Mrs. O’Shaughnessy took her to the home that had been prepared for her, where the poor body lay.  Some way they got through those dark days, and then began the waiting for the little one to come.  Poor Cora Jane said she would die then, and that she wanted to die, but she wanted the baby to know it was loved,—­she wanted to leave something that should speak of that love when the child should come to understanding.  So Mrs. O’Shaughnessy said they would make all its little clothes with every care, and they should tell of the love.  Mrs. O’Shaughnessy is the daintiest needleworker I have ever seen; she was taught by the nuns at St. Catherine’s in the “ould country.”  She was all patience with poor, unskilled Cora Jane, and the little outfit that was finally finished was dainty enough for a fairy.  Little Cora Belle is so proud of it.

At last the time came and Mrs. O’Shaughnessy went after the parents.  Long before, they had repented and were only too glad to go.  The poor mother lived one day and night after the baby came.  She laid the tiny thing in her mother’s arms and told them to call her Cora Belle.  She told them she gave them a pure little daughter in place of the sinful one they had lost.

That was almost twelve years ago, and the Edmonsons have lived in the new house all this time.  The deed to the place was made out to Cora Belle, and her grandfather is her guardian....

If you traveled due north from my home, after about nine hours’ ride you would come into an open space in the butte lands, and away between two buttes you would see the glimmer of blue water.  As you drew nearer you would be able to see the fringe of willows around the lake, and presently a low, red-roofed house with corrals and stables.  You would see long lines of “buck” fence, a flock of sheep near by, and cattle scattered about feeding.  This is Cora Belle’s home.  On the long, low porch you would see two old folks rocking.  The man is small, and has rheumatism in his legs and feet so badly that he can barely hobble.  The old lady is large and fat, and is also afflicted with rheumatism, but has it in her arms and shoulders.  They are both cheerful and hopeful, and you would get a cordial welcome....

When you saw Cora Belle you would see a stout, square-built little figure with long flaxen braids, a pair of beautiful brown eyes and the longest and whitest lashes you ever saw, a straight nose, a short upper lip, a broad, full forehead,—­the whole face, neither pretty nor ugly, plentifully sown with the brownest freckles.  She is very truly the head of the family, doing all the housework and looking after the stock, winter and summer, entirely by herself.  Three years ago she took things into her own hands, and since that time has managed altogether.  Mrs. O’Shaughnessy, however, tells her what to do.