Part 5 (2/2)

one day.”

The guileless infant rose to the bait at once, and dropped her stick and slipped her confiding hand in Joey's. ”Angel likes to have parties,” she declared, and thus lured on, she forthwith followed Joey down the street.

”Some one to see me,” repeated pretty Miss Stannard, of the Darcy College Settlement's Free Kindergarten, and laying down her blocks she went to the door.

On the steps outside the entrance stood a small, chubby-cheeked boy smiling up out of knowing brown eyes from beneath a soldier's cap many sizes too large for him, while behind him stood a slender, graceful child with wonderful s.h.i.+ning hair, and eyes equally as smiling.

The small boy treated the tall, pretty young lady to a most confiding nod and a wink. ”I've brought her ter school,” he remarked.

”Oh, have you?” returned the young lady laughing, ”then I'd better invite you in, I suppose,” and she led the way toward the entry-room where hung some dozens of shabby hats and bonnets. ”And what is your name?” she inquired.

”Her name is Angel, it is,” responded the little fellow briskly, with emphasis on the p.r.o.noun, as if to let the young lady understand at once that her interest need extend no further than to the prospective pupil.

”Didn't a know I are Angel?” queried the smiling cherub with her accustomed egotistical surprise.

”And what is your other name?” questioned Miss Stannard smiling.

”She ain't got no more,” returned the escort succinctly.

”And what is yours?”

”Mine--oh, I'm just the Major, I am,” with off-hand loftiness.

”Indeed? And where do you live, Major?”

”Fourth Reg'ment Arm'ry,” responded the Major glibly.

”And the little girl,--Angel--you said--”

The Major looked somewhat surprised, ”They come from Heaven,--Angels do, yer know,” he remarked, staring a little at the tall young lady's want of such knowledge.

”Yes,” responded the pretty lady gently, ”but where is she living now?”

”Round by me,” said the small boy briefly, showing some restlessness.

”With her father and mother?”

The Major, staring again, shook his head, and poor Miss Stannard, despairing, of learning anything definite from this source, asked if he would take her there after Kindergarten, and began to untie the little girl's cap.

Evidently gratified at this attention to his charge, the Major said that he would, and followed the two into the large, sunny room adjoining.

”The children are just going on the circle,” said the pretty young lady, ”won't you take my other hand and go too.”

The Major drew back hastily. ”She's come ter school,” he declared indicating the Angel, ”there ain't no school in it fer me. I'm a sojer, I am.”

”Then have a chair, sir, and watch us,” said the young lady, with amused eyes, as she brought out a little red chair with polite hospitality.

The young gentleman graciously accepting it, the Angel was forthwith borne away to join the circle of children about the ring, and to Miss Stannard's surprise, with no more ado, joined in the game like one familiar with it all, waving her small hands, singing gaily and, when her turn arrived, flitting gaily about the circle until the sash strings of her little faded dress sailed straight out behind her.

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