The age-herald., 1902-01-26
The Touch of the Raby~
BY KATHERINE WALKER.

Creature laughed with childish delight as the tenacious grip persisted.
 70, now, do let him alone" she urged, you see he's formed quite good opin- ion of me already" Then as the baby cooed softly, she dropped her voice to a startled whisper and her dark lumin- ous eyes grew misty. "I had a baby once." she said solemnly. partly to her self and partly to the other. The Patient Woman laid sympathetic hand on the Beautiful Creatures arm.
 "The babies make better women of us all. think, don't you? They're so soft and dainty and pure. I believe they are messengers of happiness"
 It was then that the Beautiful Crea- ture wheeled about, and her Nort, musical voice grew cold and sharp. Make better women of us! I disagree with you, and as for happiness, mine ended there.
 Because he was great in wealth and power, he wanted a son to bear his name-and the baby was a girl so soft and pretty, too, but when 1t died l was glad-yes heartily glad"
 She ended in a subdued whisper and leaned back wearily against the wall with that cold glitter in her eyes, which society had seen there for over two years now
 
 ened. 70 don't. don't talk like that. It's so wicked" she cried appealingly. And your husband, you surely can't love him, and the little soft baby, think of it." | She drew her own gurgling baby to her | and stared at the other woman with a surprised. grieved look.
 The Beautiful Creature met her gaze with that cynical stare of hers. Yes, you are right" she said coldly, q do not love him; think hate him" The Patient Woman gave little excla- nation of pain. but the other went on hecdlessly:
 And as for thinking of the baby, I have thought and thought it almost crazes me sometimes, those thoughts
 She put her hands over her eyes to shut out the vision of the dimpling baby and went on slowly. ''The lifes been miserable, 1t haunts me. I am leaving 1t this morning forever. I only dread the shame, and the rest-that is nothing Only the shame and the little grave with the vioets.''
 Her voice ended in a pitiful moan, and she stretched out her hands helplessly towards the Patient Woman. It was then that one womans sympathy went out to meet the sore need of another.
 The Patient Woman took the trembling fiutterng hands in her own warm clasp batting them soothingly. and her soft caressing voice grew tenderer than usual
 My dear, what blessing those little graves are Don't you think you are un- wise? Think of your own humiliation and that of your husband< Can't you take a different course?'
 The baby cooed softly and looked ul gleefully at the Beautiful Creature She looked down dreamily at the child till the lines of care disappeared from her face and answered absently. Tt Is i'm possible I wish I could"
 Then she turned and looked searching ly at the Patient Woman. Tt is queer that you should tell me am wrong; you must be much younger than myself"
 She noticed the round. girlish figure and the clear untroubled eyes of the woman opposite Tell me-" she asked abruptly, why 1t is?'
 The other drew herself up proudly. "The reason is.'' she said simply, q | lover' The Beautiful Creatures shoulder dropped pitifully. ''Yes." she answered wearily, that is great" and she stretched out her arms yearningly to- wards the baby. The other gave him up willingly. '"The