The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-16

ing with the hope. that perhaps It is a
father come to claim a long lost daugh-
No cHs 5 So on ' %1 thS Fiji? The sfokx
CHAPTER II
WHEN Sally Ford opened the
w door Of the office of the Or
phan asylum, radiance was wiped
instantly from her delicate face, as
if she had been stricken with sud-
den illness. For her worst fear was
realized-the fear that had kept hel
awake many nights on her narrow
cot, since her sixteenth birthday
had passed. She covered against
the door, clinging to the knob as il
she we're trying to screw up heI
courage to flee from the disaster
which fate, in bringing about hel
sixteenth birthday, had pitilessly
planned for her, instead Of the boon
of long-lost relatives for which she
had never entirely ceased to hope.
"Sally!" Mrs. Stone, seated at the
big roll-top desk, called sharply
"Say How do you do?' to the gen.
tleman. The girls are taught
the finest Of manners here, Mr.. Car
son, but they are always a little shy
with strangers.
"Howdy-do, Mr.. Carson" Sally
gasped in a whisper.
"I believe this is the girl you
asked for, Mr.. Carson" Mrs. Stone
went on briskly, in her pleasant
company voice." which every or
phan could initiate with bitter &C
curacy.
The man, a tall, gaunt, middle
aged farmer, nodded, struggled to
speak, then hastily bent over a
brass cuSpidor and spat. That nee
essary act performed, he eyed Sally
with keen, speculative gaze. His
lean face was tanned to the color
and texture Of brown leather
against which a coating Of talcum
powder, applied after a close shave
of his black beard, showed ludi-
crously.
eyes, mum. that's the girl, ali
right. Seen her when L was here
last June. Wouldn't let me have
her them, mum, you may recollect.
Mrs. Stone smiled graciously
Eyes, remember, Mr.. Carson, and
I was very sorry to diSappoint you
but we have an unbreakable rule
here not to board out one of our
dear little girls until she is 16 years
old. Sally was 16 last week, and
now that school is out, I see no rea-
son why she shouldn't make her
home with your family for the sum-
mer-or longer if you like. The law
doesn't compel us to send the girls
to school after they are 16, you
know"
'YeS'm, I've looked into the law
the farmer admitted. Then he
turned his shrewd, screwed-up black
eyes upon Sally again. Strong
healthy girl, reckon? No sickness
no bad faults, willing to work fol
her board and keep"
He rose, lifting his great length
In sections, and slouched over tc
the girl who still covered against
the door. His ig-knuckled brown
hands fastened on her forearms
and when she Shrank from his touch
he nodded with satisfaction. GOOD
big muscles, even if she is a skinny
little runt. 1 always say these
skinny, wiry little women can beat
the fat ones all hollow"
Sally is strong and she's mar
velous with children. We've never
had better worker than Sally, and
since she's been raised in the Home
she's used to work, Mr.. Carson, al
though no one could say we are not
good to our girls. I'm sure you'll
find her willing helper on the
farm Did your wife come into
town with you this afternoon?"
Her? In berry picking timer
Mr.. Carson was plainly amazed
mo, mum, I come in alone. MY
daughters laid up today with a
summer cold, or she'd be in with
me, nagging me for money for he1
f1nery. Now, seeing as how my
wife's near crazy with work, what
with the field hands to feed and all
and my daughter laid up with a
cold, I'd like to take this girl here
along with me. You know me, mum
Reckon 1 don't have to wait to be
investigated no more.
Mrs. Stone was already reaching
for pen. Perfectly all right, Mr.
Carson. Though 1T does put me in
rather a tight place. Sally has been
taking care of a dormitory of nine
teen OF the small girls, and it is
going to upset things a bit, for to-
night anyway. But I understand
how it is with you. You're going
to be in town attending to business
for an hour or so, I suppose, Mr.
Carson? Sally will have to get her
things together. You could call fol
her about five, I suppose?"
Yes, mum, five it isl" The farm
er spat again, rubbed his hand on
his trousers, then offered it to Mrs
Stone. And thank you, mum, I'll
take good care OF the youngun. But
1 guess she thinks she's a young
lady now, eh, miss?" And he
tweaked Sallys ear, his fingers
feeling like sandpaper against hel
delicate skin.
Tell Mr.. Carson, Sally, that
you'll appreciate having a nice home
Tor the SUMMER nice country
home" Mrs. Sotne prompted, hel
eye stern and commanding.
And Sally, taught all her life tt
conceal her feelings from those ir
authority and to obey implicitly
gulped against the lump in hel