The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-07-18

her manner more than by her words
The idea was ecstatic-
aMy dear madam he exclaimed
IF YOU would be - kind as 20 take
care Of the little wreteh-I mean the
little darIing-I shall be your debtor
for life, and viii pay you any sum that
you may name"
.You are very good / viii see what
can be done. But yoa must Of eourse
understand that in ohliging you | shall
endanger my reputation
4 am a man Of honor; yOn can de
pend on mer' said Weed. promptly
The lady took him AT his word, and,
slipping into the seat beside him, she
took the baby on her knee.
The baby recognized the care OF a
woman, probably, for after few Dig
Al her bonnet strings and couple oi
kicks ne subsidized and fell into pro
found sleep.
The time passed and the train few
an The woman who had - kindly
relieved Weed Of his charge smeiled OF
onions. and he was sure she took snufi,
but he was ready to excuse all such lit
lie faiIincs in consideration Of what
she was doing for him
But a. they rode along he thought
she grew more affectionate in her man
ner. Either the seat was contracting
OF the lady Was moving closer to HIM,
and the Thought was horrible, viewed
in any light. He shrInk into the cor
ner. and she followed him, baby and
all.
May / not know your name, my
dear sirs'i asked she softly.
Certainly. james Weed, Of Win
ford"
.And mine Is Celestina Bean, of AK
tell"
..Yes'm."
"Niv dear James, I cannot feel suf-
fieientIy grateful that fate has thus
thrown Us together. | am Il believer
in fate, and / have been 20 lonely these
many years"
What, whatr' cried Weed, edging
away.
..Do not be - coy, my dear James
l am here taking care Of your baby
and, of course, people think am your
wife,
Good Lordr' cried Weed, in con-
sternation. ''My wife, You'd better
say my mother, you're old enough"
sWretchr' exclaimed Mis- Bean, in
tragical voice, ''take hack those
words Reeant them. or viii forsake
you. baby and allr'
ssFors.ike me, then, I'd sooner turn
baby jumper for the remainder OF my
life than have anybody for a moment
imagine such a vinegar-visaged old wo-
man 10 he my wifer'
Miss Beams anger was thing sub
lime. She rose nlajestically-brandish-
ing aloft the baby.
james Weed" +" cried she, you have
ruined my character. have tended
your baby half a day, and you mus
marry me at the first stopping place
Refuse, and I viii bring it before th'
courts
'.AIarry YOU! I'd die first" eriec
james, bounding up and springing en-
tirelv over the hack Of the seat into the
/ lap Of an old lady with a poodle dog
and a bandbox, both Of which IA,
nearly demolished, and made for th'
door.
Let me outr' he cried 10 the con
ductor, '.she's after me, and the baby
tool I'll jump of if you don't let m'
OUT
The conductor was man Of muscle
and he soon settled matters satisfaetor
/ liz T. himself. He shut Weed up il
the baggage ear under a lively impres
sion that he was insane, and Miss Bear
and the baby he took to New York.
And in the next train came the near
" distracted mother Of the juvenile
that cup Of tea had been 20 hot tina
before she could cool il sufficiently Z
drink the train had left
She sought out james; wept, apollo
gized, was grateful, and, being a wild
ow, they strIe6 bargain, and Jane
j. now the obelient stepfather OF tn
| die. rlla1 i..ihN