The Lakeland evening telegram., 1914-01-19

from an asylum. I can't send hel
there
Mentally, she saw again those clear
trusting, blue eyes.
And l 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, it 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 divorce
, residence in the far west without ac-
quiring an unnecessary incumbrance
at the crucial moment?
Within the Dalton bungalow on
Long Island stranger things were hap
pening. No clue to the baby's 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 it was that Billy
Dalton began to realize that he did
care. Janet. had changed, and, with
an odd sort of jealousy, he realized
that it was little Elsie and not he who
had brought about the marvellous and
altogether desirable change. She was
no longer bored How could she be,
with Elsie cutting a 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, I shall have 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-
hing. ! found her and l love her"
"Yes-but you must formally adopt
Ter. thought perhaps you'd better
zee to that before l leave I've
changed my plans bit. I'm going to
meet mother and Grace in Rome for
'hristmas. The mater has not been
ceiling very fit. I am not fond OF
England in winter-and-"
Janet crossed to his side and her
and rested lightly on his arm.
Don't you think you'd enjoy much
lore seeing Elsie have her first treee !
think I need you-more
IAN your mother does,"
Something rose in Dalton's throat
nd threatened to choke him. II was
sensation he had never felt before |
ot even during the goodnatured. law
IN OF his wooing. Janet wanted him,
e thought he had not cared. Now
knew that he had cared all along.
ut 1t was characteristic he did not
spress his fierce Joy in words. He
I'D Janet very close and whispered.
We'll, rather did hope you'd give
e little beggar the name of Dalton.
S a pretty good name, after all. eh ~
Norman Stanley heard the news
hen ne landed in London. He sent a
ms skin, captured by his own hand
little Elsie to roll upon. Then ha
ent to the Nile country for the win.
r.
opyright. 1918, by the Mcclure News.
paper SyndicateN -,