The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-04-20

II WILL" said the girl rs Thompson
walked away.
Another hour passed. during which
the suffragette neglected to sell PAM
phlets, devoting herself to the child.
Thompson after awhile returned and,
expressing surprise that the woman
had not come back, told the girl that
If she would take the boy home with
her he would do the work Of hunting
for the mother.
She accepted the proposition, and he
walked beside her, carrying her unsold
pamphlets and her poster, while she
wheeled the child. On arriving at her
home he found that she belonged to an
eminently respectable family, every
thing about the house ~bespeaking re-
inement of the occupants. She told
him that she worked with the suffra-
gettes simply because her heart was in
their cause, "and," she added, 1T gives
me something to interest myself In so
that I'm not dependant upon balls,
parties and dress to occupy my mind"
She asked Thompson to come in. He
said he hadn't time just then, but
would call just as soon as he had &C.
cured any information concerning the
child and would keep her advised of
his efforts to find his mother.
II suppose" he said, II shall see
you every day at your accustomed
place selling pamphlets"
Certainly" she replied. II shall not
neglect my work."
But when Thompson passed her
stand again and again the next day he
saw nothing of her. He reported the
present home of the child to the moth
er and left a check for a substantial
amount with her as earnest Of his
honest intentions. Then he went to
call on the s%uffragette to tell her that
he had learned nothing as to the iden-
tity Of the mother since the deser-
ton Of the child. which was perfectly
true.
Miss Edith Coleman, the suffragette,
did not seem to worry much owe his
i'll success. She told Thompson that
the boy vas the dearest little fellow
In the world, and she was in no hurry
to part with him. Thompson remark
Gu luut IL was u1AOA uuul lAuL Din
should be kept away from her legiti-
mate work, to which she replied that
administering to a child whose in
human mother had left him was just
as important as the cause of votes for
women. Thompson looked surprised.
but said nothing.
The next day, however, he called
and said that his sister had offered
to take charge of the deserted boy in
order that Miss Coleman might pur-
sue her greater work.
"Please tell your sister to mind her
own bus-I mean that the precious
darling has fallen to me, and I shall
keep him till he Is claimed by his own
kim"
quarters Of the suffragettes and by d.
plomacy secured the sending of a note
to Miss Coleman assigning her a very
important duty that would take up all
her time for a week. He called at the
headquarters the next day and learn
ed that Miss Coleman had peremp-
torily declined to serve.
Thompson continued reporting no
progress, meanwhile keeping the
foundling's mother content by an &C.
casional check. Miss Coleman ap-
peared more and more pleased at his
coming and always had the child beau
tifully dressed and his hair curled
when he came. One day Thompson
announced that he had found a clew
to the identity Of the child's mother.
Miss Coleman turned pale.
"You will now be able to return to
your valuable work in securing votes
for women"
Il don't wish to return to that work,
and 1 don't know If l shall give my
precious up any way"
but supposing that his mother
claims him. You wouldn't refuse to
restore him to his natural parent,
would you"
"You mea his unnatural parent"
"The law would compel you"
II would contest the case"
"And you really feel that to give him
up would be a privation."
II couldn't endure it."
swell, then, 1 suppose for your sake
I'd better not try to find his mother"
"DOn't!"
"Tm sorry l wasn't aware before
how attached you have become to the
child. know who his mother is, an(
!. I suppose 1t is my duty to inform bel
that you have her boy"
Miss Coleman looked aghast. II!
there any way" she asked, "by which
I can keep him In spite Of herr"
, "Would that be justice?"
Justice! Humbug! What do l car
! about Justice If 1t takes my darling
: from me?"
: Thompson burst into q laugh.
, "What are you laughing att" sh'
: asked, irritated. -
: "You remember that l demonstrates
!. that there were faculties you did no
? possess which I consider importan