The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-03-03
CHAPTER xiI-Continued.


The Firs to pay his respects to Alix.
They found her under the trees.
How do you do:' said Alix. THE
Honorable Percy. isn't it,"
What a memory you have for
trifes,'' said Collingeford, laughing.
May I sit DOWN.
3d." said Alix. She was perched
in the middle of garden seat On
each side of her were piled various
stuffs and all the paraphernalia of the
sewing circle. Collingeford sat down
before her and stared. Glen had gone
off in search of game more to her
taste. Ali1 seemed to him very small.
He felt the change in her before he
could fix in what it lay. She seemed
still and restful in spite of her flying
fingers Spiritually still. Her eyes,
gIancing at him between stitches. were
amused and grave at the same time.
"Doll's clothes?" said Collingeford,
waving at beribboned morsel.
NO." said Alix.
Collingeford stared little longer
aud then he broke out with, Look
here, what have you done with her?
over there, the young Mrs. Lansing
spice, deviltry, scinhllation and wit
--blinding. Over here, Mrs. Gerry
demure and industrious. Don't tell me
YOU have gone in for the Quaker pose.
but please tell me which is the
poseuse; you now or the other one."
Alix laughed "I'm just me now,
minus the deviltry and all that. Come
Ill show you what I've done with
It,"
They threaded the trees and came
upon mighty bower. half sun, half
shade where In the midst of nurse
and Glen and many toys a baby was
enthroned on rug. There you are, y
said Alix. There's my spice, deviltry.
scintillation and wit al; done into one
roly-poly.''
We'll, I'm blowed." said Collinge-
ford. advancing cautiously on the
young monarch. "Do you want me to
to feel him or say anything about his
looks? III have to think a minute if
you do
iRooby." said Alix, come away"
But Collingeford seemed fascinated.
He squatted on the rug and poked
The monarch's ribs. Nurse, mother and
Glenn few to the rescue, but to their
aniaZement the monarch did not bel
low. He appropriated Collingeford's
finger. Il wonder if he'd mind if
called him young 'un,' soliloquized
the attacking giant Then he pulled
the baby's leg. when he grows up
tell him was the first man to pull his
leg. My word. he hasn't a bone in
his body, not even tooth
Silly" said CIem. "of course not. y
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 grayely, that a baby is positively
the only thing I've never eaten"
\ 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 Clem fixed their eyes on Collinge-
ford. He slowly withered and drew
batx
Chen the judge and Mrs Lansing
came out to them. Coliingeford was
introduced Mrs Lansing turned to
AIix. Have you asked Mr. Collingc-
foud to stay to lunch? The Judge has
asked himself"
mo, mother said AIix. I'm
afraid we couldn't give Honorable Per
cy' anything new TO eat. He says
.My dear Mrs Lansing" interrupt
ed Coliingeford. Its all a mistake. |
positively loathe eating new things. no
matter how delicious and rosy and
blae-eyed they look
Are you speaking of cabbagesF p
inquired the judge.
No. babies said Glen. He want
cds to eat the baby
Mrs. Lansing laughed. Il don't
blame him." she said. i've often
wanted to eat him myself
Coliingeford spent a good deaf of his
week at The Firs. Glen went to see
ihi baby daily as matter of course
and he went along, rs he said himself,
as: another matter of course. Glenn
TAXED to the baby. Collingeford TO
AK. He said to her one day, I've
read in books about babies doing this
sort Of thing to gad-abouts-''
Cad abouts.' Interrupted Alix, "is
iust. but cruel
.sIyelI butferfIipS Comnr0rnjsed
Collingeford. But l never believed ii
really happened"
oh" said AK. ''it wasn't the baby
Not altogether You see. Mr.. Collinge,
ford. Gerry Lansing-I'm Mrs. Gerry
disappeared over year ago-before
tie baby came He thought didn't
t"re him might rs well tell you
1hou. It believe in telling things