The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-18
TIE EVENING STORY
Baby Cupid.
[By Littell McClung.l ]

with f1irtatiOuS laugh
Let's see! Why you've known me
only month"; the pretty widow OBJ
l5ected. You've never even seen the
, rest of the family!"
You mean Henry?" he said.
"Of course 1 mean Henryi' she ex-
Iclaimed. who else could I mean?
THE very idea of your starting to pro-
lpose to me, Mr.. Barton, without ever
Ihaving seen Henry. The man who lives
me must love him, too. He must think
that Henry is the handsomest, finest
little fellow in the world.
-Oh, you don't realize what such a
baby as Henry means to a young moth
Ter. He is her joy, her hope, her life,
Mr.. Barton The man she loves must
share her feelings about her chfld-you
understand, don't your
The man nodded.
But how am 1 to share your love
for the chiId-how am 1 ever to meet
lhinl-if you don't give me the chance?"
| he demanded. Il call in the evening,
and the nurse is Just putting him to
bed. stop by in the afternoon and
you and Henry have gone out for
ride.
! Something always happens to keep
Henry out of my sight. I've about come
to believe that he is a myth, a prattling
phantom that willfully eludes me-"
| How can you, Mr.. Barton, use the
word 'pratting' when speaking of Hen
| ry?" she demanded, trying to keep
a serious face. 1.-THE little dear doesn't
prattle-he tallzsi"
"Indeed?" he exclaimed. ST hardly
thought he was old enough to
| Certainly he's old enough" she in
terrupted- He can say mama just
beautifully, and at present I'm concen-
trating my energies on getting him to
say dear mama and nursie' and 9TH
| The light of inspiration flashed over
James Burton's face.
"Why don't you teach him my
name % he asked eagerly. ''Its very
| o. a Syy-iI1Sf Tim know. Then when
Henry and I do get acquainted, Wen
| start on terms of friendship without
any preliminariesi''
ooh, what an ideay' she cooed.
'why. of course Henry shall be taught
| to Say-Jim.' -
Barton noticed with a thrill the
blush that tinged aIteh her r. fheeR fhe even as
''WeH, when shall I see him 2'' he
asked. Let me make an engage
ment with you and Henry"
"Let me see-this Is the twentieth,
isn't it?" she unused. "WelI, on the
first of next month"; in the afternoon,
the, the Young Mothers club meets at
my house. You can come around then
and have tea with us. Henry will be
wearing his best frock in your honor.
"Fine and dandy!" declared Barton,
as he lifted his hat in farewell. "I'n
be on hand, Mrs. Kenton, you may be
on the eventfuI afternoon Barton
came, as he had said, a smile of con-
hdence lighting his face-a smile that,
alas, faded as quickly as the blush of a
debutante.
Mrs. Kenton greeted him with a
warm handclaSp, and the next moment
he found himself in drawing room
filed with young women. He was the
only man in sight, and his knees trem-
bIed as the rapid-f1re introductions
began.
of "oh,' delighted" and chow charm
ing'' and came through with face un-
flushed. 7t
Tea was served and the meeting
gave promise of passing off pleasantly
enough. But the blow fell when the
president, a middle-aged woman with
a twinkle of humor in her, arose for
the first formal announcement
Ladies' she said mildly, several
of US, as is our custom, have brought
our children with us-the proper thing
for young mothers to do. These chill
dren, as you are aware, are upstairs in
care of two of our most loyal mothers
each of US has listened with
patience, be it said. to praises of an
others prodigy. But now we are pre-
pared to learn the truth. There IS a
gentleman in our midst He shall see
the children, and make formal report
to US to which is the prettiest!"
Barton's heart went right down into
his Satent feathers as he turned upon
Mrs Kenton with look of unfor-
giving reproach-
Really L didn't do it!" she whis-
pered. Its one of the surprises the
club always springs on the hostess
'pon my soul it is!''
There was no doubling the incerity
of her tone, and Barton. summoning |
to his aid every fiber of his courage,
rose to protest. The quick eyed |
president divinded his intention and |
she gave him no chance to utter |
word. /
'The young gentleman may wish to
protest that he is not good judge |
It'll cI1 fhY1f
cannot listen to him. We all feel sure
that he is a man of judgment and |
courage. and that he will do what we
ask of him.
A dozen smiles were suppressed as
a dozen heads nodded approval. Bar
tons eyes flashed. for the humor of
the situation had not appealed to
him.
81 shall not protest, ladies' he said
with crliet determination "On the
contrary, I shall be very glad to pick
out the prettiest baby for you. And
Furthermore, 1 am prepared to face
the consequences, whatever they may
be!'
a committee to escort Barton to the
Soon he was the center of
six contented infants. who were
toddling and crawling about over the1
floor in care of two guardian
mothers.
The impromptu nurses were sworn
to secrecy, and Barton was given a
long blue ribbon to tie on the arm of
the baby he thought the prettiest.
Then he was left alone with the in
fants.
He realized full well that while it
all might be huge joke with the
mothers, for him it was about the most
serious moment of his life.
eff 1 miss giving this ribbon to
Beth Kenton's baby. the chances are s
she'll never speak to me again." he