St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1897-09-18

teeth chattered ana the milk splasl.ed
over upon her apron.
'Blissed Mother! w-w-whativer = the
mather. Miss Bessie?" stammered poor
Nora.
matter enough, you miserable gill:
And with the air of u tragedy queen, the
young lady waved her hand toward the
infant now wailing Justify on the ted.
Look there! II that our Masgely'z
curly head? No. Are those our Mar
gery's big, blue eyes? No. Is this our
Margcry at all? No; itisn't. It's-it's
I--a strange baby. Nothing like our
precious, beautiful pet-but q great, Eat,
ugly boy"
"There, Sis, now will you be goodf'
said Jack Vinton when he finally ap.
Feared in the darkiing cleaning. anil
deposited the fan in her hand and tn
baby on her lap.
"Yes, indeed. you blessed boy" ne
sponded the little woman. once more
all smiles and dimples. "You have
bcen . 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, a decided inclination to pal
himself, metaphorically. ON the back,
that the young man withdrew to dress
for the evening, when he was to I'LL the
position Of host in place of the absent
lord and master.
Drt h. haA aOev,,~1vy slsr>c<oS1 I,syn~>l<
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 joks
you are trying to play on me? Where
il my Harold3 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): q miserable, spin
ding, little thing that I never set eyes
on before (sob) instead of my great.
healthy. lovely boy" and with some
thing betwixt . gasp and a scream
Mrs. Henley sank Imply onsthe lounge.
'Of course it's possible the kid might
have gotten swapped in that confound-
ed vestibule. only know the carriage
all right. Pink and white umbrella
fur rug. Picked 'em out straight as
. string. There, dear, don't get %
excited, for I am convinced you are
wrong. Now. how do you know This
is not your Harold?"
A withering glance was his reward
for this speech.
"As il a mother could be mistaken in
her own child! Jack. you're an idiot.
Besides this baby is-is-the other
kind"
Jack wilted.
Silverman 4 Co.'S store Was
for the night. The long line Of en-
ployes had filed out; the iron gates
were tightly shut and locked. But for
the second time that day two peramubu-
lators nearly collided in front of its
portal. Both came to an abrupt stand
still.
TOO latel" groaned the propeller OF
one.
CLOSED, by Jovel" came from the pi.
lot Of the other.
However shall I live through this
night" sighed the former, and, at the
mournful tone, her companion in mis-
cry whirled around. An electric light
shonc full ON her face.
miss Allisonl"
"Mr. Vinton!"
This is knock-down surprise!"
"It is, indeed. What brings You here
and with-with-" . questioning look
at the little carriage.
"You'll never guess, for--isn't it fun.
ny2I am hunting q lost baby"
You are? Why, % am l." Then
peering gunder the dainty roselinedcano-
pies. ut looks, too. as If we had both
found what We want. Suppose we ex.
change perambulators."
And ~ they did so, they laughed in
joyful sympathy, while suddenly this
heart Of each commenced to beat 70 .
new and sweet refrain.
'>Oh, am SO thankful" sobbed Bes.
sie Allison, ~ she hugged her wee niecc
TO her breast. "See, Mr.. Vinton, isn't
Margery the prettiest little flower Of .
baby9"
Lovely. And what do you think CT
my nephew, Harold?"
'-Oh, he II = fine, nobIe-looking boy
sSE>sp Hnlsn-n. R,,,< ~srle - wl~r. -