The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-06
LITTLE FOXES.
BY. F. 1T. LANCASTER.

 @@&<NNN@@%@@@a f bad. He wound up by fiinging out some. thing about not having any heart left In hts ufe and slammed through the window, l hope 1t made him feel better l l left word for the carpenter to call and repair damages. Trouble with Bob is he needs somebody to steady him. and have never seen any one that could dr t unless tt was you: and 1 am afraid you are too familiar with his seamy ps 1ss to sS sos. t, x That s.xs s ever ses day tomorrow Did you ever notice how often Easter Sunday is fair?'' l.. The stenoGapher gave a final touch to hesvy-headed lily and arose "Well IL should be-" she said softly. | That first Easter Sunday was a won- derful day for the world" She snapped open her. watch and consulted it ab- Maud regarded her moodily. Now I have nnloaded on her and she wiii have bad night to top off her .'I wish you would come home with me to tca." she said aloud. Father is in town and Bob is in the dumps. It would be such a blessing if you would come.''
 I'm sorry.'' was the quiet reply. but T., have an appointment for this evening"
 Maud trudxed homewa-d in the gIoam- Ing.
 T wonder why make such a mess of everything" she unused. Why couldn't I have knelt down there beside her and told her the truth, and put in good word for Bob. Selfishness, suppose. I imagine it does more mischief than all the rest of the little foxes put to- gether. am always trying to make out that I have done things better than I have. No wonder have a bad taste in my mouth. wish to gracious that I could climb out of myself for. just a minute and do something gioriously dis agreeable"
 As if in answer to her wish Crawling voice spoke her name. Mir. Barton and she were several blocks from home. All of which being interpreted read dreary discourse on speculation. Maud stiff bered her wish. Then she plunged into stocks. She chung to 1t, turned 1t about, | listened as if fascinated. Stocks. stocks. nothing but stocks" she insisted in. wardly. The man at her side was de- lighted. He had never dreamed of such 1 a listener. Of such a combinatton of in- telligence and beauty. His heart warmed to her. As usual unselhshness begot un- selflshness He even paused to apologize for going into uresome detail Don't let me bore you. l am lonely man and 1t Is such treat to meet one to whom can talk so freely"
 "The funny part Of It is. Maud renect- ed as she ran. up the steps. "I really to see my way" She opened the library door with quite a gust of gladness. Bob. who was smoking before the ire. looked at her in astonishment
 Why, Sis. you look as fresh as a daisy" he commented.
 i've been talking speculations with Mir. Barton she laughed. She stopped before the fire and stood absently turn. ing the rings on her fingers.
 "I met Miss Marton around at the church. She had just finished one of the loveliest crosses. I asked her to come home with me to tea. but she wouldn't"
 NO. She is as proud as they make them. But say, Sis, it was good of you to try to be nice"
 Maud shook her head.
 I'm afraid made a mess of it. dear boy. I should have called on her at her rooms. I'll do it tomorrow. too"
 The big fellow got up and stood be- side her.
 "Does that mean that you are going to back me. Sis?"
 Why of course. I'll not have another chance to get a sister like that. Carrie know"
 At that Bob's arm went around her and long talk followed.
 Poor little girl" he said at last T expect you are finding me as big bore as Barton and his stocks" Why, the idea, Bob. Besides, MT. Barton didn't bore me-"
 Barton Is not half bad fellow
 "No. he isn't.'' she replied absently. "TIl .eli you what. Bob. If you won't say anything to father tonight while he Is tired, I will have buckwheat cakes for breakfast tomorrow. The big things of life turn on such small pivots. don't you know"
 Bob gathered her up and kissed her. "All right, brother mine. If we can keep the upper hand of the little foxes we will have that proud sweetheart of yours eating dinner with us on Easter Sunday"
 And they did.