The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-02-24
RosAL|ND JUNIOR
BY ELSA FREELAND.

+
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 old-fashioned 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 a shape akin to
that of a papoose.
Finally. to cap the climax, while
he gazed a young woman came to the
window at the fire escape. patted the
bundle turned it 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 1t
Wi nd nd
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 q
mission in life. The baby is-er-
crying"
She's teething"
1t is a ridiculous superstition to
say such 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
beth-that's 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 | come in just for
moment said Fraser eagerly. II
assure you I'm not a book agent, but
| 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 mag.
azine on the subject"
Isn't that lovely" Her face fair
ly glowed with quick appreciation
DO, please, come in. Wait minute
while | get the baby. She is rather
whooping it up bit, isn't she?"
Fraser took seat on the daven
port in the front room and waited. II
really seemed to be a 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 it appreciatively.
Isn't she darling? She's really
got SO much individuality, you know
that she resents being alone out there
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 q
time Of a 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
diyidualism 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
ITS the concrete that rattles US
isn't it," he began, when key sound
ed in the outer door and some sixth
sense told him 1t 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 bah!
cried, and this gentleman"
My name is Fraser Walter
| Fraser"
The babys mother smiled at hin
with extended, gracious hand
I've heard Hal speak of you 81
often. You two were on the same pa
per when you were cubs, weren't you
Rosalind's been so anxious to NEE
you here because she's taking up chilli
welfare work and believes absolutel.
in all you have written"
Right here Fraser caught the eye o
Rosalind and laughed.
He doesn't know the smallest thin
about the care Of children" she sal,
patronizingly. Blessed love lamt
does he?"
Elizabeth's back was turned, Rose
lind, junior. was bland and mild nov
Fraser watched her in fascination a
her arts and wiles. He spoke in a loy
voice. but heroioally. "One may lear
In time"
What IL she cries again on the fir
escape?" asked Elizabeth mischiey
ously.
Il pray she does, hope she does,
he said fervently Then | can com
right over and well study her tc
gether."
copyright. 1916, by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)