The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-16
knee, threw her arms about his neck
azi =, 1,actlad har tiny fane in hia breast.

knee, threw her arms about his neck
and nestled her tiny face in his breast
"The child is placed in charge Of Mr..
John Bowdoin, pending the considera-
ton of the issuance Of adoption papers.
: Cheer upon cheer greeted this decision
Of the court. No attempt was made this
time to quell them and the Judge, IN
what appeared to be pantomime, declared
an adjournment and withdrew.
Stock in Jack Bowdoin as a result OF
this touching proof Of his goodness OF
heart had risen 200 per cent. in the esti-
nation Of the good people Of Aspen.
The story spread like wildAre, and as he
passed down the street with the child In
his arms he received congratulations
and friendly smiles from men who an
hour before would not have spoken to
him. One prominent citizen, who had
twice attempted TO have him indicted for
keeping disreputable resort, approach
ed, and grasped him warmly by the
hand.
"Bowdoin," said he, Il have done you
wrong. and I ask your pardon. Your
action regarding this child proves you
everv inch man.
why, rnsrs all right, MIR. Hast
ings," replied Jack, modestly. Il only
done what any one with soul ought to
do"
Not atall, asseverated Mr.. Hastings,
with much warmth. Judge Strong
claims to have q soul, and has provided
for its salvation by close attention to
what he assumes to be the duty OF a
good Christian. He has been in error
You taught him that duty to-day. Jack,
and are, at heart, a better Christian
than he"
That's what want to be, Mr.. Hast
ings, and I'm studyin' out the eombina-
tions now"
Continue as you have begun, and
you will succeed, my boy. Good MORN
ing" And they shook hands again and
parted.
Its comin'," thought Jack, as he
trudged up the hill towards Mrs. Browns
with his burden of sunshine. Its
comm sure. may not get to be such
a crackin' good Christian, but I'll be q
square man, and that'll see me fixed
comfortably when the end comes"
Here his reverie was interrupted by
tiny little voice from Ne direction OF
his right shoulder:
Where ore you taking me tor
Hello, little one. Why, I come
pretty nigh forgettin yer. I'm q takin'
yer to Mrs. Browns, where I 1--we, and
she'll be second mother to yer.
Il don't want Mrs. Brown. I want
you"
"Oh, I'll be there to see that she
treats you right. But say. You amt
told me yer name yet; what Is tt?"
Helen"
The sound OF that name went to his
very soul, and he felt thrill OF love
that went to the very tips OF his fingers
and sent the blood 10 his face. He
placed her upon the ground. brushed
pack her matted cur7s, and Kissed no.
reverently upon the forehead.
That settles it, baby; all the gold IN
these here mountains couldn't get you
away from me now"
What's your name?" she..asked.
We'll: you'd better call me Jack,
reckon"
Il don't like that" she said, pouting-
"; II want to call you papa"
He clasped her impulsively to his
heart, and kissed her again and again.
so you shall, my little darling, and
the man never lived that was as good
papa as I'll be to you.
What ale you cryin' fCr?"
"Cryin'2 Why, them amt tears. I'm
30 full O. JOY and happiness and sun
shine that some Of it's got to leak out,
that's ell! But see Mrs. Brown on the
stoop. Like enough she's worryin'
cause I'm so late to breakfast. Come,
anu III introduce yer.
ITO BE CoNTINUED.l