The Washington times., 1920-06-29

tionsl Magazine Company
(Cs.tiased frs.a Yesterday
Well, the arrangements took
some time to complete: but they
were fairly complete, whom finished.
She kept her own nsmeT : she was TO
have $4,000 a year for life after she
became twenty-one. He charged
himself with her mental, moral.
spiritual. physical. and general edu-
cation.
1t came about in the following
manner:
First OF all. he went to see a
gentleman whom he had known for
many years. but whose status with
himself had always remained a
tribe indefinite In his. ,mind-some-
where betwixt Indifferent friend
ship and informal acquaintance
ship.
The gentleman's name was Chill
tern Grismer; his business, charity,
and religion.
: He did not dispense either of
these. however; he made a living
for himself out of both. Cleland
had learned at the United Charities
that Grismer was an important per-
sonage in the Manhattan Charities
Concern. a separate sectarian ar
fair with a big office building. and
a book bindery in. Brooklyn for the
immense tonnage of sectarian books
and pamphlets published and sold
by the Concern" AZ It called itself.
The profits were said to be enor-
nous.
with a pair of unusually light yell
iah he "a "a n
peared the classical philanthropist
of the stage, With his white,
bushy side -whiskers, his frock coat,
and his little ready-made black bow
tie. slightly askew. under a high
choker. he certainly dressed the
part. In fact, any dramatic pro-
ducer would have welcomed him in
the role. for he had no business"
to learn; 1t was perfectly natural
for him to Join his finger tips to-
-kether while conversing; and his
voice and manner left nothing
whatever to criticize.
''Ah! My friend of many years"
he exclaimed as Cleland was ush-
cred into his office in the building
OF the Manhattan Charities Concern.
-And how, I pray. can be of serv-
ice to my old friend, John Cleland?
m-m'yes-my friSod of many
years!'
cleland told his story very sim
ply, adding:
,"I unAerstand that your Concern
is handling Case 119, Grismer-
acting. believe, for a child-placing
agency"
(which case?" demanded Grismer,
almost sharply.
Case 1l9. The case Of Stephanie
Quest," repeated Cleland.
Grismer loked at him with odd
. tatentness for a moment. then his
eyes shifted. as though something
were disturbing his suave mental
tranquility:
'.M-m-m'yes. Oh, yes. believe
we have this case to handle among
many others. M-m-m! Quite SO;
quite so. Case 119? Quite So"
MAY I have the child?" asked
Cleland bluntly.
BLESS me! Do you really wish to
take such chances, Cleland"
"Why not? Others take them,
don't they?"
''M-m-m'yes. Oh. yes. Certainly.
But it is usually people Of the-ah-
middle and lower classes who adopt
children. M-m-rp'yes: the middle
they would not be very much disap-
pointed in a founding or waif who
failed to-ah-develop the finer,
subtle, more delicate Christian
qualities that a gentleman in your
position might reasonably expect
m-m'yes!-might, as it were, de-
mand in an adopted child"
"Tll take those chances in the
case in question" said Cleland,
quietly.
"M-mm'yes, the case in question.
Case 119. Quite so. I am
wondering he passed a large,
dry hand over his chin and mouth.
refiectively, while his light-colored
eyes remained alerty on duty. Il
have been wondering whether you
have looked about before deciding
on this particular child. There are
a great many other deserving cases.
m-m-'yes-a great many deserving
cases"