The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-07
HOW Mr.. NICHOLSON MIsLAID THE
BABY.
London Society,"
CHATTER 7.


CHAPTER I.
Mrs. Nicholson was standing in dubious
attitude with the study door halt open, and
her eyes turning from the quiet figure in the
armchair by the table to another open door
zn the passage behind her, through which she
could see a food Of sunshine, and in the
Eunshine cradle.
81 don't feel quite easy" she said; 81 am
30 afraid she should cry and no one hear her.
Z wish had not let nurse go out; but all you
Dave to do" coming into the room and speak
Ing inpressiYely; tall you have to do is to
Eing ihe bell violently-violently remember
for cook. For Heavens sake, John" lean
ing on the table and stretching out pretty
hand to attract her husbands attention,
Z look up, or speak, or answer me, or you
viii drive me msdl"
what is It all about, Agatha?'' The
calm, placid, intelligent face opposite was
Lifted gently, and the thin finger was slipped
On 10 the page 20 mark pause.
'It is baby, john" said Mrs. Nicholson,
Sn fsltering voice, and with idle, angry
tears rolling down her checks. "Here have
4, for the last ten minutes, been begging
and imploring of you to remember baby;
not to nurse her. wouldn't trust you, but
only to ring the bell il she cries."
docs that stop her? It seems simple
enough. 1 think even 1 can do that"
but Mrs. Nicholson shook her head, still
weeping.
You may laugh at me or sneer If you
like. 10 il were my own baby | would say
nothing; / would bear it all; but Emmy'sl'
With patient sigh the gentleman at the
writing table pushed the book away and
IOst bis place. he looked at her in be-
~ildered way.
What is it, Agatha baby o, Emmy's
baby, of course"
"And not one-haf one-hundredth part.
one-thousandth part, ss valuable in your
eyes" broke in Agatha, with impetuosity,"
as the smallest, the most unknown, the most
undiscovered, star! You need not tell me;
= knox it."
''Of course" frowning gently, every one
KNOWS that q star, however small-stars are
not famous according to their size, my dear,
IS of infinitely more value than one hair of
a baby's head. meaD"-hsstily-"spe
ing from the entirely scientific point OF
view; but as you were saying-yOu were say
Eng, were you not''-e little doubtf1lly-
something about thst unfortunate babe of
EmmysP'
Mrs. Nicholson had dried her eyes and was
confronting him in all the cool splendor OF
her pretty summer dress and with all Ihe
calm discrimination of & woman who has
MADE up her mind.
Yes. l was" she said; ''only, once for all,
John, If you call it = babe l will leave your
: house st once and never, never come back;
and IL you call IL unfortunate I shall take
1hat hateful manuscript with me and burn
1t st the kitchen fire. II il were you're
with imprisoned irony-''it might indeed
be described as unfortunate; but Charles is
Ehe best Of fathers, and he has always been
Che best of husbands"
ssVac xyou ~ nv dcar 4 oafd moth
Eng against Charles; did not know we were
talking shout him. We can flash him up
tonight cheerfully. IF this is all you had
better 90 out now while ID Is fine" turning
his eye to the dazzling sunlight for an in
slant and then back to his biotted page.
You can tell me about Charles, you know,
when you come in. The best of h1sbsndsl
don't know much about them, fesr, but
know a little about the best of wives"
lie rose and laid his hand on the long,
. <lendeT. soft gray glove that was leaning
! with determination on his neat manuscript.
The gray glove closed around his hand gent
ly and chung to him almost 90 IL it we're 10th
20 leave the thin, worn fingers; but he patted
i II gently and laid it aside. Mrs Nicholson
gave q faint sigh, but when she spOks again
she spoke with less decision and more plead
ling.
=. f-It is not Charles indeed il is not; IL is the
baby. Nurse has gone out. aud have put
her cradle in the morning room By the win
X1OW. dOnn, BudOeD1y, are you uSIeOlQgI
What did say last?"
THE morning room, Agatha"
We'll, % with q sigh of relief ST zee you
are taxing 1t IN and forgetting those horrible
sfsrs; and how you can compare star to a
baby" parenthetically, ''is past me-"
Il am sure never did, he said gently.
well, don't interrupt ms. John. or
shall never get out. What was saying Oh,
baby is IN the morning room, and il she
cries-Dske one sounS-you ara 70 ring
your bell-this bell John--tor cook; do you
'1nderstandF'
(~Yes believe %. / sHi TO ring the bell
this Dell-for cook"
.1Oh. / hope you viii" after q pause.
sFsncy," her eyes filling with tears again,
III she cried, ana DO one heard herl D.,
John; you will not deceiye fuef You Will
4ry-snd-riDgg'
- My dear" speaking with some dignity,
<.surely am not utterly destitute Of COM
1nteresting work here" pointing to the
manuscript and the books OF reference
Aesped about him; but suppose, after al,
4 ann human"
oiaping her hands; "only you might not
near her, that was all I meant"
Then l think" he said, with gentle sar-
castle smile, that you may dismiss your
fears; they are quite groundless"
Very we'll" said Agatha, moving in q
ieeitsting way to the door. II am satisfied,
am trying TO be satisfied; don't forget"
ssHo,5 cheerfully, II will take q leaf from
Charles book, the best OF husbands"
'0h"-the gray glove had closed on the
! handle Of the door, but released Ii again
the Psynters ara coming tonight, so you
must not 60 cut star gazing"
IAN right obsdisntly. "good-bys."
ljucst disappeared round she door, came