The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-02-11

wee UIALE Oh uWAAa4AA. 1AA D1
the contrary, she needed a hall
grown girl large enough to wash
dishes, run errands. and otherwise
assist with household duties. now
that she was getting on in years.
"A good sized girl, capable and
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-
ciIed they had occasion 10 pass
through the nursery.
In this room a number OF little
mes 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 shez'
she must be almost three. as near
as we can reckon" answered the ma
iron. she is of Italian parentage,
she went on. 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,
yentured 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 nps-only anticipa-
tion-never till GENERALIZATION
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:
7 don't think l want that girl ]
spoke about: I'VE changed my mind
1 think" hesitatingly; "Tn take
this one"
Once outside the gray stone build
ing she wondered at her doing
Staid. middle aged Bessie Spauldins
taking a baby for adoption. She
smiled as she thought Of her neigh
bors' criticism. She. was prepared fol
it all.
Thirteen years passed. The chilli
that Mrs. Spaulding had taken u he
| heart could indeed be classed as Z
good sized girl" She was in her six
teenth year. a tall, beautiful girl
with dark, flashing eyes and ricl
; brown complexion.
; She proved to be a great comfor
; to her foster parents. Through tn
; livelong day she sang joyous notes
like the calling of a bird.
Once a stranger passing, paused Il
listen to that wee voice. and lis
b tening. exclaimed:
Bravo, Bravo"
e She wondered what he meant-she
i this innocent child of nature.
e Such a strange man, mother" sh
I said when she sat at her feet in tn
twilight. DO l sing very well?" sh
asked.
Well enough to please mother,
came the soft answer, and she wa
content.
The next Sabbath while she sang i
the village choir a dark face was "
lifted in mute admiration; it was tn
man who called u Bravo to be
while she sang.
She saw him stop and speak to be
I foster parents. She watched her mot
er place her hand on her heart, Will
the color died from her face.
That night as she lay awake 81
I heard voices from below. 1t va
her foster parents, She caught Il
words:
I'VE must keep her from II
choir, John. My God! he'll take h,
from us
/ She had a vague impression that Il
dark stranger was a relative. 81
knew the history of her own origi
Z that her rightful parents came fro
Italy. Perhaps he had come to tai
er her away. AS. but she would not g
no, never,
For a time she ceased to sing. Whs
the spring came. all her -joyousness T
I'd turned. She sang with the bird
notes sweeter than the nightingal
Id How could she be otherwise than
F.. harmony with nature?
it She was sitting in the garden sin
is ing a bright little melody; it seem,
IL to come from her very heart 81
was conscious of a presence. and raj
ing her eyes saw the stranger-he wi
would take her away.
lie Gathering up her work and garde
hat, she would have rushed into Il
M house, but he stood in her pathway.
re "Ah, mademoiselle, listen" he plea
it ed. DO you want to become rich. 1
lie nous, queen among women"
She caught the words rich.
NOUS" Her breath came in lit
gasps. Then she bent her dark he