The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-05-11

but returned Immediately.
impossible to send any message"
he reported. "The clerk saws the
instrument has been affected by
thunderstorm this morning and there's
no communication with town at pre-
sent" He sprang into the dog-cart,
and in another moment was bowling
along the smooth white road with
Major Slimm, while the porter piled
the luggage onto the cart.
One two! three four! in went the
things. A bundle of rugs, not strapped,
seemed in danger of falling to pieces.
The porter tucked one loose end in,
then looked closer, started, and ex-
claimed.
ooh, heavcnsl baby"
"A what" said the groom coming
around from the horses head. The
porter showed him a glimpse of yellow
curls Just inside of one end Of the
bundle. The groom whistled.
How'd it get therc?"
ITS a rum thing to find in any
gents luggage" said the porter; "but
it's there right enough, just as | took
it out of the carriage, and I'm not
going to interfere"
"Then am to take it up to the Man
orr" asked the groom.
"Of course" said the porter " faint
your business to ask about it, and
faint mine. WhoScver it is, it amt
my kid, and | amt going to get it
showed onto me. I've six of my
own" He looked around. There was
no one about, There's no one seen it
but you and me. If you takes my
advise you'll shut your mouth, same
as me, cleared that bundle out of
the carriage along of the other things,
and I'm bloomin sorry | ever looked
inside it"
Its rum 60" said the groom,
"but | amt meaning to adopt of it,
so wen both keep it dark"
The porter tucked the baby up, and
found it a secure position among the
other luggage, and watched the cart
out of sight
And the baby still slept profoundly
Two miles of jolting up to the Manor
failed to disturb it, and it was carried
up with the other things into the
bachelors quarters at Benton Manor,
where it lay snugly in a corner of Charlie
Sopcr's room-a Human Bomb.
When Charlie came up to dress he
was in high feather Nellie had smiled
upon him, had blushed when they
met. He almost fancied she had re-
turned the pressure of his hand and
her fingers had certainly come into, con-
tact with his own in the passing of
teacup Moreover, she appeared
indifferent to Major Slimm's very APP
parent admiration.
He was food for reflection, for self
congratuation and complacency; they
fed freely and waxed fat
Charles surroundings ministered to
his mood The bright freight played
on the polished furniture, couple
of lamps threw more reliable light
and in their mellow glow he preened
himself before the long cheval-glass
He twisted his mustache, first up
then down, and critically noted each
effect He smoothed his glossy hair
with the palm of his hand Had he
been the Major he would have used
a hand-mirror at this stage, and anX-
iously scanned the back of his head
but Charles thatch was thick and
crisp, and no crown as yet looked out
like rock at low water.
Mr. Soper's attention passed from
his head to his nccktie He heightened
the bows fastidiousy, pulled his coat
and craned to see the back effect!-
turned sideways to mark the beautiful
line in the fail Of his trouser leg
then suddenly looked at his watch
and found he had only twenty minutes