The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1907-12-13

county orphan asylum, Sne uauh I lhe
remotest idea of bringing home the
wee mite of humanity she did. On
the contrary, she needed a half
grown girl large enough to WASH
dishes, run errands, and otherwise
assist with household duties, now
that she was getting on in years.
"A good sized girl, capable and
willing" was what she asked the ma
tron for.
Come this way" answered that
person; 81 think we have just the girl
for you"
In going to the section of the build
ing where the larger girls were domi-
ciled they had occasion to pass
through the nursery.
In this room a number of little
ones were playing. One dark-eyed
little elf caught hold of Mrs. Spauld-
ing's gown.
MY, but isn't she pretty en-
claimed the visitor, looking down at
a dark, roguish face. How old is She?
she must be almost three, as near
as we can reckon" answered the ma
iron. she is of Italian p~arentage,
she went on. Her father, a poor,
strolling musician, sick and despond-
ent, put an end to his life. The
child was found in the room with his
body-dreadful. wasn't it? And such
a dear little thing, too-tell the lady
our name. dear"
'Tildywinks," lisped the child.
perhaps her name is Matilda
ventured Mrs. SpauldinG.
Suddenly the child stretched out
her arms-"Mamma," she cried
"Tildy's mamma" Oh, what music
in that word to the heart of the
childless woman; it was the keynote
to the doorway of her heart.
Only in dreams had the woman felt
the clinging baby arms, the warm
pressure of baby lips-only anticipa-
tion-never till now-realization.
Come, Tidy, kiss the lady good.
by" 1t was the matron's voice she
heard.
She was moving on, expecting her
visitor to follow, but Mrs. Spaulding
was standing still, a peculiar express
sion on her face as she said:
Il don't think | want that girl l
spoke about; I've changed my mind.
l think" hesitatingly; I'll take
this one
Once outside the gray stone build
ing she wondered at her doing.
Staid, middle. aged Bessie Spaulding
taking a baby for adoption. She
smiled as she thought of her neigh
bors' criticism. She was prepared for
it all.
Thirteen years passed. The child
that Mrs. Spaulding had taken to her
heart could indeed be classed as "a
good sized girl" She was in her six
teenth year. A tall, beautiful girl,
with dark, flashing eyes and Sich
brown complexion.
She proved to be a great comfort
to her foster parents. Through the
livelong day she SANG joyous notes,
like the calling of a bird.
Once a stranger passing, paused to
listen to that sweet voice, and lis
tening, exclaimed:
Bravo! Bravo!"
She wondered what he ~meant-she,
this innocent child of nature.
Such a strange man, mother" she
said when she sat at her feet in the
twilight. do l sing very well?" she
asked.
well enough to please mother"
came the soft answer, and she was
content.
The next Sabbath while she sang in
the village choir a dark face was up
lifted in mute admiration; it was the
man who called out Bravo to her
while she sang.
She saw him stop and speak to her
foster parents. She watched her moth
er place her hand or her heart, while
the color died from her face.
That night as she lay awake she
heard voices from below. 1t was
her foster parents, She caught the
words:
1--WE must keep her from the
choir, John. My God! he'll take her
from u.s."
She had a vague impression that the
dark stranger was a relative. She
knew the history of her own origin,
that her rightful parents came from
Italy. Perhaps he had come to take
her away. AS. but she would not go;
no., never
For a time she ceased to sing. When
the spring came, all her joyousness re.
turned. She sang with the birds.
notes sweeter than the nightingale.
How could she be otherwise than in
harmony with nature?
She was sitting in the garden sing
ing a bright little melody; it seemed
to come from her very heart. She
was conscious of a presence, and rails
ing her eyes saw the stranger-he who
would take her away.
Gathering up her work and garden
hat, she would have rushed into the
house, but he stood in her pathway.
"Ah. mademoiselle. listen {" he nload