Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-02-20
THE MISTAKE OF HIS LIFE.
And 1t Never Would Have Happened II
Arabella Had Arrived Sooner.


And 1t Never Would Have Happened II
Arabeila Had Arrived Sooner.
She was visiting her married sister,
and young Mr.. Buncome was extreme
ly anxious to win the golden opinion
ct this sister and so obtain a clean par
lor for his courtship 1t was this de-
sire which lured him beyond his con-
versational depths and proved the ship
wreck of his hopes.
81 suppose you are fond of babies,
Mr.. Buncome?" observed his hostess,
who was entertaining him while her
sister was upstairs putting on her
hat
''Oh, that is extremely so. They
they are $3.50 innocent-you know"
Indeed they are, Mr.. Buncome
You are a real child lover, / can see
want you to see my baby before you
go. 1 am expecting it home at any
moment now. You see, was going to
a reception last night, and the dear
little things godmother volunteered to
keep it for me-"
"Ah-ah, delighted, I'm sure" muir
INJURED the terrified young man. saw
that is, they-they seem almost like
beings from another world. IL
scarcely dare to touch one of them"
Dear baby will go to you at once, I
am sure, Mr.. Buncome. never saw a
baby less afraid of strangers, and SO
willing to kiss them, too"
Drops of perspiration stood out on
Mr. Buncome's brow. II have slight
cold to-day. and 1 once read that one
should never kiss a child under such
circumstances. I have never done
such thing since then. / assure you"
"Ah, you are indeed a rare child
lover. Mr.. Buncome. My baby is so
good, too. and scarcely ever cries-in
the daytime, that is"
Very nice indeed, I'm sure Babies
are $3.50 different about that, you
know. Why, little friend in the next
room at the hotel kept me awake
twelve hours last night"
Perhaps the poor little thing was
i'll, Mr.. Buncome. Now. my baby Is
not at all like1others. What do you
think Of baby that is SO sensible it
will not really cry loudly for fear Of
disturbing others? Yet that is just
what my baby does, though 1 can
never get my husband to acknowledge
it."
"Ah-perhaps he does not really ap-
preciate the little angel Now, if he
had only heard that little howler last
night he would do So"
sI shall tell him you said so. What
l. La<a1 NJ
''The Slyscraper, and 1 only hope I
shall not be obliged to move, as l told
the clerk, to get away from that
leather-lunged infant"
'sThe Skyscraperl Why, that was
where my baby was last night Did you
see it?"
IL think not i am afraid that
Miss Arabella and will be late for the
matinee"
''Oh. no, there is no hurry; Araoella
never cares for the first act, anyhow.
Why. here comes the nurse with baby
now-you shall see the little darling.
Well, Nora, how did baby get along
without me last night?"
''Oh, very well indeed, mum; it
didn't be crying as much as usual. But
some nasty brute in the next room
kept pounding on the wall and calling
to us to strangle the blessed angel if
we couldn't quiet it any other way.
The clerk said he threatened to leave
this morning if the baby didu't."
Mr.. Buncome turned ashy pale and
wondered if Arabella would arrive in
season to save his life.
81 am sure. Mr.. Buncombe," OBJ
served his hostess. and there was a
blizzard in her voice, II am sure /
hope that my baby did not disturb
You last night"
''0h. no, am sure not Such-such
a manly little fellow as he is,'
Manly indeed, John Henry Bun
come, I'd have you TO know that my
baby is girl. and she has more sense
this blessed minute than you will ever
haver'
And when Arabella at last came
down she found him alone with his
melancholy thoughts. Chicago Times
Herald.