The Washington herald., 1907-09-20

climbed s0lemnly into the blue plush
chair and surveyed the fast-filling car.
Down at the far end was man with a
red fez upon his head. and for the space
Of a fun minute r. II. c. p, regarded
this strange creature there. his Shrill
voice rose above the hustle Of the in
coming passengers.
What's that man wearing a monkey
hat for Uncle Harry?' he demanded.
Harry Blake scowled az his nephew and
whispered that the man came from a
country where all wore similar hats.
Are they all Monkeys" loudly de-
manded the yOungSteT Half q dozen
persons Uttered and the Turkish trav-
eler rose and went forward TO the smok-
or. Blake coaxod the boy 20 look OUT OF
the window and devoutly prayed that
this occupation would hold his attention
until their train should pull ogt and the
roar Of the wheels drown the inces-
SAINT stream Of questions,
He was more than ever glad Of his
strategy when Mabel Manley entered the
car and took a seat diagonany across
from them. 1t IS unpleasant to be IN the
same parlor car with a young woman
who, but the night before. declared mat
rimony to be out Of the question, and
after having worn ones engagement ring
for more than two months.
Blake. anticipating trouble wondered
II he would not be able 10 effect an eX-
change into another car. but the impos-
sibillty of leaving Questions (Which
was r ". c. P's shorter name) alone
prevented the carrying out of that plan.
He was just congratulating himself
that they would az least be under way
before Questions made the discovery Of
Miss Manley's presence. when the young
ster turned his attention from the win
dow and sank back into his seat.
They're beating us he walled, point
ing 10 a departing local train on an ad-
joining track. They're starting first
and il amt fair"
The tears began to flow at the treach-
cry Of the other train that dared 10 pre-
cede the one he honored with his pat
ronage. but they quickly dried as Mabel
iustinctively started forward TO comfort
him. forgetting the scene OF the night
before
There's Miss Mabel" cried the tor
ment. Why amt you talking to her.
Uncle Harry?"
'she doesn't want to be talked TO-" he
whispered.
But you're always talking 10 her" he
/ insisted. why don't you do It now?"
She wants 10 be alone" explained
Blake, but Questions wriggled from his
chair
she don't" contradicted the youth.
! shes calling ne"
/ lie sprang across the aisle and into the
girls lap For a moment he nestled
/ against her shoulder but ii was the luli
OF false peace.
Are you mad at Uncle Harry?" he
demanded
/ Hush. dear. whispered the bIushing
girl. You mustn't ask such questions %
But are you?" he insisted. why
don't you want him 70 sit by you and
hold your hand like you always d0?'
If you say such things I shall have 10
/ put you down" she adm0nishcd, as sew
/ eral of the passengers began TO laugh.
/ But you do persisted the little hend-
And YOU kiss him, too, If you ain :
mad why don't you kiss him?'
! Blake reached across the aisle and
caught his nephew In a stern grip.
You keep on talking, aud III spank
you. he hissed through his half-clenched
teeth. Now, don't let me hear a word
out of you"
I only get spanked when tell lies.
defied Questions. Il wasn't telling lies.
It's true, you did kiss her
/ Blake caught his nephew'S arm in a
grip Of steel and shook him roughly
Questions began to CRY.
You hurt he walled. L want man.
ma; ! hate YOU lie rose IN his wrath
and began 10 pound Blake with his
chubby fists. Within himself Blake swor,
fervently that never again would he
chaperone q child. even 10 oblige the best
sister that ever lived Questions, firing
of his occupation, abandoned the pun
melting and began TO cry again. The
train was in motion now and the roar
Of the movement filed the car, but Ques
TONS walls rose superior to the noises
Mabel stood it as long as she could, ther
she crossed the aisle.
If you will let me have the child, per
haps I could quiet him" she suggested
Perhaps you would Ike 10 90 forward
TO the smoker for q cigar?'
Blake flashed a grateful glance into
the clear, brown eyes and relinquished nj.
charge
There was no one else to bring him
down, so I promised Nell that l would,
he said. I'm sorry he embarrassed you
so. but 1 couldn't help II. There are
some problems still tco vast for his child
ish grasp-aBd mine, too" he added un-
der his breath.
He had Just settled himself comfort
ably for a smoke when the porter Of his
car came into the buffet, his face wreath
ed in smiles.
The lady done say as 70 how you wa;
TO come back" he reported THAT IL
boy shO' enough want YOU"
With an exclamation Blake sprang q
his feet, throwing away his cigar, anC
went back 10 his seat
I am sorry to have 70 send for you,
J said Mabel, but Questions seemed t
think that you had deserted him, and h,
refused to be comfOrted."
Il hope that he viii appreciate me. nov
that he has me back" said Blake, grimly
as he took the boy into his arms.
I'm sure that he will be good" she de
clared with a smile. Blake regarded tn,
small boy doubtfully and retreated to hI
seat. For a full five minutes Question:
was quiet: then he began 10 sob afresh.
What's It now?' asked Blake, fear
fully.
7 want Miss Mabel to hold my hand,
no sobbed.
she can't" said Blake, irritably. ''Yo,
must be good or shall take you into tn,
baggage ear"
~ want Miss Mabel to hold nv hand.