Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-01-29

nST. MY mite BOY Is hungry, StarNlilS'
DO YOU understand me-" he ended
fevcely Don't Interfere with me.
please: I'm So,u% to take something,
Almost anything will keep the wolf
from the door. ANA il will be mine
by rights"
wait moment" said Orilla, sit.
ting mp among the cushions and grow
ing very animated. Oh please pick
up the rug and put it over my Sprained
ankle. 1t has slipped on Thank YOU
Now about the little boy. Have you
ever stolen beforc?"
OF course not" came Indignantly
from under the white handkerchief,
Orilla smiled wisely I'm very glad
Of that, and I'm very sorry you are So
Skeptical. because there really is such
II woman as you describe. only she's a
girl Yet. She's right here I'm OrillH
Payne, and live i'll RoSclca, on the
lovelieSt farm, and | am visiting my
cousins. the MaynardS. I'm going
home tomorrow. and I'll take Non
with me if You will trust me. and it
can all come out us | have planned
| have the dearest mother in the
world. and she will just love little
Don, and there's Lydia. our old nurse,
who doesn't have half enough to DO
and who grumhcS all the time because
there are no children in the family to
cuddlc, and there's everything to make
a little boy happy
Nov. will YOU give me trial and
give little Don Il chance to start life
fair? You don't want him to re-
ashamed Of his own father" pleaded
Ori,la.
The man lifted his head and tore the
handkerchief from his face and the
hat from his head. He stuffed them
in his coat pocket and stood looking
down ut her from shining eyes.
"Ah, YOU are kind" he brcathcd bro
kenly. IF there were more like YOU
to lend a helping hand If l can only
bridge over this ditiiculty"-
Orilla smiled understandings
Il know life is made up Of crossing
bridges" she said quantity, then she
listened
Uncle Peter is coming" she said
quietly. Il hear his latchkey. He will
come in here. You are my friend. You
are paying me Il visit, although you
are staying rather late What is your
name-Quick?'
Donald Findlay," he gasped, sink
ing into Il big chair.
The door opened, and the kindly
face of Peter Maynard appeared, 'ln
here, Orilla 2" he asked pleasantly.
Yes, Uncle Peter. Come in and
Orilla quickly.
"Fiudlay?" repeated Mr.. Maynard
as he came forward with outstretchcd
hand. The name is familiar sir. and
your face-your face is familiar too"
perhaps you knew his father, I'm
Gle Peter dared Orilla.
Peter Maynard's eyes narrowed as
he scanned the young mans pale coun-
tenance
Il knew Or. Findlay," he said
reminiscently
my father was DR.. Finday. He is
dead" said Donald abruptly.
Pardon the question. Mr. Finday,
but did your father suffer hardship"
"He died poor" was the crisp reply
IF there was anything | could do"
muttered Maynard hclplcssly.
Donalds handsome face was proudly
aloof. Orilla caught her breath. and
she once more plunged her little finger
In the pie of anothers business
Il think If You could give my friend
some work to do" suggested OrilIa
practically. lit would he worth more
than anything else. lie really is very
expert-eXpert in office work and he's
been Ill n long time, and he has n lit
tie motherless boy to take care of.
Somebody has to give him start, you
know"
"Just the thing" cried Maynard.
turning about with cleaning eyes
How about it. Mr.. Findlay? | need
n private secretary, and I'm sure you'll
do. Does 1t appeal to you?"
Thank You, Mr.. Maynard" he said
gravely III you will permit me. ! will
call at your office tomorrow and | will
present my credentials. After that. If
you care to employ me. | shall be very
grateful"
Peter Maynard sighed with relief.
Whatever prickings of conscience he
may have had concerning his sharp
dealings with DIR. Findlay now, thought
he, could be appeased by this kind
ness to Findlay's son. SO the elastic
conscience Of the financier relaxed
little and he gowed with all the
warmth of a good deed done. OF
wrong righted.
After little general conversation
Maynard left the room for few mo
ments, and Donald FindIay arose to
take leave of the girl who had changed
the whole course OF his life.
What can ! say to your" he wits.
pered brokenly. What can do for
you in return for your great goodness
to me this nightT'
Orilla opened a dainty satin work