The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-12-15


wife with light brown hair, blue eyes,
and-why, bless me-"
He blushed as he hurried along the
street, for it had suddenly occurred
to him that he was describing Miss
Johnson.
But l didn't mean anything, l as
sure you," he explained absently to
himself
"Please don't mention it," said a
pleasant female voice in his ear, and
the professor started in surprise, to
see that he was looking into the face
Of a comely young woman who carried
baby.
Il assure you no harm has been
done," she said. $50 If you will kindly
hold my little girl a minute,
everything will come out all right"
And she thrust blinking bundle into
his arms.
"Now I wonder what it was that I
did," suggested the professor to him
self, but there was no answer forth
coming.
"Hush, hush, baby" implored the
professor, dandling the infant. Go to
sleep like good boy-I mean girl.
Mother will come by and by"
Apparently this prospect did not act
as a soothing incentive, for the baby
began to howl. A small boy jeered
at him.
saw, take him home" suggested a
ribald spectator. "Where did you gel
itT'
Hes stolen it," suggested another
woman.
"Kidnaper," yelled another woman
and promptly tainted.
lar child-stealer," somebody yelled,
and those on the outskirts Of the
crowd set up yell of rage and surgel
forward toward the victim.
Happily at this juncture a policeman
came pushing through the crowd.
whats all thls?" he demanded.
Hey, there. Whose child Is that?"
1T belongs to woman" stammered
Professor Barry. Il don't know her."
Hes stolen It," shrleked an irate
lady as she broke her umbrella upon
the professors hat.
"Gimme the child" said the police
man, taking the screaming and fright
ened baby from the professors arms.
certainly" said the professor cor
daily, divesting himself Of his bur-
den happily and turning to dodge out
Of the crowd.
"Hey, where are you going?" cried
the policeman. you're coming with
me. It's going to be a cell for you"
"But woman gave it to me-" plead
ed Professor Barry dismally.
"Tell that to the judge. Are you
coming quietly, Or"
Miss johnson appeared at the police
mans side.
"It's all right" she said, smiling.
"Just mistake, Frank. This Is Pro-
fessor Barry of whom l have often told
you"
"Then what's he doing with q
strange baby, miss?" inquired the po-
l!ceman obviously.
"Why, you foolish man, it isn't a
strange baby, It's your baby" said
Miss Johnson, smiling. Don't you
know your own child?"
"My Bessie!" exclaimed the police
man. "Where's my Polly and why
isn't she here?"
As he looked round helplessly a
young woman struggled through the
crowd and snatched the child hysteri-
cally from Miss Jchnson's arms, kiss
ing and murmuring over it.
"NIy baby" she cried. II left her
with the saleswoman, Frank, and she
gave her to the wrong woman. Thank
God, I've found her."
"There you see the explanation"
said Miss Johnson. 1.-THE woman
couldn't resist taking her, and then
she was afraid to restore her, so she
gave her to Professor Barry because
he looked absent-minded. Professor,
Frank Hitchins is the son Of my land
lady,
Professor Barry, too stupefied to an
swer suffered himself to be led away
through the dissolving crowd and
half an hour later Miss Johnson de-
posted him at the door of his house.
"Now I guess you can take care of
yourself, professor" she said, smiling.
The professors arms went up just as
the haby's had done, and he caught
Miss Johnson by the sleeve.
mo. l can't" he said. 81 want
somebody to take care of me for vfe
That's what is the matter with me
want You. Miss Johnson-I mean
Elizabeth. Will your
Miss Johnson signified that she
would.