The Washington times., 1938-03-28

retreat. She cupped q hand over
her good ear and leaned forward.
whats that you said, Tom
Bagby9 Something about a
baby?"
my daughters youngster." he
said. "She died having it and she
had no husband, so I'm left with
the little brat"
ooh, Toni" A strange, almost
fanatic CLEAN darted into the eyes
of Old Lady Ptitchett. Where is
IitP"
Eat my shanty a piece down the
road"
I'm going right straight down
there" she told him. what does
a man know about taking care Of
a baby?"
Tom Bagby followed Old Lady
Pritchett with both misgiving and
a certain relief. After all, she was
a woman. Maybe she knew some
thing about babies.
She snatched the infant to her
dry and wrinkled bosom. Her body
moved in a rhythmic arc to and
fro, and she hummed a lullaby
while her softened eyes shone
But only for q moment.
FOUNDING
"Soiled sheets!" she exclaimed.
Look at those blankets! A living
disgracel How old is this baby?"
"a couple Of months. It was
in a founding asylum. I-Sort Of
couldn't stand that notion" Tom
finished lamely.
"1 should think notl Founding
asylum indeed, and you making
good money. I'm glad to see
there's some good in you, Tom
Bagby. Here, turn on the gas
and heat this milk. Get q move
on, now"
Old Tom obeyed, grumpily at
first. But as he observed how Old
Lady Pritchett's skilled and busy
hands transformed his disorderly
bachelor quarters into something
decently Ivable, he gradually paid
her the grudging tribute Of toler.
ance.
Never saw such a dirty house"
she complained. II declare to
goodness, men are hardly any
better than hogs"
1t wasn't long before the in
mates Of the home were putting
their heads together, nodding and
whispering. Scandal! Precious
morsel! Lizzie Pritchett's bed,
the maid reported, hadn't been
slept in. Where had she spent
the night? Hmm! Where, in
deed? Maybe Tom Bagby might
know something about that!
The whispers grew to threat
ening chorus. They reached the
ears Of the matron. That worthy
disciplinariall began watching Liz
zie Pritchett.
Two full months this repre-
henSible conduct had been going
on when, one daybreak, the guilt
of Old Lady Pritchett became no
longer a matter Of doubt. She was
seen emerging from Tom Bagby's
house, a newly painted, newly
rooted bungalow, with spring
flowers sprouting In a trim lawn.
CALLS IN RELATIVES
The matron had only one
course, and it was plain. She sum.
moned Old Lady Pritchett's rela-
tives. In the prim parlor of the
Old Ladies' Home the damning
evidence was marshaled against
Lizzie.
MA" said Henry Pritchett, the
Oldest son, a mailcarrier, "at your
age I don't see how you could
carry on this way"
'It was the baby" said Old Lady
Pritchett. Somebody had to look
after him-the cutest little tyks-
just like you when you were tiny,
Harry, and I've missed my babies
so. I suppose I am kind Of fool.
ish-but Toms good man at
heart - Steady-going - he don't
make much money, but it's enough
to keep the three Of U.s."
Mother Pritchett, whatever are
you driving ate" demanded Mrs.
Len Pritchett.
why" said Old Lady Pritchett,
Tom Bagby and I were married
a month ago, and I'm the happiest
woman alive-because I've got q
baby again. I was fixing to move
out Of the home as soon as he got
the house refitted."
i TEE TNJn