The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-28
The
SHORT DRY
Ed Rents a Baby,
vi FRANK +, II. WILLIAMS

placed the squallfng baby he was
carrying on nearby chair. Then
he looked around guilty and mopp-
ed his perspiring face.
What a crazy undertaking it was
he had embarked on. And all for
the sake OF becoming acquainted
with the piquantly pretty young
! lady standing at the receiving coun
ter Just behind the little placard an
Z nouncing her name to be Alice
Trennam."
What would this young lady say
IL she knew Ed had rented the in:
FAINT for the day for fifty cents? ?
What would she think Of young
II man VIII 10 was SO backward with wo
\ men as to be forced to the adoption
Of such a unique plan as this for
Z meeting young lady?
Ed, having mopped his brow.
went forward to the desk. The girl.
nj tier than ever. greeted him with
friendly smile.
5Ss What is the baby's name and
age ?" she queried.
Ed gulped. For a moment he felt
panic-stricken.5T Then he remember
Fed hearing the baby's big brother,
call 1T Benny.
Benjamin" gasped Ed. Age
about ten months he hazarded-
We require all parents to sign
e the cards." said Miss Trennam.
4 smiling up at him In an impersonaf
sort of way. Please sign here"
Ed felt his knees giving way.
Here was complication he hadn't
Sslooked for. She thought him to BE
the haby's father!
Weakly he signed his name.
, and the baby's mother is"
5 queried Miss Trennam.
"Dead!" calculated Ed. turning
and hastily stalking from the
place.
Outside the nursery Ed stood for
moment. Whew. It had been an
ssordea1- But he'd met her! And
anow4he was more convinced than
\ ever she was the only girl in the
world for him.
&If only he could meet her and
5halk with her every day.
Why-here thought came to
\ him-he might rent the infant
every day from the youth who had
5itSin charge and in this way see
K and talk to the beautiful Miss
( Trennam .5
But it took some dickering with
I the infants diminutive guardian to
put the deal over.
s$ss&"What do you want with
Bsnny?" asked the guardian sus-
piciousIy.
u of my own. That's why l want to
trent Benny" Ed explained, hoping
that any white lies involved in
4 hisEexplanation would ~ be held
2 against him.
zz.i don't know said the guar
dan lubiously. Nav was gone the.
5Sother oay-all day don't know
she'd say. Mebbe-
F"Then you'll be here IN the
ssinorning?" demanded Ed eagerly.
sss' Yves" hesitated the guar
dian.
The next day when Ed presented
fAenny at the receiving counter of
ssfhe nursery Miss TrennaIs was
Z quite friendly indeed. -,
s"Does he sleep well at nisht!
she asked.
1"Yes- perfectly" said Ed.
.swhat a good child" the girl
cried. It seemed to Ed that she
razed at him rather curiously des-
pite his prompt answers.
The next morning found Ed at
3 the usual place at the usual hour.
n But where was the guardian
= Where was Benny?
ed Stoned and fumed. What
was the cause of the delay?
sWouIdn't the child ever bring the
II faby? The baby was absolutely
Unnecessary now to further his
courtship of the fair Miss Tren'
nam. He simply must have Benny
simply must.
whenL Ed, tremendously upset,
was contemplating the wreck OF
his dreams, the guardian breath
91essIy turned the corner.
ss8s.Here," cried the youth pushing
ssHIShad to do some errands- Gimme
fthe SO cents. gotta hurry.
Ed did as directed. He was in
ahurry himself.
was it because Ed was upset
that his mornings talk with Miss
Trennam 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
4 pursery to recover Benny and re.
s Sy6re him to his brother, a new
young lady was in charge OF the
Where is Miss Trennamg"
squeried Ed.
sssss 5"NIis Trennam is not on duty
this afternoon was the reply And
sSit seemed to Ed that there was an
altogether uncaIled-for coldness and
aloofness in her voice and manner.
He wondered desperately what
Twas the matter with Miss Tren-
nam and with the nursery as he
fgaye the tightly bundled infant to
@Sthe guardian.
2 NnI guardian Of Benny was late,
#even later than before. But at
last the boy arrived.
"Here." the youth cried, placin
the baby In Eds arms. ooh, gee!'
Eds thoughts were abstratced