The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-08-16

You, that does more for the poor than any other woman in the city! You, that gives away hospital beds, an college courses an libraries
 'Oh, wait. Annen Miss Churchill put up slen- der protesting hand she rose to be undressed "No libraries thus far" she added, as the others delft fingers unfastened hooks and buttons. "Only few books. But, really Anne I'm getting into a dreadful rut Y ou must see it. Three meals a day. conventional drive in the afternoon, few conven- tional calls, church--I hope not too conventional an occasional contribution to some worthy cause. That's my life. It isn't enough. How long have we been living like this?
 Twenty years Miss Eleanore The old servants tone was trihe unsynpathetc. She liked living like this' very welle She knew just how much she had to do and she did it, with purring intervals
 Twenty years Anne!' Miss Churchill drew herself Up So suddenly that the staid servant was startled. Anne, we need young society. If l had young nieees and nephews would invite them here for--for years, she added desperately But haven't. think'-there was moment of preg nant silence ' then the words came with deliberate hardhood- Anne. I think I'll adopt baby!'
 A baby! Yes With the words Miss Churchilps vision widened; took in far horzons. A baby would interrupt the@Routine. 1t was hardly too much to hope that baby might shatter it to bits, and then rebuild nearer to the hearts desire A baby would certainly be sweet and cuddlesone; something one would care for; something one could love.
 Anne let Miss Churchill's wrapper drop from her nerveless hands The action equivalent to hys- terios in anybody elses Then without word, she stooped pi9kedt up with trembling fingers, and put it on hersmistress.
 There, theFe Miss Eleanor she said soothing1y, having found her voice It's tired ye are an out of sorts, or such idees wouldn't be comin into yer mind. Take nice hot bath before ye go to bed an in the morning yell feel better"
 MisssChurchl laughed little as she sat down on the side of the bed and continued her train of thought. She had a sudden exu1tant sense of free dom. She was doing something unusual. She was breaking the Routine!
 "Of course,'. she unused, danying with the e1o- quent theme, "one child would be very lonely here, with o3one around her-or him q don't know which 1t will be)-but me and few old servants Very lonely. M -m-nl-m, she reflected, q might adopt two-a boy and girl! They would be company for each other. Two boys might be better-no two girls"
 Even Miss Chufchi1ls suddenly stimulated inlagi- nation halted this side of the picture of two small boys being company for each other in her peaceful. abode It all very we'll to destroy the Routine, but she did not wish her home destroyed. Home had not palled her. Two girls" she said again posi- lively. And yet,"-her spoken thoughts ran on re- gardess of the dazed bewildered listener before her they might be different; they might not agree - have it!'
 
 shoulder in her excitement.
 Amer she exclaimed, "I1l adopt twinsp
 "Is it a fever ye have, Miss E1eanor?"
 Anne's voice was breathess with fright as she laid quiverng fingers on her mistress brow
 Get into bed now, and lie still, that's dear. an I'll get the doctor right off
 Miss Churchill crept doclely between the sheets. Then she laughed again, this time with kind of abandon. She seemed to hear the Routine crumblinp audibly before her insurgency
 Poor Anne! she murmured "I don't wonder it startles you. After twenty such years as we've had And coming suddenly too. But don't get the doctor yet. I won't need him till morning, and then only to advise to what institution ought to apply. Why Anne, shake your mind up bit and see what beautiful idea it is! Only think of itl Two little todd1ing darlings around, to brighten tbs gloomy old house, and cheer us up. We everythine them, and they just grateful untas,ng factors m our happiness.
 Anne groaned. "It's cheerin' up I'll need, bad if we've two toddlin' babies around this house." she predicted bitterly "An' who'll take care of them ?' she added after moments silence as if realizing last that, horrible this thing seemed it might not be passing nightmare. Her mistress was cer- tainly awake She could not fatter herself that she was not also
 "A nursel' Miss Churchi1rs response was prompt and enthusiastic "I1 hire some one to take care ot them who knows all about children. We don't But love them and enjoy them One doesn't have to learn thatm
 "What1 we do when they have measles an scarlet fever an dpthery? Both at vance"
 Miss Churchill did not reply Anne struck again
 Am pneumony, an infant parasis!" she added deliberately, following up her advantage. Miss Churchill drowned and closed her eyes. With how many infante ailments Anne acquainted?
 If you're going to talk that way think I'll go to sleep she said, with hurt dignity. Turn off the