MYSTERIOUSLY WARNED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXIII, 2 December 1899, Page 1016

MYSTERIOUSLY WARNED.

Some of us know instances of that, subtle sixth sense which is apt to effect women more than men, and which is so mysterious in character that its existence is often denied. A lady sat sewing in her sitting-room, while in another chamber the nurse was putting the baby to sleep. As the nurse came out, she said to her mist ress: —

“I think, madam, that the little dear will sleep for full three hours.”

The nurse went downstairs and the mother sewed on. Suddenly a desire seized her to go and take t!he sleeping child from its crib. “What, nonsense!” she said to herself. “Baby is sound asleep. Nurse just put- her down. I shall not go.” Instantly, however, a still stronger power urged the mother to go to her baby; and after a moment she rose, 'half vexed with herself.

The baby was asleep in her bed. safely tucked in with soft white and pink blankets. One small hand was thrown above the brown head. The hand was half open, the fingers slightly curved, and the palm as rosy as the depths of a lovely shell.

. “My baby!” whispered the mother, adoring the little sleeper as mothers will. “My own dear little baby!” She bent over suddenly, a t'hird time, impelled by that imperious forcewhicli was controlling her. and. for no apparent reason, took the sleeping baby in her arms and went swiftly into the other room. She had scarcely crossed the threshold when a startling sound caused her to look back. Through a stifling cloud of thick grey dust she saw that, the ceiling had fallen, lying'heaviest of all upon that spot where, but for her mystic warning, her precious child would even then be lying.