Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-01-09
Elrie'r
Little Miracle
By Anna Steese Richardson
Copyright. 1906. by May McKeon


1t 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 money
20 that Billy did not have TO work nc
Janet TO worry about making both ends
meet. They had danced their way
through several seasons into Il lazy.
good humored and comrade-like engage
ment, thence into matrimony. After
that Billy had continued TO lead CO
tillons and Janet to dance them. but
generally with other partners.
Matters between them had reached
the point where the rumor laden soc-
ETY. papers had suggested covertly that
when Billy went TO England and Scot
land. where he had nothing in partic-
ular TO do, Janet would probably take
up her home I'm Nevada or South Da-
kota. there to remain until Norman
Stanley returned from Africa. where
he was fighting ennui by hunting big
game IL was even whispered that
Billy Dalton had insinuated TO Stanley
that IL was rather better taste to stalk
big game than another mans wife, es-
pecially when the other man was per-
fectly willing TO make IL clear sailing
for his wife IL IL would make her any
happier.
or course this sounds bit strong on
paper. particularly to the old fashioned
folk who still believe that marriage is
n contract for life and not n mere cpl
sode In the set to which the Billy Dal-
tons belonged the situation was ac-
cepted as a matter Of course. and when
Janet asked a lot OF people down 10
their Long Island place for the auto
mobile races and the week end no one
thought of refusing just because the
Daltons might separate within fort
night after the gathering.
Such was the situation when the
Dalton car broke down on the Jericho
turnpike, and It's occupants--Janet
Mrs. Greenwalt, Joe Jeffreys and
Marsh" Huntoon-decided TO cut
through the woods to the Dalton place
and leave the car for farmer to guard
until the mechanic who handled the
Dalton garage could be dispatched TO
the scene of the accident.
Perhaps II was not entirely impa-
thence which led them TO take the
short cut through the woods, but the
call OF a hundred autumn voices in
rustling leaves, rich, warm colorings
and the chatter of squirrels laying up
winter stores. And thus II was that
they suddenly stopped In their tracks
and listened TO sound that was not
OF the woods. but OF the nursery-the
plaintive wall OF child. Janet II was
who found it-a bit of white faced.
staring eyed humanity rolled up snug
ly in great shawl OF Iceland wool.
While she held the baby in her arms
and tried TO silence its walls with I'M
certain and awkward little pettings the
quartet held conference. The child
was too young TO have walked there.
Mrs. Greenwalt said II was not a day
over two months old. II was too far
from the road TO be heard by passing
travellers. Ah-there was the answer.
a wisp Of paper tied to the end OF the
shawl:
please take care Of little Elsie. II
was not her fault that she came into
the world, and can do no more"
I've always said that the govern
ment ought % regulate the question OF
marriage among the poor" remarked
Mrs. Greenwalt severely. Here is a
case in point"
you are jumping at conclusions"
said Huntoon dryly. Lets take il TO
the town marshall
"And what them" asked Janet with
out lifting her gaze from the child's
face. The baby had clutched her fin
ger with its tiny fist and settled down
as II il had found anchorage.
ooh. there are asylums and homes
for youngsters like this. You'd better
hurry along home with IL before IL be-
gins 10 howl One OF your men can
take IL TO town before dark. Shall I
carry the little beggar for your
ooh. no. she's not bit heavy. aud
she Is quiet now. She might cry II we
changed her position"
They trudged on through rustllng
leaves and soft Indian summer haze.
three Of the party chatting gayly; two.
the young wife and the baby. looking
into each others eyes as II searching
for new key to the problem of life
Sometimes Janet wished that the child
would close it's eyes. She did not like
to meet that trustful. clear eyed gaze.
'IIave you disposed of the young
sterf" asked Marsh" Huntoon as they
sat down TO dinner that night
Janet stan Tcd and looked across the
table at her husband. He lifted his
eyebrows inquiringly.
HuntoOn's good humored laugh broke
the awkward silence.
What? Don't you know that our
party was Increased by one during our
ride this afternoon? Rather a small
one but, my. what lungs il hasl''
Janet drew In her breath sharply
xrrfu1. foll