The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-09-16

:Don't stop, little troubadour. Il II
only ]. and I have my mandolin. too.
Then, as he came nearer, said: where
have you been? went up to town one
day and brought the mandolin back
with me, and I've brought it out every
day without finding you"
II heard-I thought that you went
away yesterday" ans wered the boy
with curious embarrassment.
''You speak of it as if that were the
reason for your coming to-day! Not
very hattering, must say!" laughed
the man. by the way, I wish you
would tell me your name. Mine is Ken
meth Harding, architect, New York,
very much at your service!"
"Mine is Frank Willard said the
youth, after a moments pause.
"You were improvising, were you
not? Have you Vagabondia with you?
All, there it isl" and Harding seized
the little volume delightedly, and with
out more ado began to recite Barney
McGee," turning the leaves meanwhile
until he found the poem. He read on
to the end, and his companion clapped
his hands.
isn't it lovely! That's absolute ge-
MUS in it's line!" he said, land how
we'll you read. Please don't stop!"
So Kenneth read one after another
of the gay or tender little poems. He
continued until the sun had fallen too
low to permit longer reading, then
urged his companion to try song or
two; and so the time passed until the
two suddenly realized that it was near
~ dark.
"You'd better go. It is not good road
for wheel after dark" said Kenneth,
springing up. The boy did not rise.
"All right; don't wait for me-" he said,
carelessly.
"But we go in the same direction
and may as well start together. Your
father's house has been pointed out to
me, think. Back on the hill, is it not :?
I thought so. Shall I help you get your
wheel out? Where is it?''
II walked to-day; my wheel is in
for REPAIRS" answered the boy.
''Then of course we will walk togeth-
er, as far as you co." said Harding,
cheerfully. "Come, we shall be late for
our dinner, if you don't hurry" He
was beginning to wonder vaguely at
his companions evident reluctance,
when sharp whistle, three times re-
peated, pierced the stiffness. Frank
| answered it, and in another minute a
boy of "A pushing aside the branches
came into view. At the same instant
he called: "Frank! Frances K-a-th-
crime, where are you? Oh, there you
are! Hurry up, sis, the CAROLS have
come to dinner" Then, suddenly catch
ing sight of Harding, he stopped.
Franks face was as crimson as the su-
mach berries near, but with an attempt
at carelessness, she said: ''Mr. Harding,
this is my brother Ned" springing to
her feet as she spoke.
II beg your pardon" Harding began,
confusedly, feeling most unreasonably
guilty. Il thought you were boy,
CT course, or I would not have pre-
sumed as did. I'm awfully sorry
In spite of her evident chagrin the
girl laughed.
II know it," she said, answering the
first part of his speech, not the last,
''and it was so jolly! When you saw
me that day and I found that you
thought I was a boy. it seemed such
fun! But kept away after I found that
you came often, because did not want
you to find OUT
| They had walked on as she made her
explanations; and when she ceased
speaking Harding said eagerly: '''But
you will not stay away again? missed
you awfully those days-my little trou-
badour!"
! II can't go there, now that you know