The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-27

"If monsieur permits"-but ere mon
sieur cold collect his scattered senses,
the duo had swiftly and deftly sundered
the seemingly clumsy box. and disclosed
to view an immense egg deliberately gild-
ed and tied about the center with a
broad satin ribbon.
''Monsieur's Easter gift announced
the maid demurely, adding, when Mon
sieur is ready the carriage waits be-
low" Scarce comprehending and certain
ly unconscious Of their exit he gazed ap-
prehensiyely at the novel gift-this
chef-d-oeuvre-then gingerly approached
while conflicting thoughts sped through
his brain
Upon close inspection. however, perceiv-
ing numerous perforations, he felt great
ly relieved, and, under the impression
that some eccentric friend had presented
him with a rara avis, he proceeded to
unite the knot of ribbon.
Instantly the egg fredericksburg a
satin-ined nest in which reposed the
sweetest, chubbiest miniature of-him-
self. The little man arrayed in MILDLY
suit. and the jaunty gold-iettered cap
had slipped back, revealing a ghstening
mass Of sunny curls.
One tightly clinched hand held a sadly
battered wooliy dog.
opened
Unabashed, and with perfect unconcern,
he clambered from his Zizarre abode, and
like a lesson well learned placed his dim
pied hand within that of the astonished
elder man, and, with the abandon and
confidence of prattling babyhood, lisped,
Me want mamma, 90 tum, too!' then
spying the glistening fob, calculated,
Want dat, too" suiting the action to
the word.
Having gained one point he grew To-
quacious anent his woody dog, his chu-
chu cars, gran'ma and gran-dad, inter-
laced with spasnodic attacks of Mamma /;
his attentive listener, albeit a clumsy
nurse. was strangely affected by this
hum-drum domestic recital until the de-
mands for Mamma dominated all else
with the exception of a piteous little,
Use hungry, too
Then, he hastily pressed a button, but
in lieu Of the valet he expected, the de-
murely smiling maid awaited his order.
With a cry of delight the little fellow
sprang into her arms. The maid reluc-
family turned toward the door Sudden
ly he bounded from her embrace and
scampering toward his erstwhile nurse,
lisped, plaintively, 100 tum, too" with
an irresistible DuL IdUlllldT little geS-
ture.
The man flushed DULY, hesitated, then,
as the insistent "tum-tum'' became more
clamorous. suddenly bestowed an invol-
untary caress. gathered him in his arms
and paced the apartment with uncertain
steps.
Hating before the wide window. he
perceived for the first time the waiting
automobile.
The child evidently recognized II, too.
for joyous gurgle escaped him-"Tum-
tum wifi me-" he pleaded eagerly. The
man glanced sharply about-the maid had
noiselessly disappeared. Straining the
child closely to his breast, he showered
burning caresses upon the wide-eyet1
wondering little face. Then, hurrfvdly
as If fearing a reyulsion OF feeling, he
doned his outer apparel ana softly de-
parted, holding the lottle one close. its
gleeful laughter echo.ng strangely
through the lofty corridor and she
watching, waiting, catches a glimpse OF
two happy faces-murmurs TREMENDOUSLY.
Verify, a little child hath led him. -
Buffalo Evening Times.