Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1921-07-08
ADOPTING TED
BY JACK LAYTON.
d W Meclars New.p.per synaIea.sl


banker And so long had he bent
over cash drawers and intricate figure.
ing, In his impressive steel cage, that
Thadeus himself acquired an lmpor.
tant aloofness born of his task. He
fretted now Indignantly against his
Doctors unusual prescription.
zone restful day In the country"
the great man said, twill do more
for you than bottles of medicine. A
restful month would do better"
Thadeus rebelled against the MONTH
that would be unbenrnbe, lie knew
that his nerves Of late had been pill.
ing up misery in many unexpected
ways, and he knew also that he must
relh1 and find changing of ways
He thought, as he stepped dlstaste-
fully over the dust, OF his own gloomy
home in the city, with grabbed Han
nah In charge Of constantly chang.
Ing maids, and he wondered after all
what his struggle for money had
amounted to. Certain It was that II
brought no happiness nor happiness
In store. But he had been placed
In the treadmill, and because of his
Skill, must go on and on, endlessly
counting and accommodating more dol
lars. Perhaps 1t was breath OF
sweet clover across the fields which
caused him to think OF love, some
thing vaguely sweet and comforting,
which had passed him by. There was
not much chance now that love would
come to him to stay. He was too
busily absorbed and unapproachablc
The manner had grown upon him,
with the loneliness Of his years, and he
was, after all, not sure that he wished
TO be shaken out Of the accepted way
He stopped to brush leaf from his
palm-beach suit, and encountered
surprisingly child's grasplng hand
Daddy" cried the child delight
eddy, Daddy" Thadeus frowned, the
warm moist little body was pressing
against his Immaculate trousers.
Take me-" commanded the intruder
take me up. Ted's tired Teds
lost" Gazing at the boy, Thadeus
hesltated uncertainty, then with an
lneyplicable impulse lifted him in his
arms; clngng small arms encircled
the mans neck.
How trustfuliy now he lay in his
arms. Thadeus reflected sinllingly,
that no creature had ever before
confdingly sought his protection or
turned to him in seeking affection.
That was strange-toO. At the bend
of the road he saw q young woman.
She was seated on the clover dotted
grass, resting against tree an open
book In her hands. At sight of him
self with the boys curly head on his
shoulder the woman smlled-a vel
coming smile.
How do you do?" she said, 81 see
YOU have found my boy" Thadeus,
though he had for such a brief
moment gllmpsed her, was conscious
Of distinct disappointment.
Your boy?" Tbadeus repeated, Eyes,
l found him."
She leaned forward eagerly.
"And you like Ted?'
81 suppose that l do like Ted. He
took me for his father called me
Daddy. Perhaps your boy has not
seen his father for a time" The
young woman reached up to relieve
him of the sleeping burden.
'Ted's father is dead" she explained
gently, "red does not remember him
at all"
TOO bad" Thadeus murmured CON
fusedly. mice little chap. Rather took
to me-" he added pleased,
The girl raised her dark eyes to his.
"Would you like" she asked calmly,
ito take Ted, and keep him7'
Thadeus gasped. She was evidently
serious in her question, earnestly
awaiting his reply. IN
You could do so much for him."
she explained, 80 very much more
than l. You see, happen to know
who you are. have seen you in the
bank-many years. OF course" she
smiled again, "You would not remem-
Der me.
Thadeus sat speeches.. When he
found his voice he tried to make It
cOldly disappearing. But this was diff
cult before the entre0tlng softness Of