Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-07

! never had such thing in my life, nor any
thing to do with 'em, either-thc nasty, squall
ing brats," and in his dismay at the suggestion
he collapsed upon the nearest chair.
cts moi" cried Mrs. CRANKY hastily; Its
lovely child, everyone says there never was
finer" and she spared time to shoot glance Of
indignation at jeremiah in the background.
"Just look" said Frauein; and before the
Duke suspected her dread purpose she had pop
ped the baby on his knee.
ooh, Fraulen-oh, be carefull' cried the
mother from the bed deeply alarmed at this dar-
ing maneuver
The duke glared up at Frauein with tremen
dous Indignation and down at the baby with
alarm still greater
"Will someone kindly remove this chldY he
implored
"You haven't got it right" interposed Jere-
miah, unable to resist this opportunity of show.
ing off his newly-acquired knowledge; that's all
that's wrong--that little higher and the
elbow -so-and mind you don't squeeze; there,
that's right"
A fearful joy stole into the Dukes eyes. Here
at last was someone upon whom he could vent
his wrath All the same he was careful to raise
his arm little and to put his elbow-so-and
also to mind not to squeeze For there
odd sensations stirring within him he felt
resting on his knees this tiny scrap of humanity
in whose veins it was, after all, his own blood
that flowed. And the Duke had an immense re-
spect for his own blood. But when the baby was
comfortably settled, he turned on jeremiah
''Sir" he said tremendously, will you be SO
obliging as to retire?'
Jeremiah retired He afterwards explained
that he found himself at the bottom of the stair
in the little hall under the impression that an
earthquake had removed him there. He
struggling hard to recover his scattered senses
when the front door opened and tall, good
looking young man came hurriedy in.
'Hullo' he said, catching sight of jeremiah.
"and who are you, pleaseW
It seemed to Jeremiah that he was being ask
ed for this information somewhat frequently,
but he answered with patience: 'I am Jeremiah
j. Tibbits. and live just down the street" and
added, intent to avoid any further misunder-
standing: "And am not the Duke of Foxford"
mo-" agreed the good-ooking young man,
''that is jolly certain; but what do you know
about the Duke of Foxford%
"He is UPSTAIRS explained jeremiah.
"Upstairs!" gasped the young holding
to the wall
E'Nursng the baby" added jeremiah
The goodlookng young seemed beyond
speech. He put one hand to his burning brow"
This time the good-looking young man was
quite plainly beyond all speech With wild
look and unsteady steps he disappeared upstairs;
while Jeremiah feeling he had done enough fair
ly bolted for home, where the tale of his adj
ventures was greeted with sconful incredulity,
But his vindication came a little later when
a letter arrived asking MIN to call at the Fox
ford estate Office at his earliest convenience For
the Duke had forgiven his erring nephew and
his beautiful young wife, and as all parties were
agreed that in bringing about this happy result
Jeremiah had proved himself an efficient ally,
it was decided that something must be done for
him.
Something was done accordingly, and an OPP
kportune vacancy occurring in the Foxford estate
Office Jeremiah was invited to occupy it at a
salary far exceeding any he had ever hoped in
his widest moment to attain. And he and his
Emma are cheerfully agreed that it is to their
boy-as bouncing ever--that they owe all the
good things that have befallen them.