VALLEY

MRS. DAVIS MAKES A CALL 147haves herself I'll leave her all my money when I die.Not one of my own relatives shall have a cent of itin any case, I'm determined on that. It was the ideaof aggravating them that set me to thinking of adopt-Unaing a child as much as anything in the first place.shall be well dressed and educated and trained, Mr.Meredith, and Ishall give her music and painting lessonsand treat her as if she was my own."Mr. Meredith was wide enough awake by this time.There was a faint flush in his pale cheek and a dangerouslight in his fine dark eyes. Was this woman,whose vulgarity and consciousness of money oozedout of her at every pore, actually asking him to giveher Una his dear little wistful Una with Cecilia'sown dark blue eyes the child whom the dying motherhad clasped to her heart after the other children hadbeen led weeping from the room. Cecilia had clungto her baby until the gates of death shut between them.She had looked over the littledark head to her husband."Take good care of her, John," she had entreated."She is so small and sensitive. The others can fighttheir way but the world will hurt her. Oh, John, Idon't know what you and she are going to do. Youboth need me so much. But keep her close to youkeep her close to you."These had been almost her last words except a fewunforgettableones for him alone. And it was thischild whom Mrs. Davis had coolly announced her in-