Mary Louise and Josie OGorman | Page 4

his hands worrying over the affairs of
the home. He was aware of the fact that funds were low and needs were
increasing. The home needed another nurse and a higher-priced cook,
who would prepare the food with more care than the present slatternly
incumbent. It needed several hospital wards, where children could be
isolated when attacked by contagious diseases. The doctor had known
his family, varying from thirty to fifty, all down at one time with bad
colds, or coryza, as named by the medical profession, when isolating
the first small cougher and sneezer might have saved all of the others.
"If only that young Mrs. Dexter, Jim Hathaway's granddaughter, would
make us a small donation," he groaned. "No doubt she could well
afford it, but young folks are mighty thoughtless. She seemed interested
in the children but I fancy that will be all--just a sentimental interest
and no more."
A tap on the door and Mary Louise entered as though in answer to his
thoughts.
"I have come to see if I might help, Dr. Weston," she said simply.
CHAPTER II
THE BOARD ELECTS NEW MEMBERS
As Mary Louise seated herself in Dr. Weston's shabby office Josie
entered and was introduced.
"Miss O'Gorman is an especial friend of mine, Dr. Weston, and I have
asked her to come here because she also is interested in your home."

"Fine! There can't be too many interested in my home," exclaimed the
old man, a light coming in his eyes. "I say my_ home just because I am
so interested in it, but it is in reality under the control of the board. You
say you want to help some?" he asked with eagerness.
"Yes, sir! I have been thinking over the matter and have decided that
this undertaking of all others appeals to me most and I should like to
give my old home. You know the old Hathaway house, do you not?"
"Yes, yes!" There was excitement in Dr. Weston's tone.
"It is too big for me to live in and I think my grandfather would be glad
to know that many little children are finding a temporary home there,"
said Mary Louise. "There is a great deal of furniture there, too, much of
which would be suitable, and a lovely great yard and pretty garden
where the kiddies can play."
"Oh, my dear, you make an old man very happy!"
"I want to make an endowment, too," Mary Louise continued, "enough
with the subscriptions you already control to take care of the children
as they should be taken care of."
The tears were rolling down Dr. Weston's cheeks, then he laughed.
"What a bomb I can throw in the camp when the board meets this
morning! I dreaded their coming but now--now--"
"Who is on your board?" asked Josie practically.
Dr. Weston began naming them over.
"Humph!" was all Josie said, but that "humph" was eloquent.
Many of the names were known to the girls. It was a varied list
composed of good, bad and indifferent personalities, from the
viewpoint of the social worker.
"Mrs. Opie is a fine open-hearted woman," said Josie, "and Mrs.
McGraw is good nature itself and most generous. Mrs. Wright is a great

worker and manager--" Josie shrugged her shoulders without finishing
her sentence.
"Yes!" breathed Dr. Weston with an eloquent sigh. "A good woman, a
good woman, but something of a--a--boss!"
"You mean Elizabeth's mother?" asked Mary Louise. "Grandpa Jim
used to call her Kaiser Wright, but that was before we went into the war.
He said she could be the head of an absolute monarchy and run all the
affairs of state and see to it that the kitchen maids washed out the tea
towels after every meal. She is on every charitable and club board in
town and at the same time is a most strenuous housekeeper and has a
hand in the making of the clothes of her entire family."
"A wonderful woman! A wonderful woman!" exclaimed Dr. Weston,
but there was that in his tone that gave Mary Louise and Josie to
understand that he was glad there were not many "wonderful women"
on the board of the Children's Home Society.
"The board meets in a few minutes," continued the old man. "It is now
beginning to assemble in the parlor. I hope you young ladies can
remain until I can inform the ladies of the generous gift in store for our
home. I am the sole and unworthy representative of my sex on the
board."
"Of course we can wait," declared Josie. "Who is the president of your
organization?"
"Mrs. Trescott is chairman but--"
"She doesn't stay in it?" laughed Josie.
"I won't say that," smiled the doctor. "Never tell tales out of the board.
Ill return in a