Year: 1873

thing it is a pity there is so much money
spent on them"


They are good. They do necessary
work, work which could not be left un.
done, only in this particular case, Is there
not something needed besides actual food
and shelter? Is there not here an oppor.
tunity to touch and thrill two souls with
the power of right living, such as could
only come from personal contactp Could
you not guide and bless in way that you
could not by merely sending an additional
fifty dollars to the 'Good Samaritan" this
year"


at would cost me more than fifty dol.
lars, I'm thinking"


''Ii it did, you have the money but you
know you need some extra help about the
house, and"


"Great help this child would be likely
to be. 1t would probably take all of her
time and half of mine to look after the
baby


"That does not follow. You know
healthy babies sleep great deal and
amuse themselves if trained to do so, and
you remember when Robbie was q baby,
you managed to do many things about
the house."


This girl may be lazy and Indifferent"


''She is so young; perhaps if you show
ed her this loving kindness, You could train
her as you wished"


"She might not care to come"


"She would not be obliged to do So"


There is Roberts pleasure to be con-
suited. am not at all sure he would wish
me to do it. 1t is not very likely he would
care to have his house made an asylum Of
in this manner"


"Hem! You could at least ask him.
But the child, as it grows older, will be
a great trouble"


Some, it is true-suppose Allie had
lived"


''But Allie was mine," and the mothers
eyes filled as she thought Of the baby girl
land the trouble one takes for ones
own


"Should be counted less trouble than
one is willing to take for the Master"


But the conflict was suspended new.
The mothers thoughts were all centered
on that darling child. who. for four months
was with her, and then was not and whose
going left such dreary blank in the house
and such sal. sore spot in her heart.
that the love of husband and son had not
filled the one, and the other vibrated for
hours with pain after the lightest touch.
The reverie lasted long; but a familiar
click and merry shout broke in upon il, i,
and Gertrude Gwin came back to the pres
ent and tried to still the quivering lips
and call up smiles to eyes that had been
fearful, as she rose to respond to the stamp
and patter of feet upon the porch.
Quite in vain. though, if she thought to
deceive the loving eyes that met her own !;
but no notice was taken of the repressed
feeling save in the added heartiness OF
greeting, and the evident intention of mo-
nopolizing, just then, the larger part of the
conversation. 1t was only when the even
ing meal was ended. as Gertrude, glanc-
ing up, caught the inquiring look which
interpreted the "Well Dearie," that she
knew her face had been telling tale, the
clew of which Robert had been patiently
awaiting. This led to the recital Of Mary's
story. and her own suggestion in regard
to lt--no hint now OF pros and cons to
which she had given heed, and Robert lis
ened and grayely pondered but the an
swer:


''YOu would have all the care and trou-
BILE. Gertrude, do as you think best"


Though not unexpected, still it left the
perplexing question unsettled. So she sat
balancing her spoon on the edge of the
dainty teacup. and, for while, the little
forlorn strangers prospects wavered as
uncertainty.


Her quiet home invaded? her leisure
for books and music encroached upon
the orderly household ways Jared Was
she her brothers keeperp And yet, could
she turn away her hand from the needy !?
Could she refuse the cup of cold water /?
Above all, could she lose the benediction
-"lnasmuch as We have done it unto one
OF these my brethren, ye have done it un.
to me? p


Don't forget to post my letter, Rob, ,"
was Mrs. Gwin's parting benediction, as
the said gentleman was rushing of, the
next morning. it being one minute near
er train time than he thought it was-a
letter, gentle reader, which ran thus


my DEAR MARY:


IL have been thinking very deeply ever
since l read your letter. To take that lit
tie desolate mother and child heme seemed
such good idea and so like you, that
did not wonder, for moment, that you
entertained it. 1t took me longer than
that to decide to do it; but now have
made the decision, am anxious to have
you execute it for me as speedily as posi-
BILE. Find her if you can. and tell her OF
me. and that. if she wishes to. keep her
child and is willing to come out here and
live with me. she will find a home and
service open to her. Perhaps can
brighten two lives-at least / will try.


This is only an answer to one bit at
your letter. Mary, but the rest can wait
a little and will come in good time.