a suggestion; there was no
answer there. It was not until her gaze fell upon the cradle that she
was seized by the desired inspiration.

"I just got up to see baby," she faltered, then putting one hand giddily
to her head, she pretended to sway.

In an instant Alfred's arms were about her. He bore her quickly to the
bed. "You stay here, my darling," he said tenderly. "I'll bring baby
to you," and after a solicitous caress he turned toward baby's crib and
bent fondly over the little one. "Ah, there's father's man," he said.
"Was he lonesome baby? Oh, goodis g'acious," then followed an incoherent
muttering of baby talk, as he bore the youngster toward Zoie's bed.
"Come, my precious," he called to Zoie, as he sank down on the edge of
the bed. "See mother's boy."

"Mother!" shrieked Zoie in horror. It had suddenly dawned upon her that
this was the name by which Alfred would no doubt call her for the rest
of her life. She almost detested him.

But Alfred did not see the look of disgust on Zoie's face. He was wholly
absorbed by baby.

"What a funny face," he cooed as he pinched the youngster's cheek.
"Great Scott, what a grip," he cried as the infant's fingers closed
around his own. "Will you look at the size of those hands," he
exclaimed.

Zoie and Aggie exchanged worried glances; the baby had no doubt
inherited his large hands from his mother.

"Say, Aggie," called Alfred, "what are all of these little specks
on baby's forehead?" He pointed toward the infant's brow. "One, two,
three," he counted.

Zoie was becoming more and more uncomfortable at the close proximity of
the little stranger.

"Oh," said Aggie, with affected carelessness as she leaned over Alfred's
shoulder and glanced at baby's forehead. "That is just a little rash."

"A rash!" exclaimed Alfred excitedly, "that's dangerous, isn't it? We'd
better call up the doctor." And he rose and started hurriedly toward the
telephone, baby in arms.

"Don't be silly," called Zoie, filled with vague alarm at the thought of
the family physician's appearance and the explanations that this might
entail.

Stepping between Alfred and the 'phone, Aggie protested frantically.
"You see, Alfred," she said, "it is better to have the rash OUT, it
won't do any harm unless it turns IN."

"He's perfectly well," declared Zoie, "if you'll only put him in his
crib and leave him alone."

Alfred looked down at his charge. "Is that right, son?" he asked, and he
tickled the li