Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-04-18
BURGLAR,
MOTHER
AND CHILD
Bv Charles Welste
BY Charles Welsted
Copyright, 1903,
By the S. S. Mcclure Company.

Elms, large private residence on Bou-
levard ID, was lone figure. 1t halted
beneath one of the lower windows and
remained in a crouching attitude for
at least ten minutes. Then it stood
erect, figure not more than five feet
three, slender and active. The window
opened slowly, and the figure disap-
peared. Moving like some creeping
thing from room to room, the burglar
finally emerged into the hall md quiet
ly assembled the stairs, but suddenly
came to halt before door through
which came dim light.
A child lay there alone. Through
second door, leading to an adjoining
room, the burglar could discern the
form Of a woman, fully attired. asleep
on couch. 1t was n nurse. The
burglar looked back at the child.
sickness here. guess bad place for
my work"
He stood intently watching the baby
face resting on the snowy pillows
Then, lost in thought, he stole over to
the cot.
80 God" A moan of anguish came
from the burglars lips.
The little one stirred. and the burglar
made a move toward the hall.
want - some = wattee" murmured
the child. The curly head rolled rest
lessly. Mamma. baby want d'ink."
At the sound Of a voice from the ad
joining room the figure disappeared
quickly beneath the bed.
"Nursie's coming. dear" And the
woman hurried to her charge. The
hidden figure could have reached out
and touched the hem of her dress.
"Poor little girl" the nurse said
soothingly.
GLADYS want mamma"
"Oh. mamma is asleep, dearie. Baby
wouldn't wake mamma
"AIamma, mamma" pleaded the
child. AS if in answer, from down the
hall low, sweet voice called softly:
Mamma scoming, pet"
In moment woman entered the
room and crossed quickly to the bed
side. Reaching over, she kissed the fe-
verish lips and forehead
Mammals here. darling" The little
arms reached up and were clasped
about her neck. GLADYS loves NAM
ma" whispered the child. Mamma
stay with baby"
"Yes, darling, mamma will stay"
She folded the babe in her arms and
hushed her 10 sleep. Then she crossed
the room to where the nurse was sit
ting in silence.
They whispered together in low
tones. The figure beneath the bed was
eagerly stralning to catch every word.
"She is little better, nurse, is she
not?" the mother asked anXiously. .
Il think so, madam. This is the first
time she has awakened since 8 o'clock.
You had better rest while she is
asleep"
81 cannot bear to leave her. If that
child were my own flesh and blood, |
could not love her more. She was
brought by the police to the Orphan
Asylum of the Gray Nuns in Montreal
one day when Mr.. Rogers and | were
visiting the institution. She has
brought such happiness into our lives!
The evenings we have spent at home
during the two years we have had
Gladys have been more than all the
rest of my life to me-"
Both sat in silence. Ten minutes
passed. and the burglar beneath the
bed was getting restless The mother
was speaking slowly again, as if in
thought:
10, o,.lt,,nf Tho nn1iao "
her mother was a wretched creature
and the father a confirmed criminal,
brute of man. Both were serving
term in prison when we took baby.
Think of it, nurse-a sweet, innocent
little tot like that from such parents!
La Roche. | think their name was.
They know nothing lof the child's
whereabouts"
Tears glstened in the woman's eyes
as she looked tenderly and yearningly
at the sleeping baby and left the room.
The nurse fingered few moments
by the child's cot. Then she turned the
light very low and stole back to the
adjoining room. Later heavy breath
ing told the burglar beneath the sick
chid's bed that the household was
asleep once more, but for how long?
He crawled out stealthily. but did
not hasten from the room. While yet
in kneelng posture, very gently he
raised the childs tiny hands and kiss
ed them passionately. then reached
over and kissed the fevered forehead.
A smile passed over the little ones
face. The child was evidently dream
ing
ME loves mamma" she murmured
in her sleep.
A tear fell on the baby's curly head.
30 God, what punishmentp'
With a look of unutterable anguish
the thief hastily slipped from the room
and down to the stairway.
Some one was ascending the stairs.
! The burglar ran to the nearest window
and fire escape. There were piercing
scream and crash. The man on the
stairs startled, reached to his hip
pocket, but all was silent again except
for a low groan which rose from the