Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-11-19
The Million Dollar
Baby

entire situation. You will leave here
tomorrow. apparently with the child.
You must make the perilous journey
over the frontier. The child may be
taken from you"
Arnold Brooks spoke with den-
mite seriousness betokening that he
meant every word he said. The envi-
ronment was typical of rude. rough
Mexican life. He was in charge or
some mining property worked by Mex
leans, and since war disturbances had
racked the country these had become
indolent, Indifferent and often threat
ening.
Long since Arnold had felt 1t UNI
safe to remain In this hot-bed OF In
surrection, and had decided that SOON
er or later he must at least get his
wife back to safety and civilization.
Then the birth of little Edwin had In
terrupted.
1t was strange, but there was only
one person In the whole community
to whom Arnold could go for help.
and that was Ezra Washington. He
was a full-blooded negro. With his
wife and family he had accompanied
the Brooks family to the mines to
perform household service, and had
shown such stanch fidelity to the In
terests of Arnold that the latter had
learned to repose perfect confidence
In. the crude, uncouth fellow and his
wife. They had brood of five chill
dren, occupied cabin near the haci.
enda, and Arnold felt a certain sense
of security in having Ezra around, for
the latter was vigilant and kept in
close touch with the doings of the
Mexicans. 1t was to the cabin OF
Ezra that Arnold went after leaving
his wife and child He sought out Ezra,
took him to a safe distance from any
possible eavesdroppers and faced him
gravely.
ezra" he said, "you have been a
diligent, faithful helper ever since we
came to the mines, and when we get
back home the company shall know
Of the fact and compensate you ac-
cordingly.
Brooks" replied Ezra indifferently.
You folks hev been good and kind to
us, you and missus Ia good people, and
old Ezra is glad to be honored by be-
ing in your service, sah."
"well, there is not a soul here ]
trust but you, Ezra" proceeded Ar
mold seriously. "and am going to re-
pose great confidence in you and ask
you to undertake great responsible
lty. Things are getting very serious
around here, as you know"
"Bilin' hot, sab, and there's going
to be blow up soon, shuahl"
81 am planning to send my wife
north and we are all to follow. The
baby"
"The million-dollar babyi Little Ed
win, yes, sah," grinned Ezra, "bless
his dear little. hearth No place here
for either of them"
"The million-dollar baby" was no de-
fusion. 1t was known to Ezra that
the wealthy father Of Mrs. Brooks had
declared right after the birth of the
little child, the first in the family Tor
20 years, that he should make the
newcomer his heir. Hence the broad
allusion of Ezra.
"You see, Ezra" resumed Arnold,
'the advent of the little one and his
adoption as heir by my father-in-law
has set villainy at work. There is a
man, an adopted son of Mr.. Adams.
whose chances of fortune will be su-
perseded by the child. I have In
formation that he has plotted with
some Mexicans down here to kidnap,
perhaps kill the child, at least never
allow 1t to leave the country. What
would you say II asked you to ex-
ercise your shrewd wits. provide my
wife with substitute child. take
charge OF little Edwin. and battle the
mercenary plotters?"
ard say. sah,". Ezra declared with
vim and promptness, "that 1t can be
done.
Myra Brooks started from the town
early one morning in the rickety coach
that piled between 1t and the nearest
railroad point. It was with a feel
ing of vast relief that two weeks
later Arnold learned of her safe ar
rival at home with a substitute child.
little orphan secured from chill
dren's asylum at Pontrac, to repre-
sent the real million-dollar baby. The
stage had been attacked. evidently by
rufians, after the child. but they were
beaten off and two Of the bandits shot
and killed. Ezra had left with his
wife and children seven days previ-
GUS. No one thought of molesting the
old negro and his shiny black brood.
The anxious Myra one day was in a
mild stage of excitement as she re
ceived word that Ezra had arrived al
Houston. She hurried to the home Of
one of his friends to find him and his
family grouped In a small room.
'sThe baby-little Edwinf' she gasp
ed eagerly.
Ezra took up dusky bit Of human.
ity from the cradle, black as the ace
Of spades.
Don't be frightened, little missile,
soothed the grinning Ezra. Oats