The Jewish herald. (Houston, Tex.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-29

closely. She only answer that she awaited
my summons.
II did not get through till nearly o'clock.
l went to the hotel, ordered light lunch, and
then carried out my little plan for seeing her
alone.
1T was not long till 1 had jumped off the
street car near her home. A few steps more
and stood before the door of tidy cottage,
ringing the door bell. / had to wait but few
moments when the door opened and she
stood before me, the personfcation of beaut
full motherhood. She held one baby in her
arms, while the other two chung to her skirts
She never realized what a pretty picture they
made. | bowed, and smingly passed into the
hall
'She seemed completely overcome l sup
pose she imagined my errand BODIED them no
good. She plainly showed the consternation
she felt. At a motion from her, walked into
the small parlor. In order to put her at ease,
l exclaimed admiringy, SO this is the little
family! No wonder mother is glad to get back
to her nestlngs. And what is your name,
young man., addressing myself to her Oldest
Winthrop, the ready reply Well an
swered, my boy, and how old are you?' i am
five years old, sir. He was fine little fell
low, with his mothers eyes and bright golden
hair quite an unusual combination. put my
hand in my pocket and took out silver dol
lar, saying to him, 1 wonder if little sister
wouldn't like this bright wheel to play with.
He looked at his mother, inquiringly. She
,saaspered- his glance hastily, No,-no, Robert,
you mustn't take the money for little sister.
She doesn't need it, and may lose it before
pretties.
l was startled to hear her call the boy by
my name. 1t fell most agreeaby my ear.
Let the baby play with it, Mrs. Winthrop.
1T won't matter much if she loses it,
No, mo- You really mustn't: Mr. Win
throp would be very angry if his babies ac-
cepted money from stranger.
; From stranger, Mrs Winthrop | said,
in hurt tone. l really felt if ] had done
enough for the family not to be classed as an
entire stranger. And then l was not offering
the money as bride, but simply to amuse the
little one, so that we could talk undisturbed.'
But she amended her statement only a
stranger to Robert and my husband of course.
TO this had nothing to say.
THE little boy brought out some toys and
the two were soon engrossed in play. The
baby was on her lap
"She looked up anxiously into my face. May
/ know what you have decided she asked,
gently, but anxiously.
9 i can hardly say that have arrived at a
full decision yet. Unfortunately, the check for
$500 turned up this morning. The who
held it did not keep his promise to Simon. The
bookkeeper brought il to me for Investigation,
count for it. told him not to trouble him
self about it any further, as / would give il
my personal attention. / cautioned him to say
nothing to MIR. Dsbrow.'
She thanked me heartily although she UNI
derstood this new development was not very
favorable for her brothers. cause, no matter
how anxious might be to shield him.
You see it is most important that we
keep this from reaching Mr.. Disbrow. He is
very kind hearted, but he is also strict bust
j am afraid he may prove little
hard to manage if he takes the notion to be
disagreeable about it,, said trying to put il
mildly as ] knew how.
He will most likely demand the entir,
amount replaced at once. And Simon will un
doubleday lose his position / felt was tell
ing the truth, for with Mr. Disbrow business
was ever business He never allowed senti
ment to influence any transaction. This hat
always been my attitude till fell under thu
influence of Mrs Winthrop, In my thoughts
called her by the name heard her brothe
use Saturday, Henceforth she was Bess, m.
Queen Bess, and Mrs. Winthrop no longer
My reference to Mr.. Disbrows possible
treatment of the case raised n storm for whicl
was all unprepared ] saw her arms tighter
about the tiny form in her arms. She burie,
her face in the baby's pretty curls and begal
to sob The other two looked up, startled
Little Robert jumped up and stamped his littl
foot The manly little fellow looked angrily IA
me, and exclaimed You stop making my prett,
mama cryl' Through her sobs which she trie,
to control, for her babies sake, heard he
moan, oh, II he only knew; if he only knew
Eight hundred and thirty dollars We couIdn'
possibly raise that sum at once, even if