The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-07-31


much for her
So, with Kit at a safe distance in
advance 10 guard against treachery,
and a large and enthusiastic following,
i crossed the street. turned a corner,
walked down one block and half up
another. and halted before a three
story broWnstone.
few up the stairs. leaving my
escort behind. and rang the bell. 1t
wasn't SO terribly swagger a place,
which relieved me some
4 want TO see the lady whose baby
was lost this morning I said to the
maid that opened the door
"Yes'm. Who'll I tell herr"
Who? That stumped me- Not Nance
Olden. late Of the Vaudeville. later OF
the Van Twiller. and latest OF the
police station. No-not Nance Olden
Tell her. please" 1 said firmly,
that I'm Miss Murieson Of the X-Ray.
and that the city editor has sent me
here TO see her"
That did it. HOoray for the power
OF the press She showed me into
long parlor and sat down and waited.
al was cool and quiet and softly pref
~ IN that long parlor. The shades
were down. the piano vas open, the
chairs were low and softly cushioned.
7 leaned back and closed my eyes, ex-
hsusted.
And suddenly-Magi-I felt some
thing that vas a cross between a rose
leaf and q snowflake touch my hand
Il It wasn't that delectable baby.
caught her snds lifted her TO my
lap and Rugged the chuckling thing as
though that was what I came for.
Then, IN & moment, 1 remembered the
paper and lifhted her little white slip.
II was gone, Mag. The under-petti-
coat hadn't sign Of the paper I'd
pinned 10 it.
Ny head whirled in that minute. I
suppose I was faint with the heat, with
hunger and fatigue and worry, but I
felt myself slipping out Of things when
/ heard the rustling Of skirts. and there
before me stood the mother Of my
baby.
The little wretch, She deserted me
and flew 10 that pretty mother Of hers
in her long. cool white trailing things,
and sat in her arms and Knocked at
me.
II was easy enough to begin talking.
told her a tale about being a news
paper woman out on a story; how I'd
run across the baby and all the rest Of
H.
Il neust ask your pardon" 1 finished
up for disturbing you, but two things
sent me here-one 10 know If the baby
got home safe, and the other
gulpe6. TO ask about a paper with
some notes that I'd pinned TO her
skirt"
she shook her head.
It was in that very minute that no
uced the baby's ribbons we're pink;
they had been blue in the morning.
or course, ] suggested, you've had
her clothes changed and"
Why. yes. OF course" said baby's
mother. The first thing ! did when
. got hold Of her was 10 strip her and
put her in tub; the second, was to
discharge that gossiping nurse for let
ting her out OF her sight"
And the soiled things she had on
the dress with the blue ribbons"
"Tn find out" she said.
She rang for the maid and gave her
an order.
Was it a valuable paper?" she
asked.
'Not-very." stammered. My
tongue was thick with hope and dread.
"Just-my notes. you know, but I do
need them. I couldn't carry the baby
easily. SO I pinned them on her skirt,
MISUNDERSTANDING
The maid came in and dumped a lit
tie heap Of white before me. I fell on
my knees
Oh. yes, prayed all right. but 1
searched, too. And there II was.
What I said 20 that woman 1 don't
know even now. I few out through
the hall and down the steps and
And there Kitty Wilson corralled me.
Say. where's that stickpin?" she
cried
''Hersi-hsrs. you darlingl" 1 said.
pressing Il into her hand And, Kitty,
whenever you feel like swiping another
purse-5uEt don't do It 1t doesn't pay.
Just you come down to the Vaudeville
and AJAX for Nance Olden some day,
and I'll tell you why"
''Gee!" said Kitty, impressed Shall
shall call ye q hanson. lady?"
Should abel The blessed inspiration
OF heri
I got into the wagon and we drove
down street-to the Vaudeville.
I burst IN past the stage doorkeeper,
amazed 20 see me, and rushed into
Fred ObermuEers ofice.
'aTherel" I cried, throwing that awful
paper on the desk before him. Now
cinch 'em. Fred obermuller. as they
cinched you. TIN be the hottest black
mail that ever-oh, and viii you pay
for the hansom?