Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-10-18
When Madge Saw and Heard When
She Awoke.

She Awoke.
Long after Dicky slept lay awake
husginx 70 my heart the comforting.
eomprehending assurance of support
which my husband had given me
when ! had told him Of the trouble
in connection with M,lly Stock
bridges death.
It had been 4 revelation to me Of
a trait in my husbands character for
which ! had not given him credit.
Much OF the terror with which the
incidents following the death OF my
principals wife had invested me had
its roots in the ever-present ques-
ton: What would Dicky say If he
knew"
Now he knew, and instead OF
blaming me his only thought had
been Of how best to protect me from
whatever threatened. When I finally
fell asleep my last waking thought
was one Of grateful happiness min
gled with self-reproach at not hav-
ing understood my husband better.
When awoke the sun was
streaming through the windows, and
the room was filled with sounds OF
delighted baby chuckles. I rose on
one elbow to see Dicky capering
around the floor in his pajamas,
playing bear, elephant and other
equally amusing roles for the bene-
fit of his small son, who-an ador-
able, flushed vision-was holding
himself up by the bars of his crib
and Growing with delight
Welcoming Arms.
"Mornin' Ladyp Dicky sprang to
his feet, made me a sweeping bow.
I'VE are tow giving our celebrated
impersonations. renowned through
several continents, of the leading
wild and domestic annals. If there
is any particular specimen which you
would like to see or hear our only
aim is to please. Your sons taste
is somewhat varied, but he seems
to like the dogs bow-wow and the
lions roar as we'll as anything"
The baby spied me at this juno
ture, and suddenly disdaining all
other Establishments, put out his
hands entreatingly and showed the
tiny teeth of which we were ali so
foolishlv proud in an enhancing,
blandishing grin. Dicky looked At
him reproachfully.
Can you beat it," He demanded
OF the surrounding atmosphere.
Here l spend coolies Of valuable
time and talent in a high class en-
tertainmcnt for this young mans
benefit while you simply snore your
lead off, and then at your slightest
look he hands me the icy mitt."
"Diekyw / protested half-laugh-
ing, half-indignant II don't snore.
You, know | don't. And please
give rue Junior right away or he'll
cry. Vs.,
breathcr. Is is it," Dicky teased,
but he swung Junior high in his
arms and brought him laughing and
Growing to me. ] euddled him
closely. and almost ficrcely, for I
never have gotten over the wonder
Of having his tender little body in
my arms. and spoke over his head
to DicKy.
"Have you kissed him yet for his
birthday If you have without walk
ing me-"
Dieky's Vow.
do you think I don't value the
safe position Of my head where it
rests at present on my shoulders?"
Dieky fetorted. "But / warn you,
you're not going to have him first,
either. Well just perform that lit
tie ceremony together"
He dropped to his knees by the
bedside ard slipped an arm around
my shoulders. The baby euddled
between us, looking up soberly as if
he knew something special was on
hand.
"Now, you on that cheek, ! on
this" ] said, and then, with infinite
care and tenderness we each inn
printed Z kiss upon the roseleaf
cheeks of our baby.
"Ore." we said simultaneously,
then with Z remembrance Of nursery
lore l added snilingly: "And now,
one to grow on"
The ceremony completed, Dieky
looked at me teasingly.
"If | remember rightly" he said,
lit IS also customary to give child
one to get married on.
He bent his head toward the
hahv again. J [ nushed him AVIAN al