The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-24

chance. went into Dots bedroom, and
hunting about there, found little worn vel
vet can with its shrt of gold lace, and its
dilanidated tassel We had fancied that the
baby looked particularly lovely in it, and had
been 10th to throw it aside.
'Dot, darling, you know you threw down
his coat and his new cap on the bed when
you decided not to take him. He must have
put them ON himself. See here is the old
cap, dear"
put it into her lap. She had been rock
ing back and forth, her face in her hands.
She dropped her hands now, gazed at the
poor little chapeau, and great sobs began to
shake her.
''Oh, my baby, my baby p she cried, and
rushing torrent of tears swept away the icy
despair that had controlled her.
1t was better after this. Dot could talk,
and her sorrow was easier to bear when 1t
could be put into words.
81 think of him wandering into those vile
streets and the poor outcast children crowd
ing around him-he must seem like an angel
to them or a little king-and perhaps one
ruder than the rest tears off his cap, and an
other seizes his cloak, and he is cold. and he
winter wind blows his hair about, and he
wants his mamma, and he gets hungry, and
oh, RIfthy, how can bear it ?''
Dot cries at the picture, and directly new
combinations arise.
We see him running up and down the
streets, and he grows more and more heart
broken in his longings and hunger for his
sweet mamma.
Just in the gray of the morning the bell
rang again. 1t had been ringing at intervals
all night, and again and again our hopes had
been kindled only to die.
Harry went down. Dot and listened at
the head Of the stairs.
Its nothing, darling" 1 said, with my
arm around her waist.
| But Dots quicker ear, or more likely. her
mother instinct, OWNED the truth. She
| broke from my arms with cry, and ran
| down.
| l followed, and there was the blessed
| baby in the arms of strange young gentle
| man.
Those arms yielded him instantly.
How he was kissed and cried over! What
congratulations, what a tumult of thanks
| giving what tears, what sobbing laughter
received the unwilling prodigal. Was It not
all witnessed by the handsome young
stranger? who was no stranger after all,
but an old friend of HaTy's, called by him
Jack, as Familiarity as if he had been his
brother.
1t was long, pathetic story, but the gist
oft was, that Mr.. Conway had rescued the
baby from the clutches of beggar, who un-
doubleday meant to use him as capital in her
trade
II tried to find out his name," said Mr..
Conway, laughing, "but all could learn was.
that mamma was Dot and he was Dots
baby"
Mr.. Conway retired after being. T hone
properly thanked and refreshed
1t was breakfast time now, but who cared
for breakfast? We gathered around the
table, however, a happy if not hungry
party.
Harry, who is Jack Conwayq' asked
| Dot.
''He is an old comrade of mine. We stood
shoulder to shoulder at Antietam and Get
| tysburg."
shoulder to shouldn't and he five feet
seven, and you-seven feet five. is il p,
"a capital fellow" proceeded Harry NOT
noticing Dots irrelevant interruption. 1In a
banking concern down town."
"Mr. Ascott," remarked Dot. with en-
| rious look in her eyes, ''may / be allowed to
ask why you have never introduced this can
ital fellow to the bosom of your family p,
"Never thought of it, suppose. Wbvso
"Why? why?" cried Dot. ssOh. the SIN
pidity of the masculine mind! Because. Won
precious goosie, he is the man predestined
from the foundation of the world to he
Ruthy's husband"
"Ah!' said Harry, and surveyed me with
anew and critical interest.
Nonsense, Dot! you're crazyr' I cried.
mot at all. Pm much-abused and nm
appreciated seeress of whom nv family are
not worthy. Never blush, dear. See if nv
| prophecy doesn't come true"
1t did-it really did. And it all came of
| Dots baby. VI