The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-08-05

madam would not breakfast uhfn 9. She was still very sleepy. Would M. Medcroft be good enough to order her coffee and rolls brought to her com partment at that hour? And would he mind seeing that the maid saw to it that RaggIes surely had his biscuit and walk at the next station?
 "Raggies?" quer1ed Brock, passing his hand over his brow. The other shrugged his shoulders and looked askance. "Oh, yes; I understand snnurmured the puzzled one, recovering himself. For the next ten minutes he wondered who Raggles could be.
 He had eaten his strawberries and was waiting for the eggs and coffee, resentfuIly eying the early risers who were now coming in for their coffee and rolls. They had slept He could tell by the complacent manner in which their hair was combed and by the in terest they found in the scenery which he had come, by tedious familiarity, to loathe and scorn.
 The actions ofastwo young women near the door attracted his attention. From their actions he suddenly gather dsthat they were discussing him-and in more or less facetious fashion at that They whispered and looked shy and grfnned in most sdisconcerting manner. He turned red about the ears and began to. wonder hercely why his eggs and coffee were so slow in com ing Then, to his consternatfon. the young women, plainly of the serving class, bore down upon him with abash- ed smiles. He noticed for the first time that one of them was carrying a very small child in her arms. As she came alongside, grinning sheepishIy, she extended the small one toward the astounded Brock, and said in excellent old English:
 Good morning, Mir Medcroft.' ' Then. with a rare Inspiration, "Baby, kiss papa-ccme, now"
 She pushed the infant almost into BrocIz's face. He did not observe that 1t was a beautiful child and that 1t had a look of terror in its eyes. He only knew that he was glaring wildly at the ffendfsh nurse, the truth slowly beating it's way into his be-addled brain. For a full minute he stared as if petr1fed. Then, administering sickly grin, he sought to bring his wits up to the requirements of the extra ordinary situation. He lifted his hand and mumbled: Come, Raggles! haven't biscuit, but here, have a ro1, do. Give me a-a kiss!'' He added the last in most heroic surrender.
 The nurse and the maid stared hard at him. The baby turned in alright to cling closely to the neck of the for mer.
 Good Lord, sir," whispered the nurse, with a nervous glance about her, 'this ain't Raggles, sir. This is 1. Baby
 @sDo you think I'm blind, madam P whispered he savagely. "I can see it's baby, but didn't know there was to be one. Its father didn't mention it to me-
 "It's a wise father that knows his own chi1d,'' said the nurse, with prompt sarcasm.
 q think they should have prepared me for this,'' growled he. 'Is it SUD- posed to be mine? Does-does Mrs Medcroft know about it?''
 You mean about the baby, sir? Of course she does. It's hers. Please don't look so; odd, sir. My word, sir, I didn't know you didn't know it, sir! I wasn't told, was I, O,Brien? There, sir, you see! Mrs. Medcroft said I was to bring Tootles in to you, sir. She said"-
 '"TootlesT murmured Brock. t9Toot- les and Raggles. dare say there's a distinction without much of differ ence. Are you Burtonf''
 'sYeS, MT. Medcroft The nurse. Won't you take baby for a minute, sir? Just to get acquainted and for appear ance's sake" She whispered the we'll meant entreaty. Brock, now we'll into the spirit of the situation, obligingly extended his arms. The baby set up a lusty howl of aversion.
 'sF'or Gods sake, take him back to his mother" groaned Brock hastily. "He doesn't like strangers! Take him away!
 f'It isn't a he, sir,'' whispered the maid as the nurse prepared to beat a hasty retreat with the Medcroft off spring. "It's a her, str''
 Brooks face was a study in perpIex- tty as they hurried from the car
 @'By Georger' he muttered. What nextP'
 That which did come next was even more amazing than the unexpected ad- vent of Tootles. He barely had recov- cred his equanimity-wtth his coffee when a young lady entered the ear. That of itself was not much to speak of, but what followed was something that not even he could have dreamed of if he had been given the chance. He afterward recalled in some distress of mind that his second quick glance at the newcomer developed into little less than 8 rude stare of admiration. Small wonder, let it be advanced in his de fense-
 To be Continued.S