Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-12-26
draped a piece of thin black cloth
pinned to the bedquilt halfway down

draped a piece of thin black cloth
pinned to the bedquilt halfway down
the cart.
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 tc
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 bowling gravely.
Hard returned the bow and followed
In the wake Of the cart, feeling rather
s%uperfuous as a host. II am glad tc
meet you, Robert Allison Broxley," he
said solemnly. II am Owen s.. Hard
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 6
mere baby had not responsibility claim
ed its owner early and made of him 6
premature man.
II knew who you was" Robert Ali
o Broxley said calmly. His face
looked troubled, and Hard detected 8
suspicion Of tears around the Ions
black lashes and a culver in the CHR
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 of the black
cloth at the tail of the cart. He asked
in a queer voice which seemed to in
vite denial.
Most people take it for granted tina.
1 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, doe:
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. "No, Robert: no one has
made me a present in ten years."
rs sorry for you," muttered Robert
and his hand again sought the black
cloth. He raised one corner and peer.
ed d The sight evidently made
him still more unwilling to uncover the
cart. us sorry for you" he repeated
holding down the corner Of the cloth
Wont you git a sack of flour OF
clothes or broth Or fruit or shoes OF
nothing tomorrow from nobody" anx.
iously.
mo, Robert" said Hard solemnly
probably no one will give me a sin.
gle gift"
"You must have an awful bad time.
sighed Robert.
well, 1 don't have a very good time
always on Christmas day" agreed
Hard. "Do you?
The child frightened. ooh, yes
cause everybody is so good and gives
us lots and lots Of things"
Il never have" hazarded Hard. land
I 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 a fun'ral, a
very nice f%un'ral, too" cheerfully, "and
you sent us a hen for tomorrow.
There's better pickin' on a rooster. YOU
know, but the hen is very nice and fat.
most as big as that rooster you sent ON
Ihanksgivin' day. Hain't you no hens
left for %yourself?" anxiously.
Funerals, hens" repeated Hard
musingly. He had given so many flu
nerals and hens on request that one
more or less made no impression on
MIN. Il give it up, little man. You
have the better of me. You seem to
know more of what / do than re-
member myself, so we will change the
subject. What have you there?" point
ing to the cart.
Robert hesitated and winked fast. 81
brought something-that. is. 1 got M
thing to give you a lift"
"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 ewes
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 a 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" corrected Robert.
"That's her" pointing to the n
elinging to Hard. land this is him.
Yours is half"
At this point Robert gave a decided
sniff and reached for his old hat. Out
OF the crown he drew an unhemmed
rag and applied the same to his nose.
milne? Half of what?' asked the
astonished Hard.
"Half of these" Robert leaned over
the twins, and his voice choked. "You
NOV howe hSro ~ L1,-- H. 49,