The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-07
the little spell that I'm away, / am

the little spell that I'm away, l am
sure"
1t was with considerable trepidation
that Mr.. briggs undertook the task
OF pacing up and down the porch, awk-
wardly holding the sleeping child in
his arms. Then the little one began
to fdget. 1t was warm on the porch
and shady in the garden. Cautiously
he conveyed his precious burden down
the steps. There was q path lining
the high brick wall that separated the
place from the adjoining house. Here
briggs took up his anxious promen-
ade.
He was not acquainted with his
neighbor, Mrs. Denslow. He had seen
her several times. handsome, ge-
nial-faced lady. Retiring and shy,
he had rather evaded her. When an
old-time friend and his family had
lived in the house, he had kept the
little door in the brick wall unlocked.
with the advent of new neighbor
he had ordered it closed and it's SOCK
eted bar kept in place.
All Of sudden the baby opened its
eyes. 1t looked up wonderingly and
appealingly at briggs. Then its little
lips began to pucker. 1t was a war
baby all right, briggs decided, for it's
first feeble wall gradually grew into
/ clarion-note volume.
Ssh! Goodness; what shall l do?"
mustered briggs. Ssh! Bye-bye!
Oh, dear! this is horrible pickle for
! defenseless man to be in!"
He bounced his bundle, he coaxed,
he cooed-in vain. The cries of his
tiny charge redoubled.
You poor mani" spoke a sudden
voice. and looking up the abashed and
embarrassed briggs saw the fair face
of his widow neighbor appear looking
over the top of the brick wall
Evidently she had mounted a step lad
der on the other side to command
the view.
II am having quite time, say
l say" floundered briggs.
why don't you lay the baby down
and go get it some milk" challenged
the pretty widow.
Il am afraid of breaking It,"
Il shall have to help you, see," re
sponded Mrs. Denslow, winningly.
"There-theres the gate," suggest
ed briggs. I'll unfasten it,"
Which he did; with an immense sigf
of relief he sank weak and perspiring
to rustic seat, as his visitor tool
charge of the child and soon soothed
it in a gentle way that won the pro
found admiration of her host.
He stole many shy glance at hel
before Mary returned. How com
panionlike she seemed in the littl'
garden! How pleasant the old house
appeared as, Mary returned, the two
of them hustled about installing the
tiny stranger into comfort and con
tent!
Il declared" remarked briggs Il
Mary, after Mrs. Denslow had gone
home, shes one of the pleasantes
women l have ever met
BY the end of week briggs blessed
the little cherub that had been thu
means of changing the entire basi
I of his lonely bachelor life. The TIVE
women made pet of the tiny stran
ger and briggs himself spent half o
each evening in awkward but earnes
attention to it. Mrs. Denslow cam
over frequently. They got well &C
quainted and briggs missed her wheI
she was not there.
Then at the end of the month Their
came a shock. The Belgian mothe
appeared to claim her little one. Sh
had found relatives in the new cour
try. She could get sure home TO
the little half orphan.
Mary cried, Mrs. Denslow was dis
consulate. briggs tried to bride tn
mother to sell him the little one.
Mary solved the problem. She ha
noted the growing friendship @
bachelor and widow.
Mr.. briggs" she said slyly. IF 20
and Mrs. Denslow we're married an
could offer the Belgian widow a perms
nent place as cook, why, the littl
one would be as good as adopted"
"A capital ideal" enthused briggs
If Mrs. Denslow will have me If
ask her."
she will" declared observan
Mary, and she did. and happiness 81
!. preme and satisfaction all around wa
? the glad result.
. Copyright, 1915, by w. G. Chapman.)