New Britain herald., 1926-01-09

'"Pcrhaps through my paper we can find q good place for it and you won't be so hard pushed to take care of it."
 The girl almost shricked at her Hard pushed! And what do you think I'd live for it you took her away? You uplifters make me sick. ! Treat us all like herd of cattle, don't give us credit for human af- factions, just because we're un- lucky.
 T tell you, that babys mine and I'll keep her against you and the hospital and all the rest. She's all I've got. Why. I'd die if you took her.
 But how can you support her?" asked Barbara timidly. Don't you worry about that! When woman loves anything the way l love that baby, she's going to take care of it all right. The father won't help. He'll never show up again till he gets drunk and wants to borrow money. But what do l cure about him? A man ain't any thing, beside a little baby. You get out!" She buried her face in the bed clothes, sobbing violently.
 The door opened and the nurse stepped in. a blanketed bundle in her arms. "Why. Mrs. Mutton, what's the matter?" She shot disapprov. ing glance at Barbara. Then to the patient, You mustn't cry like that. You'll make yourself sick again."
 The girl in the bed paid no atten- ton.
 The nurse beckoned to Barbara and tiptocd out of the room taking the baby with her. Barbara followed.
 In the corridor, she explained to the nurse what had happened. The woman accepted the story coolly. Yes, that's the way they all act. even some of the rottcnest ones.
 "I've decided that mother love, though a wonderful thing, is not a virtue. It's an instinct. and these women cannot withstand it any more than they can withstand the in- stinct for food or self-preservation.
 Tt is a nice baby girl, though. She pulled the blankets away from the babys face. Barbara leaned for ward to look at it. Before she knew it, the nurse had placed the bundle in her arms. Barbara stood very still. The face of the baby was scar let and wrinkled. like that of very old man, Its mouth and its fists worked constantly.
 It smelled of talcum powder and
 milk.
 It gave Barbara a smile that last cd only a second, and waved fist like a morsel of raw meat in the di'
 rection of her face. Barbara caught
 her breath and handed 1t quick,
 back to the nurse.
 | 'I suppose 1t would be hard tC
 give up a baby" she said medita
 lively. But they're nt very pretty are they?"
 McDermott called Barbara into his office that afternoon. Have yo, heard from Fancy?" he asked. Barbara shook her head. "No and really expected to hear" i've had letter from her today
 Jerome's firm has sent him to Nep : York. They're going to get al [ apartment there. She seems happy but you can't tell. Fancy isn't tht , kind to admit it If she weren't. afte taking the thing in her own hand , that way.
 } q wish could see her and tall , to her"
 } Barbara watched him. He looket 7 older and less contented than whel
 she first met him. ' A thought occurred to her. "Lool ] here, Mir McDermott, want to g I to New York. I'm tired of thi c town"
 . He looked at her. startled. Tire 3 of New Britain. Barbara?" :. Barbara spoke hurriedly. "Yes, 2 [ tired Of it I'm going stale on my jo s and getting down-hearted and goo | for nothing. want to get away a e once"
 v M~0ermott leaned back in h' t swi, chair and looked thoughtful :. ly at her. Another case of greene d pastures. Barbara? You've tired ( | your job?"
 ]. Not exactly. I still think it's th best job for me in New Britain. Br e that's just why want to 90. 1'v il got as far as can here. And
 lwant to do more. New Britain hedge