The herald., 1920-05-27

But the worst OF II was no one would
want it
The lane Of Philips life was ap-
preaching a sharp curve at last. had
! ne known II.
| That evening found him sitting I'M
easily through ten reolS Of film ani
listening 10 half a dozen vaudeville
sketches in the very show house that
advertised the baby-he couldn't stay
had grown by degrees until now he
was waiting for the lucky number 10
| be read.
The hOuS" was packed to IT'S limi ,--
! the s. r. a. sign had long been OF
| set dealt ike StIlln ,s> hung over ,..s
place ~ lie numbers wH.' read. The
tenth number out Of the box was 70
get R1"y Marie.
At Ia. '2277:t3." callCI 49," man draw
IL umbarS. "'', hHs $50.
VIII the person holding 2755 please
step this way?"
Philip looked around curiOuSly. But
| there was no response. No one seemed
to have the number. Every one looked
at his nelghbOr, necks were Grained all
| over the house. But no one stirred.
81 Thought So" said everybody. No
body wants a baby"
81 thought So" said Philip with the
rest. NO one wants a baby"
His Indignation began right here 10
boil. II impelled him AT last to get
up and start down the aisle. He
gained the stage by enormous strides.
IF no one wants The baby. I'll take
II" he said. "Its an outrage, the
whole affair. But II the baby IS an
orphan and has no home I'll see that
1t gets one. I-I'll take It home and
raise 1t myself"
There was tremendous applause
then. Although II seemed no one want
ed the baby, the crowd was glad enough
| 10" some one else {" play angel.
The manager smiled down into Phil
Fps earnest indignant eyes.
Very good, young man. If you
really mean what you say. suppose
you call at the st. Stephen Children's
Home tomorrow, here's the address.
and Baby Marie will he handed over
to you If the board Of trustees are sat
iSfed you are a responsible person.
They tried to find homes for a dozen
little tots this week but weren't hav-
ing very good luck"
Then it isn't Just a raffie?" asked
Philip, relieved.
Not exactly! Don't want to
hedge, do you?"
Certainly not! I'll get the child
tomorrow. And Philip turned and
walked out
A light hand fell on his arm, and
he turned.
Madeleine! What are you doing
here? Are you alOne?"
"Yes. Oh, Philip, l saw the no
tice about the baby and l just had to
, come. too, II sounded so awful, And
/ want TO tell you how perfectly splen-
did you were. Do you really mean it,
Are you going to get that baby?"
Certainly. I said I would"
"And take II homer
"Yes."
And bring II up?"
"By the grace OF God. yes. II
would be one thing l might be useful
for. besides making money" a little
bitterly.
But you'll have TO have a nurse"
1.-Two. perhaps"
"And it will be very expensive, and
and inconvenient," she reminded
him."
"Well?"
"Oh. Philip, let me take the baby.
I was just going up anyway when
saw you. And I'm a woman"
You take IT."
"Yes. Why notr'
"YOu said you were selfish and use
less"
You said you were. too"
"And you wouldn't marry me for
that reason. The reason doesn't seem
to exist now" eagerly.
She had no reply to this. She
looked away quickly. but her eyes were
very soft
"You haven't that excuse now, dear.
I wonder if" new thought had
struck him. "Why can't we give the
baby a home together, dear? What
do you say?"
"All right" she half whispered. But
he heard.