Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-05-12

There was nothing in common between
the cold rcticence of theirs. Now that
Katherine was gone. there would be
nothing to bind him to them.
| OF course. there was Il chance-just
n chance-that they might claim the
baby.
| Helen smiled a little to herself As
if jim would dream for a 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 a capacity for par
entail affection which surprised Helen
not a little. She did not herself care
especially for children. on general prIn-
ciples; but Jm's child-,Jim'S little
daughter! She would bring II up with
her own Alice. and it should be n new
and powerful link to bind her brother
to her more closely than ever. Poor
little mOtherless mite. 1t should never
| know the lack of a mother-she and
Jim would see to that. And wherever
his child was. there would he his home
and his heart.
The house did not look like the house
| OF mourning. The blinds were all up
Jlm's sister-in-law -her name was
Mary-met 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 lonIed to leave this quiet
woman aud to rush to those two whom
She loved, to claim them--hers! But
while she still sat controlling herself,
II 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
! unselfishly concerned as always for the
comfort Of every one but himself-she
asked If she might see the baby.
Her brother started 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 CO." she said. Il 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 it with all the ardOr of her
impulsive nature. Her brother watch
cd 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? or course | dol" she
cried passionately. II feel as II she
were mine already. Oh. Jim, you need
not give her up. you know-she will
I've 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 a moment. Then
he spoke again. with something OF an
effort, and duly. his face still averted
! MARY wants her. too" he said
Hclen's heart gave Il great leap, in
dignaut, apprchensive, defiant.
| "Oh, Jni." 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. Gcutle rs he was, argu-
ment had always made him obstinate.
| He 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. comprehendingly
at Helen and Jim. at the child in the
other woman's arms. Then she spoke
without prelude. her voice quiet. yet
singularly GREATNESS.
I'VE have no children" she said.
1--WE have never had a child, John and
|. We have always wanted one. And
this Is Katherine. my only sisters
child. 1t would be like my own to me
what my own might have been---''
"But It Is .Jim's child" Helen broke
in. land Jim is my brother | have Il
little daughter of my own. too. and she
| will be sister to this one. They will
b drought up together in Jim's home.
No one could be what can to Iim's
child"
| UnconsciOusly she pressed the little
creature closer as she spoke, and she
broke into sudden cry. The dull
quiet of Jims face changed and gave
way His hand clenched itself at his
| side.
"Kntherine.' he said, with a grOan,
poor little Katherine.'
His voice broke; and Helen. hearing
| hot Snainp in hiS fusp what shtl