Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-07-02

smudged face and tousled head mes
! Ting against the dainty whiteness OF
her gown, as she endeavored to soothe
him, and to still the strange outburst
which was so distressing and so dis
concerting to his unhappy father.
Could it be that the sullen, malevo
lent nature had capacity for feeling OF
which he had never dreamed? Or. was
this but a physical manifestation OF
nervousness and terror?
"My boy! My boy" he began, scoth
ingly. BE quiet The doctor is go
ing to set your shoulder. Surely. you
do not mind little thing like that?'
he asked, recalling the child's lie
time of accidents.
Welcome ceased his cries for an il
slant and then renewed them.
ooh. l have been a bad, bad boy!'
he whimpered, with astonishing peni'
tence. But I'm never, never going to
be bad any more!"
That is laudable resolution, my
SOM" his father responded with mild
irony. PITY you did not think to make
it earlier!" and he glanced grimly at
the wrecked automobile, and thought
of his spoiled plans.
"I'm never going to be bad-if vol,
give me something" whimpered the
boy again.
my son! forbear to mention what
I'd give you with huge delight, if
gave you your deserts!" exclaimed the
sorely tried father; while Mrs. Garlic.
ton smiled.
"I'll be good." the child astonished
them by declaring, ''if only get a
new mammal"
Their eyes met in confusion.
I'm the only boy round here that
amt got no mamma" announced the
child, with cheerful impudence and
disregard OF grammar, land ! want
one!" he persisted. 81 want Mrs. Garlic
toni"
my boy. this is the FIRST good turn
you have done YOU: unfortunate faith
er since your BIRTH" blurted out Abel
bert Nye. with surprising alacrity.
'You have but anticipated my own re-
quest" and he smiled upon the bog
most geniaily. Now if only Mrs.
Carleton consents
But | Thought" that lady be
gan, in confusion.
ooh. want you. l want you!" the
elfin child persisted, tightening his
arm desperately about her neck. "l'l)
be a good boy. truly will"
The doctor was arranging his splints
| at the end OF the veranda. Archie and
Louise had Joined the curious group on
the opposite side of the street.
| 1t was an opportunity afforded them
by Fate!
Leila" the dignificd barrister be-
gan in tender whisper, "the child has
but voiced my own thoughts! You
know what you were to me once! For
Jour dear sake have learned to love
your daughter as my own. She cares
for young Irwin; am in a way to
help the boy along. For all our sakes,
then, will you not consent?"
"1t seems but fair" she responded
slowly and calmly. although she felt
that he must be aware of the mad
beating OF he: heart. Ito exchange my
daughter for your SON."
Leila, know it is long time since
that far-off September day when we
gathered the gentians in the old pas.
ture lot, and vowed"
Cali ready now, young man." broke
in the doctors CHEEKY voice. as he hur.
ried fussily 70 with full hands. "Now
let's see what hero you're going to
BET"
But the child pushed him rudely
away, at the same time inquring, in
the imperious tone of one who had
never known what it was to have his
wishes gainsaid:
els it all right, papa?"
THAT is for Mrs Carleton to de.
eide, my son. Is it all right, Mrs
Carleton he inquired lightly, yet
with unmistakable anxiety in his tone
Two little spots of red burned upon
hor cheeks. and she hesitated.
Surely, never was so strange q pro.
posal!
"YOu arc ooi,o tn no ,pv-, ~,