Evening journal., 1905-02-18
FAR r AR,
THE WAIF


Farrar had never before numbered
philanthropy among his sins. but since
Miss Curtis had taken charge Of the
Fresh Air Fund home in the little vii
lage where he spent his summers Far
rar had evinced a decided interest in
the movement
Heretofore he had labeled children
OF the fresh air fund variety and 9TH
erwise--as unmitigated little nuisances
whose chief aim in life was to annoy
their elders and bring peoples hearts
into their mouths by falling into the
river or crossing the street in front OF
a speeding automobile.
He had even complained to the town
authorities -- before Miss Curtis took
charge, Of course-of the noise created
by the City or more youngsters who
resided few doors below his place.
and he had suggested that the home
be removed to tho woods outside the
town.
But, with the advent OF Miss Curtis,
Farrar's attitude underwent a sudden
and thorough change From the mo-
ment he laid eyes on her young. car
nest face and looked into her clear
gray eyes--al this was az the post
office while he was apologizing for
humping unceremoniously against her
--Farrar thanked his stars that the
town authorities had not listened TO
his suggestions concerning the re-
moval OF the home.
IL was because OF Miss Curtis that
the youngsters Of the home held fire.
quent and bolsterous picnics in Far
rar's pine grove; II was because Of her
that they often rode-a dozen at a time
fin his automobile and picked his
gooseberries and currants unmolested.
Certain Il was that the fresh air
colony ruled Farrar, who explained his
change OF heart by stating that he had
discovered that they were interesting
little brutes." IL Is extremely doubtful,
however. II this interest in itself would
have been sufficient TO induce him 70
drive his automobile TO the village post
Office with a dozen unkempt urchins
clinging precariously TO the mid
guards. His interest in "the little
brutes" was aided and abetted by n
frank smile from a pair OF clear gray
eyes that greeted him when he re-
turned his screeching load to the home.
Instead OF cursing the noisy brood
az the home he smiled indulgently nt
their vocal exertions, for that noise
was intimately connected with Miss
Curtis. and Miss Curtis, all uncon-
sciously on her part. had entered into
the place In Farrars dreams reserved
for the one woman in the world.
Farrar walked down the street to
ward the home IN the red glow OF an
August evening. a huge basket Of cur
rants in one hand and a bundle or cast
on but still useful clothing (begged
personally from young matrons Of his
acquaintance in the other. Behind
him strobe his solemn faced gardener
similarly accoutered and evidently Of the
opinion that the boss was out OF his
head.
On the veranda Of the home FarraI
dismissed the gardener and. entering
the house, found Miss Curtis IN heI
cool little ONCE.
1--WE foraged more or less success
fully for the clothes you wanted FOL
your charges" he said. depositing his
load, "and / brought you all the cur
rants that are ripe. You can use them
1 SUPPOSED"
You're more than kind" she said
gratefully. ''You have given me the
first ray OF light in a long. wearing
day. Sometimes / think they're very
ungrateful little beasts. and I'm almost
tempted to give up this work"
"Do." he said eagerly.
She smiled wearily.
'1f It wasn't for the question OF
bread and butter involved
Try something else" Farrar inter
rupted.
I'm certainly open to suggestions.
she said, with a sigh
"well," said he, II know a place
you're admirably adapted TO. know a
waif that has some sterling qualities
and many faults. ia like 20 see him
under proper care. II the faults were
corrected and the sterling qualities de
veloped. think he might make quite O
man. wish you'd take him and exper
iment with him"
And starve In the meantimeT she
asked.
'oh, no." be said. "The waif is moi
like these here. He has plenty Of mon
ey In trust for him, and part OF Il
could be set aside for bis education
What he needs is n personal Interest
taken in him. He's a friendless sort Of
chap. That's why call him a waif."
"Teli me more about this" she urged
"what could ! do for himT
"You could make a man OF him, Tn
convinced" be said.
"where are his relativesT she asked
'In heaven--I hope" said he.
poor chapl And he's all aloneT'
Absolutely"
"And you think could get a position
as sort OF governess 20 himr'
NO. he said fatty; Il don't"
She lifted her brows.
Il think you could make a man o
him as-his wife" said he.
She looked az him in amazement
Then she noticed that his eyes sough
hers eagerly and that bis hand. lyinI
on her desk, trembled.
Hes a lazy, rascal waif," said h
haltingly. but with some one TO carr
for him he might be different"
Miss Curtis rose. The gray eyes seem
ed looking beyond him and into the fu
ture. And evidently that future wal
satisfactory. for she laid her hand gen
al a., lie rhDalIdnr nr,d nrnllnd