The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-02-16

child.
Toddles was beginning 20 lisp an
other word or two Under the circum-
stances Cynthia consid cred n advisa-
bic 10 teach II the word Mamma"
IL would save the situation.
Cynthia reveled in the possession
or bit OF humanity that, for the time
being, was all her Own. She made in
Vulnerable sketches and when they
arrived in her villa IN France she
hung them about the walls and made
her selection for the prize portrait
II was all OF five months later that
John Winthrop took his first stroll.
In those five months, along Fifth ave-
nue.. The pilgrimage oi illness was
evident in a short cropped blonde
head and vanishing scar OF one tenn
pie.
lie stopped at the window OF an
art store that Haunted its latest treas
ure.
For a long time his eyes rested on
the central picture. IL was u golden
haired baby standing GA tip-toe and
trying 10 reach the yellow head OF u
sunflower.
joyce" burst from his lips.
And with the movement OF his lips
something snapped within John Win
throp's head. Mists cleared and the
light OF understanding swept into his
eyes; he drew long draught OF
spring sunshine and realized that
memory had returned To him
Inside the shop he was informed
that the portrait was not FOR sale.
1t is the prize picture from the In
stitute contest said the man ia the
art store.
Cynthia" Winthrop bent over the
name in the corner OF he canvass. Il
don't make out the last name"
'Ross-Cynth!a Ryss-she has a
villa in Normandy vo.chcI The clerk.
Have You the c&ac. address?'
questioned Winthrop
Another fortnight and John Win
throp made his away through the
lanes TO villa In Naluaaar. Mingled
emotions burned within him. but he
had determined 20 give Cynthia Ross
chance % defend Lcv action before
putting the matter u les lenleut
hands than his own.
lie saw her then a. ne approached
the garden With tLa sun @. glorious
France shining on Aa- Ill. ana in her
eyes. Toddles, some .-H ieat away,
was playing in the bis s.rl LII.
Winthrop watched them Tor long
moment with . peculiar tightening OF
the jaw.
Daddy" the >baby's high pitched
voice rang out. She started toward
him, but triuIloi cve- her G,tle pail.
Cynthia cast one sw!f,. hunted look
into the blonde mans eyes ana
clasped the child 5o.v..sigtIv in her
arms. She turned deGaat.g toward
him, then SLOWLY her entire being
drooTed pitifully and very slowly she
came toward Winthrop. Without rails
ing the heavy eyelids she put the
baby in his arms; her hand brushed
his and the man quIyered. Cynthia
turned away.
Mamma" walled ToGdles.
\ hot fame dartCi through Cyn-
thia. She turned 10 meet the surprise
in the blonde mans eyes.
Nobody came 10 claim her" she
cried in self defense.
Il got rap on the head-the
week"
You have been III" put in Gym
ihia swiftly. contr!tely, "and | am the
cause OF IT,"
No, MOI Winthrop pushed the
blonde hair from his temple. Il was
knocked down. This sga- proves IL.
Ny memory only came lack when
saw the portrait Of l. touched the
babys curls-"Joyce."
Joyce" Cynthia laughed more or
less Historically. Il am afraid she
won't know that name T."
What have you been calling herr"
"Oh-Toddies. Darling Sweetheart
anything that came into my head"
Gentlcness, tenderness. all that was
beautiful swept into W!uthrop's eyes.
1t is rather strange that one who
can love children so--sholld remain
unmarried was his quiet remark.
Il have neyer-lik,l men" said
Cynthia, and slow smile dawned.
The surprise in Winthrop's lace
turned 10 quizZical humor. Cynthia
was not aware that her eyes were ex-
pressing things quite readable 10 the
masculine eye.
Nor | women" laughed Winthrop.
Not even the mother ot Toddles:"
Cynthia couldn't help asking.
"Toddles' mother was my brothers
wife," said Winthrop; the baby was
orphaned when she was Eve months
old-my sister and / have done the
best We could. but my sister is not
fond OF children. You may have seen
her on the porch"
You have known l lived"
"Since the first. have watched
you a hundred times" He caught her
hand swiftly when she would have es-
capped. Don't run away-littie moth
er OF Toddles." He spoke breathless-
~. for the hand within his was trem-
bling. Il have hoped always Tor
this
You should hate and despise me-.