San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-10

strove against. What would my acquaint,
ances think to see me Juggling about such an
uncouth burdenl
| could not help it, Like one who Is
strangely impelled 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
alto the street, never pausing till could drop
it safely in the confines of my own home. l
did not know which end TO take it by but |
took it, fortunately, by the proper one, for it
did not awake, closed the door and went out.
Slipped around n corner into side street
and made my way homewar,i, 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 a 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
gotr she asked with open eyed wonder, dis
covering the baby.
IL Ule 10 STE dSIOIllSll-
ment, which thought was assumed.
1T looks like baby" said, in tones
meant to he severe.
why it is a baby, Bella, look!" she said,
unnnndful of my sarcasm "Whose ever is
itf and where on earth did you get itf' she
went ON, looking at it with much curiosity
Arabella looked 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 off joke on me?
They did not seem So | was nonplused at
their manner.
Why, it's Bella's baby" said, somewhat
nettled.
Belfast Why, George! How could your
exclaimed my wife, reproachfully.
But it is" | persisted. What do you
meani | wish you'd take it This has gone
far enough"
II should think So" said Arabella, in dis.
dainful voice | saw her turn red, then white
as she looked at me coldly There was a de-
cided sneer on her face as she stepped back
and looked at Louisa.
'If it isn't yours, then whose is itf" spoke
angrily
She simply lifted her head, turning it aside,
the sheer more decided.
But, George dear Bella has no baby"
said Louisa with surprise.
Arabela would not look at me. but OBJ.
served my wife with look of pity.
Come, Louisa" she said, this is an INSULT
not only to me, but to you! | never could
have thought it of him. He can tell whose
it is if he will" in a deep, significant tone.
Being caught with'it in his arms, and stand
here trying to brazen it Quit | never saw
such shameless brutality in my life!"
What do you mean BeHlaF' cried my wife,
very much excited by Arabella's manner
There surely was some horrible mistake.
ought to have remembered that Arabella had
no children, but | saw so little of her. and
one woman, ! find, was as much as | could
keep up with, how could | be expected to
keep track of all her relations'
My wife looked from her sister to me with
tear filled eyes of inquiry.
"MeanI" Arabella almost shouted. as it
possibles Louisa, you are that stupid you
can't understand thingl Your husband"
ironically, has submitted to you the basest
insult conceivable" She seized my wife by
the arm and began to hiss something in her
ear that did not catch. My wife hid her
crimson face in her hands and began to weep.
A horrible suspicion now seized me. Ara
bela's significant looks and words, my
wife's anguish-did they think-good gra-
ciousl No; 1T could not bel There must be
some explanation about this awful affair
cold tremor ran through my frame-my
clothes felt a mile too big-a prickly heat
attacked mel broke out in profuse per
spiration as | realized the view Of the situa-
ton which they had taken.
"Arabellal Louisal" cried, desperately,
there's some COMPOUNDED mistake about
this; found the baby in my Office, and your
note" but they swept past me, unheeding
my voice, Louisa with head bowed on her
sisters shoulder, Arabella with chin aloft in
naughty disdain. I thought of following
them and compelling them to listen to me,
but little crowd of passers by ha, gathered
some of whom were curiously making inquiry
of their neighbors as to the cause of the ex-
element who answered in whispered re-
marks, with leers and knowing looks cast at
me,
Wishing to avoid repetition of the scene,
rushed down the side street from which
had come, bearing the baby, the innocent
cause Of the tumult with me. What could
do with It'll AS | rushed headlong down the
street racked my brains in vain to think OF
the location of founding asylum. There
was no river near into which l could pitch
it. sudden impulse seized me to knock its
head against a stone, and throw it over
wall My innate pity checked my madness.
Iwould lay it on the low stoop of one of the
houses, and run off as fast as could No; a
big policeman just then doomed up in the dis
lance He would see me, give chase, would
be captured, hauled up before the police
courts for desertion, it would all get into the
papers, my reputation, my business would be