New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1905-01-04
A WTLL>FU III
WI u O w
BY KATE N. cLEARY
Copyright, 1901, by Kate af. Cleasg

ne paced feS1leSSfy across TIE library
floor He was so well formed, with
his straight shoulders and the fine,
flexible lines of his body, that he APP
peared to be ten years younger than
the thirty-fiye allotted him by the fam
lily Bible Then his brown hair would
curl even at tlirty-fye.
Il understand" said Claridge. In
truth, he did not understand at all He
had no children OF his own. Indeed,
he found the caprices of his fashiona-
BILE wife quite sufficient to absorb his
attention. But he liked Max Carruth-
ers, and it did seem to him
They're such adorable little things,
Max! And you're so absurdly wealthy!
IL it were not for our house being closed
for the summer and Clotilde doing Eu-
rope for the steenth time I'd ask you
to let us take the tots, One fanc1es
that a man with your money would
have no difficulty in finding person -
A rather desperate laugh interrupted
him.
.Ah, the persons who are willing to
take care of my little people, Claridgee
are the bane of my existence. I've adj
Vertised; I've met and talked with
them; harpies all. Some would un-
doubtedly give the children proper care
as far as physical requirements go, but
that isn't enough. I want to find some
woman who would really love them for
their own sake"
'"Ihat ought to be dead easy growl-
ed Claridge
OF course | think so; but then,
they're my BARNS. | want some one
who viii give them bit of mothering
kiss the place to make it well and
that sort of thing"
Il have it!' exclaimed Claridge He
brought his fist down on the arm of
his chair with a bang. ".Ehe most idyl-
lie old home in the country that your
eyes ever rested upon It's a big, ram
bling house, almost covered with Vir-
ginia creeper There's an immense,
well kept lawn and clematis across the
porch, and the house itself is just filled
with the most delicious scents The
bedrooms are perfumy with lavender.
And as for the food-why, it's some
thing to set an anchorite sighing!''
"But what makes you think the pos
SCISSOR Of this ideal home would vel
come into it two rather lively chill
dren? If it's only a question of mon
ey''-
Claridge shook his head.
"Go Slow That's the dificulty-it
isn't question of money at all. And
my powers of persuasion may be less
effective than l think with Mrs Va
rine, but III try
"Your friend is a widow, presume p
Claridge smiled-a dry, slow, curious
smile-his legal smile, Carruthers call
ed it.
Eyes; she happens to be a client of
mine, Oh, yesw he repeated, as though
convincing himself of the fact ''She's
widow
When Carruthers called a few days
later to ask if Claridge had heard from
Mrs. Yarine, the latter jumped up
briskly.
Its all right, Max You are to set
tie the question CT payment with me
Mrs. Earine says she'd rather take
nothing. She's very lonely, is awfully
fond Of children, and is delighted al
the thought Of having the youngsters
with her during their vacation You'd
better take them down next Thursday
Oh, by the way, there's a condition
Mrs Varine does not wish to meet you
personality
whats that?" cried Carruthers
aghast.
We'll, she doesn't!' reiterated Clar-
idge doggedly. Maybe she has no rea
son but woman's reason. Anyhow
she's entitled to her caprice. Her aunt
Miss Howard, will meet you ON your
arrival and show you over the place"
Queer muttered Carruthers He
looked up sharply. "You say you know
the Iady-that everything is all right?''
81 say she's one of the sweetest wo
men God ever made and that you may
bless your stars she is taking your
children into her home-which means
her hearth
He had spoken with warmth. Car
ruthers held out his hand.
Thanks, dear boy! You're a might,
good friend"
1t was at the close of a perfect June
day when a little party reached Cedar
vile. A surrey drawn by two fat whit
ponies met them. About two miles out
side of town the driver turned off int
wide carriage road that wound up 81
avenue of elms and oaks till turf
brought in view a great sweep of EN-
erald lawn, beds of scarlet geranir1ns
fountain flashing in the golden Hgh
and a sleepy, old vine covered hous
that looked hospitable and picturesque
Let us out papa!'' implored Eus
tace
Is it failyland?s queried Dorothy i
timid, entraneed whisper
The gentle, faded woman who II
ceiyed the travellers had face like
cameo and appeared to harmonic af
mirably with her old fashioned SUI
roundings She showed Carruthers th
rooms the children were to occupy
airy, immaculate rooms with blossom
:. u