The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-09-28

]
doorstip.'
The bishop almost sprang from his
chair. a WHAT" he said.
A baby, sor. lift on the doorstip
sor"
There seems something almost omi-
nous in this coincidence. Arthur" he
said ncrvOusly. Pardon me a moment.
| III be back directly"
After the bishop had left the room
| Van Ruyven tiptoed cautiously into the
| hall and pccred over the baniSters. 1t
was indeed II strange group that stood
! in the hall hcIow-MrS. Briggs, the
! housckcCper with the much swathed
! founding IL her arms: Edith, tall and
/ stately. standing near by. her arms and
neck showing like ivory against the
| dark tapestry on tie wall: the bishop
pcerin@ into the depths of the old shawl
| that wrapped the child; two maids
cranng over his shoulder and the statu-
esque Higgins explaining to such as
cared to listen how he had come to find
the bundle when he had answered the
| bell
And whatll we do with it?' asked
Mrs. Briggs when Higgins tale Of woe
had come to an end.
"Do:" said Edith. why, We'll take
| it to the home. of course
My dear" the bishop demonstrated
mildly. why not keep it here with us?
| To take 1t to the home seems to me to
| be very much like casting 1t into outer
| darkness. OF course we can't look after
| all tho waits. but suppose we take this
one. who has been left at our very door,
and give it a chance in the world"
Edith laughed unsympathetically
why. father. dear. what silly idea"
she began. "Of course we can't keep
| It,"
"IraSmuch as We have done 1t unto
one of the least of these" quoted the
bishop.
"A very pretty sentiment" said the
| girl but most impractical. You
haven't the least idea what instincts
| this child may have. You would prob
| ably give it every advantage in the
world only to have it disappoint you at
every turn. 1t would probably grow up
a most mgrateful little wretch They
| always do
| Van Euyvcn tiptoed back into the
| study and sat down before the fire. He
heard the group below go into the re-
| ceptiou room. and their voices came up
| to him inarticulatcly. For Il time he
sat there. smoking in a preoccupied
manner. Then he heard Edith's voice
| in the hall below giving orders TO the
servants.
Higgins. telephone for the carriage,
and Mrs. Briggs get on your things,
| please, and be ready when it comes.
| Well take the child TO the home. III
| go with YOU. | can't conceive why
| father had such absurd notions about
keeping it here
a little later the trout door slammed,
| there was Il rumble of carriage wheels
without. and then Van Ruyven heard
| the bishops steps slowly ascending the
| stairs. He came into the study and
| stood for awhile looking silently into
the fire.
Did you hear it, he asked at
length. turning abruptly to Van Ruy-
ven. The younger man nodded. The
| bishop sank rather heavily into his
| chair.
She's not mine. / was Mistaken
| he burst out she IS no daughter of
mine, after ALL
Van Ruyven rose. Il think I'd best
| go now" he said simply. please don't
tell Edith that | have been here nor
why came"
The bishop looked at him narrowly.
| 1t will he hard for her." he said, but
| think you are justified
Suddenly the bishops head dropped.
| There waS IL stificd sound very like Il
| sob.
she said it would grow up an I'M
grateful little wretch. and she was
! right, Arthur; she was right"