Smyrna times., 1907-01-16

once-just once-I saw a line of chill
Gren walking. rows and rows, by twos,
from an orphan asylum. can't send
her there
Mentally she saw again, those clear,
trusting blue eyes.
And | know you will all be kinG
enough to keep this very quiet until''-
there was just a slight, tense hesita.
tion-'until we decide what shall he
done"
Naturally it was talked about, how
ever In boudoirs and at clubs the
question was raised as to what name
little Elsie would acquire. Was it not
bad enough to be facing a divorce resi-
dence in the far west without acqu,T-
ing an unnecessary incumbrance at
the crucial moment?
Within the Dalton bungalow on Long
Island stranger things were happen
ing. No clew to the baby's parents
had been found When Billy Dalton
dropped down occasionally, as he had
been doing for year past to keep up
appearances, his first question was
Anything new?" and this always
meant anything new about the baby's
history" And little Elsie would look
up at him with reproachful blue eyes
as if asking. ''Why do you care?" And
the worst of it was that Billy Dalton
began to realize that he did care. Janet
had changed, and, with an odd sort
of jealousy, he realized that it was lit
! tie Elsie and not he who had brought
/ about the marvellous and altogether de.
sirable change. She was no longer
bored. How could she be with Elsie
cutting a new tooth every few days
and such wonderful hampers of clothes
to be bought, fine handkerchief linen,
narrow val and convent embroidery
\ more fastidious customer had never
entered the shops which specialize on
layettes, and with her own hands Janet
made covers for down pillows, silk
tufted afghans and other foolish things
while the tongue of gossip wagged
gayly over the whole absurd episode.
One frosty December afternoon Dal
ton ran down to the bungalow and
found Janet standing at the window
The low spreading evergreens on the
west side of the house were powdered
lightly with snow, and Janet turned tt
him with kindling eyes,
BILLY, shall have Christmas tree
for Elsie. She is so bright for her age
I do believe she will notice it,
"Quite likely" responded Billy, witt
assumed carelessness, as she laid asid,
| fhtTf in,
plans you seem to have overlooked on,
important fact. AS yet Elsie is no
really yours. The law
Janet turned on him sharply.
"She is mine by right of-everything
l found her, and l love her.
''Yes, but you must formally adop
her I thought perhaps you'd bette
see to that before leave. I've changes
my plans a bit. Pm going to NEE
mother and Grace in Rome for Christ
mas. The mater has not been feelin
/ very fit. 1 am not fond of England il
J winter, and"-
t Janet crossed to his side, and he
: hand rested lightly on his arm.
5 Don't you think you'd enjoy muc
, more seeing Elsie have her first tree
And-and l think-I need you-mor
than your mother does"
) Something rose in Dalton's throS
and threatened to choke him. 1t was
e sensation he had never felt before, NJ
! even during the good natured, lazy ru
: of his wooing. Janet wanted him! II
thought he had not cared. Now /
knew that he had cared all along. Bi
: it was characteristic he did not expire.
> his fierce joy in words. He held Jan,
very close and whispered:
"Well, rather did hope you'd giy
l the little beggar the name of Dalto
It's pretty good name after all, eh 2
: Norman Stanley heard the news whC
= = he landed in London. He sent lion
skin captured by his own hand for Il
tie Elsie to roll upon. Then he we
;, to the Nile country for the winter.