Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-01-24
CuAPTTR III Continued.

For me to take care OFF,"
"Ycs; why. can't do it myself" And
he related TO her the incidents that led
TO his adoption of little Helen.
It's all story, and Pm real sorry .
for the Io,r little thing, but can't .
have her here.
whats that? You pretend to be
Christian woman, AID want to turn
away this mothcrless little innOcent?"
Il cant be bothered with young ones
running about the house. l don't like
thcm. anyway
That settles it, Mrs. Brown, replied
Jack with determination. Then y0u
needn't be bothered with me. My
boards due to-day, and there s the
money. I'll send for my things before
night, and now eood-mOrnin'
'Wtn." stammercd Mrs. Brown, now
conscious that she had made mistake,
chow much would you be willing to pay
for my care cf the child:'
not dollar a year, to you. You
faid YOU didn't like children, AMI III
,su. her with some one that does, if |
haye to Trace every woman in Col
Crado.
ST this. Mrs Brown slammed the door
angrily. and little Helen began to cry,
Jack lifted her up end carried her down
the HILL at the same time spanking to
her in his chccricst tone
There, don't cry, baby; we'll hit it
right next time. The next lady won't
refuse yer.
What LADY,"
The name came 10 him in an instant.
That of the only one to whom he could
appeal, the only other good woman he
knew. and her name sprang to his ips
with II burst Of joyful confidence.
Miss Charles. I'll take yer to her.
It's time for my music lesson, and we il
ind her at the church now. SO come
right along and FL show you an angel
that droprcl right out of heaven"
But angels don eat.
"What-are you hungry
yes, awful"
well, why didn't you say SO bcforc'
We'll fix that in two minutes.
He carried her TO the nearest restau-
rant, end the hundred men gathered
there-some for late breakfast, some
for dinncr-reccivc1 them both with
CrOn arms.
Say. lOys, who nows how TO feed
children?" Jack asked, with consider
UDIC NuAAtON, lOi, Oii tllNO HOAi'N' ~
wofuly ignorant.
Il do,' answered every man jack OF
the crowd in a breath.
"Mush and milk
NO. crackers and cTeam,"
"Thcm's for babies, You ignorant
cuss. Give her comcd beef and cab
tage.'
No, roast chickcn."
WNXlotse Tho m, q for with OO2"
Its too film. Give Ecr an oyster
etew,"
These Suggestions, coming il sucf
rapid succession. plunged Jack into
fever of doubt AM increased anxiety.
"Picrre.' he shoutc to the landlord
sfctch on everything you've got an'
let her elect for herself,
The banquet that was SIT efore tn
astOnishcl child would have fed tWent,
mon. but she eyed the Viands with con
Cdent air tnat charmed and dcliShtc'
the admirers crowded abOut her table
She close variety Of catabics tha
would have plungcI a dyspcptic int
paroxysms OF des pair, AMI when she ha
declared herself "all frO0" Jack paid Tn
ill. looked ncrvously at his watch, an
taking his wa~d ly the hand, al nJunce
that h had an important en- 5aGement
and left the restaurant. They soon ar
rived at the church and entered. Mis-
Charles was waiting for her pupil, an
when h appeared with little Helen j
his arms. she changed her fl~s. smile 0
reCo-nti Il II a look of surprise.
Sorry l kept you wait:n', Mis-
Charles, said Jack, apologctically ly
But something's happened this mOrnir
that's gon' to change my Who'll
life" AMI he related succnctly al
the experience of the morning, endln
with:
What d. yol think?" .
"Whv, that il was grand and noble il
you. Mr.. Bowdo'n."
DO YOU think 50, Miss Charles-d
you, honest"
formations of your life may have lie
Won 70 commit, this one act is, in m
cves. enough to atone for them all.
'"Oh. Miss Chlrles, with an earnest
ness thai sent Il pang through the hear
of his listener, do you really mea
that"
Il do, really"
"Tben. that's all l want. I don't car
now what the whole world may say, ]
It's through your eyes that | want to Sc
everything. I'm goin' to devote m
life tO this little one but | want you
tell me what t. do. She's got Y0r
name and want her to b. like yon;
want her to drink into her little hea'
some O. the goodness that's in yours;
want her TO have a soul Ike yours
Then seeing that his carne7tness ha
rather frichlcncd her, le reaSsured ne
ty bringing IS pea TO clos >.
Miss Char.cs, will YOU take care
he. for me:
with all NY heart.
And she knelt upon the floor, fo.do
her arms about the l;ttle Waif, kls5c
Ter tcnderly. and t.Ok her into he
woman's heart forever. Then, turnin
to Jack. with & lCo< upon her face Til
that seemed to him the very li2h {
heaven itself, she said:
Mr.. Bow loin, will you pray with me-
What. me! \ man like me pray!'
a man like YOU need have no fear
God will listen to you.
"As said Just now, Miss Charles,
want to see everything through yol
eyes. It's 60.
SO they kn 1t together, there in II
organ loft-the Christian, the waif, al
the gambler. Helen prayed for diviI
assistance in the new obligation She h;
undertaken, an askel that the wa,
wa~d pro ligal, whose tenderness
heart had made it possible for her