The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-15

Soul You're Growing Old.
stretched out before her, and daddy's
experienced eyes fell on them at once.
He was SO we'll acquainted with stock
ings! He noticed instantly that they
were rusty and loose fibred. Then he
saw the little ''gobbled" darns in them.
Peggy was not renowned for needle
work.
Poor dye, slazy weave" he thought
Couldn't have come from Bruce's. Mine
are fast black and you cant see day.
light through em either.
Fire away, daddy. Don't you see the
ladys waiting?'
Peggys clear, laughing voice interrupt
ed his thoughts and brought him back
from the stocking counter at Bruce's to
the great, hot beach with the sea at
his feet.
'Er-why. yes, Peggy, yes. What was
/ sayin'?''
That's the trouble-you weren't say
ing solitary word. Daddy Knox! Just
mooning-or selling stockings"
"Sellin' stockings-you've hit the nail,
Peggy! That's what i was doin' sure
1t kinder comes second nature to me.
That's what l expected to be doin' this
minute, but the boss gave me day off.
So l ran down here-I hankered to see
a little harum- scarum girl O. mine. But,
you see" Che lowered his voice conf
dentially), I never thought to fix up,
SO I'm keepin' dark. / wouldn't have
your ma see me this way for the best
pair O. silk Stockin's at Bruce's."
Peggy eyed the crumpled shirt bosom
with palpable disfavor Her eyes travelled
over the shabby little figure, taking in
the shiny seams and the frayed edges
disapprovingly. How little and-and
seedy daddy was!
Yes, mad have a ft-two fits" she
said, promtly. You'll have to remain
incog, daddy. Now, l don't mind-Im
not in full dress myself! So I'm willing
to fellowship with you. I'll run up across
lots to our room, and tell them I'm not
going to dinner, and then I'll trouble you
for a silver half-dollar, kind sir, and buy
our lunch at restaurant. And We'll
eat it right here, out of a paper bag!
Larks!''
Her eyes were still on daddy. She
was seeing many new things-the hol-
lows in his temples, the patient droop
to his lips, the whitening hair around
his bald spot. She was seeing how
''stoop- shouldered'' daddy was getting to
be, and how tired-tired-tired he looked.
1t seemed to Peggy, lying there in the
warm sand beside daddy, as If she was
just being introduced to him. She reach
ed out a little sea- Drowned hand and
slowly threaded the scant gray hair be-
tween her fingers. The softness and
sickness of it surprised her. She had
never known before that daddy'S hair was
| soft and silky.
but it's thin, daddy. I believe to my
soul you're growing old. Aren't you
ashamed of yourself, sir? The ideal"
| mo older than some other folks this
| side O. the sea, puss," retored daddy
with boyish laugh. He did not feel
| old just then. He felt young. 1t was
so pleasant to have Peggy all to him
self, and to lie, resting. with the gentle
boom of the breakers in his ear.
You're CROWN old, too, ma'am Bless
my SOUL wasn't it day before yesterday
you had the collie. and ! toted you VI
and down the nursery floor! Up and
down-up and down-did you ever say
enough? Not you!"
He prodded her whimsically with his
finger. but she was not listening to his
| banter.
! you're tired Daddy. that's what" she
cried abruptly. you needs a lark-s
long one, not just mean little 24-houl
one like this. See. there are crows fee
| enough for crows feet One two, three
four. Who ever heard Of crow will
four feet? Daddy, do you hear? You