Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-12-12

"A good sized glfl, capaOIe anu
willing" was what she asked the ma
tron for.
Come this way answered that
person; Il think we have Just the girl
for you"
In going to the section Of the build
ing where the larger girls were domi-
ciled they had occasion to pass
through the nursery.
In this room a number OF little
ones were playing. One dark-eyed
little elf caught hold OF Mrs. Spauld.
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 or 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,
ventured Mrs. Spaulding.
Suddenly the child stretched out
her arms-"Mamma," she cried
"Tildy's mamma" oh, what MUSIC
in 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 l~ips-only anticipa'
tion-neyer till now-realization.
Come, Tidy, kiss the lady good.
by" 1t was the matron's voice she
heard.
She was moving on, expecting her
visitor to follow, but Mrs. Spaulding
was standing still, a peculiar expires.
sion on her face as she said:
Il don't think / want that girl /
spoke about: I've changed my mind.
l think hesitatingly; I'll 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
ii all.
Thirteen years passed. The child
that Mrs. %Spsulding 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
livelong day she sang joyous notes,
like the calling of a bird.
Once a stranger passing, paused to
listen to that sweet voice, and lis.
tening, exclaimed:
Bravo! Bravo"
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 ] sing very well?" she
asked.
We'll enough to please mother"
came the soft answer, and she was
content.
The next Sabbath while she sang in
the village choir a dark face was up.
lifted in mute admiration; 1t was the
man who called out Bravo to her
while she n
She saw him stop and speak to her
foster parents. She watched her moth.
er place her hand on her heart, while
the color died from her face.
That night as she lay awake she
heard voices from below. 1t was
her foster parents, She caught the
words:
we must keep her from the
choir, John. My Cod he'll take her
from us
She had a vague impression that the
dark stranger was a relative. She
knew the history OF her own origin,
that her rightful parents came from
Italy. Perhaps he had come 10 take
her away, AS, but she would not GO;
no, never.
For a time she ceased to sing. When
the spring came, all her joyousness re.
turned. She sang with the birds.
notes sweeter than the nightingale
How could she be otherwise than in
harmony with nature?
She was sitting in the garden sing.
ing a bright little melody; it seemed
TO come from her very heart, She
was conscious Of a presence, and rails.
ing her eyes saw the stranger-he who
would take her away.
Gathering up her work and garden.
hat, she would have rushed into the
house, but he stood in her pathway,
All, mademOiselle, listen" he plead.
ed. DO you want 10 become rich "a.
nous, queen among women"
She caught the words rich. ia.
nous Her breath came in little
gasps. Then she bent her dark head
and listened. She was only a woman
To be praised, admired, gifts cast at
her very feet; TO become a prlma don.
ma. All, the temptation was too
great.
Give me time to think, she plead.
ed; only time to think"
One night before the footlights
would bring sufficient money TO pur.
chase the farm, No need then for ia.
ther to toll and mother to Worry. 1t
seemed the path OF duty.
The little white bed with the GOV.
erlet undisturbed told its own story
with the tear-stained note pinned on
the dressing case.
I'm going away" It read, TO study
music and have my voice cultivated.
When I've grown rich and famous, |
will come back. Not till then. For.
give me and good.by. Tidy"
Gone" cried the frantic mother,
gone 10 become an actress"
To the mind of these simple coun.
try folk her future career was looked
LAAy Na r... a.. Al. E.