The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1904-03-26

Nobody will ever know. I'll Just peep
In. Didn't we agree l vas to be your
motherf"
Not this trip" said Dick, with
cheerfulness rising at the sense or
duty done, as it will in men at times.
Mother or not, you're going home,
young lady, and I'm going to take
you. Come on"
Il believe you're ashamed Of your
new home" rallied the girl. Anyway
IL you don't care to take me 1t don't
make any difference" The furs were
given a suggestive shrug. Dick had
swung beside her and they were walk
ing along the white sidewalk.
"Dicki"
WELL" answered Dick, briefly.
"I:'s awful, know. but, Dick, l
won't go in, truly ! won't. Anyway,
you're newspaper man, and it's like
an artists studio"
YES" said Dick, "and living room
and kitchen and bedroom. See here,
Kate" He stopped and paved the
hard snow. You know just as well
as you're standing there I'd do any
thing on earth for you. You know it.
But that See here-I think toe
much of you to let you do it."
The girl drew her wrap about her
and silently they resumed their trudg
ing Dick taking the rough snow and
the girl daintily treading the beaten
path. Suddenly she stopped again.
Dick" she seid, "if I get Walter
to go with us will it be all rightly"
They had reached the house by this
time. Dick considered.
WELL" he said, with a sigh. 81
guess even a nine-year-old brother will
do. Get him and come along. But
I'll tell you now, Kate, you'll never
speak to me again after you sec that
place."
Walter didn't want to go much. II
was cold; besides, wonderful to re-
late, he had his lessons to get A
quarter? Well. yes. he didn't mind
going so very much"
DICk w OItudDu. Ink
girl Aren't you ashamed-to bride
him."
We'll" said Dick. spreading his colo
hands before the fire, you wanted
to &c. And you can't go unless he
does"
Even the chaperonage of Walter diS
not make Dick feel comfortable as
they assembled the bleak stairs. He felt
like a sneak and said as much-in a
whisper.
How dark it is" said Kate. 81
can almost feel the bats and mice"
Dick, looking apprehensively at the
bottom of the stairway, mentally
blessed the janitor for forgetting to
light the gas, and resolved to tip him
He did not breathe easy until the
stout door had closed behind the three
"Oh, Dick!" said the girl. That was
all. Walter had discovered in the
curtained alcove certain things Of in.
terest.
ooh, you poor, poor boy" she said
softly, How badly you do need q
mother"
Il don't" said Dick, making saw
age effort to keep his eyes dry in the
face of the exposure. II need you,
Kate-you. Am a baby, that ]
need"
Hush" said the girl, her eyes full
of tears. pointing to the figure Of Wal
ter revealed in the swaying Of the
curtain, after that?" And in a few
minutes as they waited for car Dick
fancied he could still feel the swift
touch of the warm fur on his face, as
her head was pressed against his
shoulder. He wanted to let loose the
old college yell, and said so.
do it," said Kate. radiant, II feel
that way, too"
"Say, that WIS bully" commented
Walter. approvingly.
The policeman on the opposite cor
ner started, then he shrugged his fat
shoulders. "Ev'rybody's looney bout
Crismus time" he commented, sagely.