New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-10

|
wall went on in way that made the listener
nervous as WITCH" as she said afterlyard when
she related her story and she related il many scores
| Of times in the next few months
! She stood stupidity looking and waiting. Then
she eazed more sharply everywhere among the
bare trees which were brilliantly hohtoA bv the
| sun.
! The child cutched it's small fingers on tho edge
Of the boat and saw the figure there on the bank,
! Then it cried louder, and with an object
! Miss Judson obeyed the cry. She went closer
stopped over, took the rope and pulled clunsily
on it with her rcd-mittencd hands
In moment she rad lifted the oaby who had
become silent and who staring hard out Of
enormous black eyes As she he'd him in her
arms she turned and saw few rods further on. =
women covered with thick gray shawl sitting
at tie damp roots of willow tree. She was bent
back against the tree trunk with her head on
the bark The sunlight full upon her re-
vealng in sharp outline the young. dark face with
its thick looscned hair about it. The eyes were
shut and the intense black Of eyelashcs and brows
| showed in a startling way.
| That's the mother" said Miss Judson aloud
She's one of them Kanucks How dare she put
her baby in that boat, and go TO asleep herself in
that wet placc?'
| The dreSsmaker with The child on her arm.
hurried along until she reached the woman, whom
she shook furiously by the shoulder. A pair of
dull eyes opened and gazed for a moment into the
bright Yankee eyes looking down at them.
WHAT do you mean ?" cried Miss Judson
| sternly Amt you got no natural feelings? Amt
this child yours p"
The girl-she could not have been more than
cghteen-nodded, but made no effort to take the
child. who, on its part. did not try to leave its
present resting place.
I've done with it," said the mother, suddenly,
speaking in perfectly good English. but with
strong foreign twist to her words
As She spoke she flung ont both hands, palms
outward, as if casting something from her.
Her nearer could not believe what she had
heard. She had never conceived the possibility
of a mothers saying she had done with her child
You must git up OFF that damp ground" She
said gF up and take the baby home. You'll
both be sick"
Miss Judson held the child toward It's mother,
who rose stifily TO her feet. looked at her com
panion deiantly, and shook her head.
i've made up my mind she said, selecting
her words slowly and evidently wishing TO make
them unmistakable. 81 shall try TO 60 10 Canada
/ was going 10 leave him in the boat. Why should
I take of him when his father will not ?
was tired and | went 10 sleep. / shall not take
him. lie has me 10 death ] shall get along
better without him. Ny husband has left us both
Goodbye"
She turned abruptly and strobe away. She had
not even looked at the baby. For a breath Miss
,Iulson too bcwildered TO move. Then she
began to run. as we'll as she could with her burden
after the girl.
Stop! :" she cried 81 shall throw him down
He will die cant take care of him"
But the mother did not stop. She was slender
and agile, whereas the dressmalSer WIS inclined 10
be fat and she had an cncumbrance. which
efectually prevented success in pursuit like this
She wanted TO drop the child az she had threatened
but she could not quite make up her mind 70 do il
Very she stopped painting. and entirely
perplexed She saw the Kanuck disappear among
the boles OF the trees.
The child did not cry now Ii was perfectly
still, gazing at her She sat down on a log and
told herself that she must think 10 some purpose
But the entire outcome Of her thinking only told
her that the child would probably die if she
left it.
In all her reading, which was confined 10 a
volume about twice n year from the public library
in the town, she had never read OF a like this
There she sat, not able 10 take in the evidence OF
her senses. She began TO grow chilly. She rose
hurriedly and drew the child's dirty blanket more
closely about it. Then she went. as quickly az
might be. in the direction Of her home The last
rays Of the sun were shining on the front OF the
house and clarifying the small pancs of glass when
she reached the gate As the latch clicked beneath
her hand, the door opened and her sister stood IN
the entrance.
For the lands sake, Marg'rct Judson!" said
Jane, and then waited.
The dressmakcr sat down in the PATCHWORK,
covered rocker, and, with the child lying across
her knees, ehe unwOund her cloud and flung il
from her in a reckless manner
Before you say single word, Jane" she said
warm tin cup Of milk for this baby. and when
git my breath, I'll tell you every mortal thing
know"
Jane shut her lips tight, went into the kitchen
and presently returned with dipper full Of milk
which the child drank with exceeding relish In
two minutes thereafter he was asleep and was
deposited On the lounge and bolstercd about with
pillows TO keep him from falling.
Then Margaret cxcitcdly told her story When
she was pronouncng the last words Of it Jane
took her rubber ovcrshocs from their place behind
the Kitchen stove and began 10 put them on.
What are you gOin' % % p asked her sister
anxiously.
I'm going for one of the selcctmen' was the
resolute answer
The dresSmakcr was silent, but she soon rose and
put her hand on her sisters shoulder.
There amt no such hurry she said. "To.
morrow morning ii do jest we'll
NO. won't" said Jane promptly. Long
fore then you'll get TO lovn' that brat ! seen
your face when you Jest tucked the pillars round
him. i know how you be with stray cats m dogs.
and you know 5 well 40 / know that we can't II
ford 10 keep Kanuck stray babies If the scectmcn
begin right away, they may find the mother
And what good would that ?" Indignantly
responded Margaret. / should rutLcr put the
child in the poorlousc to than let her have II
agin. OF course must see the selcctmcn. but
not till tomorrow. You're tired and I'm tired
don't feel as if / could tell that story over again