Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-22
Copyright, 1S9S by Robert w. Chambers.)
CHAPTER VIII-COntinued.
,,s.&ds

Burke reappeared at Harewoods door.
Jim, that kid is here May she come
in?'
'Yes," said Harcwood, listlessly.
moment later Red Riding Hood en-
tered removed her small wooden shoes, and
pattered UP to him in noiseless chaussons,
saying seriously, bon jour, Monsieur Hare
wood; peut on entrer, sill vous plait?'
'Indeed. you may, he said, smiling.
'Have you come to pay me another little
VISIT"
Red Riding Hood shook her head and
stood looking up at him, waiting FOR the
kiss that was to her the most important
event in her daily life. He laughed and
held out his hands. She put both frail arms
around his neck and raised her face. This
solemn rite accomplished, the child sighed
and nestled closer to his shoulder
81 have finished the dishes" she eX-
planned. 81 then played with Scheherazade.
Then I learned my lesson. 1t was arith-
metic. ! was perfect
"Are you sure, Red Riding Hood?"
Eyes I repeated it to Mile Hide. She
said II was quite perfect. then played
with Mehemet Ali. the parrot, who is my
friend / am fond OF the parrot.
Suppose" said HARDWOOD that some
time you were very, very hungry; would
you eat Mehemet Ali?"
mo monsieur"
"Why?'
.'The parrot is my friend 1t would be
shameful"
uarewood laughed aloud, and Red Riding
Hood, looking anxiously at him, laughed
too-a timid joyless little laugh, sadder
than tears.
.'You are right That would not do at
all. would it? We must never aid our
selves at friends expense-even par
rot's."
Here ended the lesson, for Harewood found
that loyalty and unselfshness were virtues
which Red Riding Hood would never need
IN learn from him AS for lies, the child
apparently had never conceived the idea OF
telling one That lesson, too had ended
with n laugh and a kiss. But alas, ap-
propriating pastry was Red Riding HOODS
besetting sin, and it took all of Harewoods
cleyerness to explain to her the difference
between mine and thine. She did compre-
hend at last and gave him her promise tor
future abstaning, and with this was ac-
compished the moral regeneration OF Red
Riding Hood-which after all, was no very
difficult undertaking.
Il came" said Red Riding Hood, ito tell
you several things. Shall II"
"By all MEANS" replied Harewood, anxi-
ously.
'Then i VIII. Inc HTSt Is thdt 1 Wao Poi
feet in arithmetic; have already told you
that The other is that Mile. Yoette has
gone out. She has gone to the market,
think The third is that Mile Hide Is
quite alone In the parlor."
Harewood looked at her suddenly, faint
color under his eyes.
.Why do you tell me that Red Riding
Hood?"
because" said the child. 81 think she
would like to have you come down.
"Did she say so?"
"No"
"Then why do you think so?"
81 don't know" said Red Riding Hood,
looking up into his face. Harewood put one
arm around the child; his eyes were alb
sently fixed on hers. After few moments
he said: .''Do you love Hide, Red Riding
Hood?"
"Yes-and you also, monsieur
"Me?"
''If you do not mind"
Hardwood smiled and said:
81 want you to love me, too. ked Riding
Hood-and Mile. Yolette and M. Bourke-
Mile. Hide best of all. Will you?"
81 don't know" said the child, whether
love you or Mile Hide best. l must think
for a day." she continued sedately, land
then l will tell YOU Good-by. l am going
to shell peas
"Good-by, Red Riding Hood" said Hare
wood "and will you please come again?"
"Yes-tomorrow."
She trotted over to the door, put on her
wooden Shoes turned and said, "Adieu
Monsieur Harewood" and went away down
stairs. tap. tap, tap, over the tiles.
Harewood shook out his coat. washed the
ink stain from his hands. brushed his hair
settled his necktie then took dozen turns
up and down the room. Presently he wen
to Bourke's door and opened 1t, but tha
young man was again asleep, fists doubled
up like an infants, face buried in the pill
low Harewood watched him for a moment
preoccupied by his own thoughts; afte
awhile he turned away down the stairs
stepping softly. on Bourkes account
The door Of the parlor was open. Schehera
zade lay on the sofa, eyes closed tail trail
ing on the floor. The lioness opened on,
eye when Harewood entered, immediatel,
closing 1t, however, when she saw who l
was. Harewood had never taken any notice
OF her; therefore. as a self-respecting liones
she snubbed him. Hide was not in tn
ROOM but he heard her voice not far away
probably in her own bedroom. She wa
singing to herself. as she often did over he
needlework:
OF all the saints in Brittany
Sainte Hide
Is blessed evermore-
tie dropped into chair, smiling q
Scheherazade and listened to Hides voice
Pachik, pachik, ma fach bihan,
kes d'he saludin dhe champr
tia tach d'ehOud ober komplimant!
"Hilde!" he called suddenly "Salu
Zach. ma dousg Hilde!"
There was a silence; then Hides voic
In utter astonishment:
IN. Harewood! Who taught you
speak Breton?"
The next instant she was at the dool
flushed and wondering. her needlework /
her hands.
''Saludan ma dous a diabell," he salt
laughing. Il learned Breton in Morbihar
mademoisele."
"Hennez 20 cum den a galite" she an
swered saucily also laughing. "Who eve
would have believed that an American coul
speak the Benton tongue?'
II heard you singing about Sainte- Hid
and the little page, and all that SO though