The Cairo bulletin., 1905-08-28


show ye the house, missus." was too
much for her.
So, with Kit at a safe distance 10 ad-
vance TO guard against treachery, and
large and enthusiastic following,
crossed the street. turned a corner,
walked down one block and half up an
other, and halted before a three STORY
brown stone
J few up the stairs. leaving my es-
cort behind. and rang the bell 1t
wasn't so terribly swagger a place.
which relieved me some.
Il want TO see the lady whose baby
was lost this morning" / said to the
maid that opened the door.
'Yes'm. Who'll | tell herr"
Who? That stumped me. Not
Nance 0ldel. late Of the Vaudeville,
later of the Van Twiller, and latest
of the police station No-not Nance
olden not =.
Tell her, please" | said, firmly.
that I'm Miss Murison. of the X-Ray.
and that the city editor has sent me
here to see her."
That did -. Hooray for the power
of the press. She showed me into a
long parlor. and sat down and waited.
II was cool and quiet and softly
pretty in that long parlor. The shades
we're down, the piano was open, the
chairs. were low and softly cushioned.
l leaned back and closed my eyes, ex-
hausted.
And suddenly-Mag!-I felt some
thing that was cross between a rose
leaf and a snowflake touch my hand.
If it wasn't that delectable baby!
| caught her and lifted her to my
lap and Rugged the chuckiing thing
as though that was what | came for.
Then, in moment, | remembered the
paper, and lifted her little white slip
II was gone, Mag The under petit
coat hadn't sign OF the paper I'd
pinned to 1t.
Ny head whirled in that minute. /
suppose was faint with the heat, with
hunger and fatigue and worry, bnt I
felt myself slipping ont of things
when heord 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, COO; white trailing things,
and sat in her arms and Knocked at
me.
II was easy enough to begin talking.
told her q tale about .Aing a news
paper woman out on story; how lid
run across the baby and all the rest
of it.
y must ask your pardon" finished
mp. for disturbing you, but two things
sent me here one TO know Ii the baby
got home safe, and the other" i
clipped TO ask about paper with
some notes that pinned to her skirt
She shook her head.
It was in that very minute that I
noticed the baby's ribbons were pink.
they had been blue In the morning.
"Of course. suggested, you've
had her clothes changed, and
why. yes. OF course said hahy's
mother. 1.-THE first thing | did when
| got hold Of her was to strip her
ana put her In a tub; the second. was
10 discharge that gossiping nurse for
letting her out Of her sight"
And the soiled things she had on
the dress with the blue ribbons"
"I'll find OIL" she said.
She rang for the maid and gave her
an order.
WAS it valuable paper2p she
asked.
"Not-Yery,' stammered. My
tongue was thick with hope and
dread "Just-my notes. YOU know.
but do need them ] couldn't carry the
baby easily, 50 | pinned them on her
skirt, thinking thinking
The maid came In and dumped
little heap of white before me. fell
on my knees
Oh. yes, prayed all right but
searched, too, And there 1t was.
What ] said TO that woman don't
know even now. flow out through
The hall and down the steps and
And there Kitty Wilson corralled
me-
Say. where's that stick-pin?" she
cried
Here, here, you darling!" said
pressing 1t into her hand. "And, Kit
ty, whenever you feel like swiping an:
other plTse--iust don't do It, II
doesn't pay. Just you come down to
the Vaudeville and ask for Nance
Olden some day, and I'll tell you why"
"Geel" said Kitty, impressed, "Shall
shall / call We hanson, LADY,"
Should she! The blessed inspiration
of her.
! got into the wagon and we drove
down street--to the Vaudeville.
burst in past the stage doorkeeper.
amazed to see me, and rushed into
Fred Obermuller's office.
"There." cried, throwing that aw.
full paper on the desk before him
Nov cinch EN-. Fred Obermuller az
they cinched you. It'll be the hottest
blackmail that ever--oh, and will you
pay for the hansom?"
ITO be Continued.)
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