The Savannah morning news., 1900-09-30


last year. left his little girl 60 his charge.
lie has Just found ont about u. Her
grandmother has been keeping Il from
him"
she wanted 20 keep the child with her.
but she has grown very feeble In the
last few months. and. suppose. as am
10 have a home. she decided TO let me
know" Wlfred replied
How old Is the chnd7" asked Aunt
Roer.
Twelve years old" said Althea.
"Thc most difficult and dlsaEreeahle
age. When ala YOU hear about this7'
Not IN yesterday. We sat up half the
night talking about u and thinking We
never could undertake It. l want YOU to
so over and see mother. She is simply
wild over IT, She even wants me TO give
up Wnfred entirely"
II an tho world had Athea's heart
and your common sense. Aunt Roey. this
would not be difficult place TO
live In We felt brave enough 10 face
anything when we got well out OF the
freshel over az the other house"
You viii add TO your trouble II YOU
can not bear at the start to be patient
with Althea's mother" Aunt R0ey an
swered quickly
Wiifred sprnng 10 his feet and went
around 20 Althea's chair.
Il didn't mean a word OF u. little sirll
She IS our dear mother, no matter what
happens"
when does your charge come to
your" asked Aunt Rocy
THAT Is the tragedy OF II. AUNT Roey,
she SAYS she Is coming 10 our wedding =
said Althea 1--WE are not going 20 have
each other az alll She will be here to-
night"
''oh, she Is a good one" Wllfred laugh
ed. 4 know what sclf-willed child she
was at i've years old haven't seen her
since. but imagine Eho has made steady
progress.'
Here come the gifls." said Althea, look
ing out Of the window.
Alfhca's three sisters came IN the gate
between the hedge and marched solemn
~ up the walk and into the room.
you might as well divide your wed
ding clothes between rs. Aithea." said
CAROLYN II am going 70 have the violet
lawn. because I made a."
And I am going TO have the rose col
ored tea gown. because l made IL said
Nell.
'The blue morning sack is mine" said
Amy.
How f. mother this morning. glrls?t
asked Aithen. anxiousy.
sshe Gays We needn't go on with your
sewing until wiifred has disposed OF that
child" replied Carolyn.
Aunt Rocy rose and went 70 the door.
''Chndren. stay here until return che
said.
Mrs winthrop SAT IN her darkened room
nursing her thought OF the burden that
had come 20 her daughter on the eve OF
her marriage.
NOW. Roey. You needn't come over
nero and argue with me- she said, a.
her sister came into the room.
II should never have consented 20 A.
thea's marriage. when she Is - young
but for you. go,
And you must listen TO me now ,ha'-
latte +" said Roey drawing a chair 10 her
81 win not do any good for you 20 talk.
vdit never consent 90 my baby belns
burdened In this way. | was reaso'iapis
I asked WIlfred TO have the cniid boain
"a soneufhere. but he says she must pe
win him I should think any one eouia
see his FIRST duty he 20 Aithea.
ssThere " perfect understanding pc.ws. !.
wufrsd and Althea. She has cotiseh'eo 20
.hetr having the child with them 10
YOU wish 10 rob Aithea ~ happ'he'o
| fbat YOU have been denicdf
| ~ 40 not know what you meanf
~ Won had ever had the unselfish love
for anv one that Althea has for Wilhed
| Won would be a stronger woman thh. you
are" -. -,
Althea'a mother got up quickly ana
walked 10 che window. She stood there
motlonless and silent for a long utne'
Across the meadow ahe couid see M
daughters sitting on the hood piazza OF
! the little brown house. Wiifred was slhs
inv Ills strong. rich voice came clearly
to her.
.Ten the girls 20 come back and 50
on with Aithea's sewing" she said gent.
I ~ Il always have forgotten myseh
/ for my children. Roey"
..You are forgetting yourself Cor them
now. God bless YOU" hoey replied ana
hurried away.
II was dusk when the train drew up 10
the little station al Saranac. Wilfred ana
| Aithea who had come together TO meet
their charge. saw her nrst aH she ran
down the long platform toward them.
ssTfnele WIRED exclaimed the little
girl, and threw her arms about him.
"Oh on. you look 80 much like papa
"Dora. this a. Althcl." Wifred replied.
The child stood on tip-toe and scanned
Althea's face earnestly. Isn't she pref
~. Uncle Wiifrcd2 1 was frightened 70
placee TO see your she added. And
YOU are not sorry came 20 the wedding.
are your Grandma said YOU wouldn't
like q " ! came. I had a real tusle With
grandma to come ana finally had to run
away"
Wilfred was silent AZ the child walk
ed on before them 20 che carriage he
pressed Aithea's hand.
i've good mind 20 ship her back on
the morning train he whispered.
Althea looked up ~ him IN surprise.
"Oh, no; you couldn't do that
Eyes. / could. u VIII do her good 20 re-
fuse 10 uphold her IN such dlsobediencc ="
III would bs 20 hard ! love her al
ready" said Alihca.
she IL an attractive child. hut my fu-
ture influence with her Is at stake. ]
shall send her back"
what makes you both 70 quiet2' ask
ed Dora a. they drove along the country
road
II have decided 20 send You back 70
your grandmother IN the morning." VIII
fred answered. shortly.
send me back exclaimed Dora, and
burst out crying. ~ know YOU were sorry
came. birs siifeH ssn;. she wants ne"
mo, neither OF as want a guest - our
wedding whom we have not invited" he
replied. coldly
you ought to invite me. then. when