Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-03

more than a year old, and the sister
was perhaps three.
81 am lost" Leona laughed when
the baby arms twined about her
neck and the little girls tiny hand
crept into her own II will take
them II I have to live on bread and
water that they may have milk"
"They were strapped together on
an improvised raft" the matron
told Leona. THAT is how we know
them to be brother and sister that
and the similarity Of clothing"
"The parents?' inquired Leona,
were they"
1--WE can find no TRACE Of them
The little girl says her name is Mary
Ellen Dutton."
Mary Ellen" unused Leona when
the matron had gone, II had always
wanted a Mary Ellen of my own
but second best In this case, is very
lovely.' She turned happily toward
the two children who had come so
suddenly into her life. and 1t seemed
as II an unusually powerful ray OF
sun came shining through the sky
light.
Perhaps can make my fame in
art photography now that l have
two perfect models always before
me can study every adorable
mood that steals over them"
Perhaps it was because OF the In.
spiration ever before her that Leona
began to make great strides in her
chosen profession. Perhaps it was
the knowledge that there were three
mouths to feed, instead Of one, that
added zest to her endeavors. AS the
months passed she found herself be-
coming well known in the art of
child photography, and her small
studio proved almost inadequate to
house her patrons, and not large
who thronged to her exhibits.
AS her business increased, so also
did her love for her adopted chill
dren. Leona wondered how she had
ever existed without having the child.
ish prattle and laughter about her.
"And I thought l could be happy
without this kind Of love-" she told
he self with wistful smile. TON
knew me better than knew myself
when I sent him away. He could
we'll say, + told you So If he knew
how barren my life was until the
advent of the children-even, II they
are those of some one else"
Shortly after her meteoric rise
into fame and fortune Leona sent a
series of photographs to one Of the
magazines. Her subject was elm
pressions Of Childhood" in which
Mary Ellen and Danny Dutton fig
ured in all their whimsical moods
and poses.
The advanced art in her work.
the beauty of the models and Leona's
name gave the series Immediate &C.
ceptance. She was interviewed and
prevailed upon to the extent of letting
her own picture appear along with
her subjects.
When the magazine came out Leona
blushed as her own eyes looked out
from that widely read periodical.
Perhaps she had not known how
beautiful woman she had grown
to be.
She was sitting on the floor Of her
studio with Mary Ellen beside her
and Danny in her lap showing them
the pictures when some one knocked
at her door.
Come I'M" she called OUT think
ing it was her brother Dicks knock.
But the man who entered was not
her brother Dick, nor lid his eyes,
when they fell upon the group, ex-
press brotherly sentiment.
The famous exponent OF art-pho-
Biography could only remain where
she was, otherwise Danny would have
tumbled. She looked up and bushes
rioted in her cheeks.
tDaddy!" screamed Mary Ellen.
and rushed like small tornado into
the big mans arms. They closed
hungrily about her. and Leona choked
back the terrible ache in her throat
at the sound that came from the
mans lips. He buried his face in
Mary Ellen's golden curls and Leona
swept the tears swiftly from her own
eyes. Unconsciously her hold had
frightened on Danny, but 1t had not
been necessary, for the smaller child
was in no way sure of this big man
who had entered upon their domain.
A little glow Of triumph warmed
I.eona. She knew that her lavished
love had brought big returns from
Danny.
During the next five minutes Leona
realized that she was only a figure
children, yet the burden Of the emo
tional strain fell upon her and left
her strangely weak.
~ saw their picture in the maya
zine" Daniel Dutton had said by way
of explanation, "and l rushed to the
office, obtained your address and
am happier than have been for
many months" he had added, and his
eyes had drawn Leona into his happi-
ness.
| II think I understand" Leona had
said slowly. "They have brought a
touch Of heaven into my life and
heart-even during the months I have
had them" Leona had spoken swift
| ly, lest this man, with his prior claim,
| find out that he had robbed her Of
the greatest happiness she had
known. She had not the right to
dampen his Joy with her own sor-
row.
Perhaps it was the bravery with
which she met her loss, perhaps It