The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-05-18
EDcning Story
A Case to Investigate
BY JANE OSBORN.

BY JANE OSBORN.
When Laura Stanhope was engaged
as assistant to the matron of the
Stowe Children's Home it was under
stood that she should have charge of
what the managers called the home
field work. This consisted of regu-
lar visits to the homes of children
recommended for the home, and the
watching of children VINO had once
been cared for by the home. but had
later been taken back by their par
ents or relatives. Laura Stanhope lived
at the Stowe home and, when not en-
gagged on such errands, she was ex-
pected to see that the cook did not
pare the potatoes. too thick, that Wis
itors did not give the children too
much candy, to help with the mend
ing, take a hand in the pantry when
needed and otherwise put in about
fourteen hours of usefulness a day.
Here's a job for you,'' said the
matron to Laura one chill winter day
when the snow was in the air. Some
of the lady managers have been con-
cerned over an advertisement that has
been running in the Home News for
the last two or three nights. They
think maybe there are children there
that ought to be brought to the home.
Suppose you put on your things and
take the next trolley out Thompson's
road and try to find the place. Here's
the advertisement-it was in the 'Fe-
male Help Wanted It's probably
some dilapidated farm house out in
the Old Orchard section. Don't go
inside, but get as good an idea as you
can of the people from outside
Laura did not read the advertisement
until after she was aboard the trolley
that went out Thompson's road. Then
she unfolded the bit of paper and
read Wanted a nice lady to come
and be mother to two little girls.
We're dreadful lonesome. Don't come
unless you can read stories out of the
fairy book. Please come to stay al
ways. Thompson's road and Orchard
lane, R. f. D. IT,
Laura got off the trolley at Orchard
lane. That was easy. 1t was also
easy to find a letter box a few hun
dred feet up Orchard lane. marked II.
The difficulty lay in the fact that the
post to which this letter box was at
tached stood in front of a splendid
Colonial mansion, set far back from
the road, kept in splendid repair and
surrounded by spreading lawns and
groves of trees that showed every sign
of constant care.
The only thing for Laura to do
was to go to the front door of the
house and ask whoever came to the
door if he or she knew anything of
the sender of the advertisement. How
ever, she was spared the necessity of
raising the well polished old brass
knocker on the ponderous white front
uOOT- "A wen CldQ CnlIO eight OF ten
playing before the house stopped her.
Did you come to be our mother?"
she asked, looking Laura over with
searching, young eyes.
Not exactly" said Laura. But
I did see your advertisement and
L came to see you and to talk with
you. Do you live herein this big
house,"
yes" said the child. but don't
let's go in. Let's talk outside, because
M nv IN hor- In
about it, and I don't want them to
know until you have come for good
to be our really and truly mamma,
Jeane-thatis my sister-doesn't know
either. It's going to be a surprise
to her"
But you. you have everything
you want" suggested Laura, putting
a reassuring arm on the child's
shoulder. You ought to be very
happy. You haven't any-any
No" said the child, shaking her
head vigorously. There's just us
and Jumbo-that's the dog-and
em@v me co t1 a1 o9i0 0Ii1a man tang
care of us and Uncle Fred. Olive
won't mind-really she won't. She
wants to leave anyway and anyway
she just puts US to bed and gives US
our baths and sews buttons on. She
doesn't read the fairy story book or
kiss us or anything like that"
The child seemed wound up for a |
much longer explanation. but she |
came to a sudden stop. A youngish |
man, of rather stern ex-
preston, had come out of the house. |
AS he came down the steps the child |
That's Uncle Fred. He doesn't |
know. Don't tell, please. 1 want to |
wait until it's all arranged"
rs there something I can do for |
you?" asked Uncle Fred. looking as
at Laura as had the little |
girl when she first arrived.
II was only-only trying to find |
my way" said Laura, a little non
plussed. you see I wanted to take
the trolley and-and I wondered how
often they went by, going to town"
The man looked at his watch.
They go only every hour. You've /
Just missed it. The siding is right |
near here and the up and down cars
have just passed each other there"
1t was not a surprising thing and
quite IN accord with the spirit of the
country when Uncle Fred suggested
90 back to town. I'm going in In
tive or ten minutes. You would save
ime that way. Won't you come in
Ind warm yourself?''
Laura remembered the matron's in
junction not to go in the house But
nothing had been said about motor
ng with a stranger. That, thought
aura. would be a good opportunity
o find something more about the case
he had to Investigate. She was very
,old, but she said: Thank you. /
would rather wait out here"
LAS you WISH said the stranger.