Smyrna times., 1894-01-24

IN DuI something might have han
lie pened to the money, too"
d. Horton stopped, hastily kissed hi
wife, and went away without renlv
Grace watched him depart with A.,
heaVy heart. She new his prejudices
on this point, and had not expected
him to yield them readily. Still, sh,
was grievoUsly disappointed.
Two months before they had lost, 8
baby girl. Charles Horton had suf
Tered acutely through her death: but
ne had his business cares to distract
him, while grace sat at her home
among constant reminders of her van.
ished darling.
In some of the charities which she
took upon herself, she CHANGED upon
this motherless child of which she had
spoken to her husband. It reminded
her of her own little one, ,and gradually
there grew up in her an eager desire
to adopt it. If her husband would
only consent! But he regarded the
ANSo US dlulOSL SdcflleR6.
she found time, in course of the
morning, to &C out to see the orphans.
but to her Keen disappointment found
that she had already been taken awav.
Its been adopted out" the woman
said, and that was all Grace could
learn.
Gone without even goodbye! She
had grown to love the child SO much
that to lose her almost like LOSING
Georgle over again. Dropping her veil
she turLed away, weeping as she went.
Charles Horton was tenderer than
usual to his wife that night. all through
the ensuing week; but neither made
any allusion to the little orphan.
her birthday dawned finally, and
Charles loaded his wife with gifts. AL
ways lavish, he had never before con-
trived for her so many pleasant sur.
prises' There was new piano and a
set OF fUrs, jewelry and bric-a. brac: and
all through the day Charles watched
MS wife with half remorseful look of
inquiry, as though he were asking If
these things did not atone for his de-
NAL of her plea of week before.
she understood him. and tried to an
pear satisfied; but her arms were emptv
ana her heart longed for the child.
As evening approached she grew rest
less, and presently drew her awav
from the parlor up to Georges
nursery. Grace shrank a little. and
the tears came into her eyes as thew
approached it; but Charles, with hi.
arm around her, drew her on. Thew
entered the room with slow stems and
hushed breath. Grace kept it as near
~ as possible as it had been when her |
darling lived. There was the lace GOV.
cred crib with Georgie's plavthinps he
side 1t; there stood the low rocking
chalr which Georges form had often
pressed, and across the room was a
chlld's bureau, and carriage with
Georges hat and cloak across it
CHARLES Horizons went reverentlv over
each trifile, aud then he turned TO
Grace.
Gould you bear, my love, to see an
other child in our darling's place?"
She would not be in her place.
dear" Grace said gently.
Charles drew II long breath.
Would it make you very happy to
nave that poor orphan, Grace ? Would
you rather have her than the presents 7
nave made you tO-day?"
You are very kind, Charlie, and the
presents are beautiful; but-but-vou
won't feel hurt, dear ?"
Not a bit; out with it! Shall 7
send the things back and give you that
little starveling instead ?"
"Ah, il you would !" Grace said. and :
1t was evident that she meant it. al ,
though she looked half frightened at
her boldness.
Horton WINGED little, but he bent :
his head and kissed her and then stood .
stroking her hair with his hand. :
why, you don't really love this lit. e
tie cripple ?" he asked.
George would have been n crinnlo
you know; and she is so gentle and
tender, and seems to love me. Yes
love her dear, and l want to do for her
what we would have had some one to
10 Tor George if she had been left Sc. -
Charles WINGED again. Grace felt II
and drew his hand down to her Inns
III you care so much about it. sweat. g
leart"--he began. +
Grace's face frightened and then 1
'louded again. G
You are very good, dear-but she I
las gone away. Shall we go down. u
IalrsY 1t is too late now. The door. v
'ell rang some time ago" Z
Charles suffered her to draw him 20.
ward the parlor door again, but at the c.
lOor he paused, as he said y
Are you sure you would rather q
lave the child than anything elsen g
Yes, ,Charlie-but it is too late nown d
he repeated. W
he kissed her again, and open ed the u
oOr. In the very centre of the parlor u
TODD new rocking chair, and smiling
rom its depths, stretching up its Low. ~
ng arms to her, was the child-tbe n'
hild that looked like George u
If Charles Horton had doubted the III
xpedlency of overcoming his own o.
for the sake of gratifying his al al
'iie in a very Iaudable matter, he was u u
lclined to yield the doubt when Grace u
armed toward him, the child clingiue re
her, aud saying only, 20 Charlie % ut ot
I'D her head upon his shoulder NJ
nd sobbed as she had not done before pa
nee her baby died.
Other children came to them in turn
fair noble children-but never one CO
lat was so much blessing to all the no
ouse as the child that looked like is
eorgie." an