Smyrna times., 1907-01-16
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-like 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 it was rather better taste to stalk
big game than another mans wife, es-
pONieAly hhNh TIC OllCl man was pei
fectly willing to make it clear sailing
for his wife if it 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 a mere epi-
sode. In the set to which the Billy Dal-
tons belonged the situation was ac-
J cepted as matter Of course, and when
| Janet asked 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
night 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
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 it was not entirely impa-
tience which led them to take the
short cut through the woods, but the
call of a hundred autumn voices in
rustling leaves, rich, warm colorings
and the chatter of squirrels laying uI
winter stores. And thus it was that
they suddenly stopped in their tracks
and listened to sound that was moi
of the woods, but of the nursery-the
plaintive wall of child. Janet it was
who found it-a bit of white faced
staring eyed humanity rolled up snug
ly in a great shawl of Iceland wool.
While she held the baby in her arm:
and tried to silence it's walls with un
certain and awkward little pettings thu
quartet held a conference. The child
was too young to have walked there
Mrs. Greenwalt said it was not a da,
over two months old. 1t was too fa
from the road to be heard by passin;
travellers. Ah-there was the answer
a wisp of paper tied to the end of tn
shawl:
"Please take care of little Elsie.
was not her fault that she came int
the world, and can do no more"
"I've always said that the govern
ment ought to regulate the question o
marriage among the poor" remarke
Mrs. Greenwalt severely. "Here is
case in point"
"You are jumping at conclusions,
said Huntoon dryly. Lets take it
the town marshall
"And what then?' asked Janet will
out lifting her gaze from the child
face. The baby had clutched her fiji
ger with its tiny fist and settled dow
as If it had found anchorage.
"Oh, there are asylums and home
for youngsters like this. You'd bette
hurry along home with it before 1t b.
gins to howl. One of your men ca
take it to town before dark Shall
carry the little beggar for your
"Oh, no. She's not a bit heavy, an
she is quiet now. She might cry IL W
changed her position"
They trudged on through rustlir
leaves and soft Indian summer haz
three of the party chatting gayly; tw
the young wife and the baby, lookir
INTO eacn Otnef s eyes as II Sedrcnll
for new key to the problem Of lif
Sometimes Janet wished that the chi
would close its eyes. She did not Ill
to meet that trustful, clear eyed gaze
.
'Have you disposed of the youn
sterY asked MARSH" Huntoon as tn
sat down to dinner that night.
Janet started and looked across t
table at her husband. He lifted |
eyebrows inquiringly.
Huntoon's good humored laugh bro
the awkward silence
"What? Don't you know that o
party was increased by one during o
ride this afternoon? Rather a sm
'one,' but, my, what lungs it has"
Janet drew in her breath sharply
81 wish you would not talk any me
about it at present, good people," S
said, trying to speak lightly. az
ty. started inquiries in a quiet way.