The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-11-28

forts. | am sure you could bring hap
piness there"
lis there not huslDandg" asked Mrs.
vinton as her mind rapidly reviewed
the necessaries she could take to the
woman Joanna had mentioned.
HE is dead said Joanna huskily.
IL am afraid he wasn't good for much,
and he about broke his wife's heart.
He drank something awful. ma am.
and he had a weak heart. and the
drink killed him, and no loss, say!"
Her voice broke spitefully.
What is her nameT'
Mrs White" replied Joanna OFT.
And she told where the woman lived
over in the teeming east side.
LET us get some things together.
Joanna. and go Immediately after din
ner," said her mistress. with ANNA
ton. I'VE must have some warm
clothing for the mother and the child
and some toys for the little one too.
wonder If they have any fuel"
"Very likely not" said Joanna. wink.
ing tears away from her honest eyes.
You can order ton of coal and
some wood to be sent to Mrs White.
Telephone now and tell them it must
be delivered tonight. | will pay extra
for that" Mrs. vinton arose and went
to the door. please tell Patrick to
have the car at the door at o'clock"
Eyes, ma'am," said Joanna. looking
after her mistress departing form with
queer expression in her eyes. When
she was alone she covered her homely
face with her hands and prayed softly.
From shop to shop Mrs. Vinton drove
with her maid. and Joanna was sur.
prised at the gifts selected by her usu-
ally practical mistress, but she did not
utter word of protest
THE little one will like this, Joanna"
said Mrs. Vinton as she picked up
beautiful doll that was richly dressed
and bore an extravagant price tag
Yes, ma'am," said Joanna, and she
glanced suspiciously at Mrs. Vinton.
but that lady appeared to be engrossed
in the selection of dolls trunk and
some other expensive toys
There was clothing. too. for the little
one and its MOTHER handsome gar.
ments, soft and warm furs. chosen
with rare taste. Joanna thought that
Mrs. Vinton might have been buying
gifts for her own daughter instead of
the poor Mrs. White of the tenements.
1t was not until after dinner that
they set forth to deliver the gifts. Mrs.
Vinton's eyes were sparkling as Joan.
ma had not seen them in years, and her
cheeks were quite pink. She looked
very beautiful and so much like lovely,
foolish Rosamond. whom Joanna had
adored from babyhOod, that the good
woman was agitated almost to betray
al Of her thoughts.
"She seems to have forgotten poor
Miss Rosamond." thought Joanna, rath
er resentfully. and yet there was IA
scared look in her face as the car sped
up the avenue and turned into one of
the side streets
When they reached the address Of
Mrs White, Joanna was surprised and
disconcerted to find that Mrs Vinton
wished to accompany her to the home
of the young widow Patrick can re-
main with the car | can carry half of
those parcels, Joanna" said Mrs Vim
ton firmly. and so Joanna gave in and
followed her mistress up the Ill lighted
stairs, looking badly frightened
At last they knocked at the appoint
ed door, and it was opened slowly by
a little girl of three or four years.
Against the candle lighted back.
ground of the room the child's hair was
fluff Of gold
"Muzzer's gone to det some COAL"
she announced, letting the visitors in.
side the humble room
Mrs. Vinton and Joanna each stoop-
ed and kissed he child and then look.
ed around at the bare floor. with its
strip of worn carpet ana few cheap
chairs There were an iron bedstead
and plain deal table. with a few
dishes laid for a simple meala simple
meal indeed-a loaf of bread and
bottle of milk. There was rusty
little stove in one corner, and in this a
fire of sticks was cracking.
Santa Claus sented us some coal.
Muzzer's gone to the cellar after some"
placing tiny hand on Mrs. Vinton's
fur muff. when ! heard you knock
| sought it was Santa Claus, and 1t was
only her and you
Mrs Vinton bent down and kissed
the child tenderly, and while Joanna
OFT trembled she turned the charming
little face toward the light and stud.
led it closely What is your name,
darling?" she asked in "a voice Joanna
had never heard before
MARY Vinton." said the child sweet.
Iy-"after grandmother.
Joanna Ott," said Mrs Vinton, not
taking her eyes from the child's face.
will you please go and help Miss
Rosamond bring up the coal? You
know her hands are not accustomed to
SUCH But Joanna OFT had disap-