The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-13

"It's one of those things, Susan,
we have to wait to know about"
Susan pondered this. And then
the indecision that had been form
ing within her from the moment
she had entered came forth. Aunt
Alice" she said earnestly, I'm CIV
ing myself to you. I belong to you
now and forevermore."
Some moments passed before
Aunt Alice spoke. do you really
want to be my little girl, Susan?
To come here to live with me?" she
asked.
CUSAN did not answer at once,
~ because deep in her heart she
knew she loved Mother and Daddy
best. But since she meant nothing
in her home, she was only in the
way. Eyes" she answered at last,
Il truly want to be your little girl"
IF you're to belong to me-" said
Aunt Alice, maybe you'd better
go back home and pack your
clothes"
Il think I'd better" Susan agreed.
She went back by the running
stream. The children still played
near by and she thought for a
moment she would like TO join
them, strangers though they were.
She stood hesitant till one of the
girls noticing her put out a plump
hand and drew her along with her
back to the group.
Il
NTHEN the girl who had brought
w her dropped out of the game,
Susan did not at first miss her. She
had run home, some one said at. last,
and Susan accepted that. Only this
playmate had been there, she had
played and laughed so she could not
be lost.
Little Brother, too, had played and
laughed, so he could not be truly
lost. This feeling was so keen, she
wanted to share it with mother. But
as she neared her own gate, her
spirits Jagged again. For mother,
separate and far apart, would not
be interested in anything Susan had
found out.
The dark cloud EMBODIED her again.
When she opened the door and
tiptoed into the hall, she was
startled to see mother standing at
the telephone, in the act of replac-
ing the receiver in its cradle. She
turned upon Susan strange,
awakened look as though by some
informing messenger, she had been
pulled back into life.
But Susan, though puzzled, went
swiftly up the stairs and on into
her own room. She looked about
the loved, friendly spot she was
about to leave, winking back the
hot tears; then resolutely she
moved to the closet that she might
make a choice of the dresses she
would carry with her to her new
home.
CHE had laid these out nicely on
~ her bed and searching her top
dresser drawer for keepsakes. when
she heard mother mounting the
stairs.
But the stop came and a voice
asked: Susan, may I come in?"
Susan opened the door, her eyes
wide and unbelieving, for mother
was holding a pair of familiar blue
rompers, and a smile Gouched her
lips as for a second she looked at
these mementoes she had wrapped
away in such anguish.
She spoke. Susan, I wonder if
you will help me go through Little
Brothers clothes, so we can give
many of them away tn Jimmy"
Susan tried to speak, But failed.
Jimmy will run and play in
these" mother went on; he'll fall,
pick himself up again and
laugh"
She was seeing another little boy
falling and picking himself up,
laughing in glee. But the memory
no longer hurt. AS though in CIV
ing away these treasures, she gave
herself away, and her grief became
aSsuaged. Only the dear love re-
naming.
Susan, sensing all this, did not
know how the miracle had hap
pc ned. 1t had happened, but even
as JOY flooded her, she remembered
what she had done. What she must
tell.
MOTHER." she faltered, 81
Iva thought you didn't want me
any more so I'm adopted by
Aunt Alice"
Mother stood very still, her color
quite drained from her face.
Then she was across the room
and had Susan folded close in her
arms. II know about that, dear"
she said, "but you've been given
back to me for keeps"
Susan understood the miracle
now. Aunt Alice had returned the
gift she would have liked to keep.
And Mother, too, was giving away
something to which she had chung.
She knew now she could share
with Mother that beautiful truth
she had found out this afternoon in
the park. THE END.
Downright. 1885, by News Syndicate Co.,
Inc.l