DeSoto times. (Hernando, Miss.) 1879-1898, 1890-05-15


meh' regarding child, my grandson.
hou Will probably think it strange IVA
nave not been here before, but We wero
oDligeo to leave town the day before he
was lost and have just returned The
nurse who ha2 him in charge ran awav
ana while we supposed him safe at home
ne mas been lying in hospital, perhaps
dying" r D'' 70
we were nearly distracted on our ro-
turn, said the young lady, when we
missed our darlingi but an inquiry at
'ne station house sent us here. The
ohcer also showed us your advertise
ment. Where is our dear child?n
HE is here" answered, under nv
mothers care, and, l am happy to say,
doing we'll"
An unmistakable look of disappoint-
ment crossed the faces of my visitors.
but the elder one said: Can we see
him, doctor?"
asked permission to announce their
coming to my mother, and left the
ladies alone. When | returned, after
some five minutes absence, was struck
by the change in their faces. The
| younger one was pale as ashes, and tho
elder one had a set, hard look of de.
termination, as if neryed by some sud
den resolution.
l led the way to my mothers bed
room, where Freddie was in profound
slumber. The younger lady shrank back
In the shadow of the bed curtains. but
the mother advanced and bent over the
child.
There was a moment of profound ST.
lence; then, in hard voice, the old lady
SAID: II am sorry to put you to SO much
trouble, DR., Morrill,. This is not the
child we LOST
A heavy fall startled US, and I turned
to see the young stranger senseless on
the floor. Her mother spoke quickly:
''The disappointment is too much for
her. We had so hoped to find my grand
son."
! did not reply. The delirious raw
ings of the child were still ringing in
my ears as he pleaded wi h the harsh
grandmother and aunt. | did not be-
lieve the old lady's statement but hay
ing no proof to the contrary, was forced
to accept it.
Long after my visitors had departed,
the beautiful blonde still trembling
and white, mother and | talked of their
strange conduct.
st is evident they want to deny the
child,' said.
Il am glad of it." mother replied.
"We will keep him, John. He shallh
a grandma to love, not one to fear"
So the summer and early autumn wore
away, and Freddie was dear to us as if
he had claim of kinship. His rare
beauty, his precocious intellect and his
loving heart had completed the fascina-
tion commenced by our pity for his suf-
fering, weakness and loneliness. He
called us "Grandma" and "Uncle John"
and clung to US with the most affection
ate careSses.
Being blessed with ample means,
mother and had quite decided to form
ally adopt pretty Freddie when he had
been little longer unclaimed in our
house.
Dennis, my coachman, was very fond
Of Freddie, and careful; so | was not
afraid to leave my little charge with
him while l was indoors, and he was
very happy chatting with the good
natured Irishman and waiting my com
ing.
1t was early in November, and mother
had dressed Freddie for the first time in
iaunty suit of velvet, with a dainty
velvet cap over his brown curls, when
one morning sent him out with Dennis
until | was ready to start.
was making my final preparations for
departure when | heard a piercing
scream under my window and Dennis
saying: by jabers, she's tainted, the
crather!"
While Freddie cried "Mamma-pretty
mamma"
ran out hastily to see an odd tableau.
Dennis was supporting in his strong
arms slender figure in deep mourning,
half leaning on the shafts, while Fred
die clung to her skirts, sobbing;
Mamma-mamma."
Bring her in, Dennis, | said
"Tll do that same, sur" was the re-
ply, as Dennis lifted the little figure
like feather weight and crossing the
navement came into the surgery. |
shut out the curious people who fol-
lowed, and Freddie clung fast to the
black dress, never ceasing his loud
cries of: ''Oh, mamma! 1t is my
mamma; come home to Freddie. Mamma
pretty mamma"
The sound rang through the house,
reaching my mothers ears as she sat in
her room. She came hurrying down the
stairs and entered the surgery just as
Dennis deposited his burden in an arm
chair Comprehending the situation at
a glance, mother tenderly removed the
heavy Grape vail and bonnet, loosening
shower of brown curls round marble
white face, still insensible.
At that moment the stranger opened
a pair of large brown eyes, as brown and
soft as Freddie's own, and murmured, in
a faint voice: "Freddie! Did see my
boy?"
Then her eyes fell upon the child and
in moment she was on her knees be-
fore him, clasping him to her heart'
IL. 1 h