The Washington times., 1923-03-31
By HAROLD r. RAIL-.
Copyright. 1923, by Boston American
and Cosmopolitan News Service.)

By HAROLD r.. RAIL-.
Copyright. 1923, by Boston American
and Cosmopolitan News Service.)
BOSTON, March SIT have kept
my baby-and Bill Hart's-hidden
away for five years for just two
reasons. One was to keep my 9ecret
| from my relatives and friends. The
other was because have been
haunted by the terrible fear that
Bill Hart would steal my boy IL he
could learn where he was.
"You may think 1t odd that /
should suspect Bill would kidnap the
boy he has repudiated, but have
suspected It ever since the boy was
horn. That fear has clutched at my
heart day in and day out. / could
never tell you the horrible feeling
that has come over me at times
when / have sat here In my home
and thought Of It.
Farms Out Her Baby.
After the child was born did
not know what to do. dared not
go to my friends for fear they would
let something slip and the secret
would be out. I feared to tell my
mother. did not have the courage
|
them. There was but one thing for
ne to do-farm the baby out.
1T did just that. i placed the baby
with a woman here in Boston where
! could see II often and be near in
case / was needed. My friends and
relatives did not suspect, and was
able to carry out the deception very
| successfully. It hurt me to have to
deceive mother, but I thought II was
for the best. I still think so.
After the baby had been board
ing out for q time / had q terrible
dream. dreamed that Bill had
come and stolen the darling boy
away from me. Since then / have
been constantly haunted by the fear
that Bill would turn UP some day
and my baby would be gone.
after that fear lodged itself in
my breast / suffered horribly.
was afraid to go to see my boy. l
thought that at every turn BIN
Hart or his detectives were watch
ing me, trailing me to the home Of
my darling boy. Oh, 1t was simply
terrible. can't tell you what l
suffered.
Feared Detectives.
'T would leave my apartment
here and start in a direction direct.
ly opposite the location Of the house
where my baby was boarding. I
would peep cautiously over my
shoulder every few yards and lock
for Bill or his hired men. know
1t sounds silly to you, but when
you are haunted by a terrible, grip
ping fear you do peculiar things
and think peculiar thoughts.
II would go In the most round
about way, constantly on the
watch, and when I finally reached
the baby I would close and lock
door and refuse to answer or allow
any one else to answer the door
ball while I was there. would
take my little one in my arms and
crush 1t close to my breast and
weep tears Of Joy at finding him
safe.
"The same anxiety was mine as
was ready to depart. feared
that some one was watching the
house to see me when came out.
feared that If Bill or some repre-
sentative of his saw me leave they
| would go in and take the baby
even before I was hardly out OF
sight.
| Suspected kidnapping.
| "Then one day I heard that Bill
Hart was in Boston. My fear in
creased. I did not know at first
why he was here. l thought he
had come for my baby. was afraid
to go near the child. I wanted TO-
see Bill. I wanted to plead with
him to at least play partners with
me in supporting our baby. AT first
I was afraid that If / got In touch
|
the guise Of wanting to see ms
boy would learn where the child
lived and then steal it.
IT at last decided that would
take a chance and try to see Bill
I telephoned him at his hotel. No
answer. I sent a message. NO re.
nly. I went to the theater ana
left a message in his automobile. l
knew he would get that when he
came out, but ] heard no word from
him. / was heartbroken. but felt
relieved when Bill left Boston. tie
had gone and my baby was still safe.
| probably Bill never has thought
of even coming to see the baby let
alone to take 1t away with MIN;
The way he has repudiated 1t Would
lead one to believe he was not in
terested. But the mother instlnct
is a peculiar one. ! couldn't tell
what was going on in Bills mind.
/ could not tell what plan he mlgnt
have. / played safe. l would ole
If that boy were stolen. He Is all
l have left.
ut has nearly killed me at times
to be separated from my child all
of the time-except for short visits
IL, like any mother, wanted my
child with me. But I could not
have him for the two reasons 1
told you. Now that the secret Is
out I dare not bring him here.
can't shake the horrible fear that
his father might come and take him
away. / am guarding his hiding
place carefully. 1 don't know how
long / shall do this.
May Seek His Estate.
"YoU know that baby might
mean a lot in the affairs of Bill