The Washington herald., 1919-12-09

With n sudden desperate courage
Branch bent forward and spread ou,
the bedding. There. exposed to the
bulging eyes of the onlookers. was a
very tiny. very brown baby. II was
a young baby; it was quite naked
Its eyes. exposed to the sudden glare
of the morning sun. closed tightly;
one small hard all but lost itself in
the wide; toothless cavity that served
as a mouth. Its ten ridiculous toes
curled and uncurled in a most amaz.
ing fashion. -. -.-.
''Oh. my God" Branch repeated
aGhast. Its just b-born! Its eyes
aren't OPEN
The CubanS. who had momentarily
been stricken dumb with amazement
suddenly broke into voluble speech
The clamor served to attract Col
Lopez. who was riding past
What's the matter here?" he de-
manded. forcing his horse through the
ring which had formed about IL
DemonIo and his bundle. One startled
look md the colonel flung himself
out of his saddle. Whose baby is
that he demanded.
IL Why. it's mine. / mean, T.
Branch's eyes were glued upon the
child in Mortified fascination. He
checked and stammered and waved
his hands impotently.
Come. come, Speak up, What does
this mean" Lopez's voice grew
stern
she must have be-been asleep. !
Just grabbed You know. T.
Rranch's face became suddenly
stricken. Look OUT" he shouted,
hoarsely. She's going to cry, or
something"
He was right; the baby showed every
sign of firm determination TO voice her
Indignation at the outrage she had
suffered. Her hand stole out OF her
mouth. her fists closed, her face puck.
cred omInously. Lopez stopped, wrap
ped her in a sheet. then took her
awkwardly in his arms He bent a
blazing glance upon the kidnapper
but he had no chance to speak before
the storm of wailinGs broke.
News Of Leslie's exploit was spread
ing. Men We're Shouting and SesticuIa.
ting to their comrades to come and
see FL Demonio's spoils. There was a
great chatterinG and crowding and no
little Smothered laughter Meanwhile.
Col. Lopez WAS using every desperate
device to soothe the infant, but with.
out success. At last he strode up "a
Leslie and extended his burden.
Here" he said. harshly, she's
yours. surrender her"
Leslie drew back mo, Won don't,
] wouldn't touch her for a thousand
dollars" he cried.
But Lopez was firm. He spoke in a
tone of command: DO as I tell Won.
Take her. A fine outrage, to steal a
baby! What are we going to do with
her? We can't send her back-tbe
town is crazy. I've no doubt I shall
hear from this"
In spite of Leslie's choking protests
in spite of his feeble resistance. Lone
pressed the noisy stranger into hi.
arms. then turned to his men anc
directed them to be off.
Branch remained motionless He
was stupefied; he held the baby gin.
gerly. not daring to put il down
dreading to keep it; his eyes were
rolling. he began to perspire freely
Stretching a timid. OBTAINING HAND
toward Lopez, he inquired, huskily
what shall do with her?'
God knows. l don't" snapped tn,
officer. Il shall have to think. bu
meanwhile l hold you responsible 10,
her. Come now, We must be going. >
Leslie swallowed hard; his face be.
came overspread with a sicllier nal
lor. "Whatn 1 do-when she gets
hungry"
Lopez could not restrain a smile
You should have thought about that
comparde. Well. / know where thert
Is milk COW not three leagues from
here. III send a man to borrow n
| from the owner and drive it to oul
camp. Or perhaps"-his handsome
face hardened again-"perhaps you
would prefer to take this child back
where you found it?"
No l. Oh. they'd tear me limt
from limb!'
Exactly"
Branch turned his head from side to
side in desperation. He wet his lips.
Its the youngest one I ever had
anything to do with. Maybe Il ism,
used to cows milk" he ventured.
Unfortunately that is the only kind
] can offer It. Take care of Il until
l find some way of notifying its
people"