Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-12-03

kindly look, had not offered the child
for his embrace. For moment he
hesitated, colored to his very temples
with bushes for his weakness and
held his hard, knotted, bony fingers out
to clasp her to his bosom, but with a
cry of terror the child shrank from
him and buried her face in the woman's
shoulder, sobbing as though her heart
would break.
Mr.. Isaac Evesham looked supreme
~ foolish. That he should have been
betrayed into momentary relapse of
sentiment was provoking enough, but
that his silly advances to this little
friendless chit of thing should have
met with such humiliating repulse
vas simply exasperating.
There, woman, take the squalling
little thing to bed,'' he said, s'and let
us have some peace in the room" And
all knew that as far as Isaac Evesham
was concerned the fate of the baby was
sealed.
Half an hour afterwards Mrs.
Evesham had to brace herself for a
tete tete with her disagreeable rela-
tive, an ordeal she dreaded beyond
measure, notwithstanding the encour-
agement her children managed to whis-
per in her ear under plea of bidding her
good night.
''Be firm, mother dear, and don't give
way to him." Alice said.
81 shall cry my eyes out if you let
him send Wanda away" sighed Kate.
''Hang on to the baby, ma," implored
Harry.
AS these suggestions were in accord
ance with the promptings of her own
kind heart, she had not much need to
hesitate concerning which course she
would take. -
To her surprise the enemy opened
the battery with mild salute.
'sWe must make a radical change in
your affairs, Esther he said grimly,
but not without certain tone of
kindness in his voice. 'sNow that this
lodging-house business has proved such
deplorable failure, we must look for
something else for you to do
81 hardly think you can call it fail
ure as yet" the widow demonstrated:
81 have been here only few months
and am getting"
''Into police courts and newspapers.
No, you must come to Buffalo-and
talk the matter over with Mrs. E. and
u ohC. hC h1u ACdi1y COLuulCCcu u1I1-
self to undertaking the charge of their
support, but as he afterwards said his
good angel stepped in at the right
moment and whispered discretion.
''Now, with regard to this little girl.
Esther-had I not better see the ma
tron Of the Home of the Friendless and
make the necessary arrangements for
us to take her there in the morning?
~, O1><
tional, and"
''You need not put yourself to any
trouble about Wanda, Isaac
''Oh, no trouble. I've put my hand
to the plow and 1 don't mean to turn
back
'But I have not quite made up my
mind what to do with the child
''YOu don't mean to say that you are
going to keep her!'
Eyes" Mrs. Eveshan replied bravely,
81 believe / am
Then all can say, Esther. is, that
you are mad, and do not mean to
| waste any time over a person devoid of
common sense. What excuse have you
| for such an act of fo1ly?''
1.-The child is motherless. friendless,
homeless" Mrs. Evesham pleaded.
''And there are in this city of New York
| a hundred thousand in the same condi-
ton. Is that any reason for you to
turn your house into founding hospi-
tal?"
THAT awful fact does not absolve
| me from rescuing this one wee lamb
from the storm"
Zone wee lamb, indeed!'' Mr.. Eve
| sham calculated, purple with indigna-
ton; sits allvery well to talk now that
she is a baby, but what will you do
when your one wee lamb grows old
enough to go to acbonl and wear dresses?
You'll find your one wee lamb the
dearest piece of mutton you ever
bought In your life. See here, Esther.
you know you have not the means of
clothing your own children without
cxtraneous help"
s.Arc you alluding to the box of cast
of raiment you brought with you yes
terday, Isaac?