South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-08

uFely right, u would be better for
YOU % ask advice elsewhere. feel
that I must decline the honor
NO. I don't believe YOU will You
see I give you credit for keen sym
pathy, and I happen 10 know YOU
Ike children. Youll be doing a
child favor by advising me. You'll
not 20 now. wsll you?"
I've had my sisters little girl
with me for three years. ever since
her mother died The little girls
an orphan. and has no one i'm the
world but me; luckily I've had a
good housekeeper and between us
we have kept her happy and well.
She's six now. I love here as II
she were my own, think But I'm
going into the army. and Mrs.
Brewster has 20 go home 20 Can
ada 10 nurse her young brother.
That leaves Betty alone Poor little
soul. I can't bear 70 think Of her
with strangers. but il will have to
be Ny salary here stops when I
20. but there will be a little for
her. enough for her own expenses
n thought you might happen to
know OF someone who might take
her in and be kind 70 her"
Miss Forrested rose abruptly and
walked TO the window but not be-
fore Henry had seen a tear glisten-
ing on her long lashes She was
very pretty, and had she known it,
more attractive in her severe bus
mess clothes than in the evening
gowns her employer disa pproved Of
for her.
I'm sorry" he apologized, "I
didn't suppose il would affect you
so. 1t is too bad about Betty. It
has worried me for months but I've
known all along that my duty is
first to my country; think how
many fathers are leaving their own
children. But I'll not go until I've
made sure OF good home for her "
"why-why do you ask me >
Haven't you other friends who
would be more likely to know than
II"
No. 1 haven't / have friends of
a sort. but either they are not in
terested in children at all, or have
their own. But most OF my friends
are among men. and men can't
help much now"
She turned almost fercely. III
take her. if you'll let me have her"
You! How can you?"
There will be some way. But
II suppose that isn't what you
meant. You wouldn't let me have
her. You-you think I'm frivol-
GUS"
He was silent.
Look here, Mr.. Landing" she
went on, I'D never put up a de-
Tense on my own account. but I'm
going to tell you a few things you
don't know. Then perhaps you'll
let that little girl come 70 me- oh.
I'd love to have her and I'll be so
good TO her and love her and be as
much a mother 10 her as I can. She
mustn't go to strangers. You don't
understand little girls. they can't
be moved around like furniture.
They are sensitive and imaginative.
everything is fairyland to them and
day they can be fairy queens them
selves and dress in satin and pearls
and wear shining crowns.
THAT was the way il was with
me in the country. / always plan
ned TO grow up and be a beautiful
princess and sit at "A table with
golden dishes and have servants in
velvet suits wait on me.
And when 1 grew up and life
promised to hold nothing but old
Bingham dresses and milk pals
thick china and muddy boots. I de-
termined to hunt up a pumpkin and
some rats for myself.
II had two married cousins in
New York who kept writing for me
to come. So / did, and although
is hasn't been fairyland. I haven't
had a bad time It's been good fun
ard harmless enough. dear knows
Those people you always see me
with are my cousins and their
wives But 7 liked to shock you,
especially after I knew you disap-
proved, and 1 liked 10 make you
think I was devilish. But I'm tired
Of il all now. or satisfied. I don't
know which. I'm going home
though. Won't you let me take
Betty with me?"
II didn't know" he said slowly
I'm a cad, 7 don't see how I can
after being so unfair with you. I
can't ask you 20 forgive me-"
She made no answer. Instead the
tears insisted on coming.
surely YOU can't feel so sorry
for Betty as all that" He got up
and came close 10 her. looking down
earnestly into her face. YOU don't
know the child even"
No answer. Only more tears.
What is wrong. Miss Forester?
Can't YOU tell me ne insisted.
II don't know what il is" she
confessed. - just can't-stop. I
feel-SO-badly about-something "
Then he turned her face slowly
up 10 his great light breaking
Rose. Rosie, dear little Rosie" he
said There's another way. Sup
pose 7 don't go to war at all but
stay AT home and marry you. Don't
ycl think il would be a good way
30 settle IL all? You see I love YOU ."
She smiled suddenly through her
tears NO. dear. You've got to