Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-08-30
"HAHG THE BABY"

"HAHG THE BABY"
'Then you won't 60, Alice?"
"No, HERBERT am sorry-but the ba-
by!"
ooh, hang the baby! !" and Herbert flung
himself out of the room, slamming the
door behind him.
Alice stood looking at the door, growing
whittier and whittier. Then she gave heart
breaking cry, fell on her knees by the era
die and hiding her face in her hands, sob
bed bitterly.
She had looked forward so long to going
to this particular party. 1t was given by
Mrs. Mountjoy, one of the leaders in soci-
ETY., and all who were eminent in politics,
diplomacy, OF literature, as we'll as distin-
guished in the fashionable world, were
sure to be there. She had been kept at
home SO much since baby had been born,
then she really felG the need of little va
riety and relaxation. But baby had been
threatened with Group week before, and
the fond mother had not yet recovered
from her fright. Baby, she admitted, was
now better, ''but not fit," she declared,
''to be left with only the nurse to look af-
ter it." Nurses are so careless, everybody
had told her, even the best of them. So
she felt it her duty to give up the party.
She had not asked Herbert to give it up
also, and even said there was no reason
why he should stay at home; but still, in
her heart of all hearts; she hoped he
would.
HE said, hang the baby yes, he did,
darling" she murmured, with indignant
emphasis, as she bent over the little uncon-
scious sleeper. ut was your papa who
said that, and he has gone to brilliant
party, with such thoughts Of his wife and
child! Did you come, dearest, to estrange
us from each other?"
This awful idea caused her bitter signs.
Herbert had said such beautiful things
in her trusting young maidenhood. ssNev-
er should their lives run in separate chan
nels, as those of some married people Of
their acquaintance did"-''never a joy &C.
copied that did not make one''-''never a
barrier should come between them.' And
now to think that this wee babe, with its
golden curls. this beautiful little helpless
creature should part them as never strong
hands could
She pictured the gay assemblage, and
her Herbert dancing with fair young girls,
smiling Oh others, and leaving her to die
of heart-break.
Her imagination, always too vivid,
viewed him in his triumphs, until her mis-
cry took almost the form of madness.
''He didn't want me, too" she said
she acted as if he didn't, and then he pre-
tended to throw all the blame on dear,
helpless baby"
Suddenly she heard the sound of car
riage wheels outside; they stopped at the
door, the bell rung; and a fairy-like figure
stood on the threshold of the room. in all
the usefulness of expectancy, with dimp-
ling smiles and laughing eyes.
''Oh, Mabel!'' cried Alice, starting to
her feet with glad cry. '.This IS indeed
surprise. I'm so glad you have come
My UdTllIR SlSUCI
Forthwith ensued scene of rapturous
welcome. Then the baby was exhibited
and one would not have dreamed that
tear had ever stained the cheek of the
proud mother. Then the visitors trunks
were ordered to be carried up stairs.
"Eut where's Herbert :? In the study p
said Mabel at last All the light went out
of her sisters eyes; her hands fell.
sHe's Out-out, dear"
''Good! Don't be angry, because Pm
glad for we can have such nice little
chat. You didn't expect me-"
''Of course didn't
"Well, didn't think of coming, as you
know, for month yet. But thought it
would be so nice to surprise you.'
',Oh! I'm so glad"
"And then Paul is coming,'' she said;
blushing, "next week to stay month; he
has business here; and he wanted me so
badly to be here too. ':I'll have to marry
him soon to get rid of him."
"Oh, Mabel! don't marry him unless
your certain you'll be happyl' p cried
Alice, Historically. BE sure, first he
won't 60 to parties, and leave you "a
lone with baby" she sobbed.
'What! Is Herbert at party?" queried
Mabel, quite subdued.
Eyes, he is; and when told him 1
couldn't go on account of baby, he said,
'hang ba-babyI' Yes, you little angel,
your own father said those very words,
and then he slammed the door"
''He's a viper!" exclaimed Mabel, with
sudden vehemence. "a nice way to treat
/ wife like you-a baby like that But
why couldn't you leave baby?''
because he was threatened with Group
last week."
!'But he's well enough now-sleeps de-
}iciously. He'll net wake pp all the night,
perhaps. And the nurse would have taken
good care of him.
II should have been thinking of fire,
and all that"
,, "0h, nonsense! You ought to have
gone. But Herbert has no right to be:
have as he did; and he must be punished"
and Mabel threw her wraps on the bed,
md took her seat by the glowing fire. "lt
will nAvap do IN lot him oot tho ,1nn0E hand.