Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-10
us it necessary for you to have

Sure" said Roy with emphasis. ct know it,"
Mr. Gregg was driven into a from which
there seemed escape.
"Well, will you" persisted his small adversary
Cali right" said Mr.. Gregg, with sigh.
Roy extended his hand solemnly, but his eyes
were ablaze with excitement He had won. Now
he was like other boys
II shall tell mother when I get home he said.
Mr. Gregg gave a start of alarm.
'You must do nothing of the kind" he said has
tily.
why not? It's settled isn't it,"
Mr.. Gregg chewed his lip desperately. He
perienced certain sensation of foolishness He
had not calculated consequences
"St down here, Roy he commanded "Let
impress you the fact that you must tell your
mother nothing of the kind
But" protested Roy "she-"
'She might not approve of it," interrupted Mr..
Gregg.
"oh, she would" confidently "she likes you"
"She does? Did she say so?"
well she didn't say she didn't"
Ibid she say anything about me?' demanded Mr..
Gregg.
'N-no I don't think she did," faltered Roy.
NOW, look here, Roy" said Mr.. Gregg, earnest
ly. This is secret between you and It's
just private bargain. You mustn't tell anybody
When can tell them"
mot till l tell you.
1t was day of -concealed excitement for Roy
when Mr.. Gregg and his mother met Mrs Cliff
ton had yielded quite unthinkingly to her sons
pressing invitation to go for walk and he led her
adroitly to the shady path that he had come to
know well. Mr.. Gregg was faithfully at his post
on the bench
This is Mr. Gregg, MOTHER said Roy.
The gentleman on the bench rose hastily and
bowed.
Il believe 1 have to thank you for being kind to
my son." she said, smiling.
II am just as deeply indebted to him., answered
Mr.. Gregg. 1--WE very good friends"
He is the gentleman who tells about snakes
and things, explained Roy, and Mr.. Gregg and his
mother laughed. Then they talked for little
while about things that of possible interest
and presently Mr.. Gregg bowed and left them, with
never a word about snakes or wild beasts of any
sort.
HE wasn't very good this afternoon" said Roy,
as he watched Mr. Gregg disappear down the walk.
He usually tells about animals guess you didn't
like him very WE'LL
He seems to be a very pleasant gentleman" said
his mother.
Roy nodded afirmatively.
Eyes, he is; but you didn't hear him tell any
stories. I guess we'll go home now"
1t another Sunday afternoon that Roy and
his mother met Mr.. Gregg again, and he walked a
little way with them. But Mr. Gregg was so diff
ferent that Roy privately decided that after this
would leave his mother home For his chosen par
ent was infinitely better company in the park, where
there one but just themselves and nothing
to interfere with free discussion of natural his
tory.
This preference for exclusiveness received rude
shock evening when the door-bell rang just be-
fore 1t was time for Roy to go to bed, and Mr..
Gregg was shown into the library. A momentary
pang of jealousy gripped Roy as he behed the Wis
itor Mr.. Gregg had given him no hint of this.
"Hello,'' he said little coldly
Hello Roy"
"Did-did you come to me?"
Mr.. Gregg laughed.
"Why, yes to you and your mother"
Roy had guessed as much He felt shade of
resentment against this division of father even
with his mother
Ibid she ask your" he inquired, pointedly.
mo" said Mr.. Gregg. shaking his head. 81 ask
ed her,
Roy contemplated him in silence for moment.
''Then l suppose | can tell her all about it now
he remarked
Mr.. Gregg placed his finger his lips and shook
his head vigorously. He did not speak for he heard
step outside the doorway Mrs. Clifton entered to
witness the pantomme
"Secrets?" she asked laughing.
Important secrets said Mr. Gregg.
"Then l warn you, Mr. Gregg, that your conf
dence VIII be betrayed. Roy tells me everything.
Don't you Roy?''
Mr. Gregg looked at the little figure anxiously.
"Ye-es, mother said Roy slowly, with guilty
glance at the caller.
For while he permitted to sit in the Ii
brary, only to go to bed with a sense of disap-
pointment Mr.. Gregg did not tell single story
1t seemed that parks made great difference
He casually mentioned this fact to Mr.. Gregg
the very next afternoon they sat on the bench
under the trees.
so you don't want me to come to the house any
more?" observed Mr.. Gregg with gravity and look
ing very much hurt
"Oh, yes," said Roy hastily He did not wish to
be rude but you better in the park, he added
Flows that?"
"You tell about snakes out here
Il see," said Mr.. Gregg, nodding ibis head under
standingly 'And if told about snakes at the
house would it be better?
eyes, that would be BETTER" admitted Roy.
But your mother would not care to hear about
snakes, perhaps suggested Mr.. Gregg
Roy looked at him inquiringly. The brief pang