The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-01-09
ElCie'c
Little Miracle
By Anna Steese Richardson
Copyright. 1905, by May MeKeon

- 'ttH lf'NtNN s~Ni'''''''N hhi''Na'''oN
that the Billy Daltau- We're drifting
apart. There WIS no particular reason
for this state of affairs, save the lack
of something better to do.
You see. they had just enough money
50 that Billy did not have to work nor
Janet to worry about making both ends
meet They had danced their NAY
through several seasons into II lazy,
good humored and comrade-likc engage
ment, thence into matrimony. After
that Billy had continued 10 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 eoverlly that
when Billy went 10 England and SGet
land. W here he had nothing in partic.
ulaf 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 MAS lighting ennui by hunting big
game 1t was even whispered that
billy Dalton bad usinuited to Stanley
that ii WAS rather better taste To stalk
big game than another mans wife. es.
pecialy when the other man WIS per
fectly willing 10 make II clear sailing
for his wife If II would make her any
happier
OF course This sounds Il bit strong on
paper, particularly to the old fashioned
Ia
Il contract for life and not Il mere cpl
sode In the set to which the BILLY BAL
tons belonged the situation WAS ne,
copied as Il matter Of course, and when
Janet asked Il lot of people down to
their Long Island place for the auto
muhtlc rares and the week end no one
thought of refusing lust because the
Daltons might separate within II fort
nigh, afteg the gathering.
such Wis the situation when the
Dalton ear broke down on the Jericho
turnpike and its occnpants-Janct.
Mrs Gfecuwalt Joe Jcffrcys and
"Marsh" IIuntoan decided to cut
through thr woods 10 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 1t was not entirely impa-
tience which he'd them 10 take the
short cut through the woods. but the
call of Il hundred autumn voices In
ruStling leaves, rich, warm colorlngs
and the chatter Of squirrels laying up
winter stores. And thus ii was that
they suddenly stopped in their tracks
and lirtened TO II sound that was not
OF the woods. but of the nursery-the
plaintive wall of a child. Janet it was
who found II n bit of white faced,
staring eyed humanity rolled up snug
~ in a 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 II conference. The child
was too Young 10 have walked there.
Mrs. GreeuWalt said it was not II day
over two months old. II WAS too far
from the road 10 be heard by passing
travellers. Ah-therc was the answer,
Il wsp Of paper tied to the end Of the
shawl
please take care Of little Elsie. 1t
was not her ftult that she came into
the world, and can do no more"
eve always said that the govern
ment ought to regulate the question of
marriage among the poor" remarked
Mrs. Grcenwalt severely. "Ilere IS a
ease in point
You are jumping at conclusions"
said Iluntoon drNiy. Lets take it to
the town marshal
"And what them" asked Janet with
ont lifting her gaze from the chlds
face The baby had clutched her fin
ger with It's tiny fist and settled down
as if ii had found anchorage.
ooh, there are asvlums and homes
for Youngsters like this. You'd better
hurry along home with 1t before 1t be-
glns to howl. one of your men can
take It 10 town before dark. Shall
carry the little beggar for YOU
ooh, no. Shes not bit heavy, and
she Is quiet now She might cry II we
changed her position
They trldgcd on through rustling
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 If searching
for new key to the problem Of life.
Sometimes Janet wished that the child
would close its eyes She did not like
10 meet that trustfui, clear eyed gaze
Have you disposed Of the young
ster?" asked M lrsh' IIuntoon as they
sat down to dinner that night.
Janet started and looked across the
table at her husband. He lifted his
eyebrows inquiringly.
IIuntoon's good humored laugh broke
the awkward silence.
"Whati Don't you know that our
party was decreased by one during our
ride this afternoon? Rather small
one but, my. what lungs it has
Janet drew in her breath sharply
II wish you would not talk any more
about 1t ut 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
papers-because il no one claims little
Elsie think II shall keep her"
Keep her, gasped Mrs. Greenwalt. |
why, my dear girl, the place for a
child without name Is founding
asylum"
Janet spoke very softly, yet every
word was heard, 50 complete was the
silence
Il Shall give her a name because
once-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 / know you will all be kind
enough to keep this very quiet until
there was just a slight. tense heslta-
tion-"until we decide what shall be
DONE"
Naturally 1t was talked about, how
N Inplnir, aud clubs the