The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-09-30

foolish pair thought Of was the little
one, whom Mrs. Mum under hel
breath fervently christened Edna
Both were seated on the front porch
the next afternoon. When Cyrus
spoke. his anxious-eyed wife would
silence him with a finger to her lips
and the whispered Injunction.
S-sh-baby is asleep!"
Suddenly. however, Cyrus arose In
q startled fashion to his feet. Two
men had entered the yard from the
street. One was q policeman, the
other old Peter. The latter was held
by the sleeve by his companion and
looked sheepish and desperate.
WAS q baby left here yesterday? p
inquired the officer.
YES" answered the wondering
Cyrus. I'VE have adopted 1t and Il
come from the children's aid society.
That man"
This man has told the truth, then,
at last!" said the policeman, tight.
ening his grip on his prisoner until
old Peter WINGED. Come along,
youi"
Eyes. but what's all this rumpua
about? demanded Cyrus.
"The mother of the child will OK.
plain all that when she comes to
take 1t away" answered the officer,
moving away with his captive.
"When-who-what? Never!" cried
Mrs. Mum, wildly, and she rushed
into the house and her husband after
her
Il won't give 1t up-no one shall
take the dear child away from mel"
she sobbed and she threw herself be-
side the cradle of the little one and
spread her sheltering arms above it.
Cyrus stood gazing at her ruefully.
He was keen enough to scent trou.
BILE, mystery in the visit of the police
man and his prisoner. Cyrus con.
5ectured rightly when he suspected
that old Peter had played some kind
OF a trick on him.
You mustn't take 1t to heart.
Mary. II the child was never intended
for u.s."
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 you
from us!"
Cyrus, gazing obliquely through the
front screen door, saw the police Of.
dcer reappear.
This Is the house, ma'am," he
spoke and frantic female figure
tore past him. up the steps and
dragged open the screen door.
Without ceremony she brushed past
Cyrus, 80 swiftly that he could not
catch a distinct view Of her face.
The child had awakened and its cries
guided her into the sitting room.
my child" she cried and made a
dart for the cradle and snatched up
the little cherub. nearly knocking
over Mrs. Mum.
Its ours" retorted the latter, and
then. catching a sight of the face Of
the intruder, she stood stock-still,
petrified.
The child had snuggled down with
q Growing chirp into the clinging
arms Of its mother. At that mother
now in turn Cyrus stared, spellbound.
oh. father! Don't you seer" burst
forth Mrs. Mum, trembling from head
to foot. her humid eyes fairly devour.
Ing the stranger
Cyrus regarded his daughter, then
his granddaughter, the little child in
her arms. The iron will of years
broke as the child lifted its arms to.
wards him.
It had been through accident. not
by design that old Peter had wheeled
on the first baby he had come across
for the moment unguarded.
When Cyrus folded his forgiven
daughter in his arms, there was moth.
ing to explain. He asked her a few
questions and put on his hat and re-.
turned with her husband.
Il said wouldn't give up our
baby" sobbed the happy Mrs. Mum,
and I haven't had to-"
And happy hearts made of the place
30 long desolate happy, happy home,
Copyright. 1914. by W. g. Chapman)