The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-12-07
WALA AND HIS MOTHER.

Wala was reading a book with big, black letters and pictures that covered nearly the whole page. In order to see what was at the top Wala was obliged to- get up and, kneeling in his chair, stretch his little body across the table and put his fingers on the letters which 50 easily became mixed up with one another. Once lost, it was not al- ways easy to find them again.
 Thus, on account of this inconven- fence. which the editors certainly had not foreseen, WaIy's reading advanced with tantalizing slowness. in spite of his keen interest in the thrilling ad- ventures of a certain brave king named Bob.
 The story was evidently as fearful as it was amusing The boys excla- nations proved this, as, now ave- struck, now laughing merrily, his fin ger travelled slowly down the page.
 But his mother, entering suddenly with a strange lady, disturbed the ea- ger reader.
 There he isl" she said.
 His mothers eyes were red with tears and she held her handkerchief in her hand
 My dear little wala!" The strange lady covered him with kisses, hugging him tightly in her long, black-clad arms.
 Wala drowned. He was greatly dis gusbed at being interrupted in such a manner in his interesting book. Be- sides, this strange woman disp1eased him. He did not like her, So big and tall and black, and 1t always made him feel queer to see any one crying.
 He rubbed his cheek vigorously where she had kissed him, as the lady inquired suddenly:
 'Wala. do you remember me?" 'No! replied the little fellow.
 "Bnt have been here twice to see you!n ,""-~.' That might be, but how was Wala to know 1t? What did 1t matter to him whether she came or not? All he knew was that she prevented him from finding out how King Bob was to es- cape from his latest and most exciting adventure.
 'Wala, am your mother-"
 The child looked for his mother, but < she was not in the room.
 What do you mean?" he asked gravely. "Can one have two moth ers7'
 The strange lady smiled.
 What book are you reading?" she said. "
 Tt is King Bob" replied the boy in tone which proved his respect for the heavy volume
 That sounds very interesting" said the lady politely. twill you tell me about it?"
 The strange lady tried to soften her voice which was loud and n1annish. ; Her movements, too, were uneasy and awkward. Wala was more and more displeased, and presently he stopped in the midst of his recital of a thrilling episode. E.:..
 That Is all," he said coldly.
 s.Then, good-by, my darling, I shall come very soon to see you again; will you be giad?"
 .'Yes, you may come if you like" And to make her go the faster he add ed: Perhaps will be glad to see you'll
 Scarcely was Wala once more ab- sorbed in his book than his mother en- tered, her eyes full of tears.
 Wala considered gravely; the strange lady might weep, 1t was prob ably because she was so disagreeable and hornely-but his pretty mamma, why should she cry?
 aListen,n said the child abruptly, That lady told me that she was my mother Can boy have two motf- ers?n .@-.. '.No, child, no! But she told you bl1e truth; she is your real mother!"
 Then, what are you?"
 T am only your aunt, dearest one. It certainly was an unexpected dis