The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-05-19

sentative of the ancient and honorable line
| of Kennedy felt as guilty and confused as
! he looked while making his errand known.
"Sirw the gentleman replied, somewhat
sternly, bending a keen gaze upon his
visitor and half shutting the door,
This significant action aroused Rand
| from his embarrassment, but before he
could explain farther, series of muffled
sobs and cries were heard from the depths
/ of the basket upon his arm. They increased
in volume with such rapidity that the lady
who had up to this time remained quiet
| Iooker-on, rushed forward, saying quickly
"Where is it? Give it to me-"
Without a word, Rand deposited the
basket at her feet. He never forgot the
/ single upward glance of mingled indigna-
! tion and dismay which she gave him as she
pulled away the shawl ana discovered the
moor. struggling, half-smothered child, fat
ilnon its face. In another instant it was
| Wing in her arms and being soothed and
! comforted in a way entirely acceptable to
/ her small ladyship, and which seemed
nothing short of magic to its nurse of an
hour before. From very exhaustion the
| child fell asleep, and then the gentleman
| turned toward Rand as if for some farther
remarks ON his part, and in few words
/ the whole story was made known.
"How very unfortunate" said Miss
Adams, for it was really she, when Rand
had finished, shat everything has Just
been moved out of the house. The last load
has been gone but few minutes and we
were leaving as you came"
"And we shall miss the train if we wait
any longer" remarked her brother signifi-
cantly, cycling the baby and Rand, too,
with no favor. "Come, BerthaW
"We were going out of town, you see,"
she explained in a frank, straightforward
way. 81 am almost a stranger here, and
do not even know where my landlady has
moved to; and one couldn't take baby
out in this storm. 1t is hard to decide lust
what can be done with her.
By this time Rand had SO far recover
his self-possessiOa a s-ato hand 2fis d7fd -tD4
\ Mr.. Adams, and that gentleman's grim
countenance relaxed vislbly at sight of the
well-known and hOnored name.
'Perhaps, as Mr.. Kennedy lives sonear,"
he suggested, more courteously than he had
yet spoken, ''we might go over, and you
could fix the-it, somewhere, and then it
would give no more trouble, and tomorrow
it will be easy enough to find an asylum."
so, if you would be so kindr' cried
Rand, beseechingly, once more rescued
from the brink of despair at the thought of
being left with the child upon his hands
again.
1t was not until baby was well wrapped
up, the house-door locked and the muddy
street re-crossed that Rand bethought him
self of his position as host. In his delight
at being relieved from his troublesome
charge, he had quite forgotten the fact of
his aversion to other companionship than
his own meditations. However, there was
little time for reflection. They reached the
gate, and his guests followed him with I'M
certain steps along the stone walk which
led to the mansion. Here they found the
outer door wide open and the hall flooded.
In his haste Rand had forgotten to close it,
and the rain had been pouring in. Then
the library fire had burned low, and, to add
to the general discomfort, the innocent
cause of all this extraordinary commotion
awolle from her nap, and announced in I'M
mlstakable tones that she was hungry.
The poor child must be half-starved,"
said Miss Bertha compassionately. "Mr.
Kennedy, will you please bring some milk
and sugar and water?"
Had she asked him to produce the sacred
COW of India, Rand could hardly have been
more at loss what to do. But there was a
goodly supply of pluck under his mild,
elderly exterior; moreover, something in
the quiet, pleasant, decided tones COM
PEELED obedience to their requests. So,
after moments indecision, he picked up
the lantern, and left the room quite as if it
had been his nightly task for years to fix
baby's milk.
''Well, Bertha" remarked Mr.. Adams,
after silent survey of the musty old
library, "your love of the antique seems
in fair way to be gratified. Everything
appears to have come down from Methu-
selah-not excepting the queer old cove
himself"
Hush, George" said Miss Bertha reprov-
ingly. HE has kind heart, and,
''Judging from the remarkable way he
stuffed that child into the basket, think
he has myself" interrupted George grave
ly. The only thing to be regretted is that
it did not succumb to treatment"
"George!" again cried his sister, though
she could not help smiling at the remem-
brance, ''you are incorrigible." Then, after
long silence, during which the young man
took another journey around the room and
baby manifested much Impotence at the
long delay of her supper. Do you sup
pose you could find the kitchenY'
" And leave you here to be carried off by
nobody knows what ghosts and COLLINS?
No, thank you. Of thetwo, prefer to lose
the infant if either must be sacrificed. But
starvation is not imminent, my best of
sisters. Such vigorous lung-powers testify
to abundant vitality"
This time Miss Bertha laughed outright,
a hearty, sweet little laugh. And she made
no more suggestions to her brother, but de-
voted herself to quieting the baby.
In course of time Rand was heard return
ing, and an extraordinary appearance he
made as Mr.. Adams opened the door for
him. His clothes were covered with cob
webs and dust, dozen or more straws
stuck at all angles IN his hair, and one
cheek was ornamented with a long smut
mark. That he had been prosecuting his
quest under difficulties was evident; but it
was also to be seen that he had come off
victor, for he carried an immense tin pail,
holding about three quarts of milk and one
nearly as large filled with water. These he
gravely deposited on the floor at Miss Ad-
ans side and then produced a small box of
sugar from his pocket and laid it on the
table.
1t required all Bertha's self-control to re-
press smile as she glanced at the bounti-
full supplies and their bearer, particularly
as she saw her brother apparently examin-
ing cabinet, but really shaking with
laughter.
'Thank you. Now, shall have to trouble
you Tor cup and spoon," she said pleas
antly, after a minute.
Rand turned to the cabinet, and, after
unlocking few doors and drawers brought
forth cup of dainty egg-shell china, of
veritable baby blue, with large gilt K del
icately traced upon it, also a case of gold.
lined spoons with the Kennedy monogram.
by Jove, Mr.. Kennedy!" cried the ir-
repressible George, drawing near" "you
don't do things by halves, do you? That
set out is fit for a Princess"
Rand glanced up in surprise.
ut is for my guest" he began, with some
haughtiness; and then, with a sly twinkle
in his eyes and broader smile than his
face had known for years, he added drvlv;
Wne visit to the lower regions is enough"