Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-08-12
An Incident in His Life.


reddish-gold clustered over her fore
head. In one hot, chubby hand she
held a faded bunch of flowers, almost
wilted out Of shape-dandeliOns and
wild mustard when she had pulled
them hours before. In the other hand
was one ancient dandelion, with lis
long stem wadded up between her lit
tie fngers-cherished most of them
all, as babies will.
The car was crowded and her moth
er sat with a lady friend across the
aisle, quite absorbed in conversation.
But she was such good little dot and
sat as quiet as could be.
On the other side of the child sat a
man, typical of the sporting world.
He was chewing a cigar, and 1t served
to increase his remarkable resemblance
to a pug dog. One felt an irresistible
impulse to muzzle him, as it was, for
he seemed extremely ill-natured. Pos
sibly he had lost money-a good deal
of it-judging by the savage way his
heavy jaws moved, and his eyes looked
ugly.
He turned his head with fierce i'm
patience upon feeling his arm touched
Perhaps there were many things he
had need to fear. But it was only
little, blue-frilIed sunbonnet thump-
ing irregularly against him. lie
glanced about quickly to see if any
one belonged to the baby. But the
conversation across the aisle had grown
into most important exchange ofcon-
fdences and apparently the little one
was alone.
Thump went the little bonnet again
and then rolled on down until-well,
he Just had to catch her. The next
thing, he flung his cigar away; for
this was a matter he seemed better
able to consider without it, for the first
time in his life. He was supporting
her awkwardly; what should he do
next? He didn't know. Then she flung
her little body back against him, toss
ing one arm, with its faded blossoms
held fast, across his knee; and sud-
denly, as the car lurched, she seemed
to roll into his lap-anyhow, she was
there.
No one paid any attention to him.
After thinking hard a moment he
made clumsy attempt to make her
more comfortable. He succeeded IN
wadding up her fresh, little dress and
twisting the sunbonnet over her face.
At that she moved restlessly and he
hurried to undo the bonnet strings.
Her face was flushed and rosy, the
little curls were damp. He took out
his handkerchief. 1t was clean, but
he thrust it back and took from his
breast pocket silk one with colored
border, and with it gently moPped
her face.
She opened her eyelids heavily and
he had a glimpse of the loveliest
things-a baby's blue eyes, full OF
dreams. She closed them. One little
arm she stretched up across his breast
till the tiny hand caught at the top OF
his waistcoat, the faded dandelions
and wild mustard rested on his plaid
shirt-bosom and the big diamond stud
twinkled through them. The man
caught his breath hard and his arms
went round her a little closer. His
eyes were fixed on the fingers resting
80 confdingly on his breast. Presently
he touched the little hand very softly
Just touched it, as if to make sure
it was real. Then he drew long
breath and looked away. closing his
eyes for a moment.
Suddenly an idea seemed to come
to him. He started and pressed the
child closer to him, looking down at
her intently. He glanced swiftly
about and ms eyes grew sly and cum
ming. Some one had signalled the car
to stop. He started forward. 1t was
az if It had been done for him. His
face had lost the red fush.
The confidence across the aisle came
to an abrupt stop.
"Yes, this next is ours. Beth, dear,
where is the child? Mercy me ! The
dear She was go sleepy It was very
kind in you, sir. I'll Just take her in
my arms and not waken her. Oh Do
you want that old dandelion? kiss
her? Why-well, did you ever?
to her friend across the aisle, che did
it, anyway, and where did he.
must hurry GoOd-by. Mary. Come
over soon-do. Yes, | will. Good
by"
How still they arel" remarked Mrs.
Frogg, spropos Of the young couple in