ALONG FOUR-FOOTED TRAILS 



had assured her that there was none and the 

 little girl began to fear there might not even be 

 a letter for them in the mail-sack. The old 

 man's eyes grew moist as he listened. He 

 went back to the stage for his lunch-basket and 

 gave it to Ella. When she pushed back her bon- 

 net to eat one of the sandwiches the old man 

 saw a resemblance in the face of the child that 

 took him back many years. He asked the 

 little girl her name and if her mother came 

 from New York City. When he had learned 

 all the facts which the child had repeatedly 

 heard her parents talk over concerning their 

 early life and home, the old man clasped her 

 in his arms and whispered in a husky voice, 

 "The same! the same!" Then holding her at 

 arm's length, he said, " Dear little girl ! you are 

 the very picture of your mother when she was 

 your age. I am her eldest brother, your Uncle 

 John. There was a difference of opinion when 

 your mother married your father. They went 

 west." The old man was thinking aloud as 

 the little girl held on to his big hand as she 

 trotted by his side on their way to the house. 

 As they entered the home the little girl led the 

 [264] 



