Middletown transcript., 1908-10-24

SOu6 uOWn3 SnOe0uOOon IL rai0nuJ 5
to that corner of the far-stretch-
ing sea links. where the brown,
bark-tanned fishing nets lie
spread out to the sun, and the
fishermen's children play by the
gaunt ribbed derelicts drawn up
beyond the tide on the shingly
beach, fronting the low, white
walled cottages, from whose
doors grizzled old sea dogs watch
with wistful, longing eyes those
brown sailed boats, whose brina
washed decks they may no more
tread, slip oHt to sea.
When he first caught sight OF
her Baby Barron was standing
alone, as was her wont, apart
from the rest of the children, a
quantity pathetic little figure in
tattered brown frock, bare at the
neck, and monstrous boots, in
whose cayernous crinkled depths
her tiny sock1ess feet were fost
in space, gazing with solemn med
itatiYeness on the brown expanse
of interlaced cordage.
Suddenly, as he watched, she
dropped down on to one OF the
nets and proceeded calmly to roll
herself up in it. Then, thor.
oughly snmeshed, boots and all,
in it's folds, Baby Barron sat up,
and, with an air of superb in
difference, surveyed the other
children, who had gathered round
with fearfully expectant faces.
You'll catch it, Baby Barron
you just wait and see! they
shouted, with an unholy sort OF
glee apd significant gestures.
A loud call from the direction
of the cottages the next instant
heralded the coming on the scene
with all speed his rheumatic
joints permitted, of a grizzled,
jersey clad sea veteran. Seiz-
ing the entangled brown ball, he
carefully unrolled it and set the
daring intruder On her feet with
a gentle shake.
You're .gettin' a fair plague,
Baby Barron! he mumbled. III
just hae tae speak tae your
mother. Rim AVA oot O. this,
moo, quick, adding emphasis to
the final word by a second shake.
Jack Ethan, who had watched
the little comedy with quiet
amusement, on sudden impulse
hastened after and caught up TO
the slowly retreating little figure.
She did not seem at all abashed
by her ignominius dismissal from
the beach, but as he looked more
closely he fancied he saw a tiny
repressed tear in the corner of
each eye under the dark brown
curling lashes. Her cheeks, full
and round and soft.looking as
satin, he noted, were burnt to a
pale brown, and the tiny mouth
was full and strangely resolute.
About her was a singular air OF
quaint self lf-possession, at once
gravely meditative and deeply
observant. The sunlight as it
played upon the tangled close
curled head made of it golden
halo, and despite the frayed old
brown frock and covernous boots
she looked to him as some baby
angel might look who had gone
out of Paradise to gaze a while
on the little world of man.
To his often and variedly re-
peated question why she had en-
tangled herself in the net she
uttered not single word. Once
only she looked up to him out
of her solemn blue eyes with a
long, earnest gaze Her silence
was portentious.
Would you like to have your
picture taken, Baby Barron? he
essayed again gently, and it was
wonderful how gentle big Jack
Ethan could become.
The gold brown curls stirred
a little, and the grave blue eyes
looked up to him for a moment.
I was goln' to be a tis,,, came q
soft murmur at his side.
A fish? Oh, yes; see.
Yes, an ! fink | s'ould like my
po't'ait took. Silence again q
few moments, then-There's a
pity lady who's goin' to paint
me-she did say it.
A pretty lady? Yes, and when
is she going to paint you?
But Baby Barron had already
exhausted her stock of informa-
ton. With a penny clutched
tight in her grubby brown hand
she had betaken herself, boots
and all, the next instant up the
narrow street with astonishing
rapidity.