The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-03
TM EHEMzNG STORY

Incubated Romance.
(By Dorothy Blackmore.)
George Cook looked over the morn
ing mail as it lay ON the breakfast Ia
BILE beside his fngerbowl. There
were several letters for him, one for
his sister and one for his mother. At
his mothers request he was attending
to her correspondence. while she was
away on q visit, and he promptly
opened the envelope addressed to her.
The communication was from the
directors Of a large hospital and tts
contents were particularly interesting
to the young man reading them. 1t
put into his possession bit OF infor-
nation regarding his very early life.
and he wondered why his mother had
never hold him of it. He finished the
letter and then reread it.
1.-The directors of the hospital" 1t
ran In part, ARE planning a celebra-
ton in honor Of the dftieth anniver-
sary Of the laying of its cornerstone.
Among the interesting things ar
ranged for the week will be a reunion
Of tho incubator children 1t has taken
care OF and sent out into tho world.
We have q record of the birth of a
son to you. George Cooke, on Nov. 26.
1887. II he il now living and can flnd
It convenient to be here during our
celebration week we will be glad to
pay his expenses to and from this
city,
"I'n CO." said the young man to
himself when he had finished the let
| ter. Funny mother never told me
| was an incubator baby"
That day he wrote to his mother
and inclosed the letter from the hos
pital. He told her Of his intention
and asked her to Join him and attend
1HA h - In
tended to take his vacation at about
| that season of the year. and as he had
planned no trip in particular this ono
would be novel and interesting.
wen show them that I'm very
much alive, won't we, m0ther?" he
asked. when some weeks later he
Joined her on the way to the eastern
| city where he was born.
"And none the worse for your early
days in the small glass house. my
son." returned Mrs. Cooke proudly,
looking at the tall young man at her
side.
IT wonder If there will be many
graduates there?" he laughed.
| Graduates? What a name for
them. George! Well, remember
several little ones who were there
while you were growing strong in the
care Of the good nurses. I might
even remember the n mes II heard
them again."
"And no doubt I'll meet one or two
fond parents who will remember lit
| tie George Cooke Ell, mother?".
Mrs Cooke nodded.
On the day of the reception to for
mer incubator babies George and his
mother sought the hospital with
pleasurable anticipation. The young
man had attended class reunions. fra
ternity reunions. and even family re-
i hut
| dated too far back for him to remem-
Der any of his colleagues.
The guests ranged from young men
and young women of his own age to
children OF one. two and three years.
But George was particularly inter-
ested in looking up and meeting the
| "graduates'' who had been in the in
cubators when he was there.
Through an old surgeon, a friend
Of his mother. he was presented to
Virginia Lawson. q tall. slender girl.
'You. too?" she asked. showing two
dimples in two pink cheeks.
Yes: don't You remember me9'' the
The old surgeon left them together, and
| at least one Of them decided that he did
not care whether or not he met other
pretty young woman would keep him
busy during the reunion days.
Mother thonght It was very silly OF
had strolled out together to view the
i grounds about the great stone buildings
And nv mother had never even told
me OF my fragile beginnin&." young Cooke
explained. TT was only through my hav-
ing opened the letter from the directors
that learned of It. Something promptly
intent Of purpose.
Love Of adventure-novelty Of situation
hrcusht me-" said vireinia-
asked