The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-03
the little spell that I'm away, l am

the little spell that I'm away, l am
sure"
II 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 fidget. 1t was warm on the porch
and shady in the garden. Cautiously
he conveyed his precious burden down
the steps. There was a 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 a new neighbor
he had ordered it closed and its sock
eted bar kept in place.
All of a 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 its
first feeble wall gradually grew into
clarion-note volume.
Ssh! Goodness; what shall l do?"
flustered briggs. Ssh! Bye-bye!
Oh, dear! this is horrible pickle for
a 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 step lad
der on the other side to command
the view.
II am having quite time, say,
| say" foundered briggs.
why don't you lay the baby down
and 60 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-there's the gate" suggest
ed briggs. ''Ill unfasten It,"
Which he did; with an immense sigh
Of relief he sank weak and perspiring
to rustic seat, as his visitor took
charge of the child and soon soothed
it in a gentle way that won the pro-
found admiration of her host.
He stole many a shy glance at her
before Mary returned. How com
panionlike she seemed in the little
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 tc
Mary, after Mrs. Denslow had gone
home, she's one of the pleasantest
women l have ever met"
BY the end of week briggs blessed
the little cherub that had been the
means of changing the entire basi:
! of his lonely bachelor life. The two
women made a pet Of the tiny stran
ger and briggs himself spent half o
each evening in awkward but earnes
attention to 1t. Mrs. Denslow cam'
over frequently. They got well &C
quainted and briggs missed her whel
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 a sure home 10
the little half orphan.
Mary cried, Mrs. Denslow was dit
consulate. briggs tried to bride tn
mother to sell him the little one.
Mary solved the problem. She ha
noted the growing friendship c
bachelor and widow.
"Mr. briggs" she said slyly. If 20
and Mrs. Denslow were married an
could offer the Belgian widow a perm;
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 II
ask her."
She will" declared observal
Mary, and she did, and happiness 8
, preme and satisfaction all around W;
the glad result.