Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1898-08-25

q yarn Wnicn he tninkS funny or ap-
propriate. Therefore. 1t goes without
faying that Betty's appealing wall has
no effect.
The girls laughed lightly. possibly
from the force OF habitual politeness.
and Bobby. as usual. doubles up and
howls at the wit of his own yarn. Peo-
pie. unkind critics. are wont to ascribe
Bobby's persistence of anecdotes to this
laugh Of his. They say he roars so
he thinks every one else is enjoying it.
Bobby" remarks Betty when at last
Mr.. Smythe's mirth has subsidized. ut
has Just occurred to me that you are
still In town-that you haven't gone to
war with the rest of the boys. de-
clare I'm ashamed of you. and Lovey
Dear must be. too. know. for she said
yesterday that II was better to die a
hero than live nothing: didn't you.
Lovey Dear?"
For second n keen observer might
notice how white Bobby gets; what an
anxious look flashes In his eyes: what
a firm set his mouth takes. Then he
answers quietly:
II wanted to 60 awfully. Betty. and
1t gave me q pretty good wrench to
see the other fellows shoulder their
guns and go of to hsht around the old
flag; but my mother. you know-well.
l support her first. Uncle Sam next"
And there is little ring In his voice
as he says this that brings light into
Lovey Bears soft gray cyes-a light
that, perhaps. who knows. may never
fail.
You are good boy. Bobby" re-
marks Betty. "and what will you do II
l tell you there Is a watermelon on
ice in the refrigerator"
Have spasms in rapid succession
until 1t is produced" replies Mr..
Smythe promptly.
Whereupon. rather than expose her
self to the danger of hydrophobia. 80
Betty says. she leads the way dining
roomwards, where. In the luscious juice
of n round slice of really indecent size.
Bobby buries his homeiy visage and
apparently the gravity that was his q
moment ago.
Presently Betty. being small and
easily satisfied. rises.
ieaNe you tWo puuuihS po'h coH-
strictors to gorge yourselves out OF
proportion while go and write line
to Freddy: and. Bobby. for mercy's
sake wipe that melon of the end of
your nose! Why can't you eat re-
specially, like other people?"
WELL" answers Bobby. grinning
over half moon Of rind, you know
o quill-drivsr must be SO much around
a pen this. he loses style. Good-by,
dear. II there were not another pros
pective slice Of melon between us.
Betty. I should be tempted to eat you
you look like a stick of peppermint
candy in that red and white get up"
"Candied compliment" says Betty.
and disappears to avoid reproaches.
For a moment there is silence in the
room. then Bobby looks up with the
same odd, grave expression on his face
that was there a while ago.
II know" observes he, speaking hur-
riedly, that you girls think banners
and fireworks of the fellows who are
going to fight for all that is best in
Cuba. 1t must seem tame to you for
me not to go. Did you," jerkily now,
think less-er-of me for it, Lovey
Dear?"
And Lovey Dear chow the name fits
herr answers gently: 20, no; not less
Of you, Bobby. There are even highe:
duties than those which one owes to
ones country, and the best and the
bravest and the grandest battles
fought are the battles that no one sees;
and the greatest heroes are the silent
ones who must stand fast to the plain
things while others go marching on"
"Lovey Dear" and though Bobby is
beaming like the midday sun and his
pleasant homely face is wreathed in
smiles, his voice breaks in an odd little
way, and there is something besides
light shining in his eyes, "Lovey Dear,
you're brick! Have another slice Of
melon with mev'-New Orleans Times
Democrat.