The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-12-15

| luC NslI l.
Hard surveyed the procession as it
| crossed the floor. He is got up re-
| CARELESS Of his feelings for the purpose
of appealing to mine" was his thought
as his hand involuntarily wandered to
his pocket
| The boy pulled the rafting express
cart across the soft rug to the desk
and laid the tongue down carefully.
I'm Robert Allison Broxley" he an
| nounced. working his hat loose from
his head and lowing gravely.
| Hard returned the bow and followed
in the wake Of the cart. feeling rather
| supertiuouS as Il host. Il am glad to
| meet you, Robert Allison BroXley." he
| said SolemnlE. Il am Owen S. Hard
J The child regarded him steadily with
| great black eyes set in dark rings
which extended low on his cheeks. The
| face ought to have been the face of a
mere baby had not responsibility claim
| ed its owner early and made of him &
| premature man.
Il knew who you was" Robert ALI
son BroXley said calmly. His face
| looked troubled, and Hard detected a
| suspicion of tears around the long
| black lashes and a CULVER in the chin
| for which he could not account. Rob
| erts next words, however, confirmed
him in the idea which had led his;
hand to his pocket.
| you are rich, amt you:' the little
chap asked. laying hold q the black
| cloth at the tail of the cart He asked
| in queer voice which seemed to in
vite denial.
| Most people take 10 for granted Chat
| am" answered Hard dryly.
Robert did not understand the hid
den meaning. His face fell, and he
struggled with some emotion which
| caused him to draw his coat sleeve
across his eyes. Then nobody don't
| give you nothing for a present. does
they!" he asked
Hard looked at the boy curiously
and said what he had interrupted him
self in saying to Yemans a few mo-
ments before. mo. Robert: no one has
made me present in ten years."
| 'Is sorry for you" muttered Robert.
and his hand again sought the black
CLOTH He raised one corner and peer
| ed under. The sight evidently made
him still more unwilling to uncover the
cart, ''Is sorry for YOU" he repeated.
holding dowS the corner of the cloth
Wont you git sack of -four or
clothes or broth or fruit or shoes Or
nothing tomorrow from nObody?" anX-
| iously.
"No. Roberts" SAID Hard solemnly
probably no one will give me o sin
| gle gift
"You must have an awful BAD time.S'
sighed Robert.
| "Well, don't have a very good time
always on Christmas day.9 agreed
| Hard. DO yOu"
The child frightened. 'Dh. yes
cause everybody is SO good and gives
| US lots and lots of things
Il never have" hazarded Hard land
am somebody"
Robert looked up. his eyes growing
wider. "Why. you know you've been
the coolest of ALL That's why He
glanced at the cart and checked him
self. You give my papa fun'ral.
very nice fun'ral. too cheerfully. land
| you sent us hen for tomorrow.
| There's better pickin' on rooster. you
| know. but the hen is very nice and fas.
| most as big as that rooster you sent on
| Thanksgivin' day Hain't you no hens
| left for yourself:" anxiously.
Funerals. hens" repeated Hard
| musingly. He had given so many f,-
| nerals and hens on request that one
| more or less made no impression on
him. Il give it up. little man. You
! have the better of me- Iou seem to
| know more of what q do than Q re
| member myself. SO we will change the
| subject. What have you there?" point
| ing to the cart.
Robert hesitated and winke@ fast el
brought something-tha is. l got some
| thing to give you lift.g
"a lift:" repeated Hard. mystiied
Robert nodded and removed the
black cloth gingerly. saying apologetic-
ally at the same time. You see. YOU
| dassent let the sun on to their eyes
ever" and revealed to Hard's astonish-
ed gaze two tiny dimpled faces crown
| ed with yellow silky hair. Two heads
sleepily moved and two pairs of deep
blue eyes half opened.
Twins" calculated Hard He leaned
over the children and projected fin
ger at the one nearest him. The baby
| closed her soft fingers around it and
looked up with an engaging display Of
smiles and dimples.
1.-TWO twins" correcte0 Robert
''That's her. pointing to the one
clinging to Hard. land this is him
Yours is half"
At this point Robert gave O decided
sniff and reached for his old hat. Out
Of the crown he drew an unhemmed
rag and applied the same to his nose.
mine? Half of what" asked the
astonished Hard.
Half of these. Robert leaned over
the twins. and his voice choked You
may have him. touching the baby
boy. cor her" touching the baby girl.
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