Page:Tom Beauling (1901).pdf/46

 bright, peony red. Although she had borne children, she would have blushed to have heard her own husband make the same statement about a total stranger.

"Oh!" she gasped.

"Out in the world," said Judge Tyler, "these things are better understood than we understand them here. Her story was to me most pitiful. I heard what she had to tell, and she was greatly to be pitied."

Suddenly Dorothy stopped stock still.

"Do you mean to tell me, Judge Tyler, that you brought a child that was not honestly come by to play with my children?"

Judge Tyler was so taken aback by this attack that he gasped.

"Why, Dorothy," he said presently, "what earthly harm can any little child do?"

"It's the idea," she said; "the idea is—it's—nauseating."

That was strong language for Dorothy. It had a peculiar effect upon Judge Tyler. He began to quiver and get white in the face.