withall her strength. 

"Oh darling, you'll kill yourself, " wailed Mickey. 

He laid her on the davenport and knelt clasping her. Peaches regainedself-control first; she sat up, shamelessly wiping Mickey's eyes and herown alternately. 

"Flowersy-girl, did you hurt yourself awful?"

"I know something I won't tell, " chanted Peaches, as she had been doingfor days. 

Mickey looked at her, then up at Peter, who had entered and come to them. 

"_Did you?_" eagerly asked Peter of the child. 

Peaches nodded proudly. "To meet Mickey, " she triumphed. "I wouldn't foranybody else _first! The longest piece yet! And it didn't hurt and Ididn't fall!_"

"Good!" shouted Peter. "That's the ticket!"

"You look here Miss Chicken, what do you mean?" cried Mickey wonderingly. 

"Oh the Doctor Carrel man you sent for, came, " explained Peaches, "and youwasn't there, but he had your name on the letter you wrote; he showed me, so I came and let him examination me; but Peter and I been standing alone, and taking steps when nobody was looking. You've surprised me joyful somuch, it takes one as big as that to pay you back. "

Mickey clung to his treasure, while turning to Peter an awed, questioningface. 

"That's it!" said Peter. "She's been on her feet for ten days or such amatter!"

Mickey appealed to Dr. Carrel. "How about this?" he demanded. 

"She's going to walk, " said the great man assuringly. 

"It's all over? You've performed your miracle?" asked Mickey. 

"Yes, " said Dr. Carrel. "It's all over, Mickey; but you had the miracleperformed before I saw her, lad. "

Mickey retreated to Peaches' neck again, while she smiled over andcomforted him. 

"Mickey, I knew you'd be crazy, " she said. "I knew you'd be glad, but Ididn't know you could be so----"

Mickey took her in his arms a second, then slowly recovered his feet and asmall amount of self-possession. Again he turned to the surgeons. 

"_Are you sure?_ Will it hurt her? Will it last?"

"Very sure, " said Dr. Carrel. "Calm yourself, lad. Her case is not sounusual; only more aggravated than usual. I've examined her from crown tosole, and she's straight and sound. You have started her permanent cure;all you need is to keep on exactly as you are going, and limit heractivities so that in her joy she doesn't overdo and tire herself. You areher doctor. I congratulate you!"

Dr. Carrel came forward, holding out his hand, and Mickey took it with theone of his that was not gripping Peaches and said, "Aw-a-ah!" but he was aradiant boy. 

"Thank you sir, " he said. "Thank everybody. But thank you especial, overand over. I don't know how I'll ever square up with you, but I'll pay youall I have to start on. I've some money I've saved from my wages, and I'llbe working harder and earning more all the time. "

"But Mickey, " protested the surgeon, "you don't owe me anything. I didn'toperate! You had the work done before I arrived. I would have come sooner, but I knew she couldn't be operated, even if her case demanded it, untilshe had gained more strength----"

He was watching Mickey's face and he read aright, so he continued: "I likethat suggestion you made in your letter very much. Something 'coming insteadily' is a good thing for any man to have. For the next three months, suppose you send me that two dollars a week you offered me if I'd come. How would that be?"

Mickey gathered Peaches in his arms and looked over his shoulder as hestarted on the homeward trip. 

"Thank you sir, " he said tersely. "That would be square. "

THE END