The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-03-03
A LOST BABY.

Mr.. Jonathan 7. Ward, or as his
card mcre mcdernIy expressed 1t, ~.
Templeton Ward, Jr.," looked like q
man supremely satisfied with his for.
tune and himself. ..fr
He had just received particularly
gratifying letter from his sister in New
York, calling him to the city on fiat
tering errand, and as he entered the
cars this pleasant October morning the
universe seemed irradiated with his own
private sense Of happiness. He dropped
his nd-bag, cane and light overcoat
carelessly in the vacant corners, and
thus comfortably extended. he found
himself able to contemplate his Pile.
beian and more crowded neighbors with
urbane condescension.
After few moments his fingers in
stinctively sought an inner pocket, and
be re-read the letter which had so con-
tributed 10 his elf-gratulation. It was
from his favorite sister Rose, who had
married Henry Molineux, wealthy
broker, and whose happy married life
had caused no diminution In her home
affection. The NolineuK were, in their
way, very grand people, grander than
the Wards, for they counted larger store
Of shekels and lands and antique hoir-
looms, and Roses alliance had been
fully approved by her brother. Rose
herself was bit Of mat h.maker, and
had long cherished dream Of double
connection between the two families by
the marriage Of her brother with her
husbands sister, Miss Winifred Moii.
neux. Unfortunately for her planr,
shortly after her own wedding her hus-
bands family had sailed for Europe, re-.
naming abroad four years, and the OBJ.
jeots Of her romantic tchemes had never
met. ve,y deftly. however, Miss Rose
Molineux had managed her cards, keep.
ing up Miss Winifred's interest in the
unknown paragon by means Of shrewd
illusions and items OF interest, but
never waxing sufficiently enthusiastic TO
alarm the shy girl with approximations
Of 4 matrimonial pitfall arranged for
her unsuspecting feet. With her brother
Mrs. Molinoux's maneuvers had been
less strategic and delicate. The mat
ter had been frankly discussed between
them, and Mr.; J. Templeton Ward ac.
knowledged himself prepared TO become
Miss Winifred's willing slave at fret
sight. Indeed, he nearly persuaded
himself that he was already in love with
her, and he brooded over his sisters
letter with all the benign serenity OF an
accepted lover.
Dear Templeton wrote Mrs. Moli.
neux), "Henry's father and mother have
at length returned from Europe, and
have agreed to let me have Winiired
for the winter. I want you to drop
everything else and devote yourself to
us. to escort Winifred to all the ex.
hibitions, symphony rehearsals, recep.
tiops, etc., OF the season. She is look
ing remarkably we'll, and, what is better,
has returned heart free. l was afraid
some French marquis would be at
tracted by her dot and snatch her up.
! know that you are very sensitive on
such matters, and will not thank me fol-
telling you, but by the death of her
Uncle Robert In Pernambuco she has
come into possession Of thirty thousand
dollsrs, which. In addition TO her OK
pectations from Papa xolinsux, makes
her veiy pretty heiress. A What's-
his-name says. "A crisis comes once In
the life Of every man," n hr
There Is trite old saying In regard
TO cup and lip which forbsar quoting
remarking only that 1t Is mistake II
confide delicate porcelain to baby I'm
gers. Mr.. Wards cup would probably
never have slipped had II not been fol
baby OF whose influence upon his fat.
be was a. yet blissfully unconscious. II
was . sorry day for him when the thres
weird sisters converted Mr.. Templetol
Wards cup Of happiness hat
hitherto been as carefully guarded q
though II had been veritable bit o
blossomed Dresden or fragile spfcimel
OF Bevres In Pompadour rose-into {
plaything for ruthless and irresponsi
ble baby.
Mr.. Ward had drifted into . day
dream, when he was recalled suddenl,
to the actualities OF the present by
! sweet voice at his elbow iuquiring dim
IDENTIFY. /" Is this seat engagsdY'
Turning sharply, he saw dignifet
but youthful lady, with face like tina
of one of Rsphasls Madonnas. Hi
impressible heart paid her homage .
once, and he was about to spring to hi
feet with spontaneous politeness, whei
the pleasurAble emotion was checked b,
| one Of dismsy. She held In her arm
. baby-well dressed, neat. chubby
bright, and. to . parental eye, q cheru
Of . child; to Mr.. j. Templeton Ward
his pet aversion and peculiar horror.
He looked at the child with an e1
preston OF intense disapprobation. I"
think yen will be more comfortable Q
the other end OF the car" he remarked
slowly raising his eyeglasses and sui
veying the perspective Of crowde
seats. tk
~ will try another car" replied tn
lady. with quiet dignity.
Mr.. Templeton Wards good breed
ing asserted itself. sIndeed, madam
! had not observed that there were n
vacant seats. Pray do not imagine m
so eRregiously selhsh !" and the littl
lady was quickly seated At his vis-s-vil
For some time the baby conducte
itself in an exemplary manner, drum
ming on the window-p pane and watcf
ing the rapidly whirling landscape, an
Mr.. Templston Ward had time 10 oh
serve that the lady was dressed In tha
slleviatsd mourning which allows cel
tain concessions to fashion and becom
ingness in the tolsration Of white I
the throat and wrists. and solitair
pearls In either ear.
"You have hne little boy. madam.