But lil' Ann?"
Now that she had made the great decision about Truedale, there was still
"lil' Ann."
Lynda fought for mastery over the dread thing that was forcing its way
into her consciousness. Then something Nella-Rose was saying caught her
fevered thought.
"When I was a lil' child I used to dream that some day I would do a
mighty big thing--maybe this is it. I don't want to hurt his life
and--yours; I couldn't hurt my man and--and--the babies waiting back
there for me. But--lil' Ann!"
The name came like a sob. And somehow Lynda thought of Burke Lawson!
Burke, who had done his strong best, and still could not keep himself in
control because of--lil' Ann! The helpless baby was--oh! yes, yes--it
was Truedale's responsibility. If she, Lynda, were to keep her life--her
sacred love--she, too, must do a "big thing"--perhaps the biggest a
woman is ever called upon to do--to prove her faith.
For another moment she struggled; then, like a blind woman, she
stretched out her hands and laid them upon the child.
"Nella-Rose, will you give--_me_ little Ann?"
"Give her--to--you?" There was anguish, doubt, but hope, in the words.
"I want--the child! She shall have her father--her father's home--his
love, God willing! And I, Nella-Rose, as I hope for God's mercy, I will
do my duty by little Ann."
And now Lynda was on the floor beside the shabby pair, shielding them as
best she could from the last wrench and renunciation.
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