The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-22
ROsALIND JUNIOR
BY ELSA FREELAND.

could, as long as any normal person
could with any humanitarian instincts
whatsoever. Then he grabbed his hat
and started out grimly to find the
| guardian of the child.
He had tried to concentrate on his
work for the past hour. His room was
at the rear of the first floor, the back
parlor Of an oldfashioned brownstone
residence. Outside, the view took in
rows of back yards, fences, clothes
lines, and numerous fire escapes.
1t was from one OF the latter, three
stories up, that the cries emanated-
cries. nay, shrieks Of protest Fraser
flung up one of his windows and
] leaned on hands planted on the sill,
his eyes searching the adjacent firma-
ment for the source of the yells All
he could see was an umbrella placed
on fire escape at the aforesaid eleva-
ton, and he could dimly descry be-
meath the umbrella shape akin to
that of papoose.
| Finally, to cap the climax, while
he gazed a young woman came to the
window at the fire escape, patted the
bundle, turned 1t over, adjusted the
umbrella and went away again. There
fore Fraser decided it was distinctly
up to him to see that the peace of the
neighborhood was kept undisturbed
and one mother warned that thinking
people would not stand such tactics.
He found the vestibule of the apart
ment house which owned that par
ticular fire escape. He had located it
with mathematical exactitude and
pressed the right button. The door
opened at his ring. Yes, it was the
/ same young woman, too, only she ap-
peared younger some way.
How do you do?" began Fraser
somewhat vaguely for a man with
mission in life. The baby is-er-
crying"
She's teething."
1T is a ridiculous superstition to
say such a thing Babies, healthy,
normal babies. never object to teeth
ing. My dear madam. have listened
to that sound for the past hour"
I'm so sorry" she interrupted feel
ingly and almost remorsefully. Il
was awfully busy and, you see. Eliza
beth-thats my sister-told me she
must be left out in the fresh air and
not to mind If she cried because nor
NAL children always cry little bit.
and it's good for them. 1t exercises
their lungs"
DO you mind If l come in just for
a moment" said Fraser eagerly. Il
assure you I'm not a book agent, but
l am very, very much interested in
the care and feeding and rearing of
children. In fact, I've got an order to
write series of articles for a mag
azine on the subject"
Isn't that lovely!" Her face fair
ly glowed with quick appreciation.
DO, please, come In. Wait q minute
while | get the baby She Is rather
whooping 1t up bit, isn't she?"
Fraser took seat on the daven.
port in the front room and waited. 1t
really seemed to be very nice apart.
ment and furnished in very good taste.
He felt his wave Of indignation sub.
siding. BY the time the young woman
had returned with the baby he even
looked at 1t appreciatively.
isn't she darling? She's really
got 30 much individuality, you know,
that she resents being alone out there.
l don't blame her bit. Blessed angel
girl! Auntie's love lamb, disturbing all
the neighborhood with her crying"
What's her name?" asked Fraser.
"Rosalind-the same as mine."
"Rosalind, junior. the gentleman
from Avon who wrote once upon a
time Of lady yclept Rosalind also
said a sweet low voice is an excellent
thing in woman. have made quite q
study of child culture. You know,
} believe absolutely in promoting in
dividualism in children"
But you don't like them on fire
. escapes"
He looked at her with appreciation,
!. realizing that she did have sense of
humor and had rather got him there.
IT'S the concrete that rattles US,
isn't it?" he began. when key sound
ed in the outer door and some sixth
sense told him it was the baby &
mother
, Rosalind, senior, rose and looked
thoroughly amused. the baby curling
up around her neck and shoulder.
I'm sorry, Elizabeth. but baby
cried, and this gentleman
MY name is Fraser = Walter
Fraser"
: The babys mother smiled at him
with extended, gracious hand.
I've heard Hal speak of you SO
often. You two were on the same pa
per when you were cubs, weren't you
Rosalind's been so anxious to meet
you here because she's taking up child
welfare work and believes absolutely
in all you have written"
Right here Fraser caught the eye of
Rosalind and laughed.
He doesn't know the smallest thing
about the care Of children" she said
patronizingly. Blessed love lamb,
does he?"
Elizabeths back was turned, Rosa
lind, junior, was bland and mild now.
Fraser watched her in fascination at
her arts and wiles He spoke In a low
voice, but heroically. One may learn
in time"
What IL she cries again on the fire
escape2" asked Elizabeth mischiev-
ously.
Il pray she does. | hope she does"
he said fervently. Then | can come
right over and we'll study her to-