The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-15
CHAPTER III.
UNTO THE THIRD AND FOURTH
FINGERS

UNTO THE THIRD AND FOURTH
FINGERS.
"A half hour later Mr. Mitchell entered
tAe ONCE OF the Metropolitan Founding
society and from one OF the clerks OBJ
tained further information relative 10 the
foundllng The address OF a woman who
had first reported the case. as well as ner
name. Gertrude Grifin. was given TO
him. and upon his request he was per
mitted to SEQ the little waif, who was
snugly tucked away in cot on the moor
above
AS Mr.. Mitchell was entering the upper
room he met an acquaintance In the
hallway. This was Colonel Payton. one
Of the directors OF the society.
The colonel was a large man. with a
nne head and commanding mien. His
hair was whitening. and his long side
whiskers, already white. made him look
older than he really was. During the
late civil war he had served his coun-
try faithfully and had earned his epau-
lets by bravery on the field, having risen
from the ranks to the position which ne
held when his command had been mus
tered out. Returning to New York after
the war. he settled down to the peaceful
occupation of making money, and by for
tunate speculations In Wall street and
Investments I'm real estate he had placed
himself far above the need OF further ef-
fort
business and for several years had de-
voted his time 10 church and charity.
IN this manner he had earned the rep
utation OF being "A useful member OF So
ciety, philanthropist who gave freely,
yet who deprecated indiscrimnate aims
giving believing that the best good was
10 be attained by helping others to help
themselves He had therefore allied him
self with several associa tions having the
betterment OF the poor as their aim
Personally he was an exceedingly genial
and pleasant compnion until you df-
and pleasant companion until you diff
OF life, when he would show his New
England ancestry, being very set" re
was a bachelor. and some said that he
was woman hafer. which was denied
by others, who declared that he eschewed
the society OF the opposite sex because
he had unsuccessfully wooed one whom
he had wished 10 make his bride. How
ever this may have been. whenever the
colonel did choose TO honor n social gath
ering with his presence he was sure or
q warm reception. His evenings were
osually spent at his club. where he was "A
CoHsrlCuous 0Rufe AT the WHIST taDle,
and. whether or not he was n favorite
with the ladies. certain II was that he
was honorcd and even courted by hts
own sex as a bon vivapt and a raconteur
OF rare ability.
Delighted 10 meet you. Mr.. Mitche.."
exclaimed the colonel recognizing that
gentleman. II thought you were on the
oher side"
II have Just returned by the Paris"
said Mr.. Mitchell II see you are on
your rounds Inspecting one OF your
favorite charities?'
We'll. hardly that" said the colonel,
with a laugh. - don't allow my char
tiles. as you call them. TO take up all
of my time. But there Is n case in hauo
at present, TO which ] shall give my per-
sonal attention. Perhaps you have read
OF the horror In the morning papers?"
do you mean that little naked bapy
found In the graveyard"
Mr.. Mitchell was pleased to ind that
his companion was interested In this case,
as he counted upon his garrulousness 10
obtain more of the facts than had os-
capped from the official mouth, sealed
with red tape. which he had met below
stairs.
YES" replied the colonel That -
a monstrous affai-. Think of n mother
throwing a baby less than year old inro
a graveyard and leaving II there 40
starve. | intend to find that woman
and
How do you know II was the mo,n-
err asked Mr.. Mitchell quietly 1T may
have been the father who thus wish,sl
to rid himself OF burdensome offspring"