Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-16

| Nobody but Auctioneer Rider would a.
s thought o putin the baby up for sale"
| saac Sranny's nearest neighbor.
And the little garu be made a fne
.edoy said another. The sheriff was
ackled powerful"
But Granny Lemons spirits had not risen
with the knowledge that she was not TO 20
| 10 the poor house; indeed II was suspected
tnat granny Lemon hardly realized the
blessing that had befallen her: since the
sns ,h "s 'ne s sale she had been growing
shes takin' Mary AIMS death hard."
,,ne vliagers said; she amt ant to be as
iomg-h as most of the Lemons"
me people of Two Hills took a liyelier
interest than ever In the great peoples
carriage as II rolled through the streets
Tor very nearly always Ganny's baoy was
, n;si ana Kicking In the arms of fam
eihed ''nuss-gaL'' Often and often the
blacksmith glancing up suddenly from the
morse he was shoeing would behold
annys baby pointing at him from the
One day when G'anny's baby poin. Ted at
him from the carriage window the black
smith left his job of shoeing and retired
| to the interior of the shop
| You couldn't a-done fer her as she'll be
done fer, SAM" said the old man whose
horse he had left half shod. You couldn't
a made fine lady out O. her"
| No. couldn't a-done that" said Sam
There's fate in things. 1ontin ned the
farmer. You couldn't git the mother and
you couldn't git the child"
10 TINS sam said nothing.
| During the summer the news spread
| through the village that Ganny's baby
was gettin kind Of cross aud peevish and
that the great lady had said to the nurse
that IL was q mistake for a person to adopt
child. Two months later il was declared
positively that Mrs Eustice was going to
Europe with her husband and her great
aunt; that G'anny's baby Icy I'll IN the big
house; that Mrs. Eustice hal told the doc
| tor she never could forgive herself for
adopting the child.
The sun was about three feet from the
top OF the second hill when the bit Of f1y-
Ing gossip reached the blacksmiths chop;
and IL was just sinking behind the hill
when a broad shouldcred man walked has
tily across the grounds and entered The big
house by the rear way.
While the man sat waiting in the
| library he took from hs pocket a greasy
pocketbook. and opening It, laid the con-
tents on his knee. His hani trembled as
he counted the notes over to make sure
they were all right. sixteen hundred dollars
There was a sweep Of Dainty garments
along the hall. and Mrs. Eustice came into
| the library. She gave a slight start upon
| recognizing her visitor regarding him not
knew by sight at the shop. hut as the man
| who had bid against her tor Ganny's baby.
Il hear" said the man slowly. that
you're goin' OF to Europe"
YES said the lady.
And they say that the baby amt so
we'll"
Yes. that's true. too. It's been ailing all
summer. What did you wish
Again the blacksmith opened the pocket
book. Il was thinkin'." he said, THAT az
the whole transaction was q business one.
that now being as you're goin' away, and
the babys sick. mebbe you might be
willin' to sell. I'm ready to give you yer
price
Mrs. Eustice was startled She had Id
mented that reckless squandering OF her
money at the village auction more than
once. but according to herself she was
honest. You ought to see the poor little
thing" she said. Come. III show her to
you"
Silently Sam Winters followed the great
lady to the nursery where the baby tossed
In its little crib. She's had the best OF
doctors" said Mrs. Eust,ce. but don't
with her. You poor little mortal" she
went on, addressing the baby. here's
another person determined to buy you.'
TN give you the sixteen hundred dol
lars" said the man, huskily.
'Oh. dear. no." cried the lady. that
wouldn't be fair. Why. doubt II she lives
till We return. I tell you what. I'll take five
hundred IL you are willing to run the risk.
It's outlandish selling a baby. but then, YOU
know, 1 bought her" She gave little
laugh.
winters counted out the money and hand
ed 1t over. He lad not dared to touch the
baby that belonged to the great lady. but
after paying the $500 he stopped and patted
the little flaming face.
'Sne ID Qel1r1OOS with the 1ever. I'm con-
fident the doctors don't know what's the
matter" said Mrs. Eustice.
The child had fastened her great solemn
eyes upon the mans face. "0'anny's baby"
she murmured and tossed her head from
side to side.
.rn move her right away" said the man.
IF you're net afraid; but I'll order the
carriage
He refused almost brusqueiy that offer of
the carriage and wrapping the child in the
cradle blanket took II In his arms.
Down the richly carpeted steps through
the broad hall. out into the park and on
along the pike FASTENED the man with his
precious bundle. his $500 baby. He did not
go to the blacksmith shop or the bachelor
quarters behind it. but directly 10 that little
whitewashed cottage where lived the old
woman who had been rescued from the
DOOR house. He went into the house and
laid the baby on the bed.
Granny" ne called. softly. granny"
She came in slowly from the kitchen.
shading her old eyes.
Don't You think you kin nurse a little
sick baby till she's well?''
"A baby" repeated the old woman. "a
baby" She advanced to the bed and Sam
Winters uncovered the baby's face
She's sick" he said; shell need a lot O.
nrrsin'"
The old woman fell on her knees beside
the bed. she gathered the baby close in her
arms she swayed to and fro as II she Were
rocking It: the apathy had vanished from
her face. II was as glad as sunshine. TN
nuss her till she gifts we'll" she sobbed. ''or
we'll die together"
Six months had passed away. 1t was on
q beautiful afternoon in the springtime
all the roses in Two Hills were ablocm
carriage drawn by two splendid bays
came gathering up the village street. The
great people had returned.
Say. my dear. isn't that your baby"
asked Mr.. Eustice.
Sitting in the doorstep OF a little white
washed cottage was a small yellow-haired
girl She was swinging her feet AMI sing
Ing at the top OF her voice. Above her the
red roses trailed themselves ,uxuriously
The lady looked out and waved her hand
and smiled: the child stopped singing and
stared.
she doesn't know me-" said the great
lady with a half sigh and a laugh
But the yellow-haired girl rose from the
doorstep with alacrity. ran into the cottage
and laid her head in the old :yranlmo;her's
lap. hiding her face. I'm Ganny's baby"
she sobbed.
The old woman heard the carriage wheels
and the cantering horses. She passed her
hand tenderly over the ruined yellow head
Yes. deary," she said fondly. "ani her
amt never goin' to be sole no more
Once Was Enough.
From the Green Bag.
There is a certain Judge in Chicago who
knowledge Of law. The other day he was
compelled to listen to a case that had been
appealed from a justice of the peace The
young practitioner who appeared for the ap-
pellant was long and tedious. He brought
tv, oil ala 49, A-~zn