Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-03-05

ant eyes that Dick needed shave
badly.
From upstairs" answered Dick.
the light going out OF his face. Its
an awful hole, Kate. Wish you could
see It."
'Oh. let me see it!" she exclaimed
fmpulsively. TIE thought almost took
her breath away. Dick stared at her.
he bit his lip hard.
See here, Kate, he said. ct don't
mean to hurt you-you know, but-oh.
pshaw-you know what l mean.
can't do il. that's all"
Now, Dick" she said. coaxingly.
Nobody will ever know. I'll just peep
In. Didn't we agree 1 was to be youI
mother?"
Not this trip" said Dick, with
cheerfulness rising at the sense OF
duty done. Is 1t will in men at times
Mother or not, you're going home,
young lady. and I'm going to take
you. Come on
81 believe you're ashamed of your
new home" rallied the girl. Anyway
II you don't care to take me 1t don't
make any difference" The furs were
given suggestive shrug. Dick had
swung beside her and they were UNsk.
Ing along the white sidewalk.
~Dick!"
Well" answered Dick. DrfeHy
Its awful, know. but, Dick. I
won't go in, truly | won't. Anyway,
you're a newspaper man. and it's like
an artists studio
YES" said Dick. land living room
and kitchen and bedroom. See here.
Kate" He stor9ed and paved the
hard snow. you know just as well
as you're stand ug there I'd do any.
thing on earth for you You know 1t.
But that See here-I think too
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 said, "if l get Walter
to go with US will 1t be all right?"
They had reached the house by this
time. Dick considered
We'll" he said, with a sigh. "I
guess even n;ne-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 see 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 wortham!" exclaimed the
girl. Aren't you ashamed-to bride
him!"
WELL" said Dick, spreading his cold
hands before the fire, you wanted
to so. And you can't go unless he
does"
Even the chaperonage of Walter did
not make Dick feel comfortable as
they assembled the bleak stairs He felt
like sneak and said as much-in q
whisper.
How dark 1t 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"
81 DON'T" said Dick. making Q ~.
age effort to keep his eyes dry In the
face Of the exposure. 'I need you.
Kate-you. Am 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 few
minutes as they waited for q car Dick
fancied he could sill feel the swift
touch OF the warm fur on his face. as
her head was pressed against his
shoulder. He wanted to let loose tho
old college yell. and said so.
do It." said Kate. radiant, II feel
that way. too.
"Say. that YVES bully" commented
Walter. approvingly.
The policeman On me opposite eof-
ner started, then he shrugged his fat
shoulders. "Ev'rybody's looney bout
Crismus time" he commented. sagely.