The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1911-08-17
Whose Baby?



three years he had known bis vif
she had never looked quite so youni
and childlille as she did this morning
Her delicate face, nearly as whit
as the pillow on which 1t lay, appear
ed almost infantile in its sweet purit,
of outline. The soft hair, parted auC
falling over her shoulders in two
golden braids. looked far from matron
! ly and the man had fairly to pinch
himself in order to realize that the
little pink-faced bundle in the curve o.
the slender. girlish arm was not d
dream.
Margaret, darling" he said, as he
kissed her you are so pale. Are S'ou
dreadfully tired? Have too many $50
pie been in to see you this m.fn
ing?"
No I'm not really tired, Frank
but" The voice faltered and
broke with 2 trenaulous little sob.
why. Margaret, what is wrong?
Don't you like the nurse? Is"
THE nurse is all kindness. I'm
just silly. that's all"
Out Wudt are you silly ABOUT
I'm not going to tell you, dear
You would think me too foolish if
did. So don't ask me-
The man reached out his hand and
took his wife's small, tapering fingers
In a firm grasp. He felt inexplicably
awkward and helpless. For a few
moments there was silence, broken
only by the amusingly audible breath
ing of the tiny sleeper. Then the wife
withdrew her hand from her husbands
and rather violently dabbed her eyes
Margaret. what is it that troubles
you? You must tell me, dear"
I'm such a goose. I can't help
feeling badly"
You're just nervous, then? Shall
go away and send nurse in? But
she said could stay a half-hour"
There was q note of disappointment in
his voice
"Of course you can stay, Frank
won't be such baby. Any one might
think you had two babies" She smiled
mistily and tried to stop her tears
The husband took the fimsy little
~ hsAhbACl Sli4NA ltOAAl uSl nd4Q anu
then he tenderly dried her checks
with bis own more practical one.
Il should like to know what makes
you unhappy. Maybe if | knew could
do something to stop it,"
mo, nobody can stop it. That's the
trouble. 1t seems to me that I can't
stand it any longer
The man half rose from his seat by |
the bed. Il think I'd better 60" he
said. I'm afraid you're getting ex
cited and feverish. Your face is flush.
ing"
mo. l don't want you to go. Be. /
sides. if you move round the room
now, you might wake Francis
Very well, dear l want to stay
here with you and Francis as long as
I'm permitted. Even If the nurse
won't let me hold him. that youngster
S my boy"
That's what everybody says That's
What makes me SO unhappy"
Makes you unhappy"
Yes; everybody who comes in here
o see Francis says he's your baby"
'Well?"
'Well-now, this morning your Aunt
Sarah came in and she exclaimed.
Just think of our Frank having a son!'
then yesterday your mother brought
/. the old doctor and he looked at
francis and chuckled, Well well, SO
hat lad Frank has boy of his owni'
When Miss Geraldine Harvey was
hown Francis she said, with great
cal of feeling, So this is really
ranks baby! And every friend and
eighbor and relative who. has been in
ere has mentioned ecstatically that
rancis is your baby while not one
ingle person has said anything about
is being my baby. and be just is
line.
Il just wish | were home at
athers! Then maybe people would
ay. So this is Margaret's babyr"
Indeed, they would" said the hus-
and, laughingly And I should be
orribly jealous. !
Nov, Frank. you know | didn't
ant to tell you all this--this non
'nse i knew you'd think me silly"
No, you're not silly-not bit '
cure the dearest little girl-mother S
the world But, look | think that
argaret's baby is waking up'' C