Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1906-10-11

Just then the baby gave fearful
yell and Arthur laughed. "A musical
treat?" he asked
"Oh, he'll stop crying when he's out
of the automobile | answered him.
Sure enough there never was a Sc
rener baby than the one l handed to
Mrs. Marsden's maid few minutes
later "ta. He.f a}8.sts ga4&f ~
It's the best joke on Frances" I
said, as l stepped into the car again.
Her new maid didn't know me and
she loked astonished when gave. her
the baby and told her to ask Mrs.
Marsden to keep him for while.
There was a crowd at the club hay-
Ing afternoon tea. We had just sat |
down at a table when Arthur was
called to the telephone. BY the time
he came back had been Joined By.
Betty Colman and Malcolm Cox. Ar
thur said his mother had asked him to
come home at once. He didn't know
why she wanted him, but he is punc-
till1ous about obeying her wishes, so
he was going to start right back to
town. | felt. sure that she just tele-
phoned him because she guessed that
l was with him. Mrs. Knight is one
of these cold. distant women, who ap-
pear to have a srudge at any girl
whom their sons take the slightest in
terest in. Mothers of good1looking
sons are apt to be selfish, think
Stay with U.S.. lucille saidsBetty.
Yes, do, urged Malcolm.
For momenteI I hesitated and then
decided to stay. If Arthur Thought
| was going to- run home at his
mothers beck and call hs was mis-
! taken. t.i
| Melcolm suggested that We remain
for dinner at the club and. then go
back to town IN. time for the theatre
in the evening. I called up mother
and told her shouldn't be home till
late. ISIS y
sseWhen Malcolm toolzsme home after
we had left Betty at her house saw
at once there was something wrong
Although it was midnigA. our parlor
was lighted and all the family were
up. AS soon as we stepped on the
porch Mrs. Babcock rushed out wiring.
ing her hands and sobbing hysterical-
ly. She really frightened me dread
fully. Some people are 80 incon-
slderate.
What is it?" 1 asked anxiously.
"My baby, my boy!" she moaned.
"What have you done with Bud?"
"Oh, Bud,'' repeated In relief
Then l remembered Bud for the first
time in several hours. He's all
right" told her Il left him at Mrs.
Marsden's this afternoon AS soon
as Mrs. Babcock heard the child was
safe she tainted Every one threw
showers of water on her and to make
the storm complete, father loked like
thundercloud as he assured me that
was the most rattlebrained person
it had ever been his misfortune to
meet.
You should have told me about the
baby when you phoned," said mother
II didn't know you had Bud until Mrs.
Babcock came in here at dinner time
for him. l had no idea where you
were, Lucille"
Even Malcolm looked rather vexed
when l said he and 1 would go to Mrs
Marsden's and fetch Bud. I suppose
he felt sorry that he didn't have mo-
tor car at his command to take me in.
But he nhoned for cab and we start
ed
The Marsden house was dark when
we arrivel and we had to ring the bell
1 twice before it was answered. Then
Mr. Marsden, too overcome with sleep
to recognize us, appeared in rather
sketchy costume.
"Good evening"" said. I'VE have
called to get the baby
''You can't have the baby exclaim-
ed Frances, in low but excited tones.
81 have just got the little darling to
sleep and I've decided TO- keep him. :
J Keep him" / said in amazement
, "Yes keep him. He was left here
and now he's mine. If you wanted
: hlm you shouldn't Nave deserted him.
I rushed past Mr.. Marsden and few
up the stairs to Frances. She could
], hardly believe her eyes when she saw
- me and she actually acted as If has
: no right to take Bud. | simply had stt
l snatch him away from her and run.
t Malcolm and were almost ex
hausted when we finally returned tha