The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-07-27

TO cOnfine the fumeS?"
"COme in Miss Annie. For Gods
sake, do something. l never seen the
poor little fellow so hard up for
breath" He dragged the door wide,
his face standing out Whitley.
She was in and past him, and to
the small crib, an open umbrella hung
Enthusiastically above it and a sheet de-
pending, tent-fashion. Beside it dull
lamp burned into the gloom, its hot
antiseptic fumes rising.
''The lamp, Mr.. Fodder! 1t can be
held inside for a while"
And grasping it like a torch, she
parted the tent curtains and plunged
In to her waist.
Outside in the gloom of one witch
ing gasjet Mr.. FOddie paced a short
stretch Of floor, hands behind him and
fist beating into palm.
Miss Annie, if you think it's doc
tor he needs, the poor little"
Hand me spoon there"
He inserted it, trembling.
as he"
~Hand me another blanket"
"Here."
"The hot water kettle"
Here. Miss Annie"
"Shh-h-h-h"
The small stranglings receded and
finally ceased, and her voice canse
through the sheet filtered and relaxed.
Starlight, baby. Starlight now.
Sleep. Go to sleep, my ba-bee-
ba-bee. Go to sleep, my ba-bee Ira
Ia-Ia La la M-m-m-m-m."
When she emerged from the slit in
the teepee, lamp upheld, the face Of
her was in high luster, like TiepOlo's
Cleopatra. Light slid down over her
milky arms, with the sleeves falling
back from them, and upon her hair, a
plat of it flowing over each shoulder.
Hes all right, Mr.. Foddie. You
just didn't have his little head low
enough and didn't know how to work
the lamp"
"'My God, Miss Annie, was afraid
he'd choke. Poor little fellow just
looked like he'd never get his next
breath. Poor little fellow"
Now, now, Mr.. FOddie, you sit right
down there. You're as white as a
ghost yourself. They don't amount to
nothing, Mr.. FOddie, these spells of
Group with kids if you know how to
handle them. Honest, you men are
the greatest ones for losing your heads
right away and going all to pieces.
Why-why with my little boy his dad
dy Just used to go all to pieces if
he only stubbed his toe. Honest, you
menu
"fBut poor little"
"Why, you ought to see him now.
Go take a peek at him for yourself,
sleeping there quiet as a top, with his
little wool bear Rugged up to him.
Easy now, shh-h-h!"
He entered and emerged with his
face cleared to a smile.
well, I'll be darned."
didn't 1 tell your"
Laying there laughin' In his sleep
and his little yellow curls just like
yOn'd laid them there one by one."
IL did"
~Well, I'll be darned Asleep and
cool as a cucumber" He sank into a
chair. breathing rapidly and regarding
her
'Mr. Foddle, you're letting yourself
get all excited over nothing"
-Tm all right"
you mustn't let yourself get
worked up when he gets these little
spells. Just call me or Beasley, they
don't mean anything. You mustn't get
excited, Mr.. Foddie, the way your
heart can act up"
He was intent on watching her Din
sfrut the slit in the teepee, the sleeves
fallen back from her arms, her head
thrown up so that her throat swelled
and the print crepe flowing about her
body.
@There nOwl"
"YOu bet 1t acts up when you're
around, Miss Annie. 1t acts I'D like
crazy"
keep his head low now, Mr.. Fod-
de, but not too"
You just bet 1t acts up, you great
big white-skinned, fire headed"
Nov I've stood about as much of
that line of talk from you as I'm go
ing TO. If this morning wasn't enough
to learn you that"
~What's wrong about just tellln'
a.
Elf you want to listen to what got
TO tell you about watching his tenn
perSture-"
Yves, and IL you want to listen to
what got to tell you about that great
big. beautiful, red head Of yours and
Shesn great big, neutrality-suspicious.
Asee Sles and"
$NOwr' o." -
-AS. now. sweetness" ----------