The Glenwood post., 1916-04-22
leg. My word, he hasn't bone in
his body, not even TOOTH

leg. My word, he hasn't bone In
his body, not even TOOTH"
"Silly," said Glen. "of course not"
"What are you staring at him that
way for?" said Alix. "Can baby
make you think? A penny for them"
II was just thinking" said Collinge-
ford gravely, that a baby is positively
the only thing I've never eaten"
4 Mortified silence greeted his re-
mark. The nurse was the first to re
cover. She strobe forward, gathered
up the baby and marched away. Alix
and Glen fixed their eyes ON Collinge-
ford. He slowly withered and drew
back.
Then the Judge and Mrs. Lansing
came out to them. Collingeford was
introduced. Mrs. Lansing turned to
Alix. "Have you asked Mr.. Collinge-
ford to stay to lunch? The Judge has
asked himself"
mo, mother" said Alix. "I'm
afraid we couldn't give Honorable Per
cy anything new to eat. He says"
"My dear Mrs. lansing" interrupt
ed Collingeford, "it's all a mistake. I
positively loathe eating new things, no
matter how delicious and rosy and
blue-eyed they look"
"Are you speaking Of cabbagesw
inquired the judge.
mo, babies" said Glen. "He want
ed to eat the baby"
Mrs. Lansing laughed. II don't
blame him." she said. "Tve often
wanted to eat him myself"
COllingeford spent good deal of his
week at Tho Firs. Glen went to see
the baby daily as matter of course
and he went along, as he said himself,
as another matter of course. Glen
talked to the baby. Collingeford to
Alix. He said to her one day, "I've
read in books about babies doing this
sort of thing to gad-abouts-"
"Gad-abouts," interrupted Alix, "ts
just, but cruel"
"Well, butterflies" compromised
Collingeford. "But never believed it
really happened"
"Oh." said Alix, at wasn't the baby.
Not altogether. You see, Mr.. Collinge-
ford, Gerry Lansing-Tm Mrs. Gerry
disappeared over year ago-before
the baby came. He thought 1 didn't
love him. might as well tell you
about it. I believe in telling things.
Mystery is always more dangerous
than truth; it gives such lead to
Imagination"
So she told him and Collingeford
listened. interested. At the end he
said nothing Alix looked at his
thoughtful face. ."What do you think?
Isn't there chance? Don't you think
he's probably-probably aliveT'
The judge was not there to hear the
meek appeal Of faith for comfort. Col
lingeford met Alix' eyes frankly. "If
l were you," he said, II would prob
ably believe as you do. I've met too
many dead men in Piccadilly looking
uncommonly well ever to say that
man is dead because he's disappeared.
Then there's the other side of it. Bod
sky says man is never dead while
there's anybody left that loves him."
'"Tne Judge told me about Bodsky,
He's the man that said there had been
lots of murderers he'd like to take to
his club. He must be worth while.
I'd like to talk TO him."
II don't suppose" said Collingeford
absently, that Bodsky has talked to q
woman since he killed his mistress"
Alix started and looked up from her
work. Don't you think you had bet
ter come back-and bring the talk
back with you?" I'D
1t was Collingefords turn to start.
II beg your pardon" he said. "You
are right, I was in another world. Only
you mustn't get wrong impression.
Everybody says 1t was an accident
except Bodsky. He has never said
anything"
Ito be Continued)