The Washington herald., 1914-12-25

busy lodges in that house would care
for the infant?
Airline knew that not one could spare
| the time. They were all hardworking
people, and most of them had complained
bitterly about the baby.
Airline took the baby in her arms and
went down to the basement
Well" CALCULATED Mrs. johnson, as
she met Airline in the dining-room- It's
a pretty pass when you can AFFORD to
risk your job and stay at home and nurse
a strange baby!'
Il can't AFFORD to, Mrs. Johnson; but
! it was suffering. See how sweet and
good she Is now that she has been fed
and bathed. ! am wondering" hesitat-
here until I come home tonight III
take care Of her over Christmas. II
will be such fun for me-better than a
big Christmas present." Her face iush~
ed brightly.
Mrs. johnson hesitated and then capi-
tulated. Very well.'' she said, grudg-
ingly: she can stay. I dare say Selma
Will give her some milk now and then !"
You are very good" said Arine.
Shall build a cozy corner for her
on the couch here: ! brought down her
pillows and blankets"
Fix her up to suit yourself, Miss
| Avery-Oh. good morning. Mr.. Bennett
l had forgotten you said you'd be late
this morning; I'll send Selma in with
your breakfast" She hustled out OF
the room. leaving Airline face to face
with tall dark young man, who
promptly took both her hands in his and
kissed her
My dearest" he whispered. What's
all this fuss about the baby"
Airline told him in a few words, and
Jim Bennett nodded his head emphaticaI-
ly and approved of everything Airline
had done.
Il wish 1 could tell you to let the jor
go hang" he said. IF j could only
get a raise the first OF the year I'd risk
IL and We would get married, eh, Airline 80
IF they make IL a thousand a year.
Jim, wouldn't be afraid to try it, but
you know you have to pay for your
uncle's board in the home, and / would
only be a burden. We are happy now"
"A boarding house isn't home" he re-
torted, as he sat down at the table.
When Selma had clumped back to the
kitchen Jim managed a smile at his
hancee, chuckled at the baby Growing
in the corner with a few toys, and then
burst into sudden laughter.
Dear, I've got great - heme"' he
exclaimed. Let's get up Christmas
tree for the Ponsonbys' baby and invite
all the beaneaters-hey?"
Wouldn't 1t be fun" "a
"A present for every one OF 'em-shall
We missNt out of the home tTnd, dtarT'
Nothing. that will briug happiness
will be missed, Jim," she rouroved him.
"Right-o, grille! Then I'll meet You
at supper time and we'll do some shop
ping. can do the rest right In your
store and consult you from C!Ine to time.
I'll get a little Christmas tree tonight
and in the morning there'n lie a great
time in the house OF Johnson-eh. nld
sport?" Jim picked up the gurgIsng baby
tossed 1t to the ceiling, kissed 1t shame
facedly and gave il to airline. ''Cute
little beggar. isn't it?"
TITS a perfect darling" said Airline.
happily.
All through the hard-drivcn day Ar
line thought Of Peggy POasonby and
the glorious time they were 10 have over
ChristmaA 1t would seem qul:e like old
times at home, before she was obliged
to come to New York and make her way
alone In the world. There had been lone-
ly Christmas seasons until the last one,
when she became engaged to Jim Ben
nett-and now this Christmas was to be
enlightened by the presence OF the baby.
How could the Ponsonbys ever have
parted with their own child?
That question was not answered until
the ncxt morning. Christmas Eve found
Airline without her position in the store,