The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-08-28

but not valued services 10 the per
formance." Laughing lightly she drew,
both children peremptorily from the
room -,
so they are Mary Hale's children"
inquired her fiance as Lorraine re-
entered the room. "A very attractive
pair. How long are they going to stay
with your
"Oh. Stephen. it's just the most try
ing thing imaginable replied the girl
sinking wearily onto the sofa. You
know / received a telegram on Tuesday
from Mary, or rather from the Trained
Individual in attendance upon her, TO
come to Boston at once. Well, l went
though / must confess / didn't want 10
one bit, as l had to miss the Judklns
bridge and Jane Hamilton's reception.
1 hope you're not bored at this long
talen for I'm involved in an awful
dilemma
Go on, dear; I'm very much inter-
ested." said Stephen quietly Ire
ceived only your hurried note the day
you left, and have been anxious to near
particulars.
well, when 1 got there 1 found Mary
desperately ILL., and, Stephen, she asked
me to bring up her two children!
That little boy and girl that you
just showed me?" asked the man, IN
amaZenent.
Lorraine nodded silently.
"Of course, Howard is dead. you
know, and 1 think that 1 told you tndr
Mary was an only child and an orphan.
She was my chum and roommate at
boarding school, and we have been al
most inseparable since
Didn't you tell me that there was
some trouble between her and her hus-
bands family?'1 interrupted Stephen.
Yes. Howards family weren't
pleased with the match. Why l never
know or could imagine. But they had
nothing to do with Mary or with How
ard after he married her"
But she must have some relatives
who will care for the youngsters, in
sisted Cranshawe.
mot on this side of the water Her
family migrated from Scotland, and she
has never known any of her relatives.
I found her suffering haunting dread
that the child would either be sent to
family, who would gradually
encourage them to forget her, or be
placed in an institution. She asked me
to bring them up, and to calm her
promised that I would"
Cranshawe looked decidedly troubled.
Poor little girl" he said, commiser-
atingly, that is going to be a tremend-
Gus undertaking for YOU
She looked at him in unfeigned sur
prise.
why, of course, l didn't mean it,
you goosie," she said impatiently.
Didn't mean it?" he repeated, puz-
zled
"Why, of course, I didn't mean that
1 would bring them up myself A
promise like that doesn't count. I've
written Howards mother today, and
I'm only keeping the children till she
sends for Them
Stephen uttered an exclamation of
Il don't see, Lorrie, how you can
attach such slight significance to a
thing like that" he said gently. You
were that poor girls nearest and dear
est friend, the only person upon whom
in her time of need she could rely. You
gave her your word l don't see how
you can honorably break it,
Really l think you are allowing your
self to be very sentimental" said the
girl coldly; my position is so perfectly
The very idea of me, a
young girl. being burdened with the
care of two children-a boy of eight and
a girl of skis simply preposterous.
would have to have the entire oversight
Of them, as Grace, you know, is study
ing art from early morning till late at
night, and Frances is in college
The last mentioned were her two sis
ters.
would they be any financial burden
10 you?" he asked quietly.
mo" she admitted reluctantly Mary
of m fn fI,or,
in plain sort of way. But,
Stephen. here we are planning
% be married in November. It isn't
air to either of US to start in handi-
capped like that" she added as a final
.rump card.
CAS- to the handicap" pursued Gran
shave, relentlessly, that's a matter of
opinion. AS for myself, I've always
oeen passionately fond. of youngsters.
ind they'd be a constant delight to me-
Lorraine colored in annoyance.
"Oh. well, 1 guess you'll see it diff
ereutly when you come to think it |
'ver," he said hastily.
After that they talked of other things
tut the first vital barrier of discussion
lad been builded between them. and |
10Th were subtly conscious of it,
After Stephen had taken his departure !
hath light Lorraine was vaguely trou- |
lied The thought had occurred to her !
With unpleasant frequence of late that I
he was no longer to him the girl that |
le had at first thought her to be- There |
vas beginning to dawn upon her the |
onviction that their aims and ideals |
we're utterly diverse; that they were
rowing more and more out of accord |
With each other, out of sympathy.
Considerably more than two weeks
lapsed before Lorraine heard from How
rd Hale's mother. She read the let
er to Stephen.
''Of all despicable things!" he ex-
laimed Indignantly. Her own grand
hildren, her own sons children
We'll, ] could never understand their
version to Mary, as 1 said before, but
ince they took that stand" said
,oraine, indifferently, 81 think they
Tere perfectly consistent and justifiable
I not allowing two children to be
hrust unceremoniously upon them.
ave taken steps to have both children
laced in the Foster Home "
do you mean that?" he demanded,
lowly.
Il most certainly do. 1 felt certain
nat Howards family wouldn't take
hem, so I've been making inquiries on
~ own account"
Those good-looking, attractive
committed to an institu-
on?' he exclaimed, half to himself.
WHY orrio do uo,, Iy,,o1,, +I,,4 -