The Monte Vista journal., 1915-05-08


finger clamped about the one he had
dmorously thrust appeasingly toward
the arbitrary infant might have had
something to do with this astonishing
state Of affairs. As from q long ways
on he heard the gurglings rise into
penetrating wall And then the
laugh OF Mary.
He wants to 60 to you, Mr.. White.
| never knew him to make up with
strangers-with anyone before He
wants you"
Jim laughed, laughed to conceal
the choking that CONSTRUCTED his
throat
Pm afraid I'll drop him." he
laughed, even as his arms awkwardly
cupped to receive the child.
Drop him! You hold him Just
like he was your own!"
Jim Whites heart almost stopped
beating, even as his arms clune
tighter to the one who had come tc
lin. Perfectly satisfied, Billie was
making a closer study of this man
creature he had decided to adopt
Unwinkingly his eyes studied the face
That looked down at him with such
fierce hungering. And then, slowly.
ever so slowly. his arms moved up
along the great chest and pair of
rather sticky hands crept along the
cheeks and finally the arms clasped
about the neck, while the eyes closed
gently and Billie slept.
well. l never saw the beat-Sam.
l wisht you'd look at"
Mary caught the annoyed express
sion on Ritas face as she turned and
spoke to her husband. He did not
hear her, wrapt In his eager study of
the slumbering babys face. She felt
sudden fierce jealousy consuming
her. as she caught the expression of
this man she seemed unacquainted
with, this man who held child to
his breast so perfectly, with such an
expression Of unalloyed happiness
upon his face. Something dawned
upon her, with that intuition which
seems given women to amend for
certain lack of logic, which her hus-
band would never have found out
that the perfect happiness that had
been hers through this man was due
to the paternal instinct in him that
made him delight In treating her as
child, to be humored and pampered
and spoiled.
Come, JIM" she said softly. strlv
n
sympathetic, I'VE must hurry now"
Reluctantly he returned Billie to
the mother Rita noticed that for
few steps he moved on tip-toe, as
though fearful Of waking the child.
Diffidently, yet with certain curious
firmness, he led her to the library,
seating her in his favorite chair and
perching himself boyishly upon the
arm of 1t, his arms about her.
mo wonder Sans got good dis
position" he said finally.
She braced herself instinctively.
Il sometimes wonder IL home can
be home at all without baby" he
murmured, more to the sympathetic
flames than to her. Il remember how
my mother always thought of me as
her baby, even after l was in col
lege."
Rita leaned forward, drawing his
hand about her neck and fOndling it
soothingly.
Don't you ever think-Rita, don't
you ever wish there was baby In
l. lou, Il 10,
words bit stumbling now as though
he found difficulty expressing himself.
Wouldn't it sort of make things hap
pier and"
She forced laugh to her lips. a
gay, tender laugh even as her fingers
twined fiercely about his own.
But, Jim. l don't want any chill
dren just now. l want to enjoy my
self, to see something Of happiness.
Sometimes" she tempered the blow,
sometimes think. Jim, that I'm
little more than a child myself I've
been Gagged and starved so long that
| hardly seem grown up yet. Don't
you understand. Jim?"
She fought against showing her
hurt as he sharply drew away his
cheek from her own. then pressed 1t
close once more.
wait till Billie puts those sticky
arms about your neck. Rita. Then
then you'll know" he called back.
There was look of triumph upon
Mrs. Sharpes vinegary face as, an
ha