The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-05-07

i minute until I can put Robert down.
Here I am again. Father said You
mustn't see me, but that doesn't mean
you are not to see baby. Listen, I'll
have nurse take him In his buggy
straight down the avenue to Gath
street. 1 don't think It's more than
half a mile. And she'll turn on 64th
street, and wait for you in the shade.
OF course, it wouldn't do to bring him
to the house. Father would be pretty
snre to lind 1t out. But this will be
quite safe. If you leave the house In
fifteen minutes from now l think you
Will Just about meet them.'
A pause.
1T is a good plan. isn't it? I thought
you'd like to see him."
A pause.
Eyes, If fathers asleep Of course
you can get away without his knowing
1t. All right. In just fifteen minutes.
And, mother; I'll let you know the first
thing in the morning what we intend to
do about staying here. Good-by."
The man at the extensions slowly re-
linquished the receiver and straighten-
ed up. A little frown wrinkled his
forehead. He took out his watch and
glanced at it and laid it on the table.
Hhen he drew q quick breath.
So his son-in-law was the manager
the rival concern was counting on. His
son-in-law. He moistened his dry lips.
This was q queer world.
And his wife was worried about him,
waszshe? The business had grown too
big for him to handle alone. He need
ed someone he could trust and with
whom he could share the responsible
ity. did he?
He made a queer little clicking noise
IN his throat. It might have meant In
credulity, it might have mean con-
tempt.
And yet what she had said was quite
true.
Il am sorry l heard that" he NUT
tered. "What Is 1t about listeners hear
ing no good Of themselves? But I'm
glad I listened-I'm glad I listened"
He looked at his hands. whats the
matter with me?" he growled. I'm all
a-tremble."
He arose and went to the dresser
and carefully smoothed his hair. Then
he settled his black tie and brushed an
imaginary feck of dust from his coat.
When he turned from the dresser he
picked up his watch, glanced at it
and thrust it into his pocket.
VNh0~ 10 want fo tho door ord or,
tiously opening it stood at the threshr
old and listened.
Presently he heard his wife enter
the hall below. He knew her soft foot
fall. Then he heard the outer door
cautiously open and close.
He waited a moment or two.
Then he carefully descended the
stairs, walking lightly, and found his
hat and passed out looking up and
dowI, the street very much as If hs
feared detection.
He could see the figure of his wife
hurrying along several blocks ahead Of
him, and he was quite sure she
wouldn't recognize him, even If she
turned to see If she was followed
which wasn't likely.
Then she disappeared around the
corne of a cross street and the man
quickened his pace.
When he reached the corner he
moved more slowly.
There was the baby carriage, and the
smiling white capped nurse bending
| over one side Of it, and his wife bend:
ing over the other.
They didn't hear his approach, he
had moved so quietly.
He stood watching the little group
for a moment.
Whose baby is that?" he asked, alb
ruptly.
His wife looked up with a quick
start. Her face suddenly flushed. But
an unaccustomed CLINT shone in her
teary eyes.
This is Miles baby-my grand
son." she answered, with gentle dig
nifty.
LET me look at him." he sharply or
dered.
His wife moved away a little, and
l Tie Willie CuppCu AuASC SLuACO dL ullH
in some alarm.
He looked down at the child.
"Hullo, Robert he said.
His wife gave a quick gasp.
The child stared up at him and sud-
denly smiled.
He stopped a little and gently touch
ed the rounded cheek with his finger
tip.
Then he stepped back and caught
hold Of the buggy handle.
"Wh-where are you going, RObert"
stammered his wife.
He tried to frown, but the corners
Of his mouth would twitch.
I'm going to take my grandson
home to his mother" he said. ASK the
girl to show US the way."-Pennsyt
vania Grit.
On Moving Day.