The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-12-25

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husbands death three years age, and
she kept at Il day and night she was
40 sweet, SO brave, yet 40 desperately
miserable over leaving her little girl
alone In the world"
Or. Van valkenberE sat silent II
was true. then, This was KathaElne'a
child. lie had not known VI tho death
az ArmlIagc nor Of the subsequent
poverty Of his widow. but he had
known Katharine's baby, he new told
himself, the moment he saw her.
"wolln tho Aurse resumed, after
she died We ralsed small fund 70 buy
some clothes for Hope and take her
10 Chicago to her new homo Mrs
Arrnstage has cousin there who has
agreed to take her In None Of the
relatives came 70 the funeral. There
are not many Of them, and the Chiea.
go people haven't much money,
/ fancy"
! Dr. Van vaikenbcrR was hardly sur
prlsed Life was full o. extraordinary
nituations. and hA profession had
brought him face to face with many
OF them. Nevertheless deep solem'
I nifty Oiled him. and strange peace
| settled over him.
II want her" he said briefly, "Her
mother and father were old friends of
mine. aud this thing looks like fate,
WIN they give her 70 me--thsse Chi
cago people dc you thlnkr
Tears illed the woman'a eyes,
"Indeed they wlll." she said, "and
GLADLY, There was"~ehe hesitatesi--
'sthero was even soma talk Of sending
hsr to nm institution before they finally
decided 10 take her Dear little Hopal
How happy she win bs with your
He lcit her and went back to the
scat whore Hope sat grooming 20 the
doll. Sitting down, he gathered them
beth M ia bis arms, and thrill shot
through him as no looked at the yellow
curla resting against his breast He'
chIld--hor little. helpless baby-now
his child 10 love and care forl III
was not religious man. Nevertheless
a prayer rosa spontaneously " hl'
heart.
"uope" he said gently, "onee lohl
ago ! asked a little girl 70 come ant
. live with me. and she would not come
Now I want to ask sou to come an'
stay with me always aud be my owl
little girl and lei me take care q yol
: ana make you happy. WIN you come 7
|, The radiance Of June sunshine hrok
out upon her face and Shone In IN
brown eyes upturned TO his, How we
he knew that loOkl Hopo did NOT tur
toward Mana. and that significant omit
alon touched him deeply, She SCENE
q 10 feel TINT here was question ~
' alone must decide. She drew a Ion
= breath as she looked up at him,
. "Really, trulyT she asked. TheI
Y ns he nodded without speaking, 81
y saw something 10 his face that WI
y new to her. II was nothing to frigh
en- q little glrI for II was very Bwe'
y y and tender, but for one second 81
= thought her new friend was going
y !, cry. She put both arms around ,
!, neck and replied softly. with tho Q
y auisite maternal cadences her voice hi
" taken on in her frst words 70 hi
70 when she entered the car;
u "pll be your own little girl, and
Il take care Of you too. Yon know, y
~ said could"
!, y DR.. Van vaIkenberg turned to =
i. nurse.
~ II shall so with you to her cousli
- from the train" be announced. II
s ,o ready to give them all the proofs tn
y :. need that I'm suitable guardian (
= the child, but" be added, with a tou
NJ Of the boyishness that had never Y
~ him, II want this matter settled nov
~ The long train pounded It's way y
- ~ the station at Chicnso, and Df. v
hs Yalkenberg summoned q porter.
Nd "Take care Of these things" ho %
~ gv r indicating bc