Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-11-06
Little Mother
~0
BY GENEVIEVE ULMAR
Copyright. 1919. by the Western News
paper Union)


paper Union.)
Somewhere Lucia Willard had read
a story where a poor and humble girl
had patiently endured all the suffer
ings and deprivations OF poverty, to
emerge into higher condition and
finally become the bride of man OF
wealth and position who, in reverence
for her gentle ways and pure, inno-
cent mind, adored her through all OF
IA happy, contented life. 1t was a rare
romance of the old school and she had
reveled in its sweet, wholesome de-
velopment.
"Only n dream she sighed resign
eddy. "What can come To Winston
Flats 10 me like The story book tells?"
Not but what Lucia deserved all that
a reward for truth, sacrifice and I'M
complaining hard work could give an
orphan, her only living relative, her
grandmother The two of them worked
at the cheapest grade of sewing, gain
ing a mere subsistence. Their living
quarters were mean and lowly but
kept eXquisitely neat and clean. 1t
was often invaded by those less par
ticular as 20 rags and dirt, little chill
dren Of the neighbOrhood A strong
maternal instinct in Lucia attracted
her towards them, and the only break
IN the monotony of her dull existence
was when she gathered in the little
outcaSts, washed them clean. combed
oil hnf hnf
tattered clothing and gave them lit
tie treat in the way of popcorn or
candy.
IF I only got TO what the heroine
I'm the novel reached" Lucia told her
grandmother, II would just fill my
home with these poor little dear chill
dren"
Grandma often scolded at the i'm
petuOus phianthrophy of Lucia, yet
secretly her heart was touched at the
kindly motives of her last living rela-
tive. One day, however, she felt that
Lucia had exceeded the limits of toll
erance and charity. She had burst in
upon her bearing in her arms tat
tered, half-dressed baby girl covered
with mud and CRIME, grooming out pity
and love and tenderness for the tiny
outcast. Lucia Rugged 1t close and the
child nestled in her arms IA though
1t realized a rare kindness and care.
"Just think OF it," scolded Lucia
left alone in the back lot TO wander
into all kinds of trouble. The poor
inV To 10 10 lot in ha mir
where she had fallen. Oh. grandma
look look at the sweet darling
face"
For Lucia had run 10 the sink and
washcloth i'm hand. had cleared the
mud-mottled face Of the child.
"What are you going TO do with her
Lucia questioned grandma.
81 am going to keep her. am go
ing to adopt her" replied Lucia with
settled resolution and defiance. do
you know who she is? One OF the
half-starved babies thar Mrs Woods
took care OF. Actually when she went
away she left this one on the door
step Of neighbor who has hardly.
enough To feed her own little ones, and
no time 10 care for this stranger. She
said she would have 10 send her to
some orphan asylum. Oh grandma
she shan't. shall she? I'll work dou-
bly, hard to care for someone I love
and-you sweet pet. you Shant be
taken away from me"
And little Evalne. as they called
her, wasn't. And at the end OF a
month even grandma would have bar
ricaded the house in state Of siege
II anyone had limited al despOling the
happy household of its now cherished
idol Baby Evaline entered upon an
experience of love and care that kept
her babblIng prettily and smiling and
Growing through all her waking hours
Lucia looked up from her sewing
fairly aghast one day. when a police
officer came into the house with a
young man pointed to the chattering
Evaline and said:
81 guess there IS no mistake, Mr.
Barton The trail ends here and there
is your dead sisters child"
The heart OF Lucia chilled and she
began To cry as the young man told
the story of sister who had eloped
with favored lover lie had died
later and only now after long search
had the sorrowlng brother surely found
the little orphan. He placed dozen
bnnk notes on the table, hut Lucia
pushed them away and wept only the
more bitterly. Her genuine emotion
affected him greatly. The baby began
10 cry in sympathy with her second
mother and grandma joined In the
general sorrow and desolation.
II haven't the heart 10 separate
them" Gerald Barton whispered to the
officer. Don't take on so, miss. You
shall not be troubled about the child
until I think OF some way of arrang-
ing ell this"
He came the next day, alone. II
was to ask Lucia II she would he will
Ing 70 come Ia his home and devote
her time solely TO the little one. Oh,
50 gladly. provided grandma could
come. too" And Lucis's eyes sparkled
as Gerald Barton described the lonely,
but beautiful country paradise to
which he invited them.
So part OF the story book romance
came true. and n little later. pulsating
with q new affection and realizing the
GROWING Joy Of n perfect life. LucIs's
had tav IN one shoulder and the