Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-04
MY BIRTHDAY.
A LOVE STORY THAT Is A LITTLE OUT OF
THE USUAL CHANNEL.

"We, Mother Raynor, Jack and I, were
sitting in our little sitting-room, our best
room, but not parlor, for mother wouli
never call the little box of a room By So
dignifed title, and for the hundredth
time they were telling me what they knew
of my life."
"You see, Birdie" said mother, as I had
always called her, sit was a stormy night,
and Jack had been detained at the store
he was cash-boy at Cotton & Co.'S. then
but just as he was running up the steps,
about 7 O'Clock, he met a woman hurrying
down them. She brushed by without
speaking. and he, when he reached the
door, almost stumbled over basket, where
you lay all smuggled up in warm fannels.
All, but you were nice baby, my dear.''
s'Pity my mother hadn't thought sop ]
sarcastically observed.
sUndoubtedly you would have Jared bet
ter than in our humble home," said Jack,
grimly.
ssWhy, Jack; you don't think I meant
that, do you dear?" I hastily asked. cit
made me feel badly to think that my own
flesh and blood would abandon me to the
trust of strangers-that's ALL"
ssThat was seventeen years ago to-mor-
row night" meditated mother, unheeding
our conversation.
"Yes," chimed /, anxious to clear the
cloud from Jacks forehead; ''and you
have always called it my birthday, and
have always made the day SO pleasant for
me, too. Let me seep' ratified on; 'syeu
thought must be about year old, and so
I am eighteen tomorrow. Have you
made my birth-cake yet, mother?"
"Yes, indeed. And that reminds me
that must go out and see to the frosting
of it, too, tonight. No, you stay right
here. Watch her Jack, for she is not to
see the cake until tomorrow"
retreated before her laughing command,
and seeing how sour Jack still looked, I
determined to do my very best to make
him behave like his own old self again.
Perching myself on the arm of his chair,
leaned over, trying to catch his eye.
"Cross, dear?" asked very sweetly.
sNo," he replied, in a tone that said,
Eyes, decidedly SO; let me alone" But I
was not to be rebufed.
Slipping my arms around his neck, I
drew his face around towards mine.
"You're sorry that you did not send me
to the Founding Home, aren't you? It's
enough to make any one cross, to think
how he has been troubled for seventeen
years, just because he was soft-hearted
over a miserable little baby, whose own
people didn't care about keeping it! Are
you sorry, Jack?''
care you, Bird?"
He suddenly Strengthened up, with look in
his dark eyes had never noticed there be-
fore.
"What have to be sorry for?" asked.
"Wasn't thrown into the hands of the
dearest, kindest mother and brother girl
ever had?"
! %, uC0A 0A-oAos 10, WO AdVO uAW0y .
meant kindness; but still, I am not your
brother, Bird"
II know it, but I love you just as well, :"
but some way, under the steady look Of
Jacks beautiful eyes, I could not 60 on
with my usual protestations Of affection, as
had always been in the habit of doing,
and I drew my arms away from about his
neck.
'sBut l don't want you to, Bird he
said, slowly, and then he went on, eager
ly: sMy darling, I want you to love me
just as well as do you, dear. want you
for my own very own, for my wife, Bird. :"
Clasping me close in his strong arms, he
told me how happy could make him by
saying that I loved him.
And so strongly did he argue his case.
that somehow was won over to his way Of