The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-11-20

quietly sleeping, dS Sne IS now. anu not
word of explanation. cannot under
stand. Can you lift this veil of mystery
the least bit, Miss Dot?'
II! How l."
"Well, then. what are we going to
do?'
"Do?" She lifted her head, vague
alarm and distress in her face. Then she
sprang up, clasping the sleeping child to
her.
'Let me keep the child. Guardy. You
could not send the poor innocent away,
could your and she gazed at him plead
ingly.
Miss Dot, you surprise me. Why are
you so interested in the little stranger
w ''Strangerl' Then, as if reeollecting
herself, she bent and kissed the little
face, thus hiding the deep color that had
suffused her own.
Il am interested because love little
ones; and see, she is awake And she
held up the baby girl to his view. isn't
she pretty?" And the tender hearted,
impulsive girl covered the little face
with warm, loving caresses.
"Oh, Guardy, say that l may keep
her. have always loved her. p
"What?'
I-I mean | have always loved chill
dren. Now, please, don't look so cross -
1t was true that Earle Wellman did
look thoroughly angry-bewlldered.
Dorothy Baker!' laying one hand
heavily on her shoulder, DO you know
+l,,e ,l,;l1Cs
"Yes," throwing him Il look of mingled
fear and defiance; II know that | love
her."
Love her: You love everything and
every one a
"Do r
yes, with one exception, Miss Dot.
But that is not answering my question
directly. What do You know about this
stranger"
Il said knew that loved her."
"Oh. Miss Dot, why can you not be
sensible one momentY and an amused
smile chased away the look of anxious
inquiry. why won't you think of how
am placed, with Il baby, a mere infant,
on my hands, and"--
hCuC lS d yCdI OIu, NudIuy.
"a year oldl How do you know that,
Hiss Dot?''
"I-oh, well, l should judge SO.
Wouldn't you?'
She looked SO innocently demure that
it was with difficulty that her questioner
refrained from smiling.
"Yes, think you are right" and he
looked more earnestly at the baby face
nesting so contentedly against Dot.
The eyes, pretty blue, were wide
open and gazing at him in pretty Won
der. Involuntarily he held out his
hands, at which the baby crowed in de-
light. Its little dress was neat and pret-
tily made. and evidently careful, loving
hands had robed the little one.
"Well, Miss Dot
Eyes. Guardy."
II am sorely puzzled. Let Your wom-
ans wit advise me-
"Womans wit" laughingly. "And
you are always begging me to try to be
sensible
well, then, try to tell me where
can find home for this child. If can
not find some good, motherly soul to take
it we shall have to send it into the city
to the orphan asylum, where it will be
cared for. Why, Dotl What is the
trouble?" and he sprang forward in
ALARM.
With face from which every particle
of color had fed, eyes fastened on his in
wild. dilatei terror, clinging to the
child as if fearful that it would be torn
from her, she faced him.
mo! nor Slowly the words fell
from her blanched lips. Don't do that,
Guardy! 1t would be cruel, cruel!
Baby was sent to you. Some one wants
you to care for it; some one knew that
you were pitiful and tender hearted.
Don't, don't send her away
"Some one! Do you know who that
some one is?" he sternly demanded.
"Why, how should I know" and she
looked at him in blank astonishment.
"Only some one must have thought SO,
or they would not have left her here.
Don't you see? And" she timidly added,
cit must be that God wished you to care
for baby"
He smiled at her childish explanation.
miss Dot, what queer girl you are.
Will l ever understand your strange
moods? All terror one moment, tear
fully entreating the next, but always de-
termined to have your own unruly way"
''And may this time? May l keep
baby?" she asked eagerly.
"Do you realize, child, what n strange
predicament this places me in? What
would our neighbors say if adopted a
baby?"
"Who cares what people say? l don't"
''No, know you do not; but do"
"Theu | know what we can do,
Guardy. You can tell Mrs. Grundy
that Mrs. Grey, your houselleeper, has
adopted n child. She will consent if /
ask her. May I?'
Earle Wellman tugged viciously at his
dark mustache, looking thoughtfully at
the uplifted face.
"You know, Guardy, that I am so
lonesome sometimes. Just think how this
little one would amuse Inc. Do not re-
fuse me, Guardy."
"No, will not. Have your own way,
little Miss Dot. That is, if Mrs. Grey
will consent"
NOh she will Now kiss vOur little