Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-06-26

we TO dos" asked the brothers.
''Dont expect any visitors, supposem
asked the curate.
''None whatever You must take the child
away again" said Horace, turning to the por-
ter. The man gaped.
What am to do with it, sir?n he asked.
"Lost parcels office" suggested Mr.. Molglle
quietly. Whitaker gave him reproachful
look The matter was too serious one for jest.
Cut the label off, was the curate's next
piece of advice. 'There may be a letter under
it.n
They took it off. The label was a piece of
writing paper gummed on to a plain card
which had been torn or cut irregularly No
letter was concealed beneath it. Then they
searched the pockets of the child's little coat.
but found nothing. Their perplexity in
creased
''Ill wish you good evening, gentlemen"
said the porter. "Cab was three and six"
The "Tabbies' were ON the horns of diem
ma. The eyes which could detect the discrep-
ancy in the unfortunate Mrs. Jenkins stock
ings were able to see that the baby was
well, even very well, clad. 1t was just posi-
BILE that letter had miscar1ied- possible that
some one was coming to Lakewood House
without invitation or notice-that she had
really missed the train at Didcot; that she
would arrive in the course of an hour OF two
and explain matters. The safest plan was to
keep the child for while.
Having settled this, Horace fished five
shillings out of his pocket and sent the porter
away happy Thereupon Herbert produced
half crown which he handed to his brother,
who pocketed it without comment and as a
matter of course. They We're not miserly
men, but made point of being just and ex-
act in their dealings with one another down
to the uttermost farthing. Much annoyance
would be saved if all men were the same as
the Talberts with respect to small sums. New
ertheless, this rigid adjustment of matters
pecuniary was a trait in their characters
which greatly tickled Mr.. Mordle.
All the while the little boy, with fat sturdy
legs placed well apart, stood upon the great
oak hall table. The lantern of many colored
glass over his head threw rich, warm tints on
his sunny hair. He seemed in no way shy or
terrified; indeed, if any fault could be found
in his bearing, it was that his manners were
more familiar than such short acquaintance
justified. AS the dignifed brothers once more
bent over him to resume their examination,
he seized Mr. Herbert's watch chain in his
chubby fist and laughed delightfully."- laugh
which Mr.. Mordle echoed. He had long looked
for a suitable excuse for expressing his feel
ings in this way. The situation was so funny.
An unknown child foisted upon his friends at
this hour of the night! No dirty beggar's
brat, but pretty, well-dressed little boy, old
enough to possess row of tiny white teeth,
but not it seemed, old enough to give any
explanation of this unwarrantable intrusion.
The child had such large, bright blue eyes,
such wonderful golden hair, such fearless and
confident ways, that Herbert, who was fond
of children, patted the bright head and pulled
out his watch that the little rascal might
hear it tick; while Mordle slipped back to the
dining room and returned with couple Of
unwholesome macaroons.
''Nearest way to a child's heart through the
stomach, " he said, as the youngster deserted
his first friend for the sake Of the sweets.
Horace eyed these advances discontentedly.
"But what is to be doneg" he said
Just then the muffled strains of a piano
passed through the closed door of the drawing
room. H+3 -L
81 should think" said the curate, ''you
had better take Miss Ciausons advice on the
subject"