Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-10-08

foolish pair thought OF was the little
one, whom Mrs. Mum under her
breath fervently christened Edna"
Roth were seated on the front porch
the next afternoon When Cyrus
spoke. his anxtouseyed wife would
silence him with finger to her lips
and the whispered injunction.
Ssh baby is asleep!"
Suddenly. however, Cyrus arose In
a startled fashion TO HIS feet Two
men had entered the yard from the
street, One was policeman. the
other old Peter, The latter was held
by the sleeve by his companion and
looked sheepish and desperate
WAS a baby left here Yesterday"
inquired the officer.
Yes" answered the wondering
Cyrus, I'VE have adopted Il and II
come from the children's aid society.
That man"
This man has told the truth then.
at last" said the policeman. tight.
old Peter WINGED, Come along.
you,"
Yes. but what's all this rumpus
shout" demanded Cyrus
THE mother OF the child will ex-
plain all that when she comes to
take 1t away" answered the officer.
moving away with his captive,
"When-~who-w what Never," cried
Mrs, Mum. wildly, and she rushed
into the house and her husband after
her
Il won't give II up-no one shall
take the dear child away from mel"
she s0hhed and sho threw herself be.
aide the cradle OF the little one and
spread her sheltering arms above 1t,
Cyrus stood gazing at her ruefully
He was keen enough To scent trou.
bic. mystery In the visit OF the police
man and his prisoner. Cyrus con
jectured rightly when he suspected
that old Peter had played some kind
of trick on him
you mustn't take II to heart,
Mary, II the child was never intended
for us"
Wasn't 1t left here. Just as was
agreed" challenged Mrs Mum
Haven't we adopted you. little dar
| ling Iron horses shan't tear yov
from us.'
Cyrus. gazing obliQuely through tn,
front screen door, saw the police of
ilcer reappcar
This Is the house, mn'am," he
spoke and frantic female figure
tore past him, up the steps anc
dragged open the screen door.
Without ceremony she brushed pas
/ Cyrus. so swiftly that he could no
| The child had awakened and its erie,
guided her into the sitting room
MY child" she cried and made
dart for the cradle and snatched III
! the little cherub, nearly knocking
over Mrs Mum
TITS ours retorted the latter. ant
then, catching a sight of the face o
the intruder. she stood stock-still
petrified
The child had Struggled down witt
growing chirp into the clinginl
arms OF its mother Al that mothe
now in turn Cyrus stared spellbound
"Oh, father! Don't YOU see?" burs
forth Mrs Mum. trembling from heat
to foot. her humid eyes fairly devour
ing the stranger
Cyrus regarded his daughter. thel
his granddaughter, the little child Il
her arms. Tho iron will OF year
broke as the child lifted It's arms to
wards him,
1t had been through accident no
by design that old Peter had wheele,
off the first baby he had come acroa
for the moment unguarded
When Cyrus Folded his forgiven
daughter In his arms. there was moth
Ing to explain He asked her fey
questions and put on his hat and re
turned with her husband.
Il said ! wouldn't give up on
baby sobbed the happy Mrs Mum
and | haven't had tot"
And happy hearts made of the plac
so long desolate a happy, happy home
Copyright. 1914, by w. q Chapman)
Military Secret.
FFyn