The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1921-05-20
ACCOUNT OF BABY
BY MARGUERITE RAND.

uTeSS tIlat Sne nau DoUEnt only week
ago because Tom liked to see her in
pink and white. Even the baby's
gurgling laugh out on the porch could
not win a smile from her; indeed, it
added to her wretchedness. for was
not the baby, that most adorable bit
of humanity, rhe cause of all her
trouble?
ooh, dear" wept Mrs. Fenway, 81
wouldn't have believed that Tom could
be so brutal! What shall do? Oh.
I'm so miserahlew
Suddenly, like a ray of hope, came
the thought of Aunt Marcia.
'She always helped me out of my
troubles at school; perhaps she can
think of some way to help me now"
Dabbing some powder on her nose,
and hoping that no one would notice
her red eyes. she hurried to the tele-
graph station. and an hour later Aunt
Marcia was thrown into CONSERVATION
by the following message:
Am in dreadful trouble. Can't
you come at once? Dot"
The old lady was busy preserving
peaches, but with visions of terrible
calamities before her, she left the
fruit to its fate, hastily packed a bag
and responded TO her niece's call.
well, Dot, what's the matter?" she
asked as soon as the first greetings
were over. "NIercy, how you fright
ened me. Is the baby sick?"
Dot shook her head.
'Well, is anything the matter with
Tom? Where is he? For heavens
sake, tell me what the trouble is -
At these questions the food-gat
opened again, and between sobs Dot
gasped: II don't know. lie hasn't
been home for three whole days and
nights"
mot come home!" echoed Aunt
Marcia in establishment. "Why not?"
"We-we quarreled,' groaned Dot.
Just because l love the baby so
much. He says l won't go anywhere,
or have any fun, or-or do anything"
"Well, is it true?' asked Aunt Mar
ella briskly.
Maybe it is" acknowledged Dot.
But how can l bear to leave my
baby? He's so adorable. Why, Aunt
Marcia, even when he's asleep it's
lovely just to sit by his crib and watch
him breathing softly. Tom thought so
at first, but now he wants to go out
TO theaters and dinners, instead of
staying at home with our own lovely.
precious baby"
"Oh, good heavens!' calculated
Aunt Marcia. "You don't suppose
Tom Fenway's whole nature is
changed just because You and he have
baby, do you? Tom was always the
most popular fellow in town. OF
course, he isn't going to settle down
at home with nothing to do but hang
over a babys cradle--even as fine
baby as Tom Jr.," finished Aunt Mar
ella proudly.
"Thats just what he sad-that he
couldn't spend all his time hanging
over babys crib. Our own darling
baby. oh, wasn't he brutal?"
"Not bit of it," laughed Aunt
Marcia. He's sensible. Now look
here, you don't want TO lose Tom al
together. do you?"
"No, MOI" cried Dot miserably 81
couldn't live withou, Tom" Her eyes
widened with sudden fear "Why, you
don't think"
'Ies, | do" Aunt Marcia's tone
was decisive. "Tom's bound to en-
inv FL
pleasures. some one else will You'd
better make up With him, that's my
advice. The nurse is competent to
take care of the baby. isn't she?'
'Yes." Dot spoke slowly, "she
knows more about babies than I do.
can't ask him to. 7 don't believe he
loves me or the baby, or he wouldn't
have gone away"
Nonsense Aunt Marcia laughed
ruthlessly. "You hate to give IN. that's
all but you'd better pocket your
pride. Doesn't he come to see the
bahy?'
mo, not here" sobbed Dot. ale
said he wouldn't until | was ready to.
be what lie calls sensible. But he
stops in the park every day when
baby is out with his nurse. I can see
them from my window"
well" suggested Aunt Marcia.
cant you walk through the park and
pretend that you've met him by acct
dent?"
Dot pondered a moment, then a mis-
chievous smile brought out the dim
pies in her cheeks.
Late next afternoon Aunt Marcia
sat sewing in the living room when
Dot danced in, her eyes shining and
big box of roses In her hands. Up
stairs "A cheerful whistle sounded
from Toms room.
at worked, didn't it," said Aunt
Marcia with a smile.
"Oh. you old dear let me hug YOU"
exclaimed Dot impulsively. I'm so
glad | followed your advice. Tom
really loves baby just as much as !
do, but he has different ways of show
ing it, Now I've got TO dress. for
were going to the theater tonight.
Tom says we don't want to turn into
stupid old-fogy parents vet. We've
got To keep ourselves young and Jolly.
especially on account of the baby"
.sTbaf;c rid onIl.J k,,,, MI.