The Democratic advocate., 1909-03-05
Baby Cupid.
BY LITTELL rF'CLUNc.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.
BY LITTELL M'CLUNG.

A~N DN~h " -eSt - - s-ANf'~~ r%@~
only a month" the pretty widow OBJ
1peted. You've never even seen the
nest Of the familyF'
"You mean HenryT' be said.
~Of course mean Henryi' she ex-
Claimed. "Who else could meant
The very IDEA OF your starting to pro-
pose to me. Mr.. Barton, without ever
having seen Henry. The man who
AOves me must love him too. He must
think that Henry is the hands0mest,
finest kttie fellow In the world.
"Oh, you don't realize what such a
baby as Henry means to young
mother. He Is her joy, her hope, her
ltfe, Mr.. Barton. The man she loves
must share her feelings about her
child. You understand, don't youT
The man nodded.
"But how am ! to share your love
for the child how am | ever to meet
him-if you don't give me the chancef"
be demanded. II call in the evening.
and the nurse is just putting him TO
bed. l stop by in the afternoon, and
Pou and Henry have gone out for
ride.
Something always happens to keep
Henry out Of my sight. rye about
come to believe that he Is myth, a
prattling phantom that wilifuiiy eludes
me-"
~How can you, Mr.. Barton. use the
word prattiing' when speaking OF
HenryT" she demanded, trying to keep
q serious face. 'The little dear doesn't
pFattle-he talksg'
"Indeed?" he exclaimed. II hardly
thought he wns old enough to-
certainly he's old enough" she in
terrupted. "IIe can say mamma just
beautifully, and at present I'm conceD.
pating my energies on getting him TO
say dear mamma and 'nursie' and
other necessary words"
The light OF inspiration flashed over
James Barton'g face.
"Why don't you teach him my
namer' he asked eagerly. "Its very
easy-just Jim, you know. Then when
Henry and I do got acquainted wen
Start on terms Of friendship without
any preliminariesr'
~0h. what an dear she cooed.
'why, of course Henry shan be taught
10 say-Jim."
Barton noticed with q thrill the
blush that tinged her cheek even ms
her tongue hesitated at the name.
swell. when shan I see himT' he
asked. LET me make an engagement
with You and Henry"
"Let me see-this Is the 10th, isn't
~" she unused. well, on the lst
Of next month. In the afternoon. the
the Young eMothers club meets AT
my house. You can come around then
and have tea with ua. Henry viii be
wearing h sbest frock IN your honor.
Slime and dandyr declared Barton
as he lifted his hat In farewell. 'TTf
be on hand. Mrs. Kenton, you may be
sure"
On the eventfui afternoon Barton
came, as he had said, a smile Of conf.
dence lighting his face-a smile that.
alas. faded Ms quickly as the blush Of
a debutante.
Mrs. Kenton greeted him with n
warm hand clasp, and the next mo.
ment he found himself in a drawing
room filed with young women. He
was the only man in sight, and his
knees trembled as the rapid iire intro
ductions began.
But he faced, like hero, the chorC
Of "Oh" "Delightedr' and How charm
ing' and came through with face un
flushed
Tea was served and the meeting
gave promise of passing OF pleasantly
enough. But the blow fell when the
president, middle aged woman with
twinkle Of humor in her eye, arose
for the first formal announcement.
Ladies'" she said mildly, 'several
OF US, as La our custom, have brought
our children with us-the proper thing
Tor young mothers to do. These chill.
qren, as you are aware. are upstairs
IN care Of two Of our most loyal motb.
srs.
Zach Of us has listened with pa.
tience, be II said, to praises Of anotn.
er's prodigy. But now we are prepar
ed to learn the truth. There is gen
uempn In our midst he shall see tbe
children and make formal report to us
as to which is the prettiest!''
Barton's heart went right down into
his patent feathers as he turned upon
Mrs. Kenton with look Of unforgiy.
ing reproach.
"Feally, I didn't do itf' she whis-
pered. TITS one Of the surprises the
club always springs on the hostess
'pon my soul 1t isl'
There was no doubling the sincerity
Of her tone, and Barton, summoning
to his aid every fiber of his courage
rose to protest The quick eyed presl.
dent OWNED his intention, and she
gave him no chance to utter word.
"The young gentleman may wish to
protest that he Is not O good Judge O,
children" she declared, "but we can
not listen to him. We all feel sure thai
he is man of judgment and courap,
and that he will do what we ask 81
him"
A dozen smiles were suppressed as
dozen heads nodded approval. n.
toms eye flashed, for the humor of It..
situation had not appealed to him.
II shall not protest. ladies'" he sale
With quiet determination. ION tn
contrary, shall be very glad to picl
out the prettiest baby for you. And
furthermore, am prepared to face tn
consequences, whatever they may bel
The president smiled and appointed
committee to escort Barton to the nurs
cry. Soon he was the center Of slS
contented infants, who were toddllnp