Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-12-22

cute little bows.
Mrs. Anterior was the first to recov-
or her wits.
Don" she said in a Mortified tone.
What do you mean by this dreadful
joke"
Il don't know, mother; honestly l
don't" he expostulated. Where In
thunder is Aunt Celia's cakeY
Never mind the cake, my son. Tell
me, where did this baby come FROM
Search me-" he retorted sharply.
Mother, when Aunt Celia gave me the
bandbox it contained a cake-a fruit
cake. Now find it's babyv
Some one must have put 1t in here
for a Joke" declared Mrs. Anterior,
bending over the box and touching
tentative finger to the round cheek.
ITS perfect darling, Don. l believe
I'll take 1t out"
Don't drop 1t, mother" he cautioned.
The mother Of Ave daughters and a
son looked scornfully at him before she
lifted the baby from its lacy pillows
and allowed its little head to drop into
the hollow Of her arm.
Don, gazing at her, saw that his
mothers arms were made to cuddle
babies, and he felt that there might be
difficulty in persuading his mother to
part with it.
She had been confessedly lonesome
since the last daughter had married
and gone away.
The baby was making playful clutch.
es at Mrs. Atherton's beautiful white
hair, but its blue eyes wandered around
the room as If searching for some be-
loved and familiar object.
ut wants its mother" remarked Don.
Mrs. Atherton came back to the pres
ent with an indignant start.
Its mother" she shifted. "a nice
sort Of creature she must be to dcliber.
ately abandon her child! l have heard
Of such cases, and simple men are
usually the victims.
Don Atherton. tell me truly did not
some woman ask-you to hold her child,
and when she did not come back did
you not take out the fruit cake and
substitute the baby?"
II did not" Don denied hotly. Then
he related. incident by incident, how he
had boarded the train at Red Top. had
placed Aunt Celia's bandbox on a seat
and gone into the smoker and at the
last moment had returned for his be-
longings
"You are sure you have your own
overcoat and bag" asked Mrs. Ather-
ton anxiourly.
Don looked toward the couch where
he had tossed them, and his eyes Wild
ened in growing horror. Instead Of
his own travel worn black bag was a
dainty affair silver trimmed and dis
tinctly feminine, and instead Of his
own topcoat was woman's long black
cloak.
Good heavens, mother, look at
THAR he gasped. II must have made
a frightful mistaken
"You have agreed Mrs. Anterior
grimly. "I.ook at that bandbox, Don.
See the row Of holes around the cover?
To give air to this unfortunate child.
But why should woman want to carry
a baby in handbook"
Search mew muttered Don for the
second time.
"You must go right down to the sta
ton and report what you have DONE"
"Of course-I'll telephone first" He
moved toward the instrument
He dropped the receiver as hurried
tap sounded at the door, and serv-
ants frightened face appeared.
Behind her were other faces and q
confused murmur of voices.
please, Mrs. Atherton, the-the po-
lice are here. They want Mr.. Don"
she gasped.
A blue uniformed figure pushed past
her and entered the room.
pardon me, madam, but am look
ing for Donald Atherton, wanted on
a charge of Kidnapping
II am Donald Atherton," interrupted
the young man, coming forward.
"Here Is the baby-it was all mis-
take, oficer-an exchange Of belong
ings-I had a bandbox with a fruit
cake In It, and
>"Oh, baby. baby!' interrupted a
sweet, glad voice, and the officer was
thrust aside as a slender, black gown
ed figure rushed in.
As she came, she dropped big flow
cred bandbox at Don's feet.
Here is your horrid old cake" she
flung at him as she passed.
Reluctantly Mrs. Atherton transfer
red the baby to the eager young arms,
and 1t chung to her with little blissful
gurgles.
The others watched her as she Groom
ed over the baby-the two policemen,
the startled maidservant strange
footman who carried Don's bag and
overcoat, Mrs. Atherton and Don him
self.
Don thought he had never seen a
fairer picture. The girl was so beau
t1ful. Her black garments enhanced
the purity Of her complexion. and
strands of red gold hair curled under
her hat brim.
Tho nnliceman couphed Significantly.