Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-03-26
Miscellaneous.
How the Baby Was Mislaid.

Mrs Nicholson was standing in dubious
attitude. with the study door half open. and
her eyes turning from the quiet figure IN the
arm chair by the table. TO another open door
in the passage behind her, through which
she could see food OF sunshine, and in the
sunshine u cradle.
Il don't feel quite easy" she said Il am
SO afraid she would cry and no one bear her.
l wish had not le, nurse go out hu, alt
you have to do" coming into the room ana
speaking impressivelv. "al YOU have to do IS
to ring the bell violently violently. remem-
Der, for cook. For Heavens sake, John
leaning on the table and s,reich hing cut a
pretty hand to sttract her hush4nd's atten-
ton, .look up, OF speak, or answer me. or
you will drive me mad ="
What is il all about. Agatha ?" TIE
calm. placid, intelligent face opposite was
Lifted gently, and the thin finger was slipped
on 10 the page TO mark pause.
at is baby, John. said Mrs Nicholson.
in faltering voice, and with idle, angry
tears rolling down her cheeks. Here have
l, for the last ten minutes been begging and
imploring Of YOU to remember baby; not to
nurse her, | wouldn't trust YOU. but only -
ring the bell if she cries"
Does that stop her ? 1t seems simple
enough. think even can do that"
But Mrs. Nicholson shook her head. sin
weeping.
"You may laugh at me or sneer if YOU
like. If it were nv own baby would say
nothing. would bear it all but Emmy's,"
With patient sigh the gentleman at the
writing table pushed the book away and lost
his place. lie looked at her in bewildered
wa,.
"What is it. Agatha ? a baby o. Emm,'s
baby, of course"
And not one-haf, one hundredth part.
one ihonsandth part, valuable IN YOUR
eyes, broke in Agatha, with impetuos,ty.
las the smallest. the most unk known. the
most undiscovered star, You need not tell
me. know it,
''Of course, frowning gently. every one
knows that a star. however smali-stars are
not famous according TO their size, my dear,
is Of infinitely more value than one hair of a
baby's head. l mean"-hastily- speaking
| from the entirely scientific point of view
but as you were saving you were SAYING,
were you not?" little doubtfuly-"some-
| thing about that unfortunate babe OF
| Emmy's?"
Mrs. Nicholson had dried her eyes, and
was confronting him with all the cool spen-
| dor of her pretty summer dress, and with all
| the calm determination of a woman who has
! made up her mind.
Yes [ was" she said, "only. once for all,
| John, if YOU call it a babe | will leave your
/ house and never, never come back and il
| Won call il unfortunate | shall take that hate
! full manuscript with me and burn it at the
| kitchen FIRE. II it were yours"-with impas-
| stoned irony-"it might indeed be described
az unfortunate; but Charles is the best OF
fathers, and he has always been the best Of
husbands"
"Yes, yes, of course, my dear. l said
nothing against Charles did not know We
we're talking about him. We can finish up
to- night" cheerfally. ''If that is all, you
had better go out now, while it is fine, ~
| an instant and then back to his blotted page.
"Yoa can tell me about Charles, you know,
| when you come in. The best Of husbands !.
/ don't know much about them, fear, but |
know q little about the best of wives
he arose and laid his hand on the long.
slender, soft gray glove that was leaning
with determination on his neat manuscript.
The gray glove closed around his hand gen.
tly and ciung to him. almost as if it were
10th to leave the thin fingers but he patted
it gently and laid il aside. Mrs. Nicholson
gave faint sigh. but when she spoke again
she spoke with less decision and more plead
ing.
at is not Charles, indeed it is not; it is
the baby. Nurse has gone-out, and | have
nut her cradle in the morning room by the
window, JOHN" suddenly. "are you listen
ing? What did saw Isst?"
.The morning room. Agatha"
"Weil.r with a sigh of relief, 81 see you
are taking il in and forgetting those horrible
stars and how you can compare star to
| baby" pathetically, sis past me. =
II am sure l never did" he said gently :,
"Well, don't interrupt me, John. or ! shall
never get out. What was l saying On,
baby il in the morning room. and If she
cries-mekes one soand-you are to ring
your bell--ihis bell, John--for cook; do you
understand ?"
.sYes. believe 80. am to ring the hell
this brii-for cook.
"Oh, / hope you will,' after pause.
/ sFaacy,s her eyes filing wilh tears sgain,
III shs eried. and ~ oas heard her! O