The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-28


coed to adopt q baby"
blunt and surprising remark that came
from the one who held the infant. Ban
semer felt himself getting angry.
"Who wants to adopt it?' he asked
shortly.
IT do, of course" she answered, SO
readily that the lawyer stared. He
scanned her from head to foot critical
ly; her face Redeemed perceptibly. 1t
surprised him to find that she was
more than merely good looking. She
was positively attractive!
Are you a married woman" he de-
manded.
YES" she answered, with a furtive
glance at her companion. This is my
sister," she added.
Il see. Where is your husbandw
HE Is at home, or, rather, at his
mothers home. We are living there
now"
II thought you said you were a gov
erness?"
THAT doesn't prevent me from hav-
ing home, does itT' she explained
easily. I'm not nurse, you know"
This isn't your child. then?' he
asked impatiently.
Il don't know whose child it is"
There was a new softness in her voice
that made him look hard at her while
she passed hand tenderly over the
sleeping babe. she comes from a
foundlings' home, sir"
You cannot adopt child unless sup
ported by some authority" he said.
How does she happen to be in your
possession, and what papers have you
from the foundlings' home to show that
the authorities are willing that you
should have her? There is lot Of red
tape about such matters, madam"
II thought perhaps you could manage
it for me, Mr.. Bansemer," she said
plaintively. They say you never fail
at anything you undertake" He was
not sure there was compliment in her
remark, so he treated it with indiffer
ence.
Pm afraid 1 can't help you" The
tone was final.
Cant you tell me how I'll have to
proceed? l must adopt the child, sir,
one way or another" Her manner was
more subdued, and there was touch
of supplication in her voice.
"Oh, you go into the proper court and
make application, that's ALL he volun-
teered carelessly. The judge will do
the rest. Does your husband approve
of the plans?"
He doesn't know anything about it. J"
whats that?'
81 can't tell him. 1t would spoil ev-
erything.'
MY dear madam, 1 don't believe I
understand you quite clearly. You
want to adopt the child and keep the
matter dark so far as your husband is
concerned? May inquire the reason?'
Bansemer naturally was interested by
this time.
IF you have time to listen, I'd like
to tell you how it all comes about. 1t
won't take long. l want some one to
tell me just what to do, and I'll pay
for the advice, if it isn't too expensive.
I'm very poor, Mr.. Bansemer. Per
haps you won't care to help me after
you know that l can't afford to pay
very much
Wen see about that later" he said
brusquely. GO ahead with the story
The young woman hesitated, glanced
nervously at her sister as II for sup
port and finally faced. the expectant
lawyer with a fash of determination in
her dark eyes. As she proceeded Banse.
mer silently and somewhat disdainfuly
made study of the speaker. He con.
cluded that she was scarcely of COM
mon origin and was the possessor Of a
superficial education that had been en-
larged by conceitedness. Furthermore,
she was a person OF selfish instincts,
but without the usual cruel impulses.
There was little, Ii any, sign of true re-
tinement in the features. and yet there
was strange strength OF purpose that
puzzled him AS her story progressed
he solved the puzzle. She had the
strength to carry out purpose that
might further her own personal inter
ests, but not the will to endure sacri-
fee for the sake of another Her Sis
ter was larger and possessed reserve
that might have been mistaken for
deepness. He felt that she was hardly
in sympathy with the motives OF the
younger, more volatile woman
My husband is q railroad engineer
and is ten years older than ]" the mar
Ea&F AAidio ~ he,Rir-jng- Il vssn'f