Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-08-29
An Estimate Reversed.

compress out of it." He did as she
told him and she put the ice to the
child's head and pressed wet cloths to
Its face and tiny wrists.
wouldn't it be well to run for a
doctor" asked Randall.
And he wondered at himself for de-
ferring to her opinion.
NO" she answered, without looking
around. 81 want you here. l think
I'm quite competent to handle the case.
I've had some experience in practical
nursing, you know" But he didn't
know. Pull down the shade little"
she commanded. "And now take off
my hat. please"
He was lucky enough to grasp the
proper hat pins and moment later
tenderly laid the mass of gauze and
ribbons on the table.
There was short period of silence
Randall stood a little back of the girl
and looked down at her as she knelt
by the child. Then the stiffness was
broken by a querulous cry from the
child.
"The dear is coming around nicely"
said the girl. "What a pretty baby 1t
is! There, there, sweetheart, every
thing is all right. Raise the shade,
please, Mr.. Clark"
When Randall turned back she had
risen with the babe in her arms, its
head pillowed on her breast. Then she
walked slowly up and down the apart
ment humming little lullaby, and
presently as she sang the babe looked
up in her face and smiled.
isn't 1t dear?" murmured the girl
with her face bent close to the childs
Mamma" cooed the little one and
put up its tiny hand and touched her
cheek.
And Randall Clark, standing back n
little, thought he had never seen a
picture that would compare with it.
And his heart swelled in his breast.
'Is there anything 1 can do?" he
softly asked.
Look at the pillow" she answered,
"and see if there are any initials on
the slip"
He bent over the lace-trimmed case
and scanned it closely.
"The letters are Il. r. think" he
said. "They are little obscure. If
they are not IL. r. they are IS. B. or
perhaps ~. p There are so many
curlycues about them, you know"
The girl paused a moment and con-
sidered.
"How stupid" she suddenly cried.
"Why didn't l guess it before? It's
Lydia Robbins little boy, of course.
Why, he's just the image Of Lydia"
"Iddy, Iddy," cooed the babe.
"There, did you here that?" cried
Emily Tabor. isn't he sweet and
bright?"
"M-m-mamma," gurgled the little
fellow with a great display of red
gums and scattered white teeth.
The girl bent quickly and kissed him,
whereat he gurgled again, and, launch
ing out wildly, caught tress of the
beautiful brown hair in his chubby
fist.
"Please go to the telephone-in the
hall, Mr.. Clark" said the girl, "and
call up Mrs. Robbins-Mrs. Coleman
Robbins. Tell her that her Jamie is
here and waiting to be called for. But
don't alarm her"
I'm afraid / shall do it clumsily,"
said Randall. But he obeyed.
She could hear the murmur of his
voice for little while and then he
suddenly reappeared in the room.
81 seem to have disturbed her dread
fully" he said "and I'm sure she
doesn't believe a word 1 say. l think
she imagines it's some kind of plot
to lure her away from home and then
rob the house. Can't you speak to her,
please?"
"Why, yes" said the girl. as she
promptly proceeded to the phone.
"There put the receiver to my ear,
please. Is this you, Lydia? Don't
you know my voice? It's Emily Tabor.
I'm at Aunt Gresham's. Yes, jamie is
here and he's all right He was picked
ND on the street and brought in here.
Deserted? Yes. No nurse in sight.
He's all right say. Yes, yes. Listen"
She held the baby close to the phone.
Mamma" she murmured softly.
Mamma" cooed the babe. "There,
Lydia, did you hear that? Yes, of
course he's dear Certainly. Come
over and get your little man as soon
as you please. Good-by."
Randall hung up the receiver.
"I think I'd better 60" he said.
The girl laughed.
"That's true heroic modesty," she
said. you are afraid to face the graf
itude of Lydia Robbins" Her voice
grew grave. "She'll never know just
how much she has to be grateful for"
she softly added.
ITO you," said Randall with equal
gravity.
"This sounds like mutual admira-
tion," laughed the girl again. "Be-
sides. nuntie would never forgive me
IL didn't invite you to stay to dinner