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

again. 1t was well up before Pro-
fessor Pomeroy pettingill Lee sudden
ly realized that it was incumbent on
him to converse a little with Cousin
Agatha. Cel tainly, certainly. What
had he been thinking of? The baby
had fallen asleep, and the immediate
danger of another fit was over; he
might look away safely for a moment.
"Er-it's very pleasant weather." he
ventured cAcerfully.
''It's raining" snapped the stout lady
beside Linn, fitting her nose in palpa-
bic scora.
BY all that was Ilighty-she wasn't
Cousin Agatha. Where was Cousin
Agatha? He searched the car with
eager eyes-he even looked out ON the
platform. Nobody was Cousin Agatha.
And Cousin Agatha's baby purred in
gentle slumber on his arm! He had
left Cousin. Agatha's baby's mother
behind shades of mighty Caesar! A
wild desire to raise the window and
drop the baby out seized him-another
wild idea of rushing back to the sta
ton surged with kindred impulses
through his brain. A cold perspiration
broke out all over him.
Wait-he must reflect. He must be
cool. What would Heartsease advise,
the poor little woman, the poor little
woman? Would she ever trust him
again?
"Well, I'm in for it." groaned his
70
the baby, anyhow" The little flushed
sleeping face appealed to him and not
In vain. III get him landed and then
I'll set the town crier Oil Cousin Aga
tina. Well find her between and be-
twiXt US. When she's landed, I'll sail
for Europe! I'll get 'em to send me- on
scientific expedition to Africa-the
north pole-anywhere."
A little later he LANDED" Cousin
Agatha's baby. Striding through the
hall toward Heartseases room he heard
notes.-the little woman's, low and
sweet, and brisk, clear cut, unknown
tones, and little gurgling voice keyed
to high notes.
"Hush, baby, hush," the clear cut
voice said chidingly.
Heartsease had company! Was there
no let up to a mans misery anywhere?
But the door opened and the little
woman came slowly, painfully toward
him.
"Oh, Pom"' and her voice had re-
proachful echoes in it. Wait till she
knew the worst.
In the dusk of the little hall the baby
escaped instant notice.
"Oh, Pom, she's come-she took u
carriage and just got here Il minute or
two ago"
'Who's come? Not Cousin Agatha? !?
Tell me quicllw
eyes, of course, Cousin Agatha. Did
you forget she was coming to see us?'
The gentle, reproachful voice tried
did not heed it in the least. He was
pushing by her, holding out limp
bundle at arms length
'"The saints be thankedv' he was
calculating heartily. ''Let me pass, lit
tie woman. I've got her baby. It's all
safe"
"You've got what?"
cousin Agatha's baby. Here it is.
No, you can't lift it. I'll carry it in.
I've got to face it out, and the Lord
help me-"
"Pomeroy Pettingill Lee, you stand
stock still where you are. Don't move
Now tell me everything. Whisper it,"
She lowered weakly between him and
the door. The shrill little voice within
kept on insistently and helped them
out. The professor deposited the drow
sy baby carefully on the floor and laid
his watch on top Of it with propitia-
tory intent. Then he faced the little
woman boldly.
II didn't mean to run away with it.
thought she was there too. Hope may
die il | didn't think so, little woman