The Red Cloud chief., 1914-01-01
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
HER LITTLE MIRACLE
BY ANNA s. RICHARDSON.

apart. There was no particular rea.
son for this state of affairs save the
lack OF something better to do.
You see. they had just enough
money so that Billy did not have to
work nor Janet to worry about max.
Ing both ends meet. They had danced
their way through several seasons
into a lazy. good.humored and com
radelike engagement, thence into
matrimony, After that Billy had con-
tinued to lead cotillons and Janet to
dance them-but generally with other
partners.
Matters between them had 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 1t was rather better taste to
stalk big game than another mans
wife, especially when the other man
was perfectly willing to make 1t clear
sailing for his wife II 1t would make
her any happier.
or course this sounds bit strong
on paper, particularly to the old.fash-
Toned folk who still believe that mar
riage is a contract for life and not. Il
mere episode. In the set to which the
Billy Daltons belonged the situation
was accepted as 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 a fortnight after the gather
ing.
Dalton car broke down on the Jericho
turnpike, and its 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 1t was not entirely impa
thence which led them to take tho
short cut through the woods, but the
call of hundred autumn voices, In
rustling leaves. rich, warm colorings
and the chatter of squirrels laying VI
winter stores. And thus it was tina,
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 4
was who found ia bit Of white
faced, staring-eyed humanity rolled VI
snugly in a great shawl of lcelant
wool.
While she held the baby in he
arms and tried to silence its wall!
with uncertain and awkward littl'
pettings, the quartette held a confer
ence. The child was too young Il
have walked there. Mrs. Greenwal
said It was not day over two months
old. 1t was too far from the road Il
be heard by passing travellers All
there was the answer-a wisp of pa
per, tied to the end OF the shawl
please take care of little Elsie. !
was not her fault that she came int
the world--and can do no more"
1--WE always said that the govern
ment ought to regulate the question
of marriage among the poor :e
marked Mrs. Greenwalt severely
Here is a case in point"
You are jumping at conclusions,
said Huntoon dryly. Let's take
to the town marshal"
"And what them" asked Janet, witt
out lifting her gaze from the child
face. The baby had clutched he
finger with its tiny fist and settle
down as If it had found anchorage.
ooh, there are asylums and home
for youngsters like this. You'd be
ter hurry along home with 1t before
begins to howl. One of your men ca
take it to town before dark. Shall
carry the little beggar for you?"
ooh, no-she's not bit heavy an
she is quiet now. She might cry
we changed her position
They trudged on through rustlin
leaves and soft Indian summer haz
three of the party chatting gayly
two. the young wife and the bah
looking into each others eyes as
searching for new key to the pro
lem of life. Sometimes Janet wishe
that the child would close its eye
She did not like to meet their trus
full. clear.eyed gaze.
Have you disposed Of the youn
ster?" asked Marsh" Huntoon, 1
they sat down to dinner that night.
Janet started and looked across II
table at her husband. He lifted h
eyebrows inquiringly.
What? Don't you know that OF
party was increased by one during OF
ride this afternoon? Rather sma
one but, my! what lungs 1t has"
Janet drew In her breath sharply
81 wish you would not talk al
,,ora about n NJ nracapt ,ond no