Life — September 26, 1907 — page 9: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“COMING EVENTS CAST was always easy-going, anyway. First we'll have a thorough housecleanin; ‘Then, the baby isn’t well, and” “Has she a baby?” asked Dickerby, timidly. “Dear me, yes. And she doesn’t know how to treat hi But we'll fix all that I can’t wait to begin.” The next morning at nine o'clock, Dickerby reported at Flora’s sister Jane’s house, according to instructions. He found her arrayed in a short skirt and shirt-waist, ready for business, “Excuse my appearance,” she said, “but you know one has to wear one’s old clothes at this sort of thing. Now, st we'll take all the rugs out and put them in the backyard. There's a man coming, but this will help.”” Dickerby took off his coat and got to work, “Now,” said Flora, when he had fin- ished, ‘all the pictures must come down and be dusted.”” “All right, darling.” Dickerby got the stepladder, and toiled until lunch. “Dye discovered,” whispered Flora, triumphantly, as she leaned over the table, “that the nurse is a traitor. She has becn actually abusing the baby. ‘Think of it! Jane is so blind! The cook told me all. I don’t dare leave her alone with the little fellow for a moment. Now, this aftemoon I shall be busy sewing those curtains and I’ve let her off on pur- THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE” —THE OTHER FELLOW pose, as I'm on the track of another who may come, so I wish you would look after the baby.” “Edon't know much about the man agement of infants,” said Dickerby, du hiously. “OF course, I'm willing to pee “Don't be worried, You won't have to do much, Amuse him a little, then roll him out in his carriage, see that he isn’t uncovered, give him his bottle at half- past three, and if he cries give him some hot water, bring him in promptly at five and hy that time Tl be ready to take him.” A few minutes after, Dickerby was led into the nursery and introduced to the baby. ‘That individual was in no amiable mood. ‘The absence of his mother had not heightened his spirits to any appre ciable extent. He had what is technically known asa “grouch.” Dickerby did his best, but all his efforts scemed purposeless. Every few moments Flora was obliged to respond to his ardent cries. “Tm afraid,” she said at last, “that T'll have to give up those curtains, And, by the way, you didn’t half take thos rugs out, and as for the pictures, why, are strewn all over the floor. Don’t you even know how to hold a baby?” Dickerby got up. He was tired to death and nervous. he said, * . Pm glad w and I don’t propose tried this expe: 361 ment, for I realize as a husband I'm a failure. None of it for me! I've had enough. I shall still continue to love you, Flora, all the days of my life. But I see now that it won't do. I don’t know any thing about rugs or pictures or babies, or anything else about a house, and I don’t propose to lean.” He dragged himself to the door. “Good-by, Flora,” he said, feebly. “I must leave you forever.” But before he could get outside a pair of sturdy feminine arms was about his neck. Flora had hastily placed the baby in the crib, and gone to the rescue “Do you mean all that, dear? asked. “T certainly do.” “You'll never raise a finger to do a thing?” “Never.” She clasped him to her “Don't you se she cried, “that you're just the man. I simply can’t wait ” she to marry you.” Dickerby gasped “Do you mean to say,” he cried, “that you still wish me to be your husband — on my terms?” And she laughed back “I most certainly do that you'll let me alone to do just as I se in my own how Chesterton For now | know Todd. A LEE SHORE. comicbooks.com