Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-02-05

from an asylum. can't send her
there"
Mentally. she saw again those clear.
trusting, blue eyes.
And know you will all be kind
enough to keep this very quiet un-
til" there was Just slight, tense
hesitation, until We decide what shall
be done
Naturally, II was talked about, how
ever. In boudoirs and at clubs the
question was raised as to what name
little Elsie would acquire. Was it not
bad enough to be facing a divorce
residence in the far west without &C.
curing an unnecessary incumbrance
at the crucial moment
Within the Dalton bungalow on
Long Island stranger things we're hap
pening. No clue to the bahys parents
had been found. When Billy Dalton
dropped down occasionally, as he had
been doing for year past TO keep
up appearances, his first question was
Anything new" and this always
meant anything new about the babys
history" And little Elsie would look
up at him with reproachful blue eyes,
as if asking: Why do you care?"
And the worst of il was that Billy
Dalton began to realize that he did
care. Janet had changed, and, with
an odd sort of jealousy, he realized
that 1t was little Elsie and not he who
no t,,l,f ~ II .N,Nl
altogether desirable change. She was
no longer bored. How could she be.
with Elsie cutting Il new tooth every
few days, and such wonderful hamp-
ers of clothes to be bought, all fine
handkerchief linen. narrow Val and
convent embroidery? A more fastidi-
GUS customer had never entered the
shops which specialize on layettes.
and with her own hands. Janet made
covers for down pillows. silk-tufted
afghans and other foolish things
while the tongue Of gossip wagged
gayly over the whole absurd episode,
One frosty December afternoon
Dalton ran down to the bungalow and
found Janet standing at the window.
The low spreading evergreens on the
west side of the house were powdered
lightly with snow. and Janet turned to
him with kindling eyes"
Billy, | shall have a Christmas tree
for Elsie She is so bright for her
age. | do believe she will notice it."
Quite likely" responded Billy with
assumed carelessness, as she laid
aside his storm coat "But in making
your plans you seem to have over
looked one important fact AS yet
Elsie is not really yours. The law"
Janet turned on him sharply.
She is mine by right of-every-
thing. l found her and love her"
"Yes-but you must formally adopt
her. | thought perhaps you'd better
see to that before | leave I've
changed my plans bit. I'm going to
meet mother and Grace in Rome for
Christmas. The mater has Aot been
feeling very fit. l am not fond of
England in winter-and-"
Janet crossed to his side and her
hand rested lightly on his arm.
Don't you think you'd enjoy much
more seeing Elsie have her first tree =?
And-and l think I need you-more
than your mother does"
Something rose in Dalton's throat
and threatened to choke him 1t was
a sensation he had never felt before go
not even during the good-natured, lazy
run of his wooing. Janet wanted him,
He thought he had not cared Now
he knew that he had cared all along
But it was characteristic he did not
express his fierce joy in words He
held Janet very close and whispered.
Well rather did hope you'd give
the little beggar the name of Dalton.
It's pretty good name, after all, eh?"
Norman Stanley heard the news
when he landed in London He sent a
Hons skin, captured by his own hand,
for little Elsie to roll upon. Then he
went to the Nile country for the win,
ter.
Copyright 1913. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)