The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-25
The Euenir,g Story

(By Jean Dickerson.)

INC EOn0O0OyS' B0OYs
(By Jean Dickerson.)
1t seemed to Airline Avery that the
Ponsonby's baby had never cried SO
long as it did on this morning of the
day before Christmas.
Then the memorable alarm clock on
thu bureau tore into q nerve shatter-
ing roulade that announced 1t was
high time for little shop girls to be
astir.
Airline reached the breakfast table
just as her landlady, Mrs. johnson.
burst into the dining room, her high
cheek bones red with excitement and
indignation.
"Of all the doingsI never heard!'
What is the matter?" asked the
bOarders in chorus.
| THE Ponsonbys!" AS IL that ex-
planned the whole situation.
"WeH?" snapped Mr.. Welkins.
They've gOne-just as I've always
thought they would some day-and
they've left the baby!"
This was surprising news indeed,
and for a few minutes everybody
talked at once.
line. 81 thought it cried longer than
usual this morning"
And it will cry till doomsday be-
fore I'll 'ay finger on it," retorted Mrs.
johnson, darkly. They owing me
$45 and me not caring about babies
in the house and not telling me they
had a baby and all! I'll telephone the
orphan asylum or the police station
| this minute!"
wait a moment, Mrs. johnson"
said Mr.. Wekins heavily. "Wait a
moment-perhapst the Ponsonbys will
return. and then"
| II guess mott" cried the irate wo-
/ 90
C. hes with them-they sneal<ed out
before daybreak. and that baby
| Airline pushed back her chair and
arose from the table.
1T will go up and hold the baby for
awhile" she said quietly. Its real
cunning and 1t comes to me whenever
| hold out my arms"
You'll lose your job. Miss Avery"
warned Mrs. johnson.
II hardly think So may be a lit
tie late; I am sorry, because 1t Is
Christmas eve and we are busy at the
store-but that blessed baby will
break its little heart screaming. Nav
I have a cup Of milk, please?"
Still grumbling protests, Mrs. john
son brought the milk and Airline went
slowly upstairs to the second floor
back bedroom.
Airline opened the windows and adj
mitted the crisp air with a thin shaft
u SuHSHluC tUdl 1ell across the as
ordered bed where the baby was un-
| comfortably entangled with the bed
clothing.
poor little Peggy" sighed Airline
as she warmed some milk over the
gas jet and washed out the baby's
bottle.
| 1t was a matter of minutes when
the baby was comforted with its bot
tie of milk and afterward gently
placed in the little tub Of warm wa
ter. When the bath was over and
Peggy was fresh and sweet In clean
garments. Airline threw wide the bed
coverings and sat down to rest
A clock on the bureau revealed that
it was o'clock.
She was an hour late-late on
Christmas eve! Arline's heart sank.
Not only would she be fined. but she
might lose her position in the store.
After Christmas would come the
dull season, and she might have diff
Guilty in securing another position.
Still. here was the Ponsonby baby,
forsaken by its unnatural parents and
crying along for protection. Who
else a1A.ong the busy dodgers in that
house would care for the infant?
Airline knew that not one could
spare the time. They were all hard
w-rking 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,
ITS a pretty pass when you can at
ford to risk your job and stay home
and nurse a strange baby"
4 II can't afford to, Mrs. Johnson:
but II was suffering. See how sweet
la good she is now that she has
been fed and bathed. am wonder
ing" hesitatingly, 'if you wouldn't
let her stay down here until I come
home tonight. I'll take care Of her
over Christmas. 1t will be such fun
for me-better than a big Christina
present." Her face flushed brirhfiv
Mrs. johnson hesitated and the,
capitulated. VERY we'll" she said
Rrudgingiy: "she can stay. dare saw
Selma will give her some milk nov
and Them
You are very good" said Airline.
Shall build coy corner for her
| on the couch here? I BROUGHT down
her pillows and b1ankets"
Fix her up to suit yourns:s Nise
Avery-oh. good morning. Mr.. Bennett
had forgotten you said you'd be late thfa
this morning: I'll send Selma in with your
breakfast" She hustled out Of the room.
leaving Airline face to face with q tall.
dark young man. who promptly took both
her hand IN MS ana kissed her.
my dearest" he WHISPERED. whats
al this rus about the babyr
Bennett nodded his head emphatfcaliy
and approved Of everything Airline had
done
7 wish could ten you to let the job 60
raise the fsrst Of the year Td risk Il and
Ia Woilld Ref married. eh Airline -