The Mena weekly star., 1897-09-01
ges lining the spacious en-

frances.
 Hope the 'restabull' is a safe place" chuckled Jack, as he located his charge with the rest Of the waiting infants. "Anyway, I won't be five minutes"
 But he counted without his host, be- ing sadly ignorant of the ways and de lays of retail merchants. The saleslady referred him to the floor walker, the floor walker to the packer, and the packer to the manager; all of whicf, consumed SO much time that five min utes heightened to 50, and the electric lights were twinkiing in the street when he at last emerged. the orchid fan buttoned up in his breast pocket, picked out the perambuator with the dainty, pink-lined, lace-coyered top, and start ed homeward.
 "Why, Nora, what m age you have beenl" cried fresh young voice, as n slight, sunny-haired girl ran down the steps of a handsome brown stone house, bent over a small carriage and lifted the tiny occupant in her arms. You have been long enough to go down town and match that ribbon twice over." Then, without listening to the nurses ex- cuses. Come to auntie, darling! She will give baby her supper and put her to bed while mamma is away. Fetch the milk up at once, Nora" And off she ripped, with the rosy little creature cuddled close to her neck.
 But it was a veritable young tigress who, ten minutes later, confronted the astonished Celt and shook her until her teeth chattered and the milk splashed over upon her apron. "Blissed Mother! w-w-whativer is the mather. Miss Besse?" stammered poor Nora.
 Matter enough, you miserable girl!' And with the air of q tragedy queen. the young lady waved her hand toward the infant now wailing lustily on the bed. Look there! Is that our Margery's curly head? No. Are those our Mar gery's big. blue eyes? No. Is this our Margery at all? No; it isn't. It's-it's -a-a strange baby. Nothing like our precious, beautiful pet-but a great, fat, ugly boy"
 "There, sis. now will you be good?" said Jack Vinton when he finally ap- reared in the darkiing gloaming. and deposited the fan in her hand and the baby on her lap.
 "Yes, indeed, you blessed boy re- sponded the little woman, once more all smiles and dimples. You have been a real friend in need and can now go and make yourself look as fascinat- ing as possible"
 So it was with an approving con- science, decided inclination to pat himself, metaphorically, on the back, that the young man withdrew to dress for the evening, when he was to fill the position of host in place of the absent lord and master.
 But he had scarcely divested himself of his coat and was still wrestling with collar button, when his chamber door was burst unceremoniously open and he, too, like Nora, was swooped down upon by pale, wild-eyed woman. who in stern voice demanded:
 Jack Vinton, is this practical joke you are trying to play on me? Where is my Harold? How dare you bring me back somebody else's child?"
 Somebody else's child?" and it was now Jacks turn to stare in stupid amazement.
 Yes. sir (sob); a miserable, spin ding, little thing that never set eyes on before (sob) instead of my great, healthy. lovely boy" and with some thing betwixt gasp and scream Mrs. Henley sank Imply on the lounge.
 Jack felt half distracted. But, Bertha, it can't be so," he cried. You must be laboring under a delusion. Anyway, how can you be sure when babies are so much alike? about like flies, should say"
 A gurgling "Oh--h--hl" from the prostrate form.
 "Of course it's possible the kid might have gotten swapped in that confound- ed vestibule, only 1 know the carriage all right. Pink and white umbrelle- fur rug. Picked 'em out straight as string. There, dear, don't get so excited. for l am convinced you are wrong. Now, how do you know this is not your Harold?"
 A whitening glance was his reward for this speech.
 As if mother could be mistaken in her own child! Jack, you're an idiot Besides this baby is-is--the other i kind"
 Jack wilted