The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-03-17
The BABY
BY OLIVE BARTON.

Inc great singer was spending ner
short vacation in an unusual way.
1t might be said also that It had been
none of her own choosing. What did
she know of baby food, or mending
holes in Johnnie's stockings as big as
buckwheat cakes? How did she know
how many days Flossie should wear
the same petticoat?
The whole three we're in bed now,
and the great singer relaxed luxu-
riously She knew no one in the
town, so there was little danger of
callers
Her thoughts were as busy as the
fingers OF the little maid Of all work.
now doing dishes audibly In the
kitchen she WGs thinking how odd
II was for her TO be- there at all
A telegram had been responsible.
Sister Jane and her husband William
had been called away by trouble in
Williams family There had been no
one else to ask to look after the chill
dren She had never even seen the
baby!
Steps suddenly sounded on the
little front porch like so many bangs
on a bass drum TIllie, out in the
kitchen. heard and was at the door
before her temporary mistress could
stop her.
rs this where Miss Farrell is stay
tng?" asked a mans voice.
Joel" exclaimed Miss Farrell i'm.
patiently. "Will he never learn that
there isn't a BIT of use in chasing
after me. wherever I goH"
Joe stamped of the snow noisily
and came inside. He came in big,
glowing and clumsy The little room
seemed full before he got farther than
the doorway. Peggy: in her chair be-
fore the fire. half turned-just enough
for him to see the top-loftical express
sion.
coming forward.
Good evening, joe" evenly. You
chose a nice night to come so far.
Won't you sit DOWN."
Joe sat down on the other side of
the fireplace. you look awfully
sweet, Peggy. Aren't you glad to see
me7"
mol" deliberately.
II wouldn't have come-only
thought of something after-after
we'd been talking the other night"
She didn't answer
You see" shifting uneasily. "if you
would marry me. you could go ahead
with your singing just the same as
ever. You could sing Just as well as
Margaret Farrell Sturtevant, as you
can as Margaret Farrell Now.
couldn't you? That wouldn't be in
terfering with your career. would It?
and, Peggy. you used to care a little
for mel"
She watched the fire a minute, re-
lenting. IT'S hard to be cross with
you. Joe. You just won't let people.
will you? I'm going to be extra nice
now and explain
You see, Joe. your plan won't work
for hundred reasons. You love a
home. You're a regular home man
If there ever was one. can't make
home. It isn't in me, | hate every
thing about house love my music
better than anything ON earth and |
can't give 1t up"
W nat sllt IthllN meant was Inat the
intoxication of public homage was a
sensation she would not care to re-
nounce.
IAN right. my girl, you're the doc.
tori" Joe got up and looked at his
watch. Il didn't suppose it was much
use, but I thought I'd make one more
try. l won't bother you again. ever.
Goodnight, Peggy, I've Just time for
my train"
He was gone, Peggy turned out
the light and sat watching the fire.
81 guess I'll get the baby her bottle
and go to bed" She yawned.
A week passed Peggy was getting
expert ON mending kneeless stockings,
sorting clothes and bathing babies. 1t
never seemed to be bother any more
Then one night the baby got sick. very
sick.
The doctor and trained nurse hast.
lily summoned took it philosophically,
saying there was an equal chance of
life and death But Peggy. poor,
white, stricken thing. never leaving
the side of the little crib thought the
world was ending.
Morning brought a change for the
better. The baby would live! Peg
gy slipped silently away to her room
and sat thinking In the cold. wintry
dawn