The Irish standard., 1916-02-19

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"ooIl's cIothes7" Said colIineeford.
coulo nx IN what It lay. she seemed
still and restful in spite of her flying
fingers. Spiritually still. Her eyes,
glancing at him between stitches. were
amused and grave at the same time.
DOLLS clothes?" said Collingeford,
waving at a beribbonel morsel.
| no" said Alix.
i Collingeford stared little longer
and then he broke out with. Look
here, what have you done with her?
Over there. the young Mrs. Lansing
spice, deviltry, scintillation and wit
binding. 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. "1'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 mighty bower. half sun, half
shade. where in the midst Of nurse
and Glen and many toys baby was
enthroned on rug. "rhere you are"
said Alix. There's my spice, deviltry,
scintillation and wit all done into one
roly-poly."
swell. I'm bowed" said Collinge-
ford, advancing cautiously on the
young monarch. "Do you want me to
to feel him or say anything about his
looks? I'll have to think a minute IL
you do"
"Booby," said Alix, come away"
But Collingeford seemed fascinated.
He squatted on the rug and poked
the monarch's ribs. Nurse, mother and
Glen flew to the rescue, but to their
amazement the monarch did not bel
low. He appropriated Collingeford's
finger. Il wonder If he'd mind If l
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 bone in
his body, not even a TOOTH
"Silly," said Glen, "of course not"
"What are you staring ut him that
way forT' said Alix. "Can n baby
make you think? A penny for them"
II was just thinking" said Collinge-
ford gravely, "that Il baby is positively
the only thing I've never eaten"
A 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. "1'm
afraid we couldn't give Honorable Per.
cy anything new to eat. He, says
"My dear Mrs. lansing" interrupt.
ed Collingeford. Its all mistake. !
positively loathe eating new things, nc
matter how delicious and rosy and
blue-eyed they look"
"Are you speaking Of cabbagesT p
inquired the judge.
mo, babies" said Glenn. "He want.
ed to eat the baby"
Mrs. Lansing laughed. II don't
blame him." she said. 1--WE often
wanted to eat him myself
Collingeford spent a good deal Of his
week at The FRS 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
AK. 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, 'is
just, but cruel"
"well, butterflies" compromised
Collingeford. "But l never believed II
really happened
"Oh," said AK. ut wasn't the baby
Not altogether. You see, Mr.. CO11inge
ford, Gerry Lansing-I'm Mrs. Gerry
disappeared over year agd-before
the baby came. He thought I didn't
love him. might as we'll tell you
about it. 7 believe in telling things
Mystery is always more dangerous
than truth; 1t gives such a lead ia
Imagination"
So she told him and Collingeford
listened, interested. At the end he
said nothing. Alix looked at bis
thoughtful face. what do you think
Isn't there a chance? Don't you think
he's probably-probahly aliveY'
The Judge was not there to hear the
meek appeal Of faith for comfort Col.
lingeford met Alx' eyes frankly. III
I 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 q
man is dead because he's disappeared
Then there's the other side of 1t. Bod.
SKY says a man is never dead while