[COMPLETE STORY.] Miss Milly’s Creche

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 19, 13 May 1905, Page 52

[COMPLETE STORY.] Miss Milly’s Creche

By

Ellis Parker Butler

TH.’, idea of having a creeche came to Miss Alilly like a flash. 'Like a flash!’’ she exclaimed to Miss Dunne: “just like a flash! I never had anything come to me so sudden in my anything come to me so sudden in my life before! 1 was reading an article in the paper about a cree-shay in New Yerk. and like a flash it all come to me. ‘Why not have a cree-shay yourself?* I savs. and in the same breath it was all settled—the spare bedroom— Mother Goose paper on the wall and everything! My! 1 must have thought more in that single flash than 1 generally think in a week. My head ached for two hours steady after it.’ Mrs Dunne, who was taking a course in the “Shorter French Method.’’ by phonograph. raised her eyebrows. "Isn’t the word pronounced craitch, Miss Milly?’’ she inquired. “Maybe it is,” said Miss Milly. “I always 'say that the safest way with queer words is to speak them right out bold, and give them the stylishest sound yon can. But. anyway. I’ve got eighteen babies promised already. ’Now. you will send the twins, won't you?” Miss Milly paused and crossed her hands in her lap. “Twins are such a care!” sighed Mrs Dunne. with the air of one saying, “My vast wealth is so troublesome.” “That’ s just it!’’ exclaimed Miss Milly. “That is what a cree-shay is for. It’s to take care of your cares. Alyl” she ejaculated: “that’s almost a joke! But. oh! Mrs Dunne, you must let me have the twins!” “Well. Miss Milly.’’ said Mrs Dunne, generously. “I am willing to try the creehe. but 1 don’t know how you will ever manage twenty babies. 1 think two are twice as many as are comfortable.” Vineton was an aristocratic village, but it had a factory, and help of all kinds was at a frightful premium: nursemaids were an unattainable luxury. <'onseqpently social gaieties among the liappv possessors of babies were handicapped. An afternoon reception. assisted by eighteen babies, is apt to be too boisterous for comfort. As Mrs Dunne said. “You can depend on some of them crying all of the tune, and all of them crying seme of the time, and it’s a blessing if you don’t have all of them crying all of the time.’ Naturally, the creche was hailed as a great boon in Vineton. ami Miss Milly was looked upon as a publie benefaeThe preparations were equal to the. great work in hand. The spare bed-7-oom of the great Chesmore mansion, where Miss Alilly lived, was cleaned and garnished. Bows of cribs were set along the wall, dozens of rattles were laid in. and an arsenal of nursing bottles was purchased and sterilised. Individual preference as to cow's milk, prepared foods of many kinds, modified and condensed milk, were consulted and observed. Anil Susan was hired. Susan was the village nursemaid. She was passed along from week to week, and from one home to another. As soon as she was discharged as incompetent by one mother, she was taken up by another, because she was the only available girl. She was a pulpy girl of sixteen, with an ever-present smile and an absent-minded manner of wearing one thumb in her month. When she stalled to walk, the toe of one foot had a habit of catching on the heel of the other, probably because she stood, when quiescent, with the heel of her right re-ting on the instep of her left foot. Hut out of her eyes looked benevolence, goodnature, and unfailing kindness. Ami she doted on babies. Susan, in a crisp blue gingham dress and white cap ami apron, was quite ornamental; Miss Milly decided that she would really do very well. Ilm opening of the creehe was set for the day of Mrs Miller's reception. All the mothers would want to attend the reception, and the value of the Creehe would be doubly apparent. Alias Milly had had very little ex

perience with babies. In fact, she herself had been the last baby with whom she was closely associated, but since the idea of a creehe had flashed upon her, she had studied the baby subject carefully—in books—and she felt that she knew at least twice as much about babies as the average mother could know. She had learned that the baby was a Delicate Alachine, and that System and certain immutable Rules were the Key to the Situation. As she hurried about, putting the last touches of preparation on her co-operative nursery, she carried “Hints to Young Mothers in one hand. “Now, all we are waiting for is the babies,” she said to Susan, “and I do hope they come early. I'm just wild to get to’ work with them.” She east a glance around the room and was satisfied with her preparations. “Anil now, Susan, are you sure y’ou remember all the rules?” Susan removed her thumb from her mouth and grinned. “Oh yes. mam,” she replied; "‘least wavs, maybe I do.” “‘if a child cries, what do you do?” asked Miss Alilly. ‘‘Bounce ’em?*’ asked Susan doubtfully. Miss Milly shook her head sadly. “I’m afraid you haven’t a very good memory, Susan,” she said, opening the “Hints to Young Mothers.” “This says: ‘First ascertain “Oh yes. mam.” interrupted Susan eagerly. “ ‘First ascertain the cause of the trouble.’” “And how can you know what ails the child?” continued Miss Milly. “By the way it hollers," answered Susan positively. “Yes; and if it, is a colicky cry?’ asked Miss Milly. “Well.” said Susan “that there book of yourn says, put ’em across your knee and pat ’em. but 1 most generally gives ’em peppermint.” „ “We will follow the rules, please*,” said Miss Milly gently but firmly. “And what if it is a hungry cry?” “Feed 'em.” said Susan emphatically. “No. Susan,” .Miss Milly interposed; “not unless it is time to feed them. Feed once every two hours. That is the rule. And if the child emits a hungry’ cry and it is not feeding time. Susan?’ Susan shuffled her feet uneasily, then she looked up hopefully. “Bounce ’em?” she asked. “No!” said Miss Milly. “There is not a word about bouncing them in the whole book, except where it says they should never be bounced under any circumstances. it does something to their brains or something. Now. what would you do if the child cried a hungry cry and if wasn’t meal time?” Susan thought. She stood on one foot and thought, and then stood on both feet and thought. She avoided Miss Alilly’s “Well. Miss Milly.” she said doggedly, “I’m sure I can’t remember what that book would do to ’em. but if I had my way I'd bounce 'em." "Susan!” exclaimed Miss Milly in horror. "And after ail the times I have read you the rules!” “Well, mam." said Susan humbly, “I've clean forgot. What docs the book say?” Miss Milly opened her mouth to speak words of wisdom on the subject of hungry erics between feeding times, .but .she herself had forgotten the rule. She opened the "Hints to Young Mothers,” and hastily ran her eye down the index. “Cry, Cry. Cry,” she read: "Colic Cry. Temper Cry. Hungry Cry. Page 75.” She rapidly turned over the pages. " ‘ln a case* of this kind.' she* read. “ ‘take the child firmly by the legs and invert it. Holding it thus, pat it sharply on the b;..’k. ami the eiu-e of the trouble will usually be di-lodged. In rise it is not. try forcing it down the child’s throat

with your finger. Should this not avail, solid for th<‘ doctor.' Now you see, Susan." said Miss Milly. smiling through her glasses, ‘ that ib quite different.’*

Susan stood with open mouth and awestruck eyes. “Alebbe it would work, Miss Alilly, ’ she saiil, doubtfully. “I ain't ever heard of doing that to a hungry baby before, but then I ain’t ever liad no rules to go by. I always did just one way—when they’re hungry, feed ’em, an’ when they ain’t hungry, bounce ’em right side up, but I’ll try it if you say’ so. Grab ’em by the legs and bounce ’em upside down.” Alias Milly let her eyes run over the page before her. She coloured. "Oh,” she said, in an embarrassed tone, “you needn’t do that either, Susan. I see tiiat is the rule we use when something gets lodged in the child’s throat. Don’t yon remember?” “Yes. mam,” said Susan obediently. Tire door-bell rang, and Miss Milly hastily concealed the “Hints to Young Mothers.” in the voluminous pocket of her skirt. It was the Loring baby, the first arrival. and Miss Milly’ received it joyfully. She ha I Susan take it into the office. Here a great number of cardboard tags were suspended from tacks driven into the wall. One of these tags, bearing a large figure one, Miss Milly’ gave to Airs. Loring, and she hung a duplicate about the Loring baby's neck. “Y'ou must keep your tag,” Miss Alilly explained. “It is a duplicate of the one on the baby. That’s for identification. Tag number one. gets baby number one. If it wasn’t for that everybody might get any body's baby, and get all mixed up.” "Sakes alive!” exclaimed Mrs. Loring, “I should hope I’d know my own child! Can’t I get inv baby out unless I have the tag?”

“Well,” said Aliss Milly generously, “I guess it would be all right, if you lose the tag you ean have the baby anyway, but please don’t lose the tag. It s part of my* system, and a system oughtn’t to be broken.” Mrs. Loring was satisfied, and the other babies came in rapid succession. As they arrived they’ were carried to the nursery’ by’ the happy Susan. Mrs. Dunne’s twins came last. They were vociferous boys, of the toddling age, and were dressed alike. Miss Milly* was in doubt whether to deal out two tags for the twins or one tag for the pair. It depended on how you looked at it. As a. deposit at the creche the twins were one; as individuals, they were two. She finally decided on a tag for each, because one tag could only be attached to two boys by tying the boys together—which had its objections. Anyone who knows the innate spirit of repulsion that causes twin boys to run in opposite directions can understand one of tlw objections. When Miss Alilly retired to the nursery she found Susan in the midst of twenty babies. Some of the babies were very young, and lay* docilely on their backs in the eribs. Some were older, and sat in high chairs. Some crept about the spotless floor. Some toddled around on unsteady legs. Some “hunched” along in a seated position. A few were asleep.; all were good-natured, for all had been recently- fed.

Miss Alilly’ beamed upon them de'ightedly. “I can’t see,” she said, “what people find in babies that makes them say they arc such cares. Just look at the little dears! Why, cats and canary- birds are more trouble.” Aliss Alilly paused abruptly. A baby in a white dress with b'ue ribbons on its

■boulders began to wail in a corner crib. It was baby Number Sixteen. “Susan,” said Miss Milly, hastily digging into her pocket fbr the “Hints”; “what sort of a cry has that blue and white baby?” Susan put down a pink and white baby she had been holding, and went over to Number Sixteen. The jink and white baby began to cry, thinking itself abused. “Well, mam,” said Susan, putting her head on one side and listening judicially to the wail of Number Sixteen; “it ain't a colicky cry, and it ain’t a hungry cry, and it ain t a pin-sticking cry. and it ain’t a temper cry. I forget what other cries the book says, but 1 should say it just needs a little bouncing.” Miss Milly consulted her book hastily. “No! No! Don’t bounce it!” she cried breathlessly. •TH see what other cries there are. and you just look at this pink and white one on the floor, and see if you can make out its cry.” Susan picked up the pink and white baby. She picked it up quickly and raised it high in the air, all in one sweep of her strong arms. Tne baby ceased crying and gurgled with joy. “Susan!” exclaimed the shocked Miss Milly, “you bounced that baby!” “Oh no mam,” said Susan; “I wouldn’t do no sich thing. T just picked ft up. That ain’t how you bounce ’em. You bounce ’em this way.’’ She showed Miss Milly’ how “you bounce ’em.” The baby was delighted. Miss Milly was genuinely distressed. “You must not do that again, Susan,” she said severely. “I will not have babies that are left in my care bounced under any circumstances. It would be taking a, mean advantage of the mothers.” She turned once more to her book. “‘Sometimes,’” read Miss Milly, “‘the child cries for water. Often a small baby cries to be turned over in its crib.’ Susan, turn Number Sixteen ©ver.” Susan turned Number Sixteen over upon its stomach. Number Sixteen raised its head and cried louder than before.

Miss Milly turned the pages of “Hints to Young Mothers” rapidly to and fro. There were rules for everything except baby Number Sixteen. Miss Milly decided that Number Sixteen was having one of those necessary cries that are so beneficial for little lungs. When Miss Milly came to this conclusion. Number Sixteen became quiet with startling suddenness. At that moment Number Seven. vh > had been kicking up his bluestockinged legs in cherubic innocence, rolled from his crib to the floor and screamed lustily'. Miss Milly made a. dash for him, upsetting, in her rush, a pretty but unsteady y’nk girl who had been sitting on the floor. The pink girl also wept. “Thank goodness.” said Miss Milly, with a nervousness that belied her words, “I know wlifrt ails these two anyway'. “Yes mam.” said Susan cheerfully. “Well.” snapped Miss Milly, her temper breaking with the noise, “why don't you take your thumb out of your mouth and do something for that girl? We can’t let her yell that way'. She’s red in the face.” “Yes mam,” Susan admitted; “they do get that way'.” She put down the white baby and gathered up the pink

girl. The pink girl ceased her wails and the white baby screajued. Miss Milly clasped the weeping Number Seven to her breast, and, raising her voice, shouted to Susan. “Susan! can’t you take up that white baby too?” she called. Susan did so and there was quiet. Then in a far corner the youngest baby of all began screaming “bah! lah! lah!” Susan cast but one glance in that direction. “That’s colic,” she said decisively. “How do you know?’’ asked Miss Milly eagerly. “Why, you know it by' the holler; just like the book says. When they pulls up their knees that way' and hollers like that, it’s colic.” Susan dumped her two charges on an empty crib and ambled up to the youngest baby“First you put ’em across your knee, ’ she repeated, quoting the “Hints to Young Mothers,” “then you pat em. She followed the directions, but the youngest baby yelled louder than before. “It don’t work, mam,” said Susan; “shall I peppermint it?” “Yes,” Miss Milly called; “the book says, if patting don’t cure, use peppermint. Two drops in a half cupful of hot water.” Then the peppermint took effect; the youngest baby suddenly and miraculously fell asleep, but other babies had taken up the cry. “I hope there won’t often be so many crying at once.” Miss Milly exclaimed. “It sort of gets me al] confused, Susan. I don’t know what to do first. ’ “Oh my!” Susan said, grinning with amusement at the thought. “This ain t many. You wait till they begin to get

hungry!’’ Miss Milly cast her eyes over her twen * f charges with a ook of dismay’. As her glance fell on the Dunne twins, she sprang forward. One of the deal little fellows was watching the other dear little fellow, who, flat on his hack, was red in the face, with his knees rapidly approaching his chest. “Colic!” exclaimed Miss Milly.

The second twin, having held his breath to the limit of bursting, uttered a long, heart-rending “Wow!” and kicked vigorously. Miss Milly raised him from the floor and put him across her knees, face downward. The twin, having a vivid memory of other times when he had laid in this position across a knee, screamed. “Susan!’’ gasped Miss Miiiy, “got mo that peppermint quick. The poor child is suffering—terribly! Oh, be quick!’ Susan brought the peppermint and the twin was given a dose. He liked it and asked for more. As the “Hints to Young Mothers” did not authorize more, the twin became red in the face again. “I ain’t ever heard of such an old baby having colic, mam,” ventured Susan. “I don’t think that’s what ails him. Seems to me he’s just mad at something.” The first twin was standing close by Miss Milly’s knee, his hands clasped, watching his brother with soberly serious eyes. He seemed a picture of innocence, and he viewed his '□.•other's actions as a new and unfathomable phenomenon. A cry from baby' Number Fleven attracted the attention of Miss Millv for a moment and she turned her

head. The first twin quiekly aud quietly put forth a hand and pulled viciously at one of his brother's curls. When Aliss Milly looked back, the first twin was standing in innocent amazement, apparently stupefied by the fresh yells of his brother. But Susan had seen. She swooped down on the first twin, aud, lifting him in the air, shook him vigorously. “So you done it, did you’” she cried. “Well, 1 might have knowed. being you’re a twin. If I catch you doing it again, I’ll spank you. I'll spank you good, you bad boy.” site gave him another shake, and set him on a chair in a corner. The first twin looked at Susan with a pained expression, and his breast heaved with emotion. Miss Milly was shocked. The “Hints to Young Mothers” expressly forbade ail corporal punishment. “Susan,” she said, “the next time you shake a baby you will he discharged. I shall not have mv rules violated. You mark my words!” Miss Milly laid the screaming second twin on the floor, and put a motherly arm around the outraged first twin. “Why!” she exclaimed; “why! What did you do with your tag?” The lirst twin looked thoughtfully at the blue ribbon that still hung about his neck. Then he smiled sweetly and opened his mouth to its fullest extent, holding it up for inspection. Ilf had eaten the tag. “Susan!” gasped Miss Milly. her face white with fear, “what shall I do?” Susan considered the matter. “Well, mam,” she said, “if it’s on the string yet, maybe you ean pull it cut of him, but if he's got it oil’ the string, I wouldn't mind much, if 1 was you. Them tags is eheap, and you’ve got plenty more.”

“Oh, it isn’t that.” Miss Milly wailed. “It’s the danger to his health. I must get that tag. He will strangle or die* or something. Oh! Susan! Susan, Can’t you do something?” Susan came to the rescue cheerfully. “I’ll try what the book says.” she volunteered, and. grasping the first twin by his unwilling legs, she inverted

him and poiimhd his back. She -hook him again nd again. and then down hiit and breathless. "It ain’t any u-e, M'ss Milly," she gasped. "If it was a tin tag maybe 1 could shake it out. but them paper ones is so light. But I'll try again if you I’loin all part- cf he room <-ri ~ and wails arose. Numbers Sixteen, Kight, Eleven and four led il a smsi.-w .< long heartrending yells. Numbers Five, Nine, Ten, Seventeen, mid One added an tiecoinpaninient of short, sharp shrieks. Number Thirteen wept in a low. heart sick treble. Number Three burst forth in regularly timid, intermittent cries of "Mama! Mama!” Susan hurried from one to another, scattering rattles, pats, and soft wmd'. hut the spirit of discord was loose, and her efforts were fruitless. Miss Milly stood in bewilderment, nervously turning the ptges of "Hints to Young Mothers.” Susan paused and shook her head. "It ain't any use,” she shouted. “Thev're gettin' hungry. Shall 1 feed 'em Miss Milly glanced at the clock. -No." she said, brave'y ; “it's twenty minutes before the time to feed the first. Can’t you do something? Susan! Can’t you ‘do something? My hcafl she dropped to the floor and covered her ears with her hands. She reeked violently to and fro. She sang aloud but stdl the noise penetrnt d her head. -Oh! Susan,” she wailed, “what shall we do? What, ean we do?” "Let 'em holler." suggested Susan, stoie.allv. "'Twon't hurt ’em.” "Yes. it will.” wailed Miss Milly. "The book says that, a child ean scream itself into convulsions. Can it, Susan?’ “Yes, mam.” shouted Susan. "Oh. dear!” Miss Milly wrung her hands. “We must do something. If they should all have convulsions at once —” She paused. z.Suddenlv Miss Milly sprang for the newest baby. “Bounce 'em. Susan!” she cried wildly. “Bounce ’em!” They darted hither and thither,

bouncing 'em. They bounced ’em with feverish haste and stern earnestness. They Hew about the,room, laying hands on every child in turn. They bounced ’em -high nt first, and as they wearied they bounced ’em low, but they bouneed ’em all around. Three bounces was the average—up. down — up, down- —up, down—-drop that baby and on to the next! • H was no time for ’’Hints to Young Mothers.” It was the time to bounce.' And it succeeded. The cries became fewer. ! tlie babies gurgled with pleasure. The first twin even tried to bounce a few babies on his own account. Miss Alilly went out to prepare the eight varieties of infants’ foods, the cow's milk, the modified milk, and the condensed milk. Twenty' nursing-bottles are many, but Alias Milly accomplished the task, and tlie babies, being fed, became quiescent. The younger slept, the elder were content. Susan moved about, happy and mailing, overseeing the nursery, but Miss Milly sat in her chair and, with her head in her arms, wept softly. It came to her like a flash that Mature had not intended her to operate a creche. It was with gladness she heard the first ringing of the door-bell. It was Mrs Loring, fresh and smiling. Miss Milly met her at the door, her hair awry, her face flushed, her eyes feverish. •Well.” said Mrs Loring, ‘"how did you get along? Were the babies good? I'm just dying to see my little darling. And I did not lose my tag!” She produced the bit of cardboard, and Miss Milly hurried off to the nursery. reappearing with Number One.

‘•You might just look her over and see if she's damaged," said Miss Milly. The mothers came thick and fast after that, and Susan brought the babies down by twos, while Miss Milly compared the tags. Every one seemed quite satisfied with the babies they received. Presently all the iadles' tiuttered away, but Susan, standing in the door of the office, gazed at Miss Milly as if she wished to speak. •'Well, Susan?” she queried. ‘•There’s only one baby left, mam.” said Susan, hesitating. "Thank goodness for that-?' said Miss Milly. sincerely. Susan stood a moment logger and then stumbled away. Sudijenly Miss Milly’s face fell. She looked at her row of tags. She counted them. There were two tags still uneashed and only one baby on hand! The helion the front door rang and ilrs Dunne entered, smiling ad eool. "Oh, Miss Milly,” she gushed, ”1 Han't tell you how grateful I am for the •creche. 1 had a perfectly lovely afternoon and din’t worry about the twins a bit. Were the boys good?” Miss Milly fought for time. "One -out —” she gasped, and then tier guiltv secret would not out. She temporised. "One had the colie,” she said. Mrs Dunne laughed skeptically. "Colic!" she cried. “Nonsense! my boys never had the colie. ’they are too old for it now.” She sobered suddenly. “Did they eat anything they j>>hould not have eaten?” she asked. Miss Milly blushed guiltily. “One ate his tag, lint I don’t believe that did it," she said. "It was the other one had tin* colic." "Oh well," said Mrs Dunne, “bring them down. It doesn’t matter.” Miss Milly stood irresolute, and Iwrs Dunne, looking Up, smiled.

"Oh, yes," she said, "you want the tags.” She opened her purse and laid one tag on Auss Miily’s desk. then she searched her purse. She emptied it. "I’m afraid I’ve lost Hie other tag. she said, "but it doesn’t matter, does it. Alias Milly? We both know the twins .so well. There is nw danger of t hem getting mixed except with each other." Miss Milly did not dare to meet the eye of her patron. >lie fingered tTTe tag. "Of course, yon wouldn't ask for the twin twice. Mi, Dunne,” she said, with trembling voice, “but business is business, you know. The rule of my ereewhay is. ‘No tag—no baby,’ Mrs Dunne. I dare say you left the tag at Airs Miller’s. If you just run over there——” Mrs Dunne dropped into a chair and gasped. "Well, Milly Chesniore!” she exclaimed, "do you mean to have the nerve •ml impudence to tell me that you will keep my baby until—? What if 1 never gnd the tag? What if—ohl”

“You can have the one this tag calls for. Airs Dunne, right now,” said poor Aliss Milly. "Humph!” ejaculated Mrs Dunne. “I’m sure I ought to thank yon! • 1 can have one of them, indeed! You can keep them both until you get ready to send them back, and you'll be glad enough about bedtime.” Airs Dunne picked up her solitary tag and haughtily withdrew her presence from the Chesniore mansion. As the door closed upon her, Miss Milly darted up the- stairs. "Hunt. Susaui” she cried. “Find that twin. We must find him.” In frantic haste they began a thorough serach. They looked under all the cribs, folded them’up and set them in one corner. They shook everything that was loose. They ransacked the at tie and the cellar and looked in the ice-box and the china closet. Miss Milly even turned her pocket inside out but found nothing there except "Hints to Young Alothers.” Finally they searched the grounds and the outbuildings, and looked at the roofs and into the “ "Susan " said Miss Milly at last, “we must have the cistern dragged.” Siie hastily placed her bonnet on her head and started for the .rate As she put her hand upon' it. Mr Dunne put his hand upon it from the other side. He was large, imperturbable man. and he snukd kindlv upon the tear-stained face oi the nervous little woman. -What's all this how-de-do about the twins?” lie asked. "The madam came home a bit ago as mad as hops, and said von wouldn’t give them up without tags ‘or something. Vowed she would have the law upon you and put you in the penitentiary for life for abduction. 1 told her she had better let you keep them until they outgrew some 'of their tricks, and be glad of the chance, but nothing would do but that 1 should come over and annihilate you. Ho here I am." "Right is right. Air Dunne.” said Miss AlillyT with what severity she could muster. “Let Airs Dunne bring back the tags and she can have the twins. I’m sure 1 don’t want them.” •Fol-cle-iol,” said ATf Dunne. “I guess it isn’t so serious as all that. Miss Milly. I sent ’ th< r madam over to >Alrs Miller’s for the tag. and 1 dare say she'll be back with it in a minute.”

Even as he spoke Mrs Dunne came Hying down the street. ‘ There!” she cried, as she reached the gate. "There are both your old tags; now bring me my twins.” Aliss Alilly leaned her head against the gate-post and wept. "1 can't,” she sobbed. “I’ve only .got Number Nineteen. Number twenty is lost and 1 can't find him. I don’t care for the tags, but I can’t find the twin.” "(Hi, pshaw!” said Mr Dunne. “\\ hy didn’t you sav it was the twin that was lost. Miss'Alilly? We are used 1» that, but losing tags is a new experience and upsets us a little. Now, did you look in the jam closet for Hie boy?" "It was locked,” sobbed Aliss Milly. "He couldn’t get in.” "Was there any other food that he could get into?” asked Mr Dunne. A blank look passed over Miss Miily’s face.

"Why! why!” she exclaimed, "I took him into the butler’s pantry when I went to prepare the foods tor the babies, and I left him there.” She turned ami dashed into Hie butler's pantry. The missing twin was there and lie was not starved. He sat on the floor, and ranged around lam were eight empty bottles and tins that hail contained eight varieties of in'fants’ food. Much of the mixture was on tho floor. much was on his face, and more was on his clothes. As Alias Alilly entered, lie looked up with an innocent smile. When All's Alilly bore the twins to their waiting parents, Mrs Dunne ostentatiously presented the tags. ‘■Compare them, please,” she said coldly. "1 want no further mistakes.” Miss Alilly meekly bowed her head. Number Nineteen’* tag agreed with his redemption ticket, but there wa.s no way of comparing the tags of Number Twenty, for he had eaten the one that should have hung from the blue ribbon about bis neck. - . . “I have a good notion not to take the baby unless you show me the tag,” said Mrs Difniie. "Right is right, Aliss Chesniore! How do 1 know this is my boy?” Her sarcasm became monumental. “No doubt you will sue us for tha

value of the tag.” she said. “I shall expect the sheriff/to-niorrow. I’m afraid you can't conduct your eree-shay with‘out that tag.” Miss Milly accepted the sarcasni meekly.— • v • “I shall not conduct a cree-shay any more,” she said, “and I’m sorry I made you angry;” but the tears were again filling her eyes, and she put her lran;l in her pocket to find her handkerchief. Her fingers touched something haixl and smooth and she withdrew her hand quickly and shuddered. She hast touched the "Hints to Young Alothers.” "