Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-09-03


But you sure I'll dot"
Sure" said Roy with emphasis. Il know It."
Mr.. Gregg driven into corner from which
there seemed escape.
well, will YOU" persisted his small adversary
"All right" said Mr.. Gregg, with a sigh
Roy extended his hand solemnly, but his eyes
ablaze with excitement. He had won Now
he was like other boys
Il shall tell mother when get home, he said.
Mr. Gregg gave start Of alarm.
You must do nothing of the kind he said mas
tily.
WHY not? It's settled isn't it?"
Mr. Gregg chewcd his lip desperately. He
percncej certain sensation OF fooshness. He
had not calculated consequences.
"Sit down here, Roy he commanded. Let
impress on you the fact that you 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 ?" demanded Mr.
Gregg.
"N-no I don't think she did" faltered Roy.
Now, look here. Roy said Mr.. Gregg earnest
ly. This is a secret between you and me. It's
Just private bargain. You mustn't tell anybody"
when can tell them
"Not till | tell you.
1t was a day of -concealed excitement nor Roy
when Mr.. Gregg and his mother Mrs Cliff
ton had yielded quite unthnkingly to her sons
pressing invitation to go for a walk and he led her
adroitly to the shady path that he had
know we'll Mr.. Gregg was faithfully at his post
the bench.
This is Mr. Gregg, mother said Roy.
The gentleman the bench hastily and
bowed
holt hoyo tbopIy fOr hahn Ia
my SON. she said, smiling
Il am just deeply indebted to him. answered
Mr.. Gregg. we very good friends
He is the gentleman who tells me about snakes
and things explained Roy, and Mr.. Gregg and his
mother laughed. Then they talked for little
while about things that Of no 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 ddn't
like him very we'll
He to be a very pleasant gentleman said
his mother
Roy nodded aIirmatively.
Yes, he is; but you didn't hear him tell any
stories. guess We'll go home now
1t another Sunday afternoon that Roy and
his mother met Mr.. Gregg again. and ne walked
little way with them. but Mr. Gregg was so diff
ferent that Roy privately decided that after this ne
would leave his mother nome. For his chosen par
en was infinitely better company in the park where
there one but just themselves and nothing
to interfere with a free discussion Of natural his
tory.
This preference for exclusiveness received a 1lde
shock evening when the door-bell rang just be
fore 1t was time for Roy to go to bed. and NJ.
Gregg was shown into the library A momenta.y
pang of jealousy gripped Roy as 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 mel"
Mr.. Gregg laughed.
why, yes to you and your mother
Roy had guessed much He felt a shade Of
resentment against this division of a father even
with his mother.
Did she ask you?" he inquired, pontedly
NO" said MT Gregg, shaking his head Il ask.
ed her,
Roy contemplated him in silence for moment
Then / 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 sad Mr. Gregg.
Then | warn you, Mr.. Gregg, that your conf
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 H.
brary only to go to bed with a sense OF dsap-
pointment. Mr.. Gregg did not tell a 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.
80 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 noddng his head under
standngly. "And if told about snakes at tho
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 nquiringly The brief pang
of jealousy that he had felt the evening before was