The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-31
MR. NrcaoI.soN's BABY.
CHAPTER |.

as astidude. witA the study door half z.ocn. and her eyes turning from the ,aiet figure in the armchair by the table ss .eeaher npen door in the passage be- R;pd her, thFUugh which she could zee 4a,rA ef sunshine. and in the sunshine q suadle. 4 | don't feel quite easy," she said ; "I ,m so afraid she could cry and no one A1ear her. wish had not let nurse 20 ! st but all you have to do. . coming into he room and speaking impressively, all :, ,ou have to do is to ring the bell vio- zsstly-violently. remember-for cook. For heavens sake, John,D leaning on the hole and stretching oat pretty hand to zsract her husbands attention, look so or speak, or answer me, or you will &hive me mad p
 sWhat is it all about, Agatha" The alm, placid, intelligent face opposite was EAed gently, and the thin finger was Slipped on the page to mark pause.
 aIt is baby, John" said Mrs Nichol- ! son in a faltering voice, and with idle, mgry tears flowing do%n her cheeks. f Here have l, for the last ten minutes, been begging and imploring of you to re member baby; not to nurse her. l soaidn't trust you, but only to ring the bell if she cries."
 @Does that stop her? It seems simple enough. l think even I can do ! hat"
 But Mrs. Nicholson shook her head, still weeping.
 @You may laugh at me or sheer if you 2Eike. If 1t were my ewn baby would ay noshing; would bear it all; but Emmysp
 With . patient sigh the gentleman at he writing table pushed the book away and lost his place. He looked at her in B bewildered way.
 .what is it. Agatha. babyf 0. Elm ny's baby, of course"
 And not one.hah, one-hundredth part, one-thoasandth part, as valuable in hour eyes," broke in Agatha, with imPst- aousity, Gas the smallest, the most un- known, the most undiscovered star You need not tell ms :; know it."
 "Of course" frowning gently, "every one knows that a star, however small aars are not famous according to their sae, my dear-is of infinitely more value han one hair of baby's head. l mean hastily" speaking from the entirely scientifc point of view but as you were &aying were saying, were you not" "a little doubtfully-" something about mat unfortunate babe of Emmy'sl"
 Mrs. Nicholson had dried her eyes and vas confronting him in all the cool splen- dor of her pretty summer dress, and with all the calm determination of woman vho has made up her mind.
 "Yes, l was" she said only, once for pn, John, if you call it babe it will leave bour house at once and never, never ome back and if you call it unfortu- pate shall take that hateful manuscript ith me and burn it at the kitchen Ere. If it were yours "-with impas- ioned irony-"it it might indeed be de Pcnbed as unfortunate; but Charles is he best of fathers, and he has always been the best of husbands"
 "Yes, yes !. of coufse, my dear. ! said bething against Charles l did not know se were talking about him. We can hnish him up tonight" cheerfully. eff (hat is all, you had better go out now Fhile it is 'fne," turning his eyes to be darling sunshine for an instant bnd then back to his plotted page. Ii You can teii me about Charles, you lnow, when you come in. The best of husbands I don't know much about hem, fear, but know little about the best of wives"
 He rose and laid his hand on the long lender, soft gray glove that was leaning nth determination on his neat manu- ript. The gray glove closed round his and gently and clung to him, almost if it were 10th to leave the thin sorn fingers; but he patted it gently nd laid it aside. Mrs. Nicholson gave
 faint sigh, but when she spoke again he spoke with less decision and more beading.
 @It is not Charles, indeed it is (t; it is the baby. Nurse has gone ut and have put her cradle in the homing room by the window. John," uddenly, Care you listening2 What Id say last ?"
 @The morning room, Agatha"
 We'll" with a sigh of relief, see pu arc taking 1t in and forgetting those prible stars; and how you can com-
 ze star to baby," pathetically, "is As me"
 Pm sure never did" he said gently.
 "Well, don't interrupt me, John, or l lall never get out. What was 1 say
 g9 Oh. baby is in the morning room, Id if she cries-makes one sound you
 e to ring your bell-this bell, John cook, do you understand ?"
 "Yes. believe 90. am to ring the dl-shis hell-for cook"
 4Oh, l hope you will" after a pause. Fancy" her eyes filing with tears gain, if she cried, and no one heard r! Oh, John, you will not deceive me 2 lou will try-and ring"
 My dear," speaking with some dig Ety, surely am not utterly destitute
 common humanity or common sense.
 have interesting work here" pointing
 the manuscript and the books of refer be heaped around him; but 1 sup. be. after all, l am human."
 3Oh, l hope %; think %" cried
 gatha, claspinz her hands oaly you