The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-14
By E. H. RATH.


Your to be my father" he said, stoutly. you're
not hers"
That's So said Mr. Gregg, in the
man who had suddenly awakened to an obvious fact.
Il hadn't thought OF that. Well, now, how Will this
do? l will tell to you personally snake story
every time l come 1t will be your story AMI your
mother can listen TO it If she wants to-
Well. l guess that will be all right said Roy.
Shed probably like TO hear it, anyhow. She doesn't
know much about snakes
Mr.. Gregg's subsequent enlightenment of the
Clifton household reptilian subjects was an OK
perience which always left him with a vague feel
ing OF doubt. Roy was the same rapt auditor OF
the park, but his mother a somewhat embar-
RAISING factor The story-teller would occasional
ly find in her eyes a furtve expression that sus-
gested mild amusement, AMI now and then a smile
would Turk on her lips. She very good lis
tener, but somehow she listened differently.
humid August came and it bore Mrs. Clifton
and her son away to the mountains, with the secret
still untold. Sometimes it fairly cried Roy
for release, but he managed to conquer it, although
they had hercuIean struggles with each other. For
Mr.. Gregg had been unaccountably deaf to all
pleadings, and he had rights in the matter that
could not well be ignored
1t was a long month to the lonely haunter OF
the park He missed the rousng ''Heilo," that
used to come to him every afternoon. There
longer seemed to be jolly companionship in the
things about him. And he knew very well that
he getting rusty stroies.
he was searching the columns or newspaper
early September day, when a shout brought
him of his the bench. An instant later
small figure collided with him violently Mr..
Gregg seized it by the shoulders and held il of at
arms length.
Tanned like an old salt, by Jingo,' he ex-
claimed ~
Roy nodded. gasping for breath, for he had run
all the way
And freckled,' added Mr. Gregg.
The yellow head nodded vigorously again
And looking as ft racehorse."
Roy found his voice.
And | a real snake" he shouted.
Bully
"And a man killed it with a stick"
Great"
And 1 told mother"
And what did she say?"
'she got all red in the face and didn't say any
thing"
What? She said a word about the snake.
after all the stories told about tbem?" said Mr..
Gregg in a panied tone.
"Oh, didn't mean l told her about the snake"
explained Roy.
"No?" remarked Mr. Gregg. puzzled what
did you tell her about?"
About you going to be my father" said Roy.
beaming hopefully
Mr.. Gregg sat down on the bench suddenly and
stared at him.
Il couldn't keep it a secret any longer" added
Roy. apologetcally. observing the stare with some
uneasiness. You don't mind do your"
Tell me what you said demanded Mr. Gregg.
why. just told her; that's ALL"
And she said nothing?"
NO"
"Did-did she laugh?"
"oh. no. said Roy hastily. "she didn't laugh
at all. She looked-weIl, she looked something
like you do now
Mr.. Gregg glared at him in silence for a minute
longer possessed of desperate desire to say some
thing and not knowing what to say. Then he
suddenly and seized the breaker of promises by
the hand and started rapidly down the path 10
ward the park entrance. He walked very fast n
deed, so that Roy had to run part of the time
keep up with him. Now and then he would glance
timidly up at the tall figure to IL Mr. Gregg was
looking any pleasanter. He was not His face was
stern and he looked straight ahead.
Not mad are you?' ventured Roy, they reach
ed the avenue
Mr.. Gregg made no reply.
ut just out all by ITSELF" observed Roy,
tentatively, little later; but Mr. Gregg seemed to
have interest in the manner of the crime He
walked faster than
Il don't see why you're mad" added Roy mourn
fully, they neared the house. "She didn't get
mad"
They assembled the steps rapidly and Mr.. Gregg
rang the bell.
You're not going to stop being my father. are
your" asked Roy fearfulIy.
The opening of the door forestalled n answer,
and Roy darted in panic-stricken and dashed up
stairs to his room.
Presently there was knock at the door and he
slid slowly off the bench and answered it. Mr.
Gregg standing there
Il was sent up to bring you down" he said, smiI-
ing little.
Are you going to keep on being my father?"
whispered Roy, incredulously.
Mr.. Gregg nodded. Then he seized the promise
breaker, swung him upon his shoulder and carried
him down to the library Roy found his mother
standing by the big table looking at him oddly.
Did Mr.. Gregg tell you he going to keep on
being my father?" he asked
For answer his mother opened her arms and the
boy to her. She gathered him up and kissed
him over and again. He sumitted indulgentiy.
although he knew 1t most unaccountable