The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-28

now in your eyes. No. there amt. only they
| look quite bright and burning as though
there was a fire inside them. You amt
| well honey; I'm certain you amt WE'LL
| am quite well. Mrs. Lawson. in body.
| I have a bad ache here, but that don't
/ matter
| Flavia pressed her hand to her heart.
That's the worst sort of ALL said Mrs.
Lawson. 81 had it when my Danny died
bless him. He were seven years old. I'll
never forget it-never. Perhaps if you'd
talk sometimes of your little 'un you
wouldn't feel so shut up like.
I'D like 10 tell you something" said
the girl, fiercely. my baby amt dead"
Heaven help US, Have you lost your
reason, dear?"
'Once / almost did, but that was long
ago, when L thought she died; but she is
alive. Somebody has her. and / don't know
who. My cruel husband sold her-he sold
my little baby. Oh, ali, OH
Flavia sobbed in a dry sort of way for
minute or two. but then she recovered
herself Mrs. Lawson stood with her arms
| akimbo looking down at her.
did ever hear anything so monstrous
before.' she cried. And has the man told
| you, or can't you get the name of the one
to whom he sold his own flesh and blood?''
mo. can't" said Flavia, fiercely; land
yet-ohl / will"
|, "You are holding something in your arms
let me take ii from YOU"
Before Flavia could prevent her Mrs.
Lawson had taken the little wooden box
and laid 1t on the table.
''Sakes." she cried. What a neat little
thing"
/ Its got some ribbons and erasers and
other things / want at my work. said
Flavia, with the glib readiness of an ac-
complished thief.
Mrs. Lawson bent towards the box and
looked at it with interest.
Its the neatest thing" she said. Have
you it lined, or anything of that sort? I'd
like to inside it,
Another time said Flavia. 81 must be
off now. You mustn't keep me-"
Its a wonderful interesting story about
the little child Can't you get it back?'
81 will; am going to by means of that
box there"
Mrs. Lawson once again began to doubt
| Flavia's sanity.
| 'Well, read your letter, lovey," she said.
And then Flavia broke the seal. The let
| ter was dated from South Kensington and
ran as follows:
"Madam-I write to tell you that your
child is very i'll. 1 paid a certain sum of
money in order to have the right of adopt
ing your child, as your husband can tell
| you; but for some time 1t has been fading
and fading, and don't care to have an in
valid child assuming the privileges of my
own. II you care to come to 1t, and
would wish to have it back. 1 should be
quite willing to pay you a small sum in or
der to get rid of it. / shall be in at any
hour between 10 and 2 o'clock on the day
you receive this letter. Yours faithfully,
MARY SEABROOK.''
Flavia read the letter once without in the
least taking it in. She read IL twice and her
eyes began to sparkle. The third time she
! read it she laughed. Then she sprang To
her feet and clapped her hands. Then she
crushed the letter into the bosom of her
dress and then she seized the little box.
MRS. Lawson" she said, az want TO kiss
you"
what I'm the world has happened now?
| For heavens sake tell me what is in the
letter, love-"
Nothing, nothing. Nothing that you need
know. / know; that is enough. Let me
kiss you, Mrs. Lawson. 1 must take the
box and go. 1 said / was miserable, but
am miserable no longer. 1 thought my LOT
/, the hardest On earth, but it's about the
happiest If you will do me good turn
| go upstairs and clean my room, and make
!, it pretty and fresh and suitable for child
and put milk there and-and a broken toy
. an old doll. anything. Perhaps / am mad
Mrs. Lawson. 1 don't know. I am the
happiest. happiest woman on earth.'
Jonathan Wheeler was forgotten. James
| Heriot and his work were as though they
did not exist. A girl with flushed cheeks
eyes bright as stars. tremulous hands. and
yet proud, erect figure, was going by train
, to South Kensngton. She carried under
her cloak a little wooden box The very
moment the clock struck ten there came
a feverish ring at the door of tall man
| sion in Craniey Gardens. A footman open
ed it. He looked superciliously at the dark
eyed, handsome girl who stood the steps
II have come by request to visit Mrs
! Seahrook. She asked me to call. Will you
say that Mrs. Lacelles is -downstairs?"
, The man looked more supercilious than
ever. He thought this somewhat seedy-
, looking young woman had made a mistake
but after a moments hesitation he invited
her into the hail.
Flavia was no longer ashamed of her
, box. She did not mind it. She was going
to get fifty pounds reward fo- it. Fifty
pounds would help baby. AS to Andre-but
, Andre must shift for himself.
In a few minutes the man returned. His
manner had slightly altered. He con-
Quoted Flavia up some stairs and down a
: long corridor, and up some more stairs
and then into a beautifully furnished bou-
, doir, all lit with rose-colored light. In the
middle of it stood a tall woman i'm a morn
ing wrapper. She was handsome and loud
looking and had quantities of fair hair
which twisted and corkscrewed into
, every imaginable form of curl. Her cheeks
: were covered with powder, her arms were
bare to the elbows. She came eagerly for
, ward.
Mrs. Lascelles?" she said.
"Yes."
81 am glad you have come. What is tina,
{ in your hand?''
Flavia laid the box down serenely
, '1t has nothing to do with YOU" she said
| II am taking 1t to Mr.. James Heriot
have come for my baby-my little child
; Oh, was mad, but your letter has giver
me life. You have been good to her; yor
| have kissed her since I kissed her and