Part 39 (1/2)

He held out his arms, but, as the father attempted to transfer the boy, the sight of another strange face increased his terror; the little hands grasped the officer's beard, and the baby shrieked in protest.

Eglah rose and crossed the car.

”He is accustomed to women; perhaps I can quiet him. Will you allow me to try?”

”O, thank you, madam!”

She took one little hand, caressed it, toyed with the fingers, and cooed as only women can. After a moment the child ceased crying, and when very gently she took it and laid it up against her shoulder the little creature nestled close to her. His suspicion, however, was not entirely allayed. Suddenly he lifted his head, stared curiously into her face, and when she laid her cheek on his, wet with tears, he seemed rea.s.sured and clung to her, his lips touching her throat.

The young man leaned over and whispered to a friend in the chair before him.

”He shows good taste in picking his nurse. Is not she a beauty? I have been watching that handsome couple, and things are not serene in their camp. I was near him in the smoker, and his face looked like a brownstone statue with live wild-cat eyes.”

Eglah walked slowly up and down the aisle, humming low and very softly Kucken's ”Schlummerlied.” Now and then the child sobbed faintly.

The officer came back with a bottle of milk, but, as he hurried forward, Eglah shook her head. After a little while the exhausted baby slept soundly.

”Madam, I cannot thank you sufficiently for your goodness. I will relieve you now, and I trust the pa.s.sengers will excuse the annoyance.”

”Let me keep him a while; he still sobs now and then, and if moved might wake. A good nap will quiet his nerves.”

”It is too great a tax on you, madam.”

”When I am tired, I shall bring him to you.”

”In a half hour we get home, and since you are so very kind, I will help the nurse arrange luggage for our station.”

Eglah went back to her own chair, and holding the little creature with her right arm softly patted him with her left hand. At every motion the wedding ring flashed like a dancing demon in Mr. Herriott's watching eyes.

”Poor little chap. Did you mesmerize him?”

”I think there is telepathy in great trouble. He feels intuitively that some one else is suffering torture, and 'a fellow feeling' drew him to me.”

She avoided looking at him, and her eyes followed the evolutions of a flock of white geese holding regatta in a pond close to the railway track.

After some moments, she cautiously and tenderly laid her muslin-clad burden in her lap, and smoothed out the long lace-ruffled robe. With a start one little hand was thrown up, but she caught and held it. He was a handsome boy, and when she untied the lace cap, too tight at his throat, his fluffy yellow locks enhanced his beauty.

The sight of the baby fingers clinging to the hand where the gold band shone renewed the struggle Mr. Herriott was trying to crush.

Leaning toward her, he said:

”Last night, at your request, I stifled my repugnance, and did what I deeply regret. To-day I must ask you for the only favor you can ever grant me. Give me back my ring.”

There was an angry pant in his voice that made the words a demand rather than request.

”Mr. Herriott, I am sorry to refuse any wish of yours; but I cannot.”

”I want it.”

She looked steadily at him.