Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-23
CONTINUED FROM PAGE FOUR

the case as desperate as his grandmother did
"Well keep her here with us all the time, an
thatl be as nice as ei Santa Claus ha'i
brought whole lot of things. l like her
pretty well, an l reckon she an me would
have pile of fun together"
But, Jimmie, don't you understand the
trouble her parents must be in because she is
lost 2"
But how can she be lost, granny, when
she's here with US? An besides, she hahn
got any mother, for she's dead. That's what
she told me"
= ''She has got father, and we must find
him at once.
"All right" replied Jimmie, disappointed
because his grandmother would not consent
to keeping Bessie, but perfectly willing to go
in search of her father. I'm go out an bring
him down here.
"You are as much of a child as she is,
Jimmie, and Pm almost ashamed of you. He
couldn't be found in that way; but perhaps
there may be something on her clothes that
will give us a clue to where he is, said
Mrs. Carter.
And then she began a minute but vain ex-
animation of the child's wearing apparel.
81 think it's jest as well ter keep her, gran
ry," persisted Jimmie, "an' then you'll have
somebody ter help yer sew, an do sich things
as that"
The idea that his grandmother was not per
fectly delighted to have such a sweet little
girl was astonishing to Jimmie, who had quite
set his heart on making her member of his
family, and he secretly hoped that it would
be impossible to learn anything from Bessie.
Mrs. Carter certainly found it impossible to
learn where Bessies home was, unless that
young lady could inform her, which seemed
impossible, and for few moments she was
in the greatest grief, while Jimmie was trying
hard to conceal his joy.
Cant you think of some way of finding
out, Jimmie" she asked, knowing, even as
she spoke, that her grandson's advice in the
matter would not be very valuable.
well, eff it wasn't so cold, | s'pose ]
could take her up somewhere on Broadway,
an wait there with her till some of her folks
come along, or 1 might skirmish round ter
see eff | couldn't find her father"
'I'l go and talk with Mrs. Walker about
it,"
And Jimmie knew by that that his advice
had been rejected.
Mrs; Walkers opinions had great weight
with Mrs. Carter, and Jimmies heart sank
when he saw his grandmother leave the ROOM
for he knew that together the two women
would settle upon some plan to deprive him
Of his prize.
granny does bout keepn' Bessie here; an
never did like Mrs. Walker, no ways" ne
said, to himself, as he stroked the sleeping
child's golden hair, after his grandmother had
left the room.
Ever since Jimmie could remember, he had
wished to have a sister, and it seemed cruel
that, when he did finally succeed in finding
one that suited him exactly, his grandmother
should so exert herself to send her away.
Jimmie was by no means a hard-hearted
boy, and if he had realized that Bessie's fa-
ther must have been in great distress because
of the loss of his daughter he would have
put very far from his mind all thoughts of
keeping her. But, as it was, he thought only
of the pleasure it would be to him always to
see Bessie in the house, and he fervently
hoped that Mrs. Walker would not be able
to suggest any practical plan.
''Ef granny carnt find out where she lives,
I'll try awful hard ter-night to get some
money ter buy things for her Christmas, an
I'll coax granny to buy a piece of beefsteah
for dinner, SOS we'll have a regular feast
of it,"
But all Jimmie's fears as to Mrs. Walkers
ability TO suggest some plan for the return
of Bessie were destined to be realized. The
two ladies entered the room, with look on
their faces that told of decision having been
reached in the matter, and while Mrs. Walk
er was looking at Jimmies prize, his grand
mother said to him:
"It's strange / didn't think of what Mrs
Walker did the very minute l spoke to her
but s'pose it's cause I'm getting so old that
I'm forgetful."
'Whai is it. granny" asked Jimmie, in a
tremulous voice. 'Haye you found out how
ter send Bessie home?"
"Yes. Jimmie, and you must attend to il
at once. OF course, as soon as her father