The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-30
The Evening Story
An Honorary Member.
(Bv HARMONY Weller.)

An Honorary Member.
(By Harmony Weller.)
Business was for the moment sus-
ems Political Association. All MEM
bers were grouped about q tiny bundle
that had been picked up on the streets
and which had been carried in for
care in the nursery maintained by the
association.
The child in the bundle had been
wailing loudly until Mrs. Cecelie
Staunton had cuddled it warmly in
her arms and crooned gently to it.
who could desert q child like
this?" she questioned her sister men,
bers. "She is the most adorable baby
mouth
And did you ever see such blue.
blue eyes? Do let me hold her q
while" pleaded Alice Hatch.
mo. 1 am going to keep this baby
for my own. II no one comes to
Cecelie Staunton gazed wonderfully
down at the little deserted baby and
large tears filled her eyes Perhaps
she was wondering why some people
who did not appreciate them were
given children.
the president of the association, lit
will be all baby and no more work
for the cause" She laughed quickly.
Il would have more time than you
to care for a child-let me have her"
Il have more leisure than any of
give her to me-" She approached
Mrs. Staunton, her arms hungry for
the bundle lying SO peacefully in the
other woman's embrace.
mo one is going to have this child
save myself il it's parents do not come
family and the defeated members of
the suffrage body took their loss with
jealous smiles. ''She will be made an
honorary member Of the association.
and when she grows up she will know
all there Is to know regarding wom-
ans sphere in this life
The women. all unconscious OF a
frantic fathers search for his treas
ured baby. continued to worship at the
feet Of the youngest members of the
Political association.
The distracted parent went to police
headquarters. but 1t availed him moth
ing. The child had not been reported
and there seemed nothing left to do
but advertise and make q systematic
search through orphanages and homes.
The seventh day after the cllild's
disappearance found Frank Dempstef
association nursery.
The number of suffragists he had to
face would have made him quail had
he been less frantic over the loss OF
his girl baby.
1t was Alice Hatch who relieved the
fathers anxious mind. She told him
OF the finding of the baby and its pres
ent home with Mrs. Etaunton.
I'VE all wanted to keep the baby
she added. as he went swiftly away
| to the address of Cecelie Staunton.
Anxiety had drawn fine lines about
his face and taken the red from his
cheeks.
II am sorry for Cecelie," muttered a
| sUffragist, who had three children Of
her own. ''She will not get over the
loss Of that darling baby in a hurry"
TT will break her all up" Alice
Hatch said. and realized that they
would all miss cuddling the honorary
member. Her visits to the clubrooms
had been daily. Mrs. staunton had
been generous with her adopted baby
When Frank Dempster reached the
great house In which he knew his
baby was being cared for he drew q
breath of relief.
| The members had telephoned to Mrs
Staunton SO as to soften the blow az
much as possible. Even 90, she was
down to face the father OF wee Mary
as the club named the baby.
1T does not seem possible that ]
am to lose that treasure" she said
when she had seen the father sweer
his baby close within his arms and hold
her there.
1T was a nurse who left her in the
Streets" he explained. when he was
able to use his voice steadily.
Ian you picture all the horror have
gone through since the night my nurse
and baby did not return homer
II think I can-in a measure. respond
change the subject from the gratitude he
was trying to express to her for her care
OF his baby. she said laughingly: EVERY
woman at the Headquarters wanted to
keep her-but def1ed them all-and now
Ii have got to give her up"
Frank Dempster Eaxed wonderingly
back at the woman who 10 willingly had
taken added burden to her shoulder.
II did not know the advanced woman
was SO attached to Children he told her
Cecehe LAUGHED softly. II think we
ment of humanity should know more
about children and their caro- than the
Ifeather-brained woman who cares moth
IT WISH said Dempster. looking into
Mrs. Staunton's Wide. intelligent eyes,
\ that my baby might be brought up un-
woman as you" He did mot realize that
his voice had trembled slightly.
Her mother :. Mrs staunton question
my baby is motheriess." Dempstel
said softly ..she did NOT know ono single
moment Of the blessedness Of maternal
arms"
ION. I'm 20 sorry!' cried the woman
quickly, then as quickly she smiled. fol
|! at ncthinx at All s'Could any one heir
| smiling with that biIhlkins about?'' she
Laughed. and took tho baby back into hen
arms.
Dempster stood looking quietly 1T hel
and It gradually dawned on him TINT
| there vas no hint Of color about lffs.
l6taunfuasS e1fmentsL He looked aboul
the room fof algns e Daseuline habetA-