Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-12-10

husbands death three years ago, and
she kept at it day and night. She WINS
so sweet, SO brave, yet so desperately
miserable over leaving her little girl
alone In the world"
DIR. Van valkenberg sat silent. X
was true, then This was Katharine's
child. He had not known Of the death
of Armitage nor OF the Subsequent
poverty of his widow. but he had
known Katharine's baby, he now todd
himself, the moment he saw her.
well" the nurse resumed, after
she died we raised a small fund to buy
some clothes for Hope and take her
to Chicago to her new home. Mrs
Armitage has cousin there who has
agreed to take her I'm. None of the
relatives came TO the funeral. There
are not many of them, and the Chica-
go people haven't much money,
fancy"
DR. Van Valkenberg was hardly sur
prised Life was full of extraordinary
situations. and his profession had
brought him face TO face with many
OF them. Nevertheless a deep solem-
nifty filed him. and a strange peace
settled over him.
81 want her" he said briefly "Her
mother and father were old friends OF
mine. and this thing looks like fate.
VIII they give her to me-these Chi
cago people-do you think?"
Tears filed the woman's eyes.
Indeed they Will" she said, "and
gladly There was"-she hesitated--
''there was even some talk OF sending
her 10 an institution before they finally
decided TO take her Dear little Hope!
How happy she will be with youl"
He left her and went back to the
seat where Hope sat grooming to the
doll Sitting down. he gathered them
both dp III his arms. and a thrill shot
through him as he looked at the yellow
curls resting against his breast. Her
child-her little. helpless baby-now
his child to love and care for, He
was not religious man. Nevertheless
PRAYER rose spontaneously in his
heart
Hope" he said gently. "once long
ago ! asked a little-girl 20 come and
/ live with me. and she would not come.
Now ! want to ask YOU TO come and
stay with me always and he my own
little girl and let me take care OF you
and make You happy. Will you Gomez
The radiance Of June sunshine broke
out upon her face and shone in the
brown eyes upturned TO his. How well
ne knew that look. Hope did not turn
] toward Mana. and that significant omis-
sion touched him deeply. She seemed
to feel that here was question she
alone must deridc She drew a long
breath M she loc-el up at him.
Really. truly she asked Then,
as he nodded without Speaking she
saw something in his face that was
new to her II was nothing To fright
en- little girl. for IL was very sweet
/ and tender. but for one second she
thought her new friend was going To
cry. She put both arms around his
neck and replied softly. with the ex-
I quisite maternal cadences her voice had
taken on in her first words TO bin
\ when she entered the cog:
III be your owlSyFT1e girl. and III
take care Of you tooNllNou know you
said l could"
DR. Van Valkenberg turned TO the
nurse
IL shall 20 with you To her cousins
/ from. the train" be announced. I'm
ready TO give them all the proofs they
I need that I'm a suitable guardian for
the child. but" he added. with touch
Of the boyishness that had never left
him. Il want this matter settled now
The long train pounded It's way into
the station at Chicago and Or Van
yalkenberg summoned Il porter.
"Take care Of these things" he said.