The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-05-07
Shirley Paton's
Adventure
By A. w. PEACH.

Shirley Patton, waiting for the local
train that would carry her to her sub
urban home, found two persons to In
tereSt her among the hundreds in the
great station. One was a tall, clean
featured young man whose grave eyes
stole a glance in her direction now
and then-a glance of approval so I'M
personal that Shirley could accept II.
The other was a tired little mother
at her left who seemed to be on the
verge of fainting. In her lap she held
a small, rosy mOrsel that was gurgllng
and cooling, ObliviOus to her mothers
distress.
Suddenly the little mother turned
and Shirley found herself questioned.
"Will you hold my baby until l see
about my train?"
Shirley's first thought was to re-
fuse. Then she scolded herself; no
mother would ever leave such win
some little witch of a babe. Shirley
held out her arms.
She was so interested in her new
charge that she did not think of her
young man. When she did glance
up a blush came softly to her cheeks;
for if eyes were ever saying anything
his were saying: You are very at
tractive to me as you hold that
yOungster so materially and ten
derly."
81 suppose 1 do look a bit mater
nal, and l do love babies, but l don't
want to advertise it," she thought to
herself
Busy with the happy mite, she did
not know the passage of time until
it dawned upon her that soon her
train would be leaving. She looked
about anXiously for the mother, but
the tired little figure did not appear.
Shirley's heart thumped. Had she
been fooled after all? Was she here
with a strange baby? What could she
do. She glanced about in her dis
traction, and her eyes met the grave,
fine eyes of the man opposite. She
saw that he understood, and with a
bit Of quake inside she saw him rise
and come toward her,
Pardon me, but 1 will see If can
find the mother" he said, smiling en-
cOuragingly.
"Bless his yellow head" Shirley
said to herself, and then thanked him
aloud.
But when he came back after max
ing a trip through the station, she
saw he was worried, too. He ex-
planned that he could find no trace of
the mother.
They stared at each other, the same
thought In each mind; what was to be
done?
The crimson flooded through his
tanned cheeks as he said haltingIy:
"If you give the yOungster to me, I'll
take him to the police station
though hate like thunder to be seen
carrying a baby round here where
some of my friends may see mel"
She laughed at the sudden boyish
exclamation. II understand" she
said. Lets see." She thought
moment and a quick decision formed
in her mind. She could not bear the
thought of the baby's going to
police station, and then to some found
ling home-such dainty, fragrant,
happy bit Of humanity She would
leave word in the station and take
the baby home. She smiled as she
thought of the dumb establishment of
Der family. But how could she ever
get the baby home and also all her
shopping booty?
She glanced at him. He was gaz-
ing with anxious eyes down the long
lobby. She made up her mind-that
mans frank face was the face to be
trusted.
II am going to take the baby home,
II you will help me to the train" she
suggested. "And we must hurry,
too"
He caught, up her bundles quickly
and they trailed away to the gate, she
In the lead, the baby snug In her
arms; he, tall and serene, following
her. Eyes turned to glance at them.
She blushed, but he seemed imper-
viOus.
He saw to 1t that she was seated
and then hesitated. you will never
be able to get off with your-er-I
May go with your 1
should like to see this adventure
through"
She hesitated in turn, then nodded,
to herself, II really want to
see q little more of him."
The ride was not eventful In some
ways; but she found herself, as they
talked of the situation, turning her
eyes from the broad shoulders to the
gray, protecting, honoring eyes quite
a distance above hers. 1t was an ad-
venture surely, but worth 1t, just to
know him for short while.
When the station came he aided her
to the platform, and again they came
to a halt.
"YOu will really have to help me to