Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-04-04
Elcie'c
Little Miracle
By Anna Steese Richardson
Copyright, 1906, by May McKeon


for this state of affairs, save the lack
Of something better to do.
You see, they had Just enough money
so that Billy did not have to work nor
Janet to worry about making both ends
meet They had danced their way
through several seasons into a lazy,
good humored and comrade-lille 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 soci-
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 in Nevada or South Da
kota, there to remain until Norman
Stanley returned from Africa. where
he was fighting ennui by hunting big
game. 1t was even whispered that
Billy Dalton had insinuated TO Stanley
that 1t was rather better taste to stalk
big game than another mans wife, es-
pecially when the other man was per
fectly willing to make 1t clear sailing
for his wife If II would make her any
happier.
OF course, this sounds bit strong on
paper, particularly to the old fashioned
folk who still believe that marriage Is
a contract for life and not mere cpl
sode. In the set to which the Billy Dal-
tons belonged the situation was &C
cepted as a matter of course, and when
Janet asked a lot of people down to
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 a fort
uight after the gathering.
Such was the situation when the
Dalton car broke down on the Jericho
turnpike, and its occupants-Janet.
Mrs. Greenwalt, Joe Jeffreys and
"Marsh" Huntoon-decided to cut
through the woods to the Dalton place
aud 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 it was not entirely impa-
tience which led them to take the
short cut through the woods. but the
call of hundred autumn voices In
rustling leaves, rich, warm colorings
and the chatter Of squirrels laying up
winter stores And thus 1t 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 1t was
who found it-a bit of white faced,
staring eyed humanity rolled up snug
IL 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 a conference. The child
was too young to have walked there.
Mrs. Greenwalt said it was not day
over two months old. 1t was too far
from the road to be heard by passing
travellers. Ah-there was the answer.
q .wisp OF paper tied to the end or the
shawl:
"Please take care OF little Elsie. 1t
was not her fault that she came into
the world, and | can do no more"
"rve always said that the govern
ment ought to 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 1t to
the town marshall
"And what them" asked Janet with
out lifting her gaze from the child's
face. The baby had clutched her I'm
ger with It's tiny fist and settled down
as II 1t had found anchorage.
"Oh, there are asylums and homes
for youngsters like this. You'd better
hurry along home with 1t before 1t be-
gins to howl One Of your men can
take 1t to town before dark. Shall 1
carry the little beggar for your
"Oh, no. She's not a bit heavy, and
she Is quiet now. She might cry IL 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 a new key to the problem of life.
Janet wished that the child
would close its eyes. She did not like
to meet that trustful, clear eyed gaze.
Have you disposed Of the young
sterT asked Marsh" Huntoon as they
sat down TO dinner that night.
Janet started and looked across the
table at her husband. He lifted his
eyebrows inquiringly.
Huptoon'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 1t has,
Janet drew in her breath sharply. /
II wish you would not talk any more
about it at present, good people" she
said, trying TO speak lightly. I've
started inquiries In quiet way.
don't want the thing to get into the
If no one claims little |
Elsie think II shall keep her"
Keep herr gasped Mrs Greenwalt.
Why, my dear girl, the place for a
child without a name is foundling
asylum"
Janet spoke very softly yet every
word was heard so complete was the
Silence
II shall give her a name because
Once-just once-I saw line of chi.
iren 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 kind
enough to keep this very quiet untiT'-
there was just a slight, tense heslta-
tion-"until we decide what shall be
lone"
Naturally it was talked about. how