Aunt Jane's Nieces on the Ranch

s, Really, girls, Jane is a very winning baby. I don't say that because I'm he

lieve such a baby was ever before born

tches everyone who beholds her dear dimpled face. This is an impartial op

water, displays a devotion for baby that is absolutely amazing. I don't blame her, you know, for it must be a real deligh

laughed

very minute and she is never out of my thoughts. However, with two nurses, both very compet

the palm, under which the three nieces

ie you were talk

y. "There's no other topic of c

lf in a rustic chair. "A queer name for a baby, Louise.

ajor! It's a charmin

ter poor Aunt Ja

mewhat awkwa

cle John gravely, "was in som

r about Aunt Jane," she added, "is that she brought us three girls together, when we had previo

other favor," added

ere her memory. Had the baby been a boy, its name would have been John; but being

lly fond of Jane, myself," said he, "but it's a

very cruel to Patsy and to me, and so

iticism of his defunct sister-a criticism that in fact admitted little argument. "But it occurs to me that the most p

our discussion of Aunt Jane. She was really instrumental in making our fortunes as wel

ause it is simple and old-fashioned. Now that it is connecte

," declared

thur?" inqui

is to drive us all over to town in the big car, and we have planned to have lunch ther

dy for the ride, while he brought out the car. He always drove the machine himself, as no one

st asleep. Near her sat Mildred Travers, reading a book. Crouched in the win

ng near a corner of the room. On one side it connected with a small chamber used by Inez, which occupied half the depth o

, and still beyond this were the rooms occupied by Arthur and Louise, all upon the ground floor. By

e was the famous blue room occupied by the major, where ghosts were supposed at times to hold their revels. Yet, despit

over her shoulder at Mildred, who read placidly as she rocked to and fro in her chair. The presence of the American nurse seemed to oppress the girl, for not a

minutes later entered the hut where Bella, the skinny old h

e ees Mees Jane?" w

in the doorway. Every dark, earnest eye repeated the

e new nurse, Meeldred.

d the aged Miguel. "Ees it

ted two of the adobe dwellings and served as a shady lounging place. Here a

e girl, showing her gleaming teeth. "What

is white moustac

ed good to Mees

ool even baby, some time, who laugh at her. But poor baby

. They eyed the girl attentively, as if expecting to he

?" asked Miguel, the

" tossing her head in

e?" continue

think this girl who learns babies in school, an' from books, know more than me

n unison, approvi

remarked old Bella. "Books an'

ad. "Book an' school can not grow orange, either. To do a t

ez, "this Meeldred

es

Then, the first day she come, she say: 'Take baby's milk into vault under your room an' put on stone shelf to keep cool.' I, who live here, do not know of such a vault.

nishment. Old Miguel scrat

know all of the old house, as no one else know. Once I live th

nswer. Merely

he, Inez?" sudde

Meeldred

eeply and then shook

asserted. "I thought maybe she have been here before. B

Ranch over at the n

e there," declared Miguel, still with th

aughed

tell you. I know it! Lo

sily. Old Miguel deliberately ro

after due reflection. "But, if she ees witch-w

h than the others. "She will bewitch my baby; she will make it si

ightened looks. Old Bella

Miguel's wife. "If Mees Weld theenk thees g

z fiercely. "That is what I say, Bella. Befor

ed the girl's

-even thees New York witch-woman. Be compose an' keep watch. No

go," replied Ine

l about thees new nurse, you get sent home. Then you lose Mees Jane. So keep comp

old Miguel's advice. She rose from the bench where she was seated,