The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-22
ELSIE'S LITTLE MIRACLE.
By ANNA sTEEsE RICHARDSON

ny ANNA SAA-SA
 Copyright, 1906, by May McKeOn.) It was pretty generally understood
 that the Billy Daltons. were drifting
 apart. There was no particular reason for this state of affairs save the lack
 of something better to do.
 You see, they had just enough mon ey so that Billy did not have to work, nor Janet to worry about making both ends meet They had danced their way through several seasons into lazy, Good- humored. and comrade like en- gagement thence Into matrimonY. Af- ter that Billy had continued to lead coalitions and Janet to dance them but generally with other partners. Matters between them had reached the point where the rumor-,aden so- ciety papers had suggested covertly
 that when Billy went to England
 where he had nothing in particular 10
 do. Janet would probably take up her
 home in Nevada or South Dakota.
 there to remain until Norman Stanley returned from Africa where he was lighting ennui by hunting big game. It
 was even whispered that Billy Dalton
 had insinueted to Stanley that 1t was
 rather better taste to stalk big game than another mans wife, especially
 when the other man was perfectly Will
 ing to make 1t clear sailing for his
 wife if 1t would make her any happier
 Of course. this sounds a bit strong on paper, particularly to the old fash toned folk who still believe that mar
 riage is a contract for life and not a mere episode. In the set to winch Billy Dalton belonged the situation was &C., cepfAd as a matter of course, and when Janet asked a lot of people down to their Long Island place for the auto mobile races and the weekend, no one thought of refusing just because the Daltons might separate in a fortnight after the gathering.
 Such was the situation when the Dal- ton car broke down on the Jericho turnpike, and it's occupants, Jane., Mrs. Greenwait, Joe Jeffrys and Marsh" Huntoon, decided to cut through the woods to the Dalton place and leave the car for a farmer to guard until the mechanic who handled tMe Dalton garage could be dispatched 70 the scene of the accident.
 Perhaps 1t was not entirely impa- tience which led them to take the short cut through the woods, but the call of a hundred Autumn voices, in r1stling leaves, rich, warm colorings and the chatter of squirrels laying up Winter stores. And thus it was that they suddenly stopped In their tracks 4.n of the woods. but of the nursery, the pIaintive wall of child. Janet 1t was who found it--a bit of white-faced, staring eyed humanity rolled up snug mn in a great shawl of Iceland wool
 While she held the baby in her arms aif1 tried to silence its walls with un- certain and awkward little pettings, Inc ouartette held a conference. The child was to young to have walked there. Mrs Greenwait said that 1t was not A day over two months old It WIS mo far from the road to be heard by passing travellers. Ah-there was an answer-a wisp of paper, tied to tho end of the shawl
 "Please take care of little Elsie. It | was nc her fault that she came into | Ihs world-and I can do no more"
 'I've always said that the govern nent ought to regulate the question If marriage among the poor" remark sd Mrs. Greenwait severely. Here is | 4 case ln point"
 You are jumping at conclusions" said IIuntoon dryiy. Let's take 1t to the town marshal---"
 And what then?' asked Janet with put lifting her gaze from the eh Ids lace. The baby had clutched her finger with It's tiny fist and settled down as if if had found anchorage.
 ''Oh, there are aysiums and homes for youn ngstefs like this. You'd better hur- -y along home with it before 1t begins to howl. One of your men can take it