Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-10
BY E. H. RAT

returning. He did not see what his mother had to
do with the matter at all.
"Your to be my father" he said, stoutly. You're
not hers"
That's So" said Mr.. Gregg, in the tone of a
who had suddenly awakened to an obvious fact
81 hadn't thought of that. Well now, how VIII this
do? I will tell to you personally snake story
every time 1 come. 1t will be your story and your
mother listen to it if she wants to-"
We'll 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 reptan subjects was an ex-
perience which always Left him with vague feel
ing of doubt. Roy the rapt auditor of
the park. but his mother was a somewhat embar-
RAISING factor. The story-teller would occasional
ly find in her eyes furtive expression that sug-
gested mild amusement, ana and then a smile
would Turk on her lips. She was a very good lis
tener, but somehow she listened differently.
A humid August came and it bore Mrs Clifton
and her away to the mountains, with the secret
still untold. Sometimes it fairly cried out to Roy
for release, but he managed to conquer it, although
they had herculean 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 long month to the lonely haunter of
the park. He missed the rousing ''Hello!" that
longer seemed to be jolly companionship in the
things about him. And he knew very we'll that
he getting rusty stroies.
He searching the columns of a newspaper
early September day. when shout brought
him out of his seat on the bench An instant later
small figure coded with him violently. Mr.
Gregg seized 1t by the shoulders and held it 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 fit as a racehorse."
Roy found his voice.
"And saw real snake" he shouted.
'Buly!''
"And man killed it with stick"
Great"
And told mother
And what did she say?"
"She got all red in the face and didn't say any
thing"
What? She never said word about the snake.
after all the stories I told about them?" said Mr..
Gregg in panied tone.
"Oh didn't I told her about the snake"
explained Roy.
MOI" 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.
81 couldn't keep it secret any longer" added
Roy, alphabetically, 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 aiL"
and she said nothing?"
NO"
"Dd-dd she laugh?"
"Oh, no. said Roy hastily. "She didn't laugh
at ALL She looked-well, she looked something
like you do now
Mr.. Gregg glared at him in silence for minute
longer, possessed of desperate desire say
thing and not knowing what to say. Then he arose
suddenly and seized the breaker of promises by
the hand and started rapidly down the path TO-
ward the park entrance. He walked very fast in
deed, so that Roy had to part of the time to-
keep up with him. Now and then he would glance
timdly up at the tall figure to if Mr. Gregg was
looking any pleasanter. He was not. His face was
very stern and he looked straight ahead.
mot mad you?' ventured Roy, as they reach
ed the avenue
Mr.. Gregg made reply.
at 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 why you're mad added Roy mourn
fully, as 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
you?" asked Roy fearfully.
The opening of the door forestalled an answer,
and Roy darted in panic-stricken and dashed up
stairs to his own room.
Presently there 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, smil-
ing little.
Are you going to keep being my father"
whispered Roy incredulousy.
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
being my father" he asked.
For answer his mother opened her arms and the
boy to her. She gathered him up and kissed