The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-27
The Euenine Story
oshkosh. Wis

The Euening Story
Elsa Takes Charge.
(By Catherine Coope.)
"All you have to do" said Elsa's
sister as she swung into her opera
cloak. "is to heat up his food IL he
cries. I have left it m the iceb0x all
ready" Kitty kissed her baby as he
braced Elsa before she left for the
theater with her husband.
Good practice for you, Elsa" Bob
by had called as q parting sally.
But Elsa did not smile as she
turned back into the house, deserted
save for q tiny atom of humanity and
herself. She was not accustomed to
fearful OF the moment when kitty's
infant would awake and demand at
tention. However. he might sleep
quietly until his parents returned from
the theater.
Elsa tried to become absorbed in a
magazine. She could not. however.
think Of anything but her small
charge, and each time his little hands
tossed about in sleep her breath was
suspended. When once he caught his
own breath Elsa's heart almost ceased
beating, 80 fearful was she OF conse-
uuences All sounds were augmented
in the stiffness OF the night. Every
appalling catastrophe that could pos
sible happen flashed wildly before Ter
distorted vision.
Her restlessness eventually suggest
ed itself to the baby. He stirred.
opened his eyes and from a soft whim-
per developed a most lusty roar.
and took him into her arms. Ter at
tempts at quieting him had no effect.
Baby continued to cry and his small
face became deep purple in his rage.
Elsa put him down and wit into the
kitchen to heat his milk. 1t must
sooner was he left to himself than his
bowling became more intense and
Elsa dashed back. frantic with fear.
| She forgot about the milk. ana mo-
ment later a suffering sound told her
that it had boiled up and over the
stove.
Elsa was ready to weep with nerv-
business and vowed never again to be
left in charge Of q tiny infant with
her limited experience. She put the
baby down, rushed into the kitchen
and turned out the gas, but the milk
had boiled over and there was no
more in tho house. Elsa's conception
Of baby food consisted entirely OF
cows milk Without that baby could
not eat. She therefore determined
| to go out before the dairy closed end
get some. Fortunately. for the mo
ment, Bobby Junior was less noisy:
ELSA went quickly out and q gust OF
wind slammed the door shut.
"Oh!' gasped Elisa. I'm locked
QUIT" Thoroughly frightened. she ran
swiftly around the house to find
every door and window locked. Bobby
had taken every precaution against
intruders before going to the theater.
troubled brain that Kitty had once
mentioned having very pleasant
neighbors on the north side Of her
own house.
It was a very wild-eyed and dis
door when Norman Roscoe opened 1t
heveled girl who stood outside the
in response to her imperious knock.
Have you any milk and win you
please come over and try to get me
into my sisters house?" Elsa asked
quickly.
! The young man eyed Elsa with a
lpeculiarly suspicious glance. His eye
brows went up and az they came down
her figure.
I'm not a thief and I'm not mad, u
cried Elsa impatientiy, .'and II you
don't intend to help me out OF my
predicament I will have to find some
one who can" She would have turned
away, but Roscoe's hand detained
her.
i what is your trouble asain?" hi
questioned.
THE wind slammed the door shu,
when I came out to get some milk
land can't get in and the baby Il
/, crying at the top Of his voice.
wait q second" said Roscoe, and
| Vvnnt into the h0rRa ia had hAa ~
Bobby Juniors strenuous voice, and II
had scattered the doubt he had har>
} bored against the girl. He returned II
a moment with a bottle of baby food
i've keep these on tap" he told Elss
, as he put it into her hands
! It's ice cold,'' said Elsa, because she
: did not know exactly what she was
talking about so anxious was she t.
pacify Bobby Junior.
IT'S been in the icebox," Roscoe in
formed her dryly. You put 1t in ho
water before giving It to the baby.
he added, wondering II DO lovely q cir
were entirely lacking in maternal in
stinct Il suppose you would have
given it to him like that"
Very probably" agreed Elsa. and
found that her anxiety permitted
slow smile to dawn in her eyes. 'Yo,
see know nothing whatever abou
very young boys" She glanced side
ways at him and wondered whethes h,
were the father Of five or two.
"Oh, no - laughed Roscoe May
DO allowed to infer that your interes
in older ones has warranted you II
: neglect1ng1" .=s~
you may infer anything you like s.
/. long as you get me inside this house
Elsa told him as she stood beside tn
locked door of her sisters home. Sc
think we will have to smash a win
9 dow
Z The youngster certainly has an ex