The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-15
BABIES NOT ALLOWED
a. CATHERINE cooPE.

through the Shops Jul io' % the
her attention was attracted ~
moor little woman who stood foriorni!
holding a tiny infant in her arms.
The woman had been arguing quieus
with the boxofice man, but 10 Nv
avail. ..,,,ts in
~ am sorry. madam. but infants III
arms are not allowed in the thea'e,,
II IL against the laws Of the house
There was finality in the young
mans voice. Mary
with her usual impulsiveness Mary
Anne approached the woman anu
made inquiry.
81 can't 60 in with i'm ano We
paid my way in from Bexhiii VI!
friends are up there now. They'll oe
wondering what's 'appened to me.
Couldn't I take care Of the baoy
while YOU go up and see the panto-
mimeo have the whole afternoon
free. Do let me-"
Mary Anne saw the woman through
the doorway. then turned WIN ne'
charge. wondering what her lmpuisi'e
nature had got her into this time
Mary Anne lived in the suburbs
herself. She remembered the huse
omen fires that she had seen IN the
Liyerpool station when she had come
in the morning to business.
She soon arrived beside the warm
fire without mishap.. She had not peen
comfortably ensconced there for a PAL
try five minutes before the infant
showed most positive signs of dissatis-
faction with Mary Anne's treatment
of him. He walled softly at first but
persons in the waiting room stared
or, more truthfully, glared at Mary
Anne. while one or two men walked
disgustedly out of the station.
The girl was distracted. She
wished she had never wanted TO see
lack and the Beanstalk." She plned
for knowledge of the care OF infants
and determined to study up Doctor
Holt without loss Of time. The fact
the baby let slip the bottle his moth
er had given Mary Anne brought a
deep flush to the girls cheeks.
A young man, who had been surrep'
titiously watching Mary Anne's fran
tic efforts to pacify the baby came
over and picked up the fallen bottle
and presented It to her.
rs there anything I can do for
you?" he asked, and he seemed SO
likely to know more than she did
about infants that Mary Anne smiled
gratefully. There may be a pin stick
ing him-have you looked?"
Moo said Mary Anne. II didn't
know just where to look"
Great Scott! Who dressed your
baby? Let me have look?" He took
the baby from Miss Annes arms very
firmly but gently and Mary Anne
heaved a sigh Of relief. The young
man certainly knew how to handle
baby.
mo doubt you have several of your
own" she vouched only half aloud.
f'No-not guilty. am doctor
That is why had the temerity tc
offer my assistance. There seems moth
ing wrong with the kiddie. Wouldn',
he take his milk"
NO" Mary Anne said with visit
full smile that sent wave Of peculiar
emotion over the young man, HE
didn't seem to want it."
Maybe you gave 1t to him too hot,
suggested the doctor.
Hot! II was stone cold" She
gazed fearfully at the baby.
Gold milk for an infant! You are
fine mother" the doctor com
mented.
But am not his mother protest
ed Mary Anne with a rush of color tc
her cheeks. 81 don't know a thine
about babies"
Quite unnecessary information,
laughed the doctor, somehow very
much relieved that Mary Anne wa.
not the infants mother. He had beer
wondering how so neat and dainty 9
girl could take such wretched care OF
a baby.
Mary Anne told him of her adven
ture with shy smile. She marveled
how the baby had become wonderful,
contented in the doctors arms.
Il suppose you wouldn't mind show
ing me the number of your seat 70,
Saturday." Doctor Cosgrove asked
tentatively as they went toward thu
theater with the sleeping baby Il have
been intending to see Jack and tn,
Beanstalk.'"
His guilty expression told Mar,
Anne that the pantomime had neve,
entered his head before.
My seat is No. 14-D," she sai,
quickly.
Mary Anne blushed holly and Doc
tor Cosgrove burst into hearty lauch
ter when the little mother of the IN
FAINT came beaming from the thea
| ter.
Your misses has been an angel.
wish | could give her as much han
piness as she has given re TODAY"
1 think you have done more-so,
u.s. the man said quickly. and cast ,
glance at Mary Anne. she is NOT M,
misses-at present" he added an,
went over to the boxofice to see :
he could secure No. I'D
The smile in his eyes as he returne,
70 her side told Mary Anne tbs, h,
nad been successful, and she roc
smiled. 'oo