Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-30
Gales aud Sketfhfs.
From the London Society.
HOW Mr.. NICHOLSON MISLAID TIE BABI.
CHATTER /.

CHAPTER |.
Mrs. Nicholson was standing in dubi-
ous attitude, with the study door half open
and her ewes turning from the quiet
figure in the armchair by the table to an
oiher door in the passage behind her.
through which she could see Hood OF
sunshine, and in the sunshine cradle.
II don't feel quite easy" she said; IL
am so afraid she should cry and no one TO
hear her. | wish had not let the nurse
90 out; but all you have to do" coming
into the room and speaking impressively,
all Won have to do is to ring the bell vio-
lently-violently remember-for cook.
For heavens sake, John" leaning on the
table and stretching out pretty hand to
attract her husbands attention, "look up,
or speak. or answer me, or you Will drive
me madi"
..What is it all about. Agatha ?''
The calm. placid. intelligent face OPP
posite WAS lifted gently land the thin 1nger
was slipped on to the page to mark q
pause.
ut is baby. John" said Mrs. Nichol-
son, in falie-ing voice. and with idle.
angry tears rolling down her cheeks.
"IIere have I. for the last ten minutes.
been begging and imploring of you to re-
member baby; not to nurse her -
wouldn't trust you--but only to 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.
still weeping.
You may laugh at me or sheer if you
like. If it were nv own baby | would
say nothing,I would bear it but Emmy's!"
With a patient sigh the gentleman at
the writing table pushed the book away
and lost the place. He looked at her in a
bewildered way.
What is it Agatha? A baby! Oh.
Emmy's baby. OF course"
"And not One-half, one -hundreth part.
one thousandlh part as valuable in your
eyes" broke in Agatha, with impetuosity.
Gas The smallest, the mos. unknown. the
most undiscovered star! You need not
tell me; know it,"
"Of course" frowning gently, "every-
one knows that a star. however small
stars are not famous according to their
size, nv dear-is of infinitely more value
than one hair Of a baby's head. mean"
-hasily--"s speaking from the entirely
SCItUiiuC punt vi ouI 40 yOu WIN
saying-you were saving. we're you mott
"a little doubtiuliv-' something about
that unfortunate babe of Emmy'sp"
Mrs. Nicholson had dried her eyes and
was confronting him in all the cool splen-
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. you call it babe, will
leave your house at once, and never, new
er. come back; and if you call it unfnrtu-
nate, shall take that hateful manuscript
with me and burn it at the kitchen fire
If it were YOURS. with impas>ioned lro-
ny-''t might, indeed. be described as
unfortunate; but Charles is the best of
fuhers. and he has always been the best
of husbands"
Yes, yes, of course, my dear. said
nothing against Charles: did not know
we were talking about him. We can fin
ish him up tonight" cheerfully. "If
that is all, you had better 90 out now
while il is fine" turning his eyes to the
dazzling sunlight for an instant. and then
back to his blotted page. "You can tell
me about Charles, you know. when you
come in. The best of husbands | don't
know much about them. fear, but know
a little about the best of wives"
.He rose and laid his hand on the long.
slender. soft gray glove that was leaning
with determination on his neat manuscript
The gray glove closed round his hand
gently, and clung to lin almost as if it
were 10th to leave the thin. worn fingers
but he palt.d it gently and laid 1t aside.
Mrs. Nicholson gave a faint sigh. bur
when she spoke again. she spoke with
less determination and more pleading.
at is not Charles. indeed it is not it is
the baby. Nurse has gone out, and
have put her cradle in the morning room
by the window. john" suddenly, "are
you listening? What did say last?'
The mornngroom. Agatha"
WELL" with a sigh ofreief, II see YOU
are taking it in and forgetting those hor-
rble stars; and how YOU can compare a
star to a baby" parenthetica,lv, lis past
me-"
Il am sure never did," he said, gent
ly.
well, don't interrupt me, John, or
shall never get out. What was saving ?
Oh, baby is in the morning-room, and if
she cries-makes one sound-you are to
ring your hell-this bell. John-ior cook 4;
do you understand Pr
Yes, | believe so. am to ring the
| bell--this bell, for cook"
"Oh, hope YOU will" after pause
Fancy" her eyes filing with tears again.
'ff she cried. and no one heard herP O.
John, you will not deceive me You will
try-and-ring ?"
"My dear" speaking with some digni-
| ty. surely | am not utterly destitute of
common humanity or common sense. |
have interesting work here" pointing to
the manuscript and the books of reference
heaped around him; shut suppose, af
ter all. am human"
"Oh, / hope so, | think so," cried
Agatha. clasping her hands. "only you
might not hear her. that was all meant. -
"rhen think" he said. with gentle,
sarcastic smile. "that you may dismiss
your fears; they are quite groundess.''
Very WELL" said Agatha, moving in a
hesilating way to the door. IL am salts
fed; am trying to be satisfied dom,
forget"
No" cheerfully. 81 will take leaf
from Charles book. the best of hus.
hands,
..Oh"-the gray glove had closed on
the handle OF the door, but released il
again-'the Payn,ers are coming tonight,