The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-19

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HER LITTLE MIRACLE
BY ANNA S. RICHARDSON


son for this state of affairs, save tn
lack of something better to do.
You see, they had just enougl
money so that Billy did not have t,
work, nor Janet to worry about max
ing both ends meet. They had danced
their way through several season!
Into a lazy, good-humored and com
radelike engagement, thence int;
matrimony. After that Billy had con
tinued to lead cotillons and Janet tc
dance them-but generally with othe,
partners.
Matters between them haa reached
the point where the rumor-laden so
ciety papers had suggested covertly
that when Billy went to England and
Scotland, where he had nothing in
particular to do, Janet would probably
take up her home in Nevada, or South
Dakota, there to remain until Norman
Stanley returned from Africa. where
he was fighting ennui by hunting big
game. 1t was even whispered that
Billy Dalton had insinuated to Stan
ley that it was rather better taste to
stalk big game than another mans
wife, especially when the other man
was perfectly willing to make it clear
sailing for his wife If 1t would make
her any happier
OF course this sounds a. bit strong
on paper, particularly to the old-fash-
Toned folk who still believe that mar
riage is a contract for life and not
mere episode. In the set to which the
Billy Daltons belonged the situation
was accepted as a matter of course,
and when Janet asked a lot of peo-
pie down to their Long Island place
for the automobile races and the week
end, no one thought of refusing Just
because the Daltons might separate
within fortnight after the gather.
ing.
Such was the situation when the
Dalton car broke down on the Jericho
turnpike, and it's occupants, Janet,
Mrs. Greenwalt, Joe Jeffreys and
Marsh" Huntoon, decided to cut
through the woods to the Dalton place
and leave the car for farmer to guard
until the mechanic who handled the
Dalton garage could be dispatched to
the scene of the accident.
Perhaps it was not entirely impa.
tience which led them to take the
short cut through the woods, but the
call of hundred autumn voices, in
rustling leaves, rich, warm colorings
and the chatter Of squirrels laying up
winter stores. And thus it was that
they suddenly stopped in their tracks
and listeded to sound that was not
OF the woods, but Of the nursery, the
plaintive wall of a child. Janet it
was who found it-a bit of white.
faced, staring-eyed humanity rolled up
snugly in great shawl of Iceland
WOOL
While she held the baby in her
arms and tried to silence its walls
with uncertain and awkward little
pettings. the quartette held confer
ence. The child was too young to
have walked there. Mrs. Greenwalt
said it was not day over two months
old. 1t was too far from the road to
De heard by passing travellers. All
mere was the answer-a wisp of pa
per- tied to the end of the shawl.
Please take care of little Elsie. It
was not her fault that she came into
he world-and can do no more"
I've always said that the govern. |
nent ought to regulate the question
u marriage among the poor" re. '
marked Mrs. Greenwalt severely |
Here is case in point" I
You are jumping at conclusions.
aid Huntoon dryly Lets take It I
the town marshal" Z
And what them" asked Janet with.
ut lifting her gaze from the child's .
ace. The baby had clutched her
niger with its tiny fist and settled .
own as if 1t had found anchorage. y
oh, there are asylums and homes
u Youngsters like this. You'd bet.
# hurry along home with it before II
agins to howl. One of your men can
Ike 1t to town before dark. Shall I v
TRY the little beggar for you?" u, u,
"Oh, no-she's not bit heavy and -
10 is quiet now. She might cry II AZ =,
g changed her position" III
They trudged on through rustling ui
aves and soft Indian summer haze, :.
rec OF the party chatting gayly; "
o, the young wife and the baby, W
oking into each others eyes as II al
arching for new key to the prob, Gu
n of life. Sometimes Janet wished %
at the child would close its eyes pc
e did not like to meet their trust.
. clear-eyed gaze. sp
Have you disposed of the vounr. en-
IT.? asked Marsh" Huntoon. as =
y sat down to dinner that night .n'
Janet started and looked across the 'n'
lie at her husband He lifted his
abrows inquiringly.
What? Don't you know that our .
'ty was increased by one during our
this afternoon? Rather a small spe
e. but. my! what lungs it has" are
anet drew in her breath sharply. Do pa
| wish you would not talk any spo
re about 1t at present, good peo. ~
)" she said trying to speak light ~ m n
I've started inquiries in a quiet 'iu