South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-27


home one evening 10 be confronted
by a strange Myra; an electric Myra
advancing on winged feet, glowing
eyed and jubilant.
cit has come 20 me-my chance to
really serve, Bryce Her voice was
like a silver trumpet
she darted toward the curtain and
returned with a soft bundle of white
which moved beneath her gentle
hands. Bryce looked closer and fell
back with an exclamation.
"A baby! Why, Myra, whose"
t'Aline. Mine by adoption" Her
face was ecstatic. "Oh, Bryce, 1
wanted to do something for the poor
children Of France or Belgium but
there was no way except through
societies. And this is a Belgian
baby Isn't she dear, Bryce? Look
at those little curis, and her eyes
they're lovely when she isn't so
sleepy. And she's so good-natured."
Bryce was standing aloof. frown-
ing slightly and evidently no sharer
in his companions delight. Already
be felt Myra slipping further away
from him. She was smiling at the
bundle in her arms and making
little cooling sounds.
II SUPPOSE, Miss Karslin. this new
acquisition of yours will occupy most
of your thoughts now" he said with
sharpness born OF fear.
Myra regarded him solemnly "All
Of them" she asserted. This is
sacred duty that's been intrusted TO
me. and / shall be faithful"
"Oh. as 10 that" he stopped,
miserably aware of his own help
lessness. Not only would an early
marriage be out of the question now,
but Myra herself would be absorbed
in her new mission.
How did you come TO DO such a
thing, Myra? ?" he asked.
That's just it," she replied calm.
ly. Il didn't do it. 1t came to me.
The bah, was left at py door with
my name on its clothing. Here is
the note, Bryce"
She drew a paper from her
pocket, and he urfolded it TO read
the scrawled words.
"Dere miss
This is q belgian baby father
was shot and mother died Of broke
hart and german reck all the fame
lys killed so please be kind to the
little orpun her nance is louise"
Young Evans flashed a suspicious
glance over Myra and her charge.
1t seems queer TO me" he re-
marked. I'm afraid you've been
| imposed on"
Myra snatched the note, protesting
resentfully. You want TO think so,
Bryce Evans, Why shouldn't it be
true? Why should anybody want to
impose on me-"
Il don't know. But l think it's
case for the police"
A shrek answered him. Police
this dear little babyl You're
heartless. And you're selfish, Bryce.
Don't think 1 don't understand. Any
way, / shall accept my duty az l see
it, And now you'd better go, Bryce.
It's late"
yes. Don't let me keep dear lit
tie Louise up. Goodnight, Miss
Karslin." Young Evans bowed
l
ried a heavy heart with him.
-yra had restless night. Her
new responsibilities weighed heavily
upon her. and her thoughts of Bryce
were far from soothing
In the morning she was very
thoughtful while she ministered 20
baby Louise IL would take a long
time for Belgian orphan 20 grow
up, she reflected; and perhaps-per-
haps Bryce wouldn't wait!
She was coiling tiny curls over her
finger and sweetly talking baby
talk" when a caller was announced.
Two callers, in fact; for when Myra
entered the sitting room she found
a fat, red-faced woman apparently
standing guard over a sulky, half
grown girl with arms and legs too
long for her juvenile dress Of plaid
Bingham.
I'm Mrs. OHalloran, ma'am, ="
greeted the stranger. An this is me
oldest girrul Gladys who's been
afther playin' a quare thrick on me.
An on yourself. too. ma'am. for
know the babys here yet An I'm
afther comm 20 get her, for. she's
me own darlint-oh, ma'am, it's
you, Gladys! Spake up. and tell the
! lady the whole truth now"
/ Prompted by her voluble mother
and tactfully assisted by the sur
prised Miss Karslin, Gladys OHal-
/ loran told her story
! She had seen Miss Karslin in the
/ little city park often, she said; and
/ had SOMETIMES heard her talking.
Y She admitted that something she
had overheard about war relief work
and war orphans had put an idea in
/ 20 her head
And the O'Halloran family was a
very large one. Gladys had been
given more work and less favors since
the arrival OF the las, child.
she says she thought II was for
ivrvbody's good" explained Mrs.
/ O'HallOran It's a wonderful mag
ination Gladys's GOT. what's made
thruhble for Us all afore this day.
But sure this is the worst OF her
thricks-givin, away her own flesh
an blood"
Jaw, Ma. can't you take a ioke?"
drawled Gladys, Sinking sheepish-
" az Mvra