Evening journal., 1891-06-11

nAe , SHt- ~ o1tNAo SnOUkus'
the stout woman added, decidedly. "a
pretty trick to wheel home the wrong
babyr'
Meg felt faint. She leaned against the
railing. Whose baby were they talking
aboutg
"where was his ownF asked the third
woman, who didn't seem to understand
the circumstances.
"Why, you know he left it beside store
while he played marbles, and his mother
came along and took it home to frighten
hint"
"Iai hal hap
"You may depend she was mad, though,
when he brought home a strange babyp
''Hal hal han
Could two babies be lost in one day?
Meg stood IN doubt few minutes while
the two women discussed the story She
remembered the little boy whom she had
seen up the street and stepped boldly up to
the takers
"Will you please tell me who's found a
babyS" she asked.
The eyes and tongues Of all three were
directed at her at once.
why" "Well-have you lost onep'
Mercy on usl do you know whose it isS"
Meg colored, but stood her ground
Somebody wheeled our baby away
while went into store on an errand," !"
she explained. We've been looking for
her all the morning.
The three women were delighted. They
all insisted on escorting Meg down the
street and into the right house The
mournful little boy sat on the front steps,
his attitude showing his thorough disgust
with life.
"You'd better 60 up and take care OF
your twins, Jimmie" laughed the sarcastic
woman.
Jimmie looked at her, his countenanee
expires ing unutterable things.
Come, Jimmie, come" cried the sharp
little woman; take US upstairs; we want
to see your motherl"
''This young lady has lost her baby,
Jimmie" said the tall woman kindly.
Perhaps it's the one you've found'
Jimmie's face frightened He stole a
glance at Meg, remembering she had
spoken TO him. He turned into the house
and led the way upstairs.
Here's somebody come for that babyr'
he announced gruffiy.
He threw open the door and immedi-
ately got behind it. whence he could easily
observe proceedings or escape il he should
find it prudent.
81 thought somebody would come,n ex.
claimed a drawling voice. ~ knew the
child would be called for. She evidently
belonged to nice peoplep
The speaker rocked herself in a low chair.
Her hair was in papers, and she wore q
pink wrapper. In her lap lay an embroid-
cred tidy, at which she took languid
stitches. 1t may be recorded here that
Meg gave up tides from that day.
\ -. a - IL
however, but snatched up one of the two
babies who crawled about the floor, and
kissed and hugged Julia more lovingly
than she had ever done before.
Jimmie, behind the door. was startled
He wondered if he should feel the same af
fection for Lauretta if she were lost foi
three hours.
The three women all talked together
The lady in the rocking chair listened com
placently, convinced that she had done all
| that could be expected when she allowed
| the strange baby to creep on her carpet til
called for.
II told Jimmie" she laughed, he'd have
two babies to take care of instead of one.
Jimmie had disappeared into the hall
81 think I'll take the baby home tx
| mamma; she's fretting about her." sale
/ Meg, holding the baby tight. "We're very
much Obliged to you, ma'am, for keeping
her here.p
Mrs. Smith bowed politely. She indicated
| with her foreinger where Meg would fine
| the baby's clothes and wraps.
Meg dressed her and carried her carefully
down stairs, followed by cheerful "GooC
morning" from Mrs. Smith. With ligh
heart she tucked Julia once more into he
carriage. Jimmie stood watching her from
4 the door.
"SayP' he called "Are you really glaC
to get that kid backY"
Meg laughed out Of her gladness. ''Why
of courseW
"Did you feel awful bad when you foun,
she was gomez"
"Of course" said Meg again. "Wha
made you do such a stupid thing as L
wheel home the wrong babyY"
"Oh," he said, grinning Il didn't brinl
her homel" He lowered his voice. II wa
playing with Bob Price, and sent anothe
fellow, and he didn't know her, you seeW
"Good gracious" exclaimed Meg, look
ing at Jimmie with horror.
But Jimmie was bursting with hi
wrongs.
1 perhaps you think you had the hardes
time Of it. but if you had to amuse an e,
ira baby three hours, you'd know indin
a baby was worse than losing onew
Meg was so impressed with his air {
conviction that she said not WORLDLY
Lovett Carson in Montreal Star.