The Van Buren press., 1904-06-18

Then that's why you come TO see
Sister Edith?' he asked. Sos the
other fellows will come, too, and take
her ont to ride on bicycles" he added
in explanation.
We'll. no-er-not exactly, Willie.
That's what you might call an excep-
tion to the rule"
"Oh. | know, My teacher says all
of 'em have EN-"
Have what?' Brooks asked. "Cep-
lions TO the rule" said Willie. "Oh,
see" said his host. Willie made
away with a large spoonful of cream
with unconcealed satisfaction. How
ever, there were still other webs to be
untanged.
rs riding a bicycle an exception, Mr..
Brooks?' he asked.
well, | should say-that depends,
Willie" Mr.. Brooks took a sip OF
water. what does it depend on, Mr..
Brooks?"
Il should Judge on the person you
were riding with, Willie Mr.. BTclks
eyes grew reminiscent
Then Sister Edith helps to make
the 'ception to the rule, Mr., Brooks?'
Mr. Brooks eyes grew suddenly ex'
make a remarkable exception, Willie
Then can | tell her you don't want
the other fellows around, Mr.. BrOoks?'
Two ice creams certainly demanded a
return favor.
"No! Mo- Willie. you mustn't say a
word about it. Not q word. Nov, re-
member-not a word"
IT'S so, then, is it, Mr.. Brooks"
What is so?"
What papa said"
What was that, Willie?"
That you and Sister Edith rode BIZ
cycles together lot"
rs that all?" asked Mr. Brooks,
"No, not quite" and Willie hesi-
tated.
What else did he say?" Mr. Brooks
was leaning across the table now.
"You won't tell anybody told you?"
Not a soul"
well, he-he-said you must be in
love"
"W-h-e-e-w, he did" Mr. Brooks dis
played well-feigned surprise. and
what did Sister Edith say?"
Sister Edith? Oh, she just put her
arms around papas neck, and said;
Don't, now, dad"
And what did papa say to that"
ooh, he just laughed, and then they
all began to tease her till she cried lit
tie"
Who were they all Willie?" Mr
Brooks voice was stern,
"Why-papa and mamma and-nd
me" Somehow Willie wished now that
he hadn't.
And did anybody say anything else,
Will,e?" Mr. Brooks didn't seem so
cross after all.
"Oh, yes! When Sister Edith got to
crying papa threw his paper on the floor
nd made sister sit on his knee nd told
her he'd give her a brand new bicycle
and she could wear it out ridin with you
if she liked | wish | was in love and
could get things like that he added
ruefully, as the last bit of cream disap-
peared
Don't worry, Willie m come all
right In time Was that all?"
Yes only mamma said you was some
thiug-oh, remember now She called
you a legible young man And Sister
Edith just scooted upstairs to her room.
Mr. Brooks paid al the cashiers desk,
and then detached his bicycle from the
rack in the little side room Willie ac-
companied him to the street
Say what does legibe mean, Mr.
Brooks?' he asked, as his late host threw
one leg over the saddle Of his wheel
Mr. Brooks regarded the youthful but
earnest face with twinkling eyes. Il
think could guess, Willie" he said
But guessing in such matters Is hazard
Gus A man might be 'legble you see
and still not be acceptable Sister Edith
anu o'' SUNS " NoN' oh'lH'I OlNSNI'
ride this afternoon, and I'm going to
find out then If the two words mean the
same thing, Willie. But you mustn't
tell soul, you know-not a soul"
"All right, Mr. Brooks Thank you
for the cream" he called after the re-
treating figure
Smith got for hpr house ghp Uiu rood