The times., 1884-06-27
A LUCKY LEGACY.

clearinghouse room trying to realize
IF the poor child hadn't me-" he
said to himself, ait could 60 and apply
for admission to some institution. Ii I
hadn't Il, / could-but Lord! that Is
not the idea. must decide what am
to do"
Tom had solemnly promised to care
for the newborn babe OF his only sis
ter, who had just died.
Tom was interrupted by knock on
the door. 1t was followed by q cry of
mingled entreaty and command, such
as only hungry babies know how to
emit
I've fetched the poor little dear
around, SIR" said the nurse, brandish-
ing her charge. There! there! there!
It's got wind this minute, mixin' milk
Have you found a nurse, sirP And baby
wants clothes"
She dropped her shrieking charge
upon Toms bed and started toward
the door.
''Oh! obi" gasped Tom. "Do not go!
In the name of mercy, do not! Why
do you say l want nursep Are you
not one?"
.I am, SIR" she said, turning conf
dentially to Tom, "a monthly I am
willing to stay with you while / can.
But, sir, my summons may come any
day or hour 1t is impossible to calcu-
late. I'll wotk for you while l can, sir,
but when my call comes no earthly
thing can keep me-"
Can you" said Tom, looking gloom
lily at his now silent prize on the bed,
''can you give me any adviceP"
Mrs. Primmins placed her arms
akimbo.
Tom fervently prayed for light on
the meditations.
II have it." cried Mrs. Primmins.
"Malviny's got to take it!''
"Bless your dear soulp' responded
Tom. Malviny's the very one! What
a talent you have for managing, auntie
dear"
There was Tom, his very self! He
had hit on exactly the right compli-
ment to pay the old nurse. He was
actually floating through life on this
instinct he had for saying the most
pleasant thing to everybody. Mrs.
Primmins of all things desired the rep
utation of a maneuverer, as it was, of
course, the one of all others she did
not deserve.
YES" she cried, chuckling. II can
manage. Let me alone! And first
thing in the morning I'll 60 there with
you. Now" said she, seizing her
charge. who was beginning to squirm,
''now I'll see what's to be got out of
your landlady."
Winking violently with first one eye
and then the other, she started to go;
then, with q sudden solemnity, she re-
inserted her head in the doorway.
IF I'm summoned" she said, ''its
above all else. film called, I must
90, day or night?'
Certainly, said Tom, much puz-
sled, 'but you won't be, auntie!' AS
the young man walked abroad TO get
his dinner he felt impressed with an
almost mysterious awe of the old
nurse.
ITO think of living always with
death grinning one in the face like
that" he muttered.
In the night Toms dream of peace
was again dispelled.
Another knock at his door.
Am ] under banp" growled Tom;
whats the matter nowp'
"I'm called" said the voice of Mrs.
Primmins. my summons has come!"
''Oh, the devilr' cried Tom, lost to
all sense of the Importance of concili-
ating the nurse. 900 to bed! Hold on
till morningr'
In the morning Tom, who, happy
fellow, always slept soundest under a
sense of depression, did not make his
appearance until O clock. He found
that Mrs. Primmins had actually dis
appeared for parts unknown. In the
arms of his hitherto stern landlady he
found his charge nesting. A new
light-that of love-was beaming in
the solemn woman's eye-that woman,
thought Tom, who could see any of her
boarders starve and rot for 10 cents
day saved!
Il have undertaken" said the land
lady, giving Tom smile such as he
had never dreamed could rest on her
features-"I have undertaken to go
with you in search of Mrs. Primmins'
niece, Malviny."
Several hours later Tom Collins
sprang from light wagon in which he
had driven to the door of pretty cot
tage.
..We will make one last effort by in
quiring here" he said to his landlady,
who held the baby.
With his usual impetuosity he pushed
directly through into the little rear
kitchen. There he forgot his errand-
forgot everything except what he saw.
A young girl, plump, neat, and rosy,
stood with round arms barred before n
table. She was assiduously occupied
in caressing with white hands little
Jumps of dough into shape.
Suddenly she turned. Such dimp-
ling smile! such rosy embarrassment
Tom, great black-haird, jetty-eyed
giant that he was, thought this little
plump blonde an angel. ThoughtP why,
he was sure of IL!
After while he came to his senses