The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07

she had no males among her pets ex- cept her mated birds But for a long time she had held herself "poten tial mother" and in anticipation of the day when she would adopt baby girl. had for months spent her money freely in preparing for the coming of little girl into her home, prepar ation that in itself was A work of love. There were chests of drawers full of baby things" in the sunny nursery" all decorated to delight the eyes of a child; crib wonderfully fur nished with silks and 1aces, little chairs and tables and even a colony of dolls all in their places about the room.
 Miss Van Rensselaer, paid Bonnie Marie a visit at the hospital. There she met pr. Sloane. they were not strangers to one another but had never met before. Miss Van Rensse- laer held Bonnie in her arms. It was enough. She said she would adopt the child, Dr. Sloane shook his head. Miss Van Rensselaer, looked at him In suprise.
 Need Sym pnthy
 "The minds of little children Dr. Sloane told her, "are marvelousiy delicate and tender things. They bear forever the impressions first made upon them. A wide catholicity of sympathy and a manifold knowledge Is required properly to guide them in life" Dr. Sloane said he could not be- iieve that a maiden lady could pos sess true parental instinct.
 You are not the one with whom I would intrust Bonnie Marie" he said to Miss Van Rensselaer, You have lived the life of spinster and I do not feel that the little one would re- ceive from you the sympathy or the mother love so necessary for her happiness. The fact that you are wealthy does not, according to my way of thinking, make up for the fact that Bonnie Marie would net be given real home with you. Her life. believe. would not completely be happy one"
 Miss Van Rensselaer, reveived an other surprise when she demanded to know who would be permitted to adopt the baby Dr. Sloane replied that he had made up his mind to adopt her himself. The idea that confirmed bachelor. an old bachelor, mil ght have the child denied to her did not agree with her views. She went to her lawyer. She instructed him to spare no expense or effort at law to win the child for her; to seek out the parents, to sue out 8 writ of habeas corpus-to do anything that would further her dearest wish to mother the child.
 Two Talk Plainly
 While the controversy was on Miss Van Rensselaer, visited Dr. Sloane and attempted to persuade him in her favor. Three days ago she made visit They talked plainly. Dr. Sloane was unconvinced by her arguments, unmoved In his determination to adopt Bonnie Marie as his own. The telephone bell in Dr. S1oane's office rang. A nurse at the phone said that Bonnie Marie had fallen asleep an hour before and could not be awaken ed. Her little spirit had fled while she slept.
 There were tears In the eyes of Dr Sloane and Miss Rensselaer, when they parted to meet again yesterday. the sole mourners at the burial of the tiny body of Bonnie Marie.
 There Is no longer a controversy between Dr. Sloane bachelor and Miss Van Rensselaer, spinister or talk of lawsuits and writs. Their mutual concern Is the care of the little grave now covered with blanket of white folwers and Main street. back in the small town where the young couple who "eloped" have returned from their Honeymoon" Is none the wiser, and the prayer of those who knew and loved Bonnie Marie is that it never will be.