Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1904-06-03

There was nothing in common betSeen
her warm. lmpulsve temperament and
the cold retieence of theirs. Now that
katherine was gone, there would be
nothing to bind him to them.
or course. there was a chance-jnst
chance-that they might claim.,the
baby!
Helen smiled little to herself As
II jim would dream for moment of
putting that precious charge into any
arms but hers. He would never give 1t
up entirely to any one. Jim was not
that kind of man Besides. during the
two short months Of its existence he
had grown exceedingly fond of the
child, developing capacity for par
entail affection which surprised Helen
not little. She did not herself care
especially for children, on general prin-
clples; but Jlm's child-Jim's little
daughter She would bring IT up with
her own Alice, and 1t should be new
and powerful link TO bind her brother
to her more closely than ever. Poor
little motherless mltel 1t should never
know the lack of mother-she and
Jim would see TO that! And wherever
his child was, there would be his home
aud his heart
The hose did not look like the house
OF mourning. The blinds were all up.
| inns slsterin-law- her name was
Mary Helen at the door. She
had done everything there was to be
done She was very calm and self
contained, and Helen felt miles away
| from her, in spite OF their common sor-
row.
The baby was to be christened that
afternoon. Jim was upstairs In the
nursery now. with the child. Helen's
heart frightened with passionate feel
| Ing. She longed to leave this quiet
woman and to rush to those two whom
she loved. to claim them-hers But
While she still sat. controlling herself,
step sounded on the stairs, and Jim
came in.
"Why, Nell you here?" he said, al
most In his old voice. And Helen was
ashamed of the sob which broke from
| her as she saw his face-so changed In
these few short days-so worn with
grief and watching.
Later, when they had talked things
over quietly--Jim was very quiet, and
unselhshly concerned as always for the
comfort of every one but himself-she
asked II she might see the baby.
Her brother started q little. "Of
course, of course he said II forgot
that you had not seen her She was
just waking up when | came down"
He rang the bell. and the nurse
came In presently with the little thing
in her arms
Helen took her from the nurse. "You
may go" she said. II will send for
| you presently"
The feeling of baby In the arms
the soft warm, helpless bundle-no
woman can Withstand the mysterious
influence of this appeal. Helen re-
sponded to 1t with all the ardor of her
| impulsive nature. Her brother watch
ed her as she stood looking down at
the child with tears In her eyes Then
he turned away to the window.
do you want her, Helen?" he asked,
very low.
Want her? OF course | doe' she
cried passionately. II feel as II she
were mine already. oh, Jim, you need
not give her up. you know-she will
be always yours; but you Will let me
have her to take care of and keep for
YOU. We will be so tender OF her you
and I've will never let her miss her
mothers love"
| He did not reply for moment. Then
he spoke again, with something OF an
effort, and duly, his face still averted.
Mary wants her, too he said
Helen's heart gave a great leap, In
dignant apprehensiye. defiant,
oh Jim.' she said; all her protest
was in the words and In her voice as
she spoke them. 1t was no use to ar
que with Jim. Gentle as he was, argu-
ment had always made him obstinate.
| lie would do as he chose To ignore
the question-that was the best way
with him. But even while she stood
there with the child In her arms, and
the appeal still In her face, Mary en-
| tered the room.
| She looked quickly, comprehendtngly
at Helen and Jim. at the child in the
other woman's arms. Then she spoke
without prelude, her voice quiet. yet
slngulary breathless.
I'VE have no children" she said
I'VE have never had child. John and
l. We have always wanted one. And
this Is Katherine my only sisters
child. II would he like my own 10 me
what my own might have been"
"I3ut II Is lim's child" Helen broke
IN, and Jim is my brother. have
little daughter of my own. too aud she
VIII be sister TO this one. They viii
drought mp together in Jim's home.
No one could be what l can to Iim's
chlldw
Unconseiously she pressed the little
creatur closer as she spoke, and she