Gilpin observer., 1916-09-14
CHAPTER xii-contInued.

c1cerone, Collingeford went over to
The Firs to pay his respects to Alix.
They found her under the trees.
"How do you do?" said Alix. 1.-THE
Honorable Percy, isn't it?"
"What q memory you have for
trifles," said Collingeford, laughing.
MAY sit DOWN.
'Do," said Alix. She was perched
n the middle Of a 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
on In search of game more to her
taste. Alix seemed to him very small.
He felt the change in her before he
could AZ in what 1t lay. She seemed
still and restful in spite Of her flying
fingers. Spiritually still. Her eyes,
glanclng at him between stitches. were
amused and grave at the same time.
"Dolrs clothes?" said Collingeford,
waving at a beribboned morsel.
"No," said Alix.
Collingeford stared a little longer
and then he broke out with, Look
Over there, the young Mrs. Lansing
spice. deviltry, scintillation and wit
-blindlng. 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,
I'll show you what I've done with
It"
They threaded the trees and came
upon a 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,"
said Alix. There's my spice, deviltry,
scintillation and wit all done into one
roly-poly."
"Well. I'm blowed," said Collinge-
ford, advancing cautiously on the
young monarch. do you want me to
to feel him or say ything about his
looks? I'll have to think a minute II
you do"
"Booby," said AliI, come away"
But Collingeford seemed fascinated
He squatted on the rug and poked
the monarch's ribs. Nurse, mother and
Clem few to the rescue, but to their
amazement the monarch did not bel
low. He appropriated Collingeford's
finger. II wonder II he'd mind IL l
called him a young 'un,'" soliloquized
the attacking giant.
SILLY" said Clem. "of course not"
What are you staring at him that
way forT said Alix. Can baby
make You think? A penny for them"
II was just thinking" said Collinge-
ford gravely, that baby is positively
the only thing I've never eaten"
A horrifed 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"
'No, mother" said AK. I'm
afraid we couldn't give Honorable Per.
cy anything new to eat He says
my dear Mrs. Lansing" interrupt
cd Collingeford, "its all mistake.
positively loathe eating new things, nc
matter how delicious and rosy and
blue-eyed they look"
Are you speaking OF cabbages p
inquired the judge.
mo, babies" said Glen. He want
Cd to eat the baby"
Mrs Lansing laughed. 81 dom
blame him." she said. "rve Otter
wanted to eat him myself"
Collingeford spent good deal of hi
week at The FRS Clem went to Sc,
the baby daily as a matter OF cours,
and he went along, as he said himself
as another matter Of course. Glen
1alked to the baby, Collingeford +
Ahx. He said 10 her one day "I'v,
soAd IN books about babies doing th1
~ & ~ b 0ld-abouts-"