Evening star., 1915-01-03

! it became startlinglv evident that
! Rogers mother was pushing her out
of things important in her baby's
| life.
'Tm not going to burden you with
baby any longer" she said to Mrs.
Roger Temple. sr. I'm going to have
| a young girl take care of him.
Mrs. Roger Temple, sr., crimsoned
as she exclaimed, Il love to care for
| baby Don't call him burden,
Betty
Betty said nothing. Neither did
! Roger then. but when they were alone
he spoke firmly. Cut out the girl
business for the small SON.. Betty.
Mother raised family which is a
fairly creditable bunch, and i think
! she may be permitted to assist in the
upbringing of our boy. Don't be fool
| ishly Jealous dear.'
Betty walked away loftily, her eyes
blazing storm signals. When she left
for the club next day girl of four
teen was in charge of Roger III.
His father became pale when she
told him. Then and there they had
their first serious quarrel, which for
looks or caustic remarks. And with
it all Betty had her way. The little
girl came regularly until she proved
woefully neglectful, Roger IFS life
nearly paying the penalty.
Perhaps if Roger had been less cen
serious. Betty, in her fright, would
have been won over, but he was stern,
| "unfeeling." -Roger-ike; and, after
days of misery. when they drifted very
far apart, ii came to her to take her
small son and go away.
She said she was going to visit
Aunt Agatha With something of his
old kindness. Roger observed, THE
| change will do you good. But don't
He held his small son to him closely.
Betty flushed and thought, It's only
baby he's thinking Of
She left Immediately, but she did not
go to Aunt Agatha's. Instead she To-
Gated in the house where she had
lived as a bachelor girl, explaining to
Roger that she was doing little
unexpected visiting After her
allotted two weeks were up she would
tell him of the plans she had made for
able'-well. she would carry them out,
anyway. To reach this state of indc-
peridence she had decided to apply for
her old position in certain college of
| music. She was to set forth on this
quest on the day Roger Ill called for
daddy to share his rice pudding, her
friend. Mary Plimpton, caring for her
baby during her absence.
Mary was dear and sweet about it!
| claimed. Little. Roger is perfect
angel! I'll look after him any time.
Betty.
! Betty smiled and tried to feel every
| thing was going: beautifully. But
III danced eagerly to the accompani-
ment-"Do tee daddy! Daddy!
Daddy" she rushed from him with
| eyes brimming with tears.
/ She told Mary she would be back in
two hours. She was home in one. no
nearer ''blissful independence" than
when she set forth. She had reached
the college. and stared at lit fearfully.
Something whispered of the busy life
she had had there, of the equally busy
ton came brutally. 'Who will care
for your small son? Going to leave
! him to the tender mercy Of strangers
! when it isn't necessary" She turned
and fled She would put 1t Off one
more day and adjust the question,
which somehow stunned her.
| A wailing greeted her when she en-
tered the hallway of her quarters.
had swooped her. screaming baby
| from the floor of her sitting room.
| Mary Plimpton. crimson faced. eyed
| crying and the soothing came pres
| emily Betty's what in the world is
the matter, Nary"
Natter" Mary doomed. The mat
of yours needs good thrashing!. He
has a frightful temper. You'll have
a fine time finding any one to mind
him a second time. I'm off the job
permanently. Better rig up a dummy
daddy. hadn't your Mary's tone was
Betty comforted her boy with
flushing cheeks. 1t hurt to know that
Mary, who disapproved of her
plans" had sensed little sons long
ing for daddy.
She did not leave him again Every
bit of imaginative power she pos
sessed she exercised to find ways Of
amusement to. down daddy. yet when
she thought she was succeeding won
derfully her small son disdainfully
Informed her, Daddy plays 'ots bef-
fer, muyver!"
One day Mary Plirnpton advised her
to take him out to a park. Let
him run around on real grass for a
change. It's tough lines for poor
little country shaver to be limited
to balcony no bigger than a peanut.
He's getting very pale and thin.
don't you think2"