Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-15

Lets hurry inside and sit down." she
suggested. I'm scared limp. If we had
left that blessed baby on the train / don't
think any convent could have hidden me
from the vengeance OF Mrs. Bartlett"
She came close and stood on tiptoe to
look at it. Suddenly she gave a scream
that nearly made him drop 1t.
Stop the train! Stop the rain,'' she
shrieked. plunging out into the center of
the track and frantically waving her
handkerchief. you've got the wrong
baby.
He gasped in horror as he looked down.
The stir had awakened the tot and two
big brown eyes were looking up at him
in sleepy wonder.
Il say. They are pretty nearly alike
after all he ventured hopefully. DO
you-do you suppose it would make so
very much difference?
He was lucky that Portia did not hear
him.
Stop it, Stop - she was still crying
in desperation, jumping up and down to
render the waving of her handkerchief
more effective. The insensate train paid
no attention 1t swept on relentlessly,
and the rear coach dwindled down into
the size of a toy as it receded into the
perspective. Hallam was stricken dumb.
He was afraid to say anything, for fear
she would notice him and remember his
share in the contretemps.
The station agent. a young fellow with
a knOtty face and pen behind his ear.
strolled out and surveyed the antics of
POrtia with mild interest. She saw him
and came down on him like a whirlwind.
where's your red fiag?" she demanded.
Flag that train. please. Right this min
ute Make it stop
1T will anyhow he drawled. when
it gifts to SimpSOnvlle. Not a minute be-
fore. What's the matter?'
''The baby" she piteously walled. I'VE
took the wrong baby
HUH. said the station agent. and
l.
he could reach through the window and
answer the call OF his telegraph instru-
ment If necessary. Next he took big,
red apple from his pocket and began de-
liberately but earnestly to eat it.
Portia glared at him speechlessly and a
big sob ctoked her throat. OF course
Hallam couldn't have that and he strobe
over to give the man lesson In manners.
The agent suddenly got up with his eyes
bullying in the direction of the train. An
speech. but he waved his hand up the
track and grunted. Hallam turned. The
train had stopped and now 1t began to
puff 1t was starting back!
II knew could stop it.'' eXulted Portia
and Hallam could only hold his burden
submissively and wonder, until It dawned
upon him that the bapy's father had pre-
vailed upon the conductor to back up. He
was wise enough. however. not to men,
tiQn this conjecture to Portia.
AS the rear coach neared the station an
excited group could be made out on the
platform. The group was composed of n
hysterical woman. a man with baby the
conductor. the anxious and perspiring fat
man and as many more passengers as
could crowd into view. AS the train
came to pause the man and the woman
Jumped to the ground. The two women
sprang Historically for the two babies and
kissed them until they whimpered The
two men exchanged brief courtesies of re-
gret. but the women glared at each other
with undying hatred. Each had come to
the conclusion that it was all the fault Of
the other one. and that it had been quite
premeditated.
The Conductor. anXiously cycling his