The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-14
is it necessary for you to have

why, of course it is
But you sure I'll do?'
Sure" said Roy with emphasis. Il know it
Mr.. Gregg driven into a corner from which
there seemed escape.
We'll. will YOU" persisted his small adversary.
AL right" said Mr. Gregg, with sigh.
Roy extended his hand solemnly, but his
abaze with excitement He had Now
he like other boys
Il shall tell mother when l get home tie said.
Mr.. Gregg gave 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 a certain sensation OF fooshness. He
had not calculated consequences,
sit down here, Roy" he commanded. Let
me 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
Did 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 me- It's
just private bargain. You mustn't tell nybody."
When l tell, them"
Not till tell you
when Mr.. Gregg and his mother met. Mrs. Cliff
had yielded quite unthinkingly her sons
pressing invitation to go for walk and he led her
adroitly to the shady path that he had to
know well. Mr. Gregg was faithfully at his post
the bench
This is Mr. Gregg, mother said Roy.
The gentleman the bench hastily and
powed.
d Il believe 1 have to thank you for being kind to
my SON. she said. smiling.
II am just deeply indebted to him. answered
Mr.. Gregg. I'VE are 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 a little
while about things that of possible interest,
and presently Mr.. Gregg bowed and left them, with
word about snakes wild beasts of any
sort
He wasn't very good this afternoon" said Roy,
he watched Mr.. Gregg disappear down the walk.
He usually tells about animals. l guess you didn't
like him very we'll"
He seems to be very pleasant gentleman" said
his mother.
| Roy nodded afirmatively.
7 Yes he is; but you didn't hear him tell any
stories l guess we'll go home now
1t another Sunday afternoon that Roy and
his mother met Mr.. Gregg again. and he walked
little way with them. But MI Gregg was so diff
ferent that Roy privately decided that after this he
would leave his mother home. For his chosen par
ent infinitely better company in the park, where
there but just themselves and nothing
to interfere with free discussion of natural his
tory.
This preference for excusiveness received a rude
shock evening when the door-bell rang just be-
fore 1t time for Roy to go bed Mr..
Gregg shown into the library. A momentary
pang of jealousy gripped Roy he beheld the Wis
itor. Mr.. Gregg had given him hint Of this.
Hello he said little coldly
Hello, Roy"
"Did-did you come to me?"
Mr.. Gregg laughed.
why, yes; to and your mother
Roy had guessed much. He felt shade of
resentment against this division of a father, even
with his mother
did she ask your" he inquired, pointedy.
NO" said Mr.. Gregg, shaking his head 81 ask
ed her,
Roy contemplated him in silence for a moment
Then 1 suppose 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 pantomime
'Secrets?" she asked laughing.
Important secrets said Mr. Gregg.
Then 1 warn you, Mr. Gregg, that your conf
dence will 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 a guilty
glance at the caller
For while he was permitted to sit in the IL
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 Mr. Gregg
the very next afternoon as they sat on the bench
under the trees.
SO You don't want 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 wish to
be rude. But you better in the park he added
'How's that?'
You tell about snakes here"
Il see," said Mr.. Gregg, nodding his head under
standingly. And if 1 told about snakes at the
house would 1t be better?'
yes that would be better" admitted Roy.
But your mother would not care to hear about