South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-08

want you 10 tGhe TINS 10 tuc
postofhce. Tod. Hands clean? ."
"Yes'm." Tod offered a pair OF
small brown palms for inspection.
"Jes' washed up at the pump"
Then you go right along. It's
very important And come early to-
morrow. Tod. I've got some extra
work for you
"Yes'm." said rom and scurried
down the road.
The extra work on the morrow
proved 10 be rather different from
the usual chores" Tod attended 20
for Miss Abby Vale. She took him
bedroom next TO her own.
Il want this room cleaned and
fixed up" Miss Abby looked round
speculatively. Il want II TO be made
as pretty as il can be I'm glad /
had rosebud paper put on this
spring; though l didn't have an idea
themes / guess I did. too. I guess
way back in my head that idea s
been growing for a long time
She was smiling mysteriously. and
Tod flashed puzzled glances at her
while he worked on the third day
Of their joint la bors. Miss Abby felt
constrained TO unburden herself.
Tod. she began. have you won
dered what I was fixing up this
little room for? Everything pink
and white. and a new enamel bed
and dimity curtains 30
BE you goin' TO have comp'ny?'
counter questioned Tod
Company ," smiled Miss Abby.
no. I'll tell you That letter you
took for me 20 the postodice was
for my sister in the city She lives
near the Childrens home: and I've
sent for an orphan. I'm going 10
adopt one That's my idea. Tod "
Her smile was broad and exult-
ant now; her hand resting on the
new beds foot-rail moved stroking-
ly; her light blue eyes stared soft
~ at a picture above Tod's head.
IL was a picture Of three kittens
tumb bling out of a basket
It's going 20 be a little girl.
her voice ran on musingly. About
five or six years old. with blue eyes
and golden curls-like a Christmas
doll. Minerva says some Of the chill
dren there are just as pretty-and
she's going 10 get me the prettiest
and sweetest Of the lot. Then I'll
adopt her for my own"
Miss Abby brought back her gaze
sharply 10 the boys interested face
"a freckled. irregular featured face
with wide. good-humored mouth
and intelligent gray eyes. Don't
YOU say a word-not yet" she ad-
monished. It's our secret. Tod;
and l don't want any chatter over
Il till she comes. Mind you"
IF you asst me not to tell wild
bosses couldn't make me" declared
the boy. at which Miss Abby nod
ded approval
HAS your little gal come yet?"
inquired Tod the following Satur-
day.
Not vet. My sister wrote and
asked me if I'd rather have one six
years old with brown hair and eyes.
or a mite Of two. She's got yellow
curls. but that's so young. I would
not know what to do with such n
baby. It seems as if YOU couldn't
get just what YOU want, even out OF
big home like that. I may go to \
the city myself next week"
why don't you pick out a boy,
then-a purity boy" added Tod. no
ting tile quick shadow on his com
panion's face. "A lii Christmas doll
gal amt goin' to be much help To
you. Miss Abby. II you had a boy,
you could bring him up 10 do your
-, 81 Of
when you git old"
Bless your heart" Miss Abby
smiled amiably into the earnest
freckled face. You're quite prac-
tical, Tod. But so long as I have
you TO do my chores"
ATS jes It. interrupted Tod.
You won't have me. cause I'm go
in away We're all goin' 10 move
next week"
Going to move Your aunt and
uncle going away-and take you?"
Tod grinned sheepishly and
looked down. He wouldn't take me
if he could help hisself They was
a-rowin' over it agin las night But
I'll soon be old enough 20 go 10
work"
Miss Abby looked thoughtfully at
the sturdy. bare-footed little figure
in faded blue overalls. You ought
10 have more education. Tod" she
said gently. Where are you go
ing?"
ITO the city His brother keeps
a saloon on the front some
where's. big place. an he's goin'
to help. He SAYS he can't make
any money at his trade here
"He could If he worked at IT,"
spoke the other tartly. And I don't
like the idea Of your going to live
in a saloon. Tod. Your uncle sees
too much OF saloons now"
"Yes'm" agreed Tod looking
down again.
Miss Abby sighed Wei. finish
MP today. Tod. I'll surely miss YOU
when you're gone"
She sat at the window and looked
idly out while Tod went about his
usual duties Her mind began to
work backward and forward: back
ward over the past hours OF Tod's
service. and forward 20 visions OF
Tod's future. Already strange
sense Of loneliness chilled her Fine