The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-28
EUening Story
Ed Rents a Baby.
BY FRANK II. WILLIAMS


placed the squalling baby he was
carrying on a nearby chair. Then
he looked around guiltily and mopped
his perspiring face.
What a crazy undertaking it was
he had embarked on! And all for
the sake of becoming acquainted
with the piQuant1y pretty young lady
standing at the receiving counter just
behind the little placard announcing
her name to be alice Trennam.'
What would this young lady say
If she knew Ed had rented the infant
for the day for fifty cents? What
would she think of young man who
was so backward with women as to
unique plan as this for meeting a
young lady?
Ed. having mopped his brow. went
forward to the desk. The girl, who
on nearer view seemed prettier than
ever, greeted him with a friendly
smile.
what is the baby's name and age?"
she queried.
Ed gulped. For moment he felt
panic-stricken. Then he remembered
hearing the baby's big brother. from
whom he had rented the child, call
it Benny"
benjamin." gasped Ed. age
about ten months" he hazarded.
1--WE require all parents to sign the
cards." said Miss Tennam. smiling up
at him in an impersonal sort of way.
please sign here"
She indicated a dotted line on the
card.
Ed felt his knees giving away. Here
was a complication he hadn't looked
for. She thought him to be the baby's
father!
It was too late to retreat now.
weakly he signed his name.
And the baby's mother is"
queried Miss Trennam.
Dead" calculated Ed, turning and
hastily stalking from the place.
Outside the nursery Ed stood for
ordea. But he'd met her! And now
he was more convinced than ever
that she was the only girl in the world
for him.
with her every day.
Why-here a thought came to him
he might rent the infant every day
from the youth who had it in charge,
and in this way see and talk to the
beautiful Miss TreEnam.
But it took some dickering with
the infants diminutive guardian to
put the deal over.
what you want with Benny"
asked the guardian suspiciously.
81 like children. I haven't any of
my own. That's why I want to rent
Benny" Ed explained. hoping that
any white lies involved in this ex-
PLANTATION would not be held against
him.
'I don't know said the guardian
obviously. NAV was gone the other
day-all day. don't know what
she'd say. Mebbe@"
Then you'll be here in the morn
ing?" demanded Ed eagerly.
"Ye-y-e-s," hesitated the guardian.
The next day when Ed presented
Benny at the receiving counter of the
nursery Miss Trennam was quite
friendly indeed.
SDnaG ha sic ut ioh 90 oh
asked.
YES, perfectly" said Ed.
what a good child!' the girl cried.
1t seemed to Ed that she gazed at
him rather curiously despite his
prompt answers.
The next morning found Ed at
the usual place at the usual hour.
But where was the guardian?
Where was Benny
Ed stewed and fumed. What was
the cause of the delay? Wouldn't
the child ever bring the baby? The
baby was absolutely necessary now to
further his courtship of the fair Miss
Trennam. He simply must have
must.
When Ed, tremendously upset, was
contemplating the wreck of his
dreams, the guardian breathlessly
turned .4e the corner;
the infant into Eds waiting arms
ct had to do some errands Gimme
the SO cents L gotta hurry
Ed dad as directed. He was in
a hurry himself
Was it because Ed was upset that
his mornings talk with Miss Tren-
nam was so unsatisfactory?
And was the premonition of evil
which lowered over him during the
day due to the same reason?
That night when Ed went to the
nursery to recover Benny and restore
him to his brother, a new young lady
was in charge of the counter.
Where is Miss Trennam?'' queried
Ed
Miss Trennarn is not on duty this
was the reply. And it
seemed to Ed that there was an alto
gether uncalled-for GOODNESS and aloof-
ness in her voice and manner
He wondered desperately what was
the matter with Miss Trennam and
with the nursery as he gave the tight
" bundled infant to the guardian.
On the next morning the youthful
guardian of Benny was late. even later
than before. But at last the boy ar
rived.
Here" the youth cried, placing the
baby in Eds arms. "Oh, gee!"
Eds thoughts were distracted and
unhappy as he entered the nursery.
And his mood was not helped when he
discovered Miss Trennam again miss !
ing and a colder, more aloof atmos-
phere than ever noticeable in the
Abstractedly he waited for her to
go thru the usual formalities. He saw
the usual card filled out and then saw
the girl start to unwrap the tightly |
wrapped child. Ed fingered, minded /
to ask about Miss Trennam.
Then he was startled to hear the girl |
at the counter utter little shrek.
"Alice, come here quick!" cried che |
girl. NJ
From an adjoining room Miss Tren-
ram hurried forth. Ed quailed as he \
saw her shoot a single hostile glance 1
at him.
Look at this babyi" cried the girl |
at the counter "See what this-this /
person Just brought int'