Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-22
BY JANE MLEAN

They both breezed into the big
room together and the quiet little
woman observed both of them close
ly. One was small, with soft rosy
cheeks and glasses and a curved
mouth. She wore plain brown suit
and a soft hat pulled down over
quantity of soft reddish hair. The
other woman was stately and re-
served. She wore black velvet and
gorgeous furs and small very smart
hat with a tight close veil. Both of
them wanted little girl.
II was told that you had several
children that are desirable" said
one. 1t was she of the velvet and
furs, and she did not smile as she
spoke.
Il am looking for a little girl"
said the other, and her voice spoke
of good things to eat and kisses.
The little woman at the desk
waited to write something in her
book and then she rose courteously.
She knew that both these women
were going to want Goldie.
Yes" we have several children"
she assented, Several very sweet
little girls" She looked at one wom-
an, but her sympathy could not help
going out to the other, the mother
woman. She wished vaguely that
the decision rested with her and that
she might give the child where she
wished. But there were others high.
er in authority, and it was not a
simple matter to allow child to be
taken from the home. It's managers
prlded themselves on the way the
place was run and the fact that no
child was given up unless it was
thought to be for it's ultimate good.
In fact, no child ever left the
Home unless it wanted to, and in
spite of the fact that the Abel Home
was run as other institutions of the
KIND, no child ever wanted to leave
or was unhappy in spite OF the lack
of the personal element. Good wom-
en- did what they could for the chill
dren. there was as much of the home
influence in the place as could pos
slbly be managed, and there were
no uniforms.
In the old-fashioned sunny room
there We're perhaps ten or twelve
little girls. They looked up as their
beloved Miss Mason entered with two
strange ladies and a thrill of inter-
est made them forget to go on with
their play. Strange ladies always
meant that some one mysteriouslv
disappeared from their midst. Last
week 1t had been Rosalie, the week
before then Ted and Gladys. Who
would go this time? And strange to
say, all eyes turned toward the win
doW there, on the broad window
seat, the sun streaming down over
mass of coppery hair, sat Goldie
MISS Mason saw her with a throb
Oh dismay. The woman in black
Veivet saw the wonderful hair, gasp
ed a little, and exclaimed:
What a beautiful child"
The little woman in brown saw
her. saw the childish brown and
wide inquiring eyes wanted her sud
denly. fiercely, and said almost in
voluntarily:
THE darling!"
Miss Mason heard the words and
nodded appreciatlvely. Come here
Goldie," she chirped, and Goldie
opedlently came across the room
and smiled with an adorable three
cornered smile at Miss Mason.
She is really lovely" said the
woman in black. Tow about her
FAMILY? Is it all right"
Miss Mason drew herself up. The
FAMILIES OF the children in the home
were always carefully investigated
before a child was put in what tbev
called the adoption class" Miss
Mason almost took it as a personal
matter in regard to Goldie.
Her family is above reproach
and she is absolutely healthy
madam" she said stifly.
The other woman had gone down
on her knees before the child and
was laughing into her face. "Do
you. like dolls?" she asked breath
lessly.
The big eyes fixed themselves ON |