Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-04-03

CURED | am about to relate.
Louisa and had been married about two
years and were living contentedly in nice
little house in quiet and refined neighbor-
hood had an office down town where |
conducted a real estate agency, giving par
ticuar attention to letting houses for my pa
irons who for the most part lived out OF
town and paid me TO look after their proper
ty, from which derived comfortable in
come
One afternoon | entered my Office, after
having been to inspect some houses for which
| was endeavorins 10 obtain desirable ten
ants, and discovered lying on my desk little
note hastily written with pencil across
tablet where could scarcely fail to see it. 1t
read thus:
DEAR GEoRGE-I have come to town to shop to-
day Louisa and have gone to u .atinee Please
take care OF Topsy Anectionatey,
ARABEILA
Arabela was my wife's sister, who, being
young widow, lived out Of town with her
mother She rarely visited us, and when
she did it vas only for u few hours at a time,
as she did not like to leave her mother, who
was in feeble health, for any length Of time.
Who in thunder Is Topsyf | mentally
calculated, turning around to see if could
find anything to which that appellation might
properly he applied did not have long to
look As my eyes glanced toward the lounge
on which was wont to lay my weary frame
after exhaustive arguments with unreasona-
BILE tenants, | saw a red faced, pudsy looking
baby, which had been carefully deposited in
the comfortable nook made by the back and
one end of the cushioned lounge. A feeling Of
distrust at once seized me, but felt greatly
relieved when | discovered that the little in
truder was asleep,
II hope they'll get back before it wakes,
said, as turned to my desk and buried my
self in my work The clock struck s. re-
mindlng me that II was my usual time of
closing. | put away my books with "A sigh
VI relief, and prepared to leave the office,
when suddenly remembered the baby 1t
was still asleep but was annoyed that Lou
lsa and Arahella did not make their appear
ance, The matinee was certainly over, and
they would hc back directly sat down and
waited Picking up newspaper | read
nwhile ill became aware that it was grow
ing darker | jumped up, it was nearly G
and Louisa and Arabella not come yet.
wondered if they intended me to carry tho
baby home myself Horrible thought
would wait n little while longer
The minutes seemed like hours as | still
thought OF my having to carry that frightful
burden home with me The thought had an
awful fas, nation about it. which | vainly
strove against What would my acquaint,
ances think to sec me Juggling about such an
uncouth burden
! could not help it. Like one who is
strangely mpelled to cast himself headlong
from some lofty precipice over whose brink
he gazes, | was irresistibly moved to seize
that innocent looking child and rush forth
into the street, never pausing till could drop
it safely in the confines OF my own home !
did not know which end to take it by, but l
took it, fortunately, by the proper one, for it
did not awake, closed the door and went out.
slipped around a corner into a side street
and made my way homeward, making many
a strange turning, for | sought the most I'M
frequented thoroughfares hoping not to meet
any one who might chance to recognize me-
In this was fortunate, and was nearing
my own home with feelings OF thankfulness,
when. as | turned the last corner into my
own street, heard little scream, and al
most ran into two ladies who were crossing
the street. Just as came up. stopped at
once and looked up, much relieved when !
recognized my wife and her sister
"Oh. George exclaimed Louisa, "how you
frightened usi What on earth have you
gotf she asked with open eyed wonder, dis
covering the baby
1t made me angry to see their astonish-
ment, which thought was assumed
at looks like baby" ! said, in tones !
meant to be severe.
why, it is baby, Bella, look p she said,
unmindful OF my sarcasm. 'Wh' sc ever is
itf and where on earth did you get itf' sho
went n, looking at it with much curiosity.
Arabella booked at the baby with evident in
terest, though saw from her manner that
she did not recognize it as hers.
Were they trying to play of jose on mel
They did not seem So | was nonplused at
their manner
Why, its Bellas baby said, somewhat
nettied
"Belas! Why, Georgei Hc~ could your
exclaimed my wife, reproachfuly.
But it is" persisted. What do you
meant | wish you'd take it. This has gone
far enough"
Il should think so. said Arabelia, in a dis
dainfu voice | saw her turn red, then white,
as she looked at me coidly There was . do
cided sheer on her face as she stepped back
aid looked at Louisa.
ST il isn't yours, then whose is itr- spoks.
ar .rily
She simply lifted her head. turning it aside.
the sheer more decided
But, George dear Bella has no babyl~
said Louisa with surprise.
Arabella would not look at ps but OBJ
served my wife with look Of pity.
Come Louisa she said. this is an insult
not only 10 me, but to youl | never could
have thought it Of him He can tell whose
1t is il be adj. in a deep, significant tone
Being caught with it in his arms, end stand
here trying to hrazen 1t out | never saw
such shameless brutality in my lifsir
What do you mean. Bellar' cried my wife,
very mucn excited by Arabella's manner
There surely was some horrible mistake |
ought 10 have remembered that Arabela had
no children, but | saw so little Of her, and
one woE "a, ind, was as much as | could
keep ~ With; how could | be expected to
Eeep trace Of ell her relationsl
Ny wife looked from her sister to me with
tear filed eyes Of inquiry
'Ieanm Arabella almost shouted As il
possibief Louisa, you are that stupid you
can't understand q thingl Your husband"
ironically has submitted to you the basest
insult conceivable She seized nv wife By
the arm and bs;,an to hiss something in hsr
ear tnat uId not catch. Ny wife hid her
crimson face IN her hands and began to weep.
A horrible suspicion now seized me- Ara
bellas significant looks and words. my
wiies anguish-did they think-good gro
cious! No. it could not be- There must b
some explanation about this awful affair A
cold trernor ran thtough my frame-mv
clothes felt mile too his-A priokiy neat
attacked mel broke out in profuse per-
spiration as realized the view Of the situa-
ton which they hxd taken,
"Arabeila Louisalr cried. desperately.
=" there's SONS contoundsd mistake about
this found the baby in my otice, and your
note" but they swept past me, unhes.iinx
my voice. Louisa with head bowed on hes
sisters shoulder, Arahella with chin aloft in
naughty disiain- ! thought of following
them and compelling them to listen to ma
but little crowd Of passers by had gathered.
some of whom were curiously making inquiry
OF their neighbors as TO the cause of the az
citsmsnt, Who answered in whispered re-
marks, with leers and knowing looks cast At
me-
Wishing to avoid . repetition of the scsus.
1 hal - l. y