The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-04-12

was sure it was Cousin Agatha. Be
sides, wasn't she just on the eve Of ad-
vertising for the baby?
'There is no need of it, ma'am," he
suffered hastily; "Ive got it right
here. I've been looking for you ever
since I-ah-.al away with it acciden-
tally. assure you, ma'am"-
He was pressing the baby upon her
regardless of the fact that the small,
red face was in inverse ratio to Mother
Natures plans for it. The bewildered
little woman stared helplessly down at
the back of the baby's head.
"Why!" she gasped.
"Of all thingsv' cried the taller lady.
Then they both laughed. The profess
or's crestfallen, despairing face was
too much for them.
"Give it back" he said, with groan.
'I've hit ON the wrong one again. I've
been hunting all over everywhere to
find it's mother. I'm not certain now
il ever had one. There isn't anything
certain"
I'm sorry" the little woman cried
heartily. Her sweet, pleasant voice
cheered him unconsciously. But, you
see, it isn't my baby. Mines at home
in it's cradle. 1 don't see what made
you think" -
You spoke of advertising, ma'am."
"Oh, yes-was that it? l was going
to advertise for cook"
But really" interposed the other
lady curiously, 81 wish you'd tell us
how you came by the baby"
81 ran away with it," the professor
said gloomily, 'and, with your permis-
sion, I'll do so again now"
And once more he was continuing his
hopeless hunt, shifting the sleeping ba-
by from one tired arm to the other
and peering anxiously into all the little
Womcn's faces.
''If l found her, 1 shouldn't dare to
hand the little chap over to her," he
unused. ITS mighty risky business"
But help was at hand. 1t came
from the quarter least expected. The
professor met two of his college boys
and in the frenzy Of despair stopped
them.
Boys" he said, "if you had some
body else's baby and didn't want it,
what would you do with it?'
"Drop it, said one of the boys
promptly. The other ones face was
suddenly enlightened.
"Oh, say, professor, you come along
with me. l know where she is," he
cried, and his voice was music in Pro-
fessor Pomeroy Pettingill Lees ears.
81 was down at the station, you
know. l saw her when she got back
and you weren't there. Hi, didn't she
rave, though? Then somebody came
along that she called Tom. heard
'em say they were going to the station
to set the police on you"
The boy laughed. He was hurrying
the professor along.
Here, let me take the little kid. You
look all used up. Wen find her all
right, professor. Don't you worry.
Here's the station, and here you are,
professor. Here's the kids mother
herself"
This time the baby and the right
mother came together with perfectly
satisfactory results.
Professor Pomeroy Pettingill Lee nev-
er remembered what explanations lie
made or how he got home. His men,
ory leaped gap there and began again
at the front door, where pale, anxious
little HeartSease met him.
"Oh, Pom?' Her voice and the up
ward infection asked everything. His
voice answered her:
Eyes, Heartsease."
She laughed aloud with relief.
''Then come right in, dear boy, and
see Cousin Agatha's baby
He stopped at the threshold. "Nev-
er!' he cried grimly. "I've seen all of
Cousin Agatha's baby want tor
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