The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-08
"She has never once disappointed me.
Even her intentions seem to be mine"

"She has never once disappointed me.
Even her intentions seem to be mine"
There was q commotion downstairs,
then the sound Of footsteps on the pol
ished stairs and a vigorous knock on
the Intel. The portiere was whisked
aside, and an excited maid came into
the room-so excited that she gave no
heed to the bishops frown Of mild re-
proof at her unseemly entrance.
"Plaze, sor," she gasped, Miss Edith
do be wantin' yer downstairs at vance,
sor. They's been a baby lift on the
doorstp."
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" be
said nervously. Pardon me moment.
III be back directly"
After the bishop had left the room
Van Ruyven tptoed cautiously into the
hall and peered over the banisters. 1t
was indeed a strange group that stood
in the hall below-Mrs. Briggs, the
housekeeper, with the much swathed
founding in her arms; Edith, tall and
stately, standing hear by, her, arms and
neck showing like ivory against the
dark tapestry on the wall; the bishop
peering into the depths Of the old shawl
that wrapped the child; two maids
craning over bis shoulder and the statu-
esQue Higgins explaining to such as
cared to listen bow he had come to find
the bundle when be had answered the
bell
"And whatn we do with itT' asked
Mrs. Briggs when Higgins tale Of woe
had come to an end
"DoT' said Edith. why, wen take
it to the home, Of course"
my DEAR" the bishop demonstrated
mildly, 'why not keep It here with US:
To take it to the home seems to me to
be very much like casting It into outer
darkness. OF course we can't look after
all the 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.
"Inasmuch as ye have done it 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 dsappoint you at
every turn. It would probably grow up
a most ungrateful little wretch. They
always do"
Van Ruyven tiptoed back into the
study and sat down before the fire. he
heard the group below go into the re-
ception room, and their voices came up
to him inarticulately. For a time be
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. I'll
go with you. I can't conceive why
father had such absurd notions about
keeping it here"
A little later the front door slammed,
there was rumble Of carriage wheels
without, and then Van Rnyven 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 itT 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!"
be burst out. "She Is no daughter Of
mine, after ALP
Van Ruyven rose. II think I'd best
90 now," he said simply. "Please don't
tell Edith that have been here nor
why came"
The bishop looked at him narrowly.
1T will be hard for her," he said, ''but
I think you are justified"
Suddenly the bishops head dropped.
There was a stifled sound very like
sob.
"She said it would grow up an un-
grateful little wretch, and she was
right, Arthur; she was right"
Salt.