Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-01

Boy. Bob; greatest kid ever"
And they all trooped up the stairs to
the nursery. where Mr.. Robert was forced
to admit that. as regarded a three
! months-o old. this was the handsomest lit
tie colt he had ever laid eyes on. Mr..
Robert even ventured to take the boy up
| in his arms.
How dye hold him?" he asked.
Mrs. John took the smiling cherub, and
| the manner in which she folded that in
| FAINT across her young breast was a true
revelation to the prodigal, who felt his
| loneliness more than ever. He was rank
outsider
Jack. you get me that diplomatic post
and I'll see to 1t that the only bachelor
in the Warburton family shall sleep in
yonder cradle
Done
How long is your furlough?" asked
Nancy.
Whom do you think the baby re-
sembles?' asked the mother.
Zone at time. one at a time. The
baby at present doesn't resemble any one.
There's your diplomat cried John. with
a laugh.
And my furlough is for several years. if
not longer
"What? This query was general and
simultaneous.
Yes, I've disbanded The army will now
go to rack and ruin. / am a plain citizen
of the United States. l expect to spend
| the winter in Washington.
The winter!'' echoed Jack, mockingly
detected.
"John," said his wife John assumed a
| meek expression; and Mrs. John. putting
the baby in the cradle, turned to her
brother-in-law Il thought the army was a
hobby with you.
1T was. I've saved up quite a sum, and
I'm going to see a lot of fine scenery If
my leg doesn't give out
."Or your bank account" supplemented
John.
We'll, or my bank account"
out west went on the statesman in
chrysalis.
Whereupon they all laughed not because
John had said anything particularly funny,
but because there was a good and generous
measure of happiness in each heart.
Bob, there's a ball at the British en-
bassy tonight. You must go with US
"Impossible!' said Robert. Remember
!! my leg"
you need not dance.
What, not dance? I should die of in
termittent fever. And if l did dance, my
leg might give out"
You can ride q horse all right" said
John in the way of argument.
Il can do that easily with my knees. But
can't dance with my knees. No, l shall
stay at home. / couldn't stand it to see all
those famous beauties, and with me posing
as a wall flower.
But what will you do here all alone?"
play with the kid, smoke and read;
make myself at home. You still smoke that
Louisiana, Jack?"
"Yes'-dubiously.
so Now, don't let me interfere with your
plans for tonight. l haven't been in home
in so long that it will take more than one
night for the novelty to wear off Besides,
that nurse of yours, Kit, is good 10 look
at''-a bit of the rogue in his eye.
"Bob!'-from both women.
II promise not to look at her: promise.
well, / must be off, said John. I'm
late now. I've a dozen plans for coast de-
lenses to go over with an inventor of new
carriage gun. VIII you go with me while
1 put you up at the Metropolitan. or Will
you take shopping trip with the women?
"II take the shopping trip 1t VIII be
sensation. Have you any horses?
six"
Six. You are a lucky pup; handsome
wife bouncing boy and SIX horses!
Where's the stable?'
In the rear 1 keep only two stablemen;
one to take care of the horses and one TO
act as groom I'm off. I've cracking
good hunter. if you'd like a leg up. Well
all ride out to Chevy Chase Sunday. By-by
till lunch
MT. Robert Immediately betook himself
to the stables, where he soon became lhu-
mately acquainted with the English groom.
He fused about the harness room, deplored
the lack of McClelland saddle, admired
the English curbs and compl1mented the
men on the cleanliness of the stables. The
men exchanged SLY smiles at first, but these
smiles soon turned into grins of admiration
Here was a man who knew horse from
his oiled hoofs to his curried forelock.
This fellow ought to jump well, he SAID,
Mating the sleek neck of the hunter.
He does that, SIR replied the groom
He has never taken less than red rib
bon Only one horse beat him at the bars
last winter in New York 1t was Mr.. War
burton's fault that he did not take first
prize He rode him in the park the
day before the contest, and the animal
caught a bad cold, sir
And then it was that this hero of mine
conceived his great mot to say young ana
salad idea. 1t appealed to him as being
so rich an idea that the stables rang with
his laughter.
"Sr?' politely inquired the groom
I'm rot laughing at your statement, my
good fellow; rather at an idea which just
occurred to me. In fact, believe that
shall need your assistance.
IN what way, sir?'
Come with me-.
The groom followed Warburton into the
ward. A conversation began in low tones.
ITS as much as my place is worth, Sir
I couldn't do it. SIR declared the groom
shaking his head negatively.
TN guarantee that you Will not suf1er III
the least. My brother will not discharge
you He likes a joke as well as do. You
are not handed $40 every day for simple
thing like this"
VERY we'll sir l dare say that no harm
shorter than you.
"We'I tide that over.
81 am at your orders, sir" But the groom
returned to the stables, shaking his head
obviously. He was not thoroughly coh-
vinced .-... .,,o
During the morning ride downtown the
two women were vastly puzzled over theii
brothers frequent and ineXplicabie pears Oh
laughter. 80 ,t,t
For mercy's sake what do you see that
is so funny asked Nancy.
I'm thinking, my dears; only thinking
"reIl us that we may laugh. too III
wager that you up to some mlschiei'
Master Robert. Please tell Nancy urged
Later, later: at present you would fdl
to appreciate the joke. In fact, you might
make it miscarry; and that wouidn 40 d,
all. Have a little patience. It's good
Joke. and you'll be in 1t when the time
comes" - 49,. - 9
him. . o.. o,, tho
7 shall be pleased to recount to you the
quality of this joke, this madcap Idea You
will find 1t lacking neither amusement nor
denouement Already l have put forth the
casual observation that from Paris to the
third precinct police station in Washington
nd