The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-08-02
CHAPTER XVI.
A Baby.

AS Sparkle Brooke turned to take one
more look at the approaching woman,
before hiding herself away in her own
room, she saw in the strange lady's
arms a very young baby. Overcoma
with Jealousy ard grief and fearing she
would have to give way to weeping,
which would be heard by Carl and his
friend, she withdrew from the house to
the garden, where she seated herself on
a rustic bench in the deep shadows from
overhanging grapevines that clustered
and matted about her head. There was
nothing for her to do but weep, and as
often before. she found relief in tears.
After weeping the next thing for her to
do was to think. What could all this
mean? 1t seemed plain enough, that
was Carl Brandon's wife. Arriving fully
at this conclusion she could only love
and respect the lady as much she
detested the dishonorable man, and
continue as nurse, as sister of charity,
extending her ministrations also to the
woman and baby, for she said to her
self. 1.-The poor woman's burdens are
enough without being augmented from
anything / may do"
Sparkle Brooke's nature to decide
exemplified. Rising TO the foregoing
conclusions she returned to her room,
bathed her face, brushed her hair made
rs presentable appearance as possible
and determined to make the lady well
come and perfectly at ease.
In Sparkle's absence Carl BrandonI
and the woman had a hasty conversa-
tion and arranged things suitable to the
woman. as they generally are arranged
Entering the room without ceremony
she laid the young babe on the bed by
Carl Brandon and said with more plain
ness than feeling:
81 have fetched your brat. We re-
ceived the money. and as that settled
everything with my husband, and as L
thought it would be quite cruel to sep
arate you from your family. I have
brought him. You will find this brat
very bright for his age, and, If he lives
to reach manhood. may, possibly, be as
honest as his SIRE
But" said Carl Brandon, ST thought
the understanding was that the money
was to pay for keeping the child"
''Oh, yes replied the woman, 81
know that was the promise. but since
none of the contracting parties to this
bargain have made any particular effort
to be guided by the truth, that part of
the statement may be considered off,
But, woman. can you have no posi-
BILE regard for the little creature?"
"Why, most certainly, sir; for that
reason L have brought 1t to you. What
on earth could soiled dove promise to
such a bunch of humanity? YOU" she
continued, being a man of the strictest
moral integrity, of course could raise it
up in the virtue and admonition of the
Lord. 1 can even imagine L see you
now, in a few years, when this thing
can walk. on Sunday morning taking it
by the hand, and at the summons of
the old church bell, vending your way
to Sunday-school Oh, yes; I know how
good and moral you are, that is the
reason I want to see you nave i'll"
But" replied the man, will you
leave the poor. little thing here to die?
You see 1 am incapable of even sitting
up. What can / do for it?''
"Oh," said the woman. with an in
different air. Il heard all about your
simple little sweetheart. whom I sup
pose is another victim, she can take care
of it, perhaps with one OF her own"
This insult was both cutting and sur
prising, and really more than Carl Bran
don could endure. With his gaze. calm,
immovably fixed on the face of the wo-
man. he said:
call me what you may, for being
guilty of even associating with YOU
makes me worthy of being called any,
thing that is not nice. / lay no claims
to being a saint, but you, at your home,
have even professed sanctification. My
life has been blot wreck, a lie, say
what you choose about it, but never
take the spotless name of that pure
creature, whom you have mentioned
again in your vile mouth 1t is an ac-
cursed sacrilege that. though helpless
and crippled as l am, would resent If
1t cost me my life. AS to the child, be
IT so. / will do the best I can for 1t.
1t is surely not to blame. Children. I'M