The Somerset reporter., 1906-05-03

the little O'Shaunessys would be al
ways, always at the foot And, soothed
by this pleasant reflection, Mrs. Nc
Ginnis fell asleep Yet even her dreams
were broken by the patter of tiny feet
In patent leather slippers with gilt buc
kles.
With morning came a resolve which
she did not see fit to impart to Pat.
and by noon she set resolutely off on
her quest, carrying a letter from the
priest In one hand and dress suit case
in the other. The sister at ST. Mar
garets Orphan asylum WAS accustom-
ed to many startling requirements, but
surely none were ever more astonish-
ing than Mrs. McGinnis' demand for a
boy to fit black velvet suit! As to his
age or parentage Mrs. McGinnis did
not seem to care. So long as the suit
fitted that was all she asked
Then followed a strenuous half hour
for some of the little orphans. There
were many boys of assorted sizes.
There were thin boys and fat boys,
dark boys and fair boys, but a good fit
seemed hopeless. Mrs. McGinnis
watched the proceedings with a trou-
bled eye. Look at him." she would
wall. He's that chunky he'll be
bursting the seams If he moves an
inchw or again, Begging your pardon,
it's no bean pole I'm after wanting!"
She tried two more asylums, with no
better results. Despair settled down
CHI I,,J
planned for Mrs O'Shaunessy never to
be? Must she go home baffled and de
feated and give up all hope of the sen
sation she had planned to create? And
a deeper feeling than all these tugged
at her heart The world seemed SO
full of children. and there was not
even one for her! A sob rose In her
throat as she began to fold up the
velvet suit.
"Ill be LAYING you with many
thanks" she said huskily to the sister
in charge, "for there's not wan of them
that fits the suit at all, at allw And
even as she spoke there appeared be-
fore her the vision of her last nights
dream-blue eyed and with crisp curls
of gold-only this child was dressed In
a checked Bingham pinafore instead of
velvet
The child smiled engagingly at Mrs
McGinnis, who felt a great wave of
love and longing sweeping over her
Such a broth of a boy! Here at last
was one who would fit not only the
velvet suit, but niche that had long
been vacant in her heart
what is your name, dear2' said Mrs.
McGinnis tenderly.
'Norah," said the child
1t was not at all the answer Mrs.
MeGinnls had expected, and the good
woman gasped. But there was d visit
full sweetness about the child which
was not to be resisted. The love light
of awakening motherhood shone In
Mrs. McGinns eyes.
will you be my little gurril, dar-
lint?" she whispered.
The night that Norah finally arrived
Pat was as delighted as his wife. He
thought he had never seen Il "prettier
little colleen" The next morning was
Sunday and the McGinnises entered
church somewhat late, Pat in the lead,
wearing tall silk hat and stepping
very jauntily, Mrs. McGinnis next,
moving with notable rustic, and by
her side a beautiful little girl whose
black velvet coat, heavily trimmed
with lace was the admiration of all be
holders. 1t was a day of triumph for
Mrs. McGinnls. She beamed on the
whole world She even beamed on Mrs
O'Shaunessy when they met face to
face on the church steps.
The top OF the morning to you, Mrs.
O'Shaunessy," quoth Mrs McGlnnis
It's well you're looking this fine day,
and all your family Shure, It's large
one. there's no denying it! But with a
glance of pride at Norah) it's myself
that has always preferred quality to
quantity"