LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2623, 2 September 1882, Page 4

LITERATURE.

A OBISIS CAUSED BY A BABS\

[Concluded.)

Aloud—'Look here, now, Miss Dlmpay Inapsy. Come, let ua reason together. This thing has got to be stopped. Be calm, I say, be calm.'

Thought—' I'll leave It in the seat, take my baggage and put for the smoking oar.' Suits the action to the Idea. Settles himself comfortably. Newsboy appears almost Immediately with the baby, still screaming. Newdboy—' Please, sir, you left part of your baggage.* Train comes to a stop in New York depot. Thought—' There's a policeman. I'll hand the wretch over to him, and get him to carry it to the sta'ion- house or the foundling hospital.' A few minutes later and Mr- J. Templeton Ward gaily mounted the steps of his brother-in-law's brown stone mansion. A great incubus had been removed from his mind, and he now felt disposed to treat the adventure with hilarity. His sister met him most cordially, and throwing himself upon the sofa by her side, he related the story, deoorated with considerable imaginative embroidery. ' Think, Bose,' he said, solemnly, 'what a tremendous escape I There I was, a completely victim. Why, I aotually took her for a respectable and fascinating little widow, and was flirting with her in the most confiding manner.' ' Do you really think she really meant to desert the baby ?' said Mrs Molineux. ' Oh, without doubt. She had got herself up nicely on purpose to deceive. And to think that I did not suspect her design when she asked me if I did not think that exeorable baby delicious ?' * Waa tha baby pretty, Templeton V ' Pretty I I should think not. I wish yon could have ee;n it. It bore the marks of depravity stamped upon its brow. When It howled it glared at me with demoniac eyes, and fisted like a prize-fighter. lam morally certa'.n that its father la one of the ohatnplonsof the ring.' ' And what did you say you did with it, dear !'

' I got rid of It ai quickly aa possible, I assure yon. I handed it to a policeman and requested him to drop it Into the East Biver. I had the satisfaction, however, of pinching It well before I saw the last of it.'

* Do you suppose the man thought youwere In earnest, Templeton Y ! *Of course not. He has carted It off to the Home of the Friendless, or the Asylum; for Little Wanderers, or some institution of thf>t sort. I suppose. Bat let's drop tha baby. Where's Winifred V ' I expect her every moment. There's the door-bell now. Let me see.' Mrs Molineux motioned baok the servant, and heree'f op.ned the hall door, finding herself, to her sui prise, face to faae with her husband, who wore an anxious depression. Mr Ward, who sat just without in the parlor,heard their conversation distinctly. Boe— * Why, Henry, what's the matter?', Mr ML—«Nothing. Don't be alarmed; only a telegram from Winifred. She wast left, and will come on by the next train." Boss - ' Oh, is that all ? Then she ought to be hear no<r; the trains run every hour.' Mr M.—'Winifred's a'l right, but—l don't want to a'am you. Be calm Rose—' The baby !Is she sick P ' Mr M.— 'Don't get excited. The baby is not siok.' i Bose (deaperat.ly)—' Is she dead ? * Mr M.—• No, no. You always Imagine the very worst that can happen. She is only lost

A pisroing shriek followed, and Mr Ward sprang into the hall just In time to see his sister faint in tho arms of her husband. They carried her into tha p»rlor, and she was at onoe surrounded by frightened dome.tics. In the confusion that followed, Winifred Molineux arrived. There was no time for introductions, and indeed none were needed, for Mr Ward, to his utter dlsm »y, recognised his oompanion of the train, and supposed mother of the bsby. • I was bringing Dimple home from a visit to her grandmother,' she explained, and added: 'ls it possible that you are Mr J. Templeton Ward ? Then the baby is safe.' Mra Molineux opened hor eyes, and suddenly sitting bolt upright, assumed a tragic attitude. ' Winifred,' she demanded, * why did you abandon my precious Dimple ?' ' I left her to get some milk,' Winifred replied good humoredly, 'and a 3 I was coming out of the dairy a horrid goat barred my passage. The woman drove him away, but he stipped mo again at the pasture bars, and I did not reajh the station until the train had left.' Mr Molineux laughed hysterically. ' Jonathan Templeton Ward,' she exolalmed. 'what have you done with your slater's child?' •How was I to know it was youra ?' he asked deprecatiogly ;' I had forgot-en that Miss Winifred would be in morning for her undo, and I thought she waa a widow.' ' Ycu thought,* interrupted his sister; «the least said about that the better. He sent his neioe.to the Foundling Hospital; he insulted Winifred and all of us in a manner not to be repeated. Oh, my precious Dimple, my lovely pet. Be told the policeman to drop her Into the East Biver. Henry, he aald you were a prize-fighter. Winifred, he is not worthy of your slightest thought. Why do you ststnd there staring at me In that idlotio manner, Jonathan T I disown you ; you are not worthy to be the uncle o that oherub darling.' Mr J. Templeton Ward did not wait to hear all. He darted out of the door, murmuring to himself, ' A crisis oames once in the affaira of ever man;' and seeking the policeman with frantic haste. Miss Dimple was in a few hours returned to the bosom of her family, r'is sister, however, refuse X to sea him, and it was not until the marriage of Miss Winifred Mollnenx to an officer in the United States navy that Mr J. Templeton Ward finally made his peace with his out raged relatives.