Patterson advised his sister-in-law to let the matter rest for
the present. Anne might be found. Mrs. Marshall wrote that they had a
clew which they were following. A little girl, answering in general the
description of Anne, had been seen near Westcot with a gypsy band. They
would continue the search and never give up hope.
Christmas was now at hand and Miss Drayton, always ready for deeds of
charity, resolved to send holiday gifts and dinners to several poor
families.
Telephoning to the district agent of the Associated Charities, she
obtained the names of some 'deserving poor,' and a crisp, clear December
morning found her driving from one home to another, talking with mothers
and receiving children's messages to Santa Claus. On the ragged edge of
the city, her coachman halted before a little brown house from the porch
of which hung a leafless rose-bush. Miss Drayton consulted the card in
her hand: "John Edward Callahan, wife, and seven children." Two or three
smiling children, not yet of school age, were peeping out of the window
and a woman left her sewing-machine to open the door.
Miss Drayton explained the purpose of her visit. "I understand you have
several children," she said.
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