The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-07-10
Aislellauenns.
PUTTING THE BABY ASLEEP.
BY MRS. NJ. L. MORRISON.

Mrs. Dewry paused in the pretty little
room to adjust her bonnet before the mirror
which mirror reflected a fire lit, white cur
tanned nest, where babe slept in his pink
draped crib, and young girl sat sewing
among the house plants by the window.
you'll have no trouble, DOLL" she said
for the hundredth time, "ifyou keep the room
quiet. This is his first nap to-day, and pro-
badly he won't wake until | return"
Doll nodded, afraid to trust her voice in an
atmosphere where sounds were so pregnant
of disaster. Mrs. DewIy gave the bonnet one
last criticism and went softly out. Doll was
alone with her responsibility. This was the
first infant in the family since her own baby
hood, and she was unprepared for the change.
She told herself that she never would have
come to Granger to visit her sister if she had
anticipated anything like this. What if the
cradle should develop contents of q colicy or
convulsve nature? In her nervousness she
dropped her thread. The kitten ran after the
spool and brought down the tongs with q
CHATTER like stage thunder. One chubby arm
stood upright above the cradle Doll thrust
the kitten out of a door which squeaked with
the blood curdling effect of an Irish banshee
Rap rap went some one at the inner door
Doll had just lifted the tongs down they
came now, gathering. Rapl rap! rap! came
the thunder. The cradle began to move.
"Oh, hush !" whispered poor Doll, admit
ting the guilty party, who proved to be the
washwoman, with the clean clothes on her
head and an offended face.
SIS Mrs. Dewry here ?" shouted the wo-
man, 1--WE brought them sheets she accused
me of stealing"
"Oh, don't The baby -
1t was too late. The cradle had resolved
itself into commotion of flying legs and
arms. Doll found the baby and began to
walk up and down the room, singing
go, go away, washeewoman 90.
Come. come, some other day.
Mrs. Dewry's gone ~
Then in an authoritative tone
81 can't talk to you now. Leave the
clothes and CO."
go. go, go, washeewoman, go!
Auntie Dollie can't talk. talk. talk now"
well, want you should tell her brought
them Sheets" pursued the Xantippe in the
dulcet tones of a savage on the war path
Next time she talks OF stealing"
For an amiable person, Doll closed the
door with considerable emphasis. Singing
and walking, she tranquilized her small ty-
rant, and there ensued an interval of rest
g-crash-tumble-cla The bundle
of clothes had rolled off chair into work
basket and filled china cuspidor with scis-
sors and thread. The cradle resembled a
windmill. Poor Doll tugged out the motive
power, and with very flushed face continued
her vocal and pedestrian exercises. Half an
hour elapsed ere '.jocund peace" reigned once
again. She had just laid the heavy little head
on its pillow when ring! went the door
bell. Doll shut her lips together.
"That won't wake him i'll don't walk
around and talk to any one. "Sis,er isn't at
home, and l won't be either"
"Ring p' went the bell with greater en-
phasis.
"Ill try and be perfectly quiet" thought
Doll I've read that that is what the Ameri-
can women need to learn, 10 be quiet,sto just
be perfectly still and rest tn ir nerves. I'll
go on with my sewing and pretend Pm not
worried. I'll think-let me see, I'll think of
Ruskin. Why should he have gone mad
don't suppose he was ever left with sleep
ing baby in a settlement of dancing Indians.
Gracious y
"Ting-ling -ling-ling !"
chicken. They've been here three times after
the thing and that's just the way they ring "
The cradle began to sway.
go away y said Doll, opening The window
q little. 81 know who you are, and don't
want TO see you. Go right away this
minute p'
Steps passed of the porch, and Doll sank
back, happy but exhausted.
81 didn't breathe again until you came,
she declared to her sister. 81 never was sc
glad to see you in my life"
II shouldn't wonder if there were some one
in town whom you'll be more glad to see,'
laughed her brother-in-law. 81 saw Harry
Burton on the hotel steps this afternoon"
Doll colored happily. At home there was
crowd of young people, her own brothers
and sisters and their friends, and Harry had
whispered, at parting, Il never can see you
alone here. I'm going over to Granger for
one quiet evening" And she knew what
happiness would come TO her when that
''quiet evening" befell. But she had never
hoped that he would come so soon.
-."He'n be here tonight" predicted Mrs
Dewry with delightful cheerfulness. "Nurst
will be back, and LII leave baby with her
and James and will go to the revival"
1t was still early when Mrs .Dewry, glovet
and bonneted, rushed into the lighted parlor
where her sister sat dreaming.
"Ob, Doll, get your hat, quick Harry Bur
tons at church with that Blodgett girl from
home wouldn't have you miss going fol
the world p He will think you're staying
home for him.
""Pm mott wouldn't. Oh, where's my
shawl 7" she cried.
Her hands grew suddenly cold she felt ex
cited. So great was The shock that, save tol
a physical sickness. she felt exbilarated al
though something good had happened.
They hurried across the street. Tht
church was only short distance from tht
house. Mr.. Dewry was waiting for then
outside.
"There's such crowd I'm afraid you Il not
find seat" lie said anXiously.
However, an usher guided them up Thu
thronged, brilliantly lighted aisle to hal
filled pew. Dolls ears were ringing. ShI
felt blind and moved mechanically. 1t was
not until she was seated that she become con
scious of well known hand holding
hymnal close beside her. She turned quick
ly her shawl was brushing the arm Of Harry
Burton. How white and set his face was
and he made no motion of recognition.
at is because he thinks that I'll be jealous,
thought Doll all show him that dom
care enough to behave in any unusual way
Good evening, Harry" she whispered.
He turned such peculiar face towards hel
that she felt it to be question.
what surprises you p she asked. ''Didu'
you know was in the city,"
He bent his head, but did not speak. Sh
knew that he would not have done so unde
any circumstances his respect for his faitl
had always held him silent in the house o
worship.
1t was the strangest evening of her life
To be with Harry, and yet to know that h
was with another There seemed something
tragic in finding the hymns for herself witt
Harry SO close. A lump rose in her throat
until she found difficulty in singing. Blu
| gradually the solemnity of the place over
came her sense of individuality, and she for
got, in the enthusiasm of the hour, the ach
t of her one girlish heart.
, The last hymn was sung, the vast congre
CATION had risen, and Doll, suddenly recalle,
to earthly pangs, had turned towards the aisle
when she felt familiar hand adjusting he
, shawl. Harry had forgotten that his atten
tions for the evening should have been givel