Graham guardian., 1920-05-21
FOR CURLEY
by AGNES G. eRoaAN.

WV w W. W. w w w w. ~ ~ ~ ~ =
copyright. 1919, Western Newspaper Union)
Angela read the article again, then
sat gazing with dreamy eyes, into the
street. The philanthropist whose good
deeds were so often published. had
made another endowment. What a
beautiful life must be his. In the gen.
erous sharing of riches. His grudging
interviews with reporters, aroused An
gela's interest; who could imagine
great kindness of heart, in one of such
terseness of words? Eccentric the old
gentlemen must be, she thought, and
impatient of praise.
Then suddenly moved by presump-
tuous thought, Angela's blue eyes Wild
ened.
"Why not?" she murmured into the
dusk, and a mist clouded the blue eyes
as she thought of Curley. Curley. at
once the JOY, and anxiety Of her life.
II was one of Angela's sudden inn
pulses which had led her three years
ago to take upon herself the boys care.
Angela--or Angel, as he promptly call
ed her. had been very young herself
at the time. Her visiting days at the
orphanage endeared Curley to her
more and more. He was such brave
little fellow with black eyes searching
for sympathy and riotous dark locks
matching the mischievous dimples In
his cheeks. Their partings after each
visit were so filed with mutual regret,
that Angela had gone to the superln-
tendent at last and arranged for Cur
ley's adoption. At home in her tiny
apartment, Angela was amazed at her
self for her daring; but she had never
regretted the act. Curley was n con-
tlnual comfort, making her evening
homecomings a delight, always; he
watched for her, needed her-that was
AngeIns Joy; and as Curley grew he
made himself wonderfully useful, NO
maid could have prepared daintier
meals or have learned to keep the
rooms in better order. Oh they were
very happy these two, with wreaths in
the windows at Christmas time, and
picnicking days In summer.
Angela was wise in Curley's instruc-
tion, and Curley adored his Angel.
For weeks Curley trudged through
winter SHOWS, soliciting orders for a
certain firm which bestowed gifts for
each stated amount, and In this way
Curley earned violin. Angela mar
veled at his aptitude with the bow.
She was able to let him have few and
simple lessons. But the music Curley
made up for her was very sweet TO
hear. II became a part Of their pleas.
ant evenings.
Now, after all the promise Of his
future, Angela must send the boy
away,-and wherei Curley was still
too young to support himself, vet in
these three years of home life, he had
been far removed from the orphanage.
So, as Angela read the newspaper
article, there came TO her another i'm
pulse, and she jumped to her feet.
"Why notT she whispered again.
Her cheeks were flushed as she hur-
rled along the street and her eyes
shone through their tears. She would
seek the philanthropist in his home and
beg from him-a chance for Curley.
Perhaps when she told the man Of all
their dreams--of how good and dear
and brave was her boy, perhaps the
heart Of James Rider would be moved
to do for Curley what she herself
found impossible. But Angela had
not counted upon the difficulty Of an
Interview.
"You must arrange for an appoint
ment with Mr.. Riders secretary" the
door man told her.
Angela turned away. Then, as no
other course seemed ,;ossihle, she de
cided to see upon the following day
the secretary; and she took Curlcy
with her.
A peasant-faced young man ran
down the steps of the mansion just as
she and Curley started to ascend. She
fnncled. from the bulgng papers In
his pockets, that this might be the sec
retnry himself So Angela met the
young man with the question:
"As cannot see Mr.. Rider" she
said, 81 wish to take up matter with
his secretary"
The young man bowed. and immedi'
ately held open for her the house door.
Seated in an impressive library, with
Curlcy standing between them, the
man looked at Angela and smiled.
"What can I do for your" he asked.
Earnestly then she told her story.
"Curley would he worthy Of any
Kindness Mr.. Rider could give him."
she finished tremulously. But the boy
nestled to her side.
"Id rather be near you, Angel he
said, than have all the Kindness of
the world"
The pleasant.faced young man arose
briskly. His voice sounded husky too.