Daily Republican., 1885-08-10
DOTS AIRIN g.
RY BERTHA BERTON I.

NY BEhIHA BEhIONa
" Busy this morning, Roy" " asked
Mrs. Elbridge, as she stepped out on
the veranda, where her brother was in
dulging in a cigar after breakfast among
the vines and roses.
Not very" came the response as he
withdrew the cigar from his lips and
looked at his sister inquiringly.
She smiled, and woman's smile
always Appeals persuasively 10 the mas
culine nature.
Then would you mind taking baby
out for an airing? She is so delicate,
aud the south wind and sunshine this
lovely morning would do her . world of
good"
Eve Elbridge could alwa Us wind
Roy about her finger, to use common
way Of expressing woman's ntluen ce;
and he would go miles 10 crafty her
capricious fancies.
He was staying at her house, but he
was literally doing nothing, save to
make her work harder, and he knew it
| we'll.
The neat little gray house with brown
trim mings that stood in the suburbs of
1 j
| ever since she stood beside Archelaus
Eibridge one morning at church, and
promised TO love, honor and obey him
and a pleasant home it had been, douo
| ly pleasant since tie advent a year ago
of Miss Cora Elhridge, the daughter of
the house, the pride of Archtlaus El
bridge, the light and Joy of the young
mothers heart, and really V Dry Iowa
BILE baby.
Even Roy Westlake took an extraor-
dinary interest in Dot, for was he not
he r uncle? and although rather averse
to children. as single gentlemen are
la ute apt 10 be, he gave the darling OF
the Ebridge household due credit for q
remarkably angelic disposition.
He answered his Si ,ter's question BY
putting another.
| Aren't you afraid she will take
Id, Evie?" and the little lady laugh.
ed musically in.respoDse.
"Such morning rs this? What ar
old woman's notion! but don't 60 i
you are shamed of her." and that las
remark settled the business speedily
for Roy Westlake took his straw ha
from the rack, and gave that gloss.
brown mustache of his an extra twir
and held himselfin readiness
Ten minutes after wards an elegan
willow carriage with pink silk liniag
and soft, zephyr afghan, was run on
of it's nook in the hall closet and L.
Elbridge, looking like ball of delicat
lace and embroidery, was deposite'
carefully among the downy cushions.
| A pink thumb was in her rosebu'
month, and the violet eyes looked abou
with baby wonder, as the fond mothe
fastened her In securely; then TIN
young uncle, with his precious charge
started down the street.
Il An endless amount of counsel AM
caution was poured in his eaIs 8 by tn
anxious young mother, and she wen
back to household duties, while Ro.
Westlake trundled Miss Dot leisurel.
along under shady trees that wave,
their green leaves in soft, murmurinI
music.
The balmy spring air and the monoto
nous motion of tho willow carriage ha'
a soothing effect, and Dot Elbridg
+ rested her dainty head among tn
pillows, and slept tho sweet, healthfu
sleep of baby hood, while Roy Westlak
thanked the kind fortune that kept he
from indulging in an infantile cry.
The exertion Of propelling the trea
sure freighted craft was nothing, an
he gave his attention TO windows an
wares along the street.
By and by he came opposite o new
Off CO, aud it was place that he liza
frequsnted much of late, on literar
preIenses, of course, though, If the trut
. were told, the attraction was due NOR
to a certain young lady who stoo
| behind the small counter, and hande
out papers and magazines, than to an.
particular thirst for knowled go.
> In the present instance, an insatiabl
desire to procure the last mum Der of
. popular weekly seized him, and whirl
ing baby close to the window, he steI
t ped into the office.
ANY Leslie came forward as he enter
ed. She had no customers, aud ths
numerous calls of Roy Westlake ha
8 really helped very much Of late |
t breaking up the monotony OF Iii
l behind the counter.
3 Roy asked for the paper, and whe
t he had received 1t WAS In no haste, bu
turned over the pages, and asked Mis-
: Leslie's opinion of the illustration
e Quite bit of literary gossip was II
l idulged in over that counter, although
8 i'm bued with sense of thb respons
? bility outside the door, the young uncl
a looked out once during the time.
!. Yes, baby Dot was sleeping sweetly
Q and telling Miss Leslie lau ghingly {
g the task imposed by his sister, b
a finally left the office.
= The choice treat in store for him b.
d tween the duA-colored paper covers I
a that magazine, or something, mu'
l. have confused Roy Westlake but, se'
ing the willow carriage, with It's del
cate pink silk canopy, it's soft, brigf
afghan, and sleeping baby among th
I snowy pillows, he took it in charge.
= At the left side of the door stoo
= another baby carriage, and that, TOT
was made of willow, but Roy remen
a bered clearly that the ono in his car
was left on the other side.
Then he went home. Baby had sleI
the whole time, not peep Of the gres
out door world had she taken an
/ 10