The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-07
TODAY'S SHORT STORY

I property. She had been his wife for 30 years and for the last five years his nurse and attendant. Then she was alone with plenty of means, but noth- l ing else that seemed of value in her life:
 It was too years since George Bart lett's death, and ,she was sorrier look ing than ever. He had been jealous, exacting husband who had kept her apart from every interest and activity of life and now when she should be free she found that the old chains re- strained her. She had neighbors, but no warm friends; she belonged to no club, no society; she didn't know how to spend her money; she had no great l interest in life and no wish to live very long as she was.
 Even the daffodils aroused in her no sense of spring or freshness or promise. She had picked them un- thinkingly, and now that her hands were full she did not know what to do with them.
 T suppose I might take them over to Mrs. Wilson's" she thought. "She hasn't any daffies. l guess I will take them to her."
 She moved across to her nextdoor l ly. Beulah, years old, a dancing eyed and curly headed child, flung open the door.
 'Oh, Mrs. Bartlett!" she exclaimed. Come right in and see what we've got"
 Lillis entered and followed the child into the living room where Mrs. Will son sat holding little boy on her lap. The woman looked up smiling at her visitor.
 'Sit down, Mrs. Bartlett" she said.
 Lillis took a chair. She, looked at the little boy and he looked at her gravely, wonderingIy, lifting his dark, purplish eyes with their long flashes from the bright flowers in her hands to her dark, unsmiling face He was a sturdy, beautiful child, with strong legs and arms, full chest and complexion like an apple blossom. But his shoes were worn out and his blue rompers outgrown and faded. They bound his wrists and neck and retared movement.
 This is poor Gladys Woodworth's s baby," Mrs. Wilson said.
 "Oh" Lillie remembered the traffic incident which had troubled Pink street a few days before.
 Mary Ward says she can't keep him any longer. Her daughter out Burn wood way is sick and she's got to go and take care of her. I told her she could bring Richard here for a little while. Beulah is determined we shall adopt him."
 Please, mother" begged Beulah. She gave Richard a swift kiss. ,
 Mrs. Wilson sighed. '.@
 I'm not very well and have cares enough already. Besides, there's the expense. Wilson won't hear to it.''
 His father has never been heard fromY' asked LiIlie.
 "No. And I dare say he never will Noe. Poor Gladys! Well-What are you up to, Dicky-boy?"
 Dicky-boy was scrambling down from Mrs. Wilson's motherly lap. He stood at her knees irresolute for an instant, then he stole toward LiIlie. He looked into Lillis' face and smiled.
 T forgot the daffodils." Lillis mur- mured. She awkwardly selected one and gave it to the child and handed the rest to Mrs. Wilson.
 Richard looked at the flower, turned it lightly in his baby fingers, then smiled up at Lillis again.
 "Up," he said.
 said Beulah.
 "He wants you to take him up."
 Lillis lifted him clumsily upon her lap. The color had come into her thin face and she trembled slightly. She thought: /
 T don't believe I ever held a child before. How heavy he is! And solid And warml And-sweetv'
 Richard fingered the brooch at her throat.
 "Pinny," he said.
 Suddenly he put his arms about her neck and laid his head on her shoulder.
 Num-" he breathed. There was an instant's silence. Mrs, Wilson gazed, astonished, and BeuIah's blue eyes puzzled.
 He means mamma" said Beulah.
 Lillis' arms had frightened about the boy. She sat perfectly still, feeling a strange, new emotion. Something had stirred in her which she had never sus- pected-the mother instinct She was afraid that Mrs. Wilson was amused and yet not afraid. Nothing but those baby arms mattered.
 Suddenly Richards mood changed and he climbed off her lap and went trotting kitchenward, demanding bread and but
 Hills went home. All the rest of the day she lived the memory of those clasp