The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-05-14
Shirley Paton's
Adventure
By A. w. PEACH.

! train that would carry her 10 her sub
urban home. found two persons to in
terest her among the hundreds III the
great station. One was tall, clean
featured Young man whose grave eyes
stole glance in her direction now
and thcn--a glance of approval SO inn
personal that Shirley could accept 1t.
The other was a tired little mother
at her left who seemed TO be on the
verge of fainting In her lap she held
Il small rosy morSel that was gurgling
and cooling, oblivious to her mothers
distress.
Suddenly the little mother turned
and Shirley found herself questioned.
VIII you hold my baby until | see
about my train?'
Shirley's first thought was to f-
| fuse. Then she scolded herself; no
/ mother would ever leave such a Win
some little witch of 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 50 materially and ten
! derby"
Il suppose | do look a bit mater
nal, and | do love babies but | don't
Il ii, 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 anXiousIy for the mother, but
the tired little figure did not appear:
Shirley's heart thumped. Had she
been fooled after all2 WAS she here
with a strange baby? What could she
do. She glanced about in her Gis-
traction, and her eyes met the grave,
fine eyes Of the man opposite. She
saw that he understood, and with
bit of quake inside she saw him rise
and come toward her,
Pardon me, but | will see if l can
find the mother" he said, smiling en-
eouragingly.
"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. lie 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 haltingly:
IF you give the youngster to me, I'll
take him to the police station
though ! hate like thunder to be seen
carrying baby round here where
some of my friends may see me!'
She laughed at the sudden boyish
exclamation. ~ understand she
said. Lets see" She thought a
moment and a quick decision formed
in her mind She could not bear the
thought of the baby's going to a
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 astOnishment of
her 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 mfnd-that |
mans frank face was the face to be |
trusted.
81 am going to take the baby home, |
If 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-
impedimenta. May go with you? /
should like to see this adventure
through"
She hesitated in turn, then nodded,
thinking to herself, Il really want to
see 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 adj
venture surely, but worth It, just to
know him for a short while.
When the station came he aided her
to the platform, and again they came
TO halt.
you will really have to help me to |