The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-05-12
CHAPTER II.
Changelings.

: ChangeIings.
Nurse Dibble unfolded the colored
shawl with a practiced hand. Inside,
little white bundle lay curiously
still. There was blue look in the
wee face, as Lizzie said, and it's vague
features were pinched and drawn. AS
Nurse Dibble held it and looked sharp
ly at it, a sudden SILVER ran through
the little limbs. They stretched out
straight, and seemed to stiffen. She
gave cry of dismay, and turned it
to the waning light. Then she raised
her face from peering into it, and en-
countered Lizzie's frightened one.
MY heavenly kingdom!" she said,
''the child's gone like a burnt-out
spark! Whatever shall we do? I
wouldn't have had it happen for the
wor1d!"
Lizzie began" to cry, terrified. Nurse
Dibble turned on her sharply. "Now,
just look here, Lizzie; stop that till
we think what we've got to do about
it. No. I. don't say as your bringing
it out had anything to do with it.
don't blame you; wait till l do. But
there's never been worse bit if i'll
luck happened for poor Kate, not even
when Tom broke his arm and lost his
place"
They had walked back into the
front room together, Nurse Dibble
holding the tiny form to her breast
as if to give it warmth, breathing her
own breath gently upon it, and chatting
the wee blue hands. It was only the
mechanical action Of one whose mind
is not there. She knew too we'll that
it was past all care of hers; it's little
life could never be brought back.
She stood for a moment in profound
thought then\ she suddenly raised
her head. *Look here, Liz" she said,
decisively; there's no two ways
about it. Kate mustn't know of this
till she's able to bear the shock"
'T know it will kill herr" sobbed
Lizzie, dolorously; 'but how on earth
is anybody to keep it hid? The very
first thing she'll ask for when she
comes to herself is the baby. She al
ways does. And then, if we have to
tell her she hasn't got one, after all
she's been living on the thought"
Another burst of tears choked her ut
terance, and she covered her face.
|Tish! tish!" said Nurse Dibble, alb
sently. Her eye had fallen on the
cradle with her own two charges in it,
and she pondered for a moment with
out another word. Then she turned
her face to her sister with sudden
determination.
Look here, Liz she said, I'm 60
ing to lend you one of my two babies
to take back"
Zone of your two? But how can
you? And what good would that do,
anyhow"
"She can see it when she asks for
it, and I'll come round tomorrow and
nurse her and get her all right. In a
day or two it won't matter telling her;
it's only the first shock. Here, you
take this little boy here and give me
Hates. I'll pop him down beside the
other, and nobody needn't know till
we bring the right one back again.
look after them myself, and nobody
else touches them"
1t seemed queer plan to Lizzie, and
she did not quite see how it would
serve more than to tide over the first
shock to the bereft mother, but she
was used to obeying Hannah without
protest. She took the warm sleeping
baby and wrapped it in the shawl the
back as fast as can then;' she said,
half comforted. After all, Kate might
be put off till she could bear the shock
Nurse Dibble saw her off with an
uneasiness which was not as assured
Of success as she had tried to make
Lizzie believe. After all, it was only
the hope of short time; sooner or
later poor Kate must have the blow
The moment she heard the sound of
the landlady's return she ran down
to her with her bonnet on. do, now,
keep a watch for few minutes just
while I run round to my sisters" she
begged. II can't rest till I see how she
is. I won't be gone long, I promise
you. They're as good as gold upstairs,
and won't want thing till I come
back"
She hardly waited for the 1andlady's
answer before she was out in the lit
tie yard at the back and hurrying
through the green gate. Nobody had
seen Nurse Dibble in greater haste.
She found Lizzie sitting by the
coarse bed where lay the still form
Of her sister, sleeping quietly and
BEAUTIFULLY at last. Lizzie raised her
finger as Nurse Dibble entered, and
pointed to the bed, with face Of anx.
iety. .a =.
"She woke and asked for it. / hadn't
been in the house not halt a minute"
she said. Look at her now. She's
got it tight in her arms, and 1 daren't
touch her to take, it. She's in the