Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-07-16
CHAPTER xv-continued.

Dorcas jumped to her feet. "Oh!"
she whispered. "the poor little boy is
blind.!"
The child stood moving his dark
ened eyes about as II to place her
voice. then he came straight toward
her. cropping with both his hands. He
had tucked the small. fiat hat be-
meath ono arm. Dorcas lifted him to
her lap and laid his cheek against
her own.
Mother" he whispered as he drop
ped the hat and clasped his arms tight
~ about her neck.
Dear little boy" she said softly, II
am not your mother. ! wish were."
He loosened his arms and passed
his soft fingers over her face. Dorcas
pillowed his cheek on her breast and
whispered tender. foolish things to
him between her kisses.
Merry took one OF the child's hands
between his own. what is your
mothers name?" he asked gently.
AT home her name is Mrs. Tully
l have letter for her. George, who
brought me here. told me to show It
to somebody, and they would take me
to her"
He put his hand in the inside pocket
OF his tight coat and drew out a
smeared envelope. Merry read It aloud:
Miss Zilla Paget. Gotham Theater."
Dorcas turned to look at Merry with
unspoken pity in her eyes. Your
mother is upstairs. We will take you
to her In q few minutes"
Julie crept close to Merry. She
stood by his side, gazing curiously at
the blind child.
II did not know Miss Paget had a
little boy" she said.
Neither did l. Run upstairs. dear,
and ask II she Is In her dressing.
room, but not one word to her or to
any one about this boy"
Robin laid his cheek against Dor
cas- face.
II wish you were my mother" he
murmured.
You may have me as your friend"
The girl kissed him softly, in response
TO which his chin trembled.
Does your mother know you are
coming?" asked Merry.
mo, I'm to be a surprise. George
said I'm a sort Of Christmas present"
Merry's eyes turned anxiously to
Dorcas. He shook his head, and there
was a perplexed frown upon his face.
Julie came in. Miss Paget is not
in her room. Emillne says she is out
taking dinner with gentleman"
Robin jumped to the floor and be.
gan to grope about for his hat. Merry
lifted It and put 1t In his hand. you
must stay here till your mother comes
in"
"of course, for you are just in time
for dinner" said Dorcas. I'VE have
lots of good things left-chicken and
tomatoes and fee cream"
His shoes ought to be changed"
suggested Mrs. volk; they're awfully
wet"
Nothing is wet but my goloshes."
answered Robin. He bent to take
them OF. when we left the train,
George brought me here under an UNI.
breIla."
who was George?" asked Merry.
George took care Of me on the
way over on the big ship. slept in
a little bed over his. hope / will
never see George again"
Wasn't he kind to your" asked
Dorcas.
"Not-very kind" The child paused
a moment. Il don't believe George
understands little boys-bIind boys.
means"
was George a relative?"
mo. He came to the home to take
me to America. That was what Father
Shannon said"
What homer
The home for little blind boys.
There were hundreds OF little blind
boys there"
Haven't you any relatives?" asked
Merry.
why, yes, I have my mother. A
mother is quite a close relative. isn't
she?"
she certainly IS" agreed the actor
hastily. Il mean, haven't you any
other relative in England"
There is Aunt Fannie. She is not
a real aunt, though. She used to know
mother, and sometimes she came to
see me at the home"