The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-12-17


county orphan asylum. she hadn't the
remotest idea Of bringing home the
wee mite Of humanity She did. On
the contrary. she needed a half
grown gill large enough 70 wash
dishes. run erfands. 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 MAJ
tron for
Come this way. answered that
person. Il think ne have just the gifl
for you"
IN going to the section of the build
ing where the larger girls were domt
ciled they had occasion 70 pass
through the nursery
IN this room a number Of little
ones were playing. One dark-eyed
little elf caught hold Of Mrs. Spauid-
ing's gown
my. but isn't she pretty ex-
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
tron. "She Is Of Italian parentage,
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
your name, dear
"Tildywinks," lisped the child.
Perhaps her name is Matilda,
vcntuFed Mrs. Spaulding
Suddenly the child stretched out
her arms" Mamma" she cried
"Tildys mamma Oh, what music
n 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.
uon-neyer till now-reallzation.
Come. Tildy kiss the lady good
BY" II 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 I want that girl
spoke about; I've changed my mind.
I think" hesitatingly; "rll 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
1t 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 rich
brown complexion
She proved to be a great comfort
to her foster parents. Through the
liyeioRs day she sang joyous notes
ike the calling Of bird
y Once a stranger passing, paused to
listen to that sweet voice. and lis
tening. exclaimed:
"Bravol Bravol"
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 I sing very well?. she
asked
"Well enough to please mother,
came the soft answer, and she wal
content.
The next Sabbath while she sang II
the village choir dark face was up
lifted in mute admiration; 1t was ths
man who called out Bravo to heI
while she sang.
She saw him step and speak to he
foster parents. She watched her moth
or place her hand on her heart. whIli
the color died from her face
That night as she lay awake shi
heard voices from below. It wai
her foster parents. She caught tht
words:
I'VE must keep her from thl
choir, John. My God he'll take he
from rs,
She had vague impression that thi
dark stranger was a relative. sh
knew the history of her own origin
that her rightful parents came iron
Italy. Perhaps he had come to TAX
her away. AS. but she would not 90
no, never.
For q time she ceased to sing. Whei
the spring came, all her joyousness re
turned she sang with the birds
notes sweeter than the nightingale
How could she be otherwise than 4
harmony with nature7
She was sitting IN the garden sins
ing a bright little melody; It scene
10 come from her very heart. Sh
was conscious Of a presence, and raii
Ing her eyes saw the stranger-he VIII
would take her away.
Gathering up her work and gardeI
hat. she would have rushed into Ia