The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-01-09

onee-just once-I saw a line Of chill
dren walking. rows and rows, by twos.
from an orphan asylum. l can't send
her there"
Mentally she saw again those clear.
trusting blue eyes.
And I know you VIII ali be kind
enough 10 keep Ii vc.y q-.et until
there WAS just slight tense hesita-
tlou until we decide what shall be
done
Naturally IT was talked about. how
ever III boudoIrs and at clubs the
question was raised ms to what name
little Elsie would acquire. Was II not
lad enough to be facing divorce resi-
dence In the fur west wi lput acquir-
ing an unnecessary incumbranee at
the crucial moment?
Within the Dalton bungalow on Long
Island stranger things were happen
lug. No clew to the baby's. parents
had been found. When Billy Dalton
dropped down occasionally, as he had
been doing for a year past to keep up
appearances. his first question was,
Anything new" and this always
meant anything new about the baby's
history" Aud little Elsie would look
up at him with reproachful blue eyes
as II asking. why do you care?p And
the worst OF 1t 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 new tooth every few days
aud such wonderful hampers of clothes
to be bought. fine handkerchief linen,
narrow val and convent embroidery?
A 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 Dial.
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 to
him with kIndling eyes.
Billy, shall have Christmas tree
for Elsie. She is SO bright for her age.
do believe she will notice It"
"Quite likely" responded Billy, with
assumed carelessness. as she laid aside
his storm coat, "but in making your
plans you seem TO have overlooked one
important fact. AS yet Elsie is not
really yours. The law
Janet turned on him sharply.
"she is mine by right of-everythlng.
l found her, and l love her"
Yes, but you must formally adopt
her. l thought perhaps you'd better
see to that before / leave. I'VE changed
my plans bit. Pm going to meet
mother and Grace in Rome for Christ.
mas. The mater has not been feeling
very At. l am not fond of England in
winter. and
Janet crossed to his side, and her
hand rested lightly on his arm.
Don't you think you'd enjoy much
more seeing Elsie have her first tree?
And-and l thInk-I need you-more
than your mother does"
Something rose in Dalton's throat
and threatened to choke him. It was a
sensation he had never felt before. not
even during the good natured. lazy run
Of his woolng Janet wanted hlml He
thought he had not cared. Now he
knew that he had cared all along. But
1t was characteristic be did not express
his fierce joy In words. He held Janet
very close and whispered:
well, rather did hope you'd give
the little beggar the name of Dalton.
It's pretty good name after all. ehY'
Norman Stanley heard the news when
he landed in london. He sent lions
skin captured by his own hand for lit
tie Elsie to roll upon. Then he went
to the Nile country for the winter.