Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-15

u N ousite came slowly down the brick sidewalk
vi With one hand she held a parasol her
n we1l-poised head and by the other she led her
stepson, Robert Egbert Livingstone. His little
round face above his spreading white collar suggested
cherub but not happy The two Bulge boys, their
little checked shirts open the neck sat their fence
and stared at them they passed. He was also con-
scous of the eyes of Willy Stevens, opposite making
shallow pretense of shetering himself behind tree
AS Mrs Livingstone reached the long fight of stone
steps which led up to her door, she oosened his
hand in order raise her dress. Robert sat down on
the topmost step and folded his hands between his knees
Don't you want to come into the nice, cool paror
and sit DOWN." she asked
No, thank you, mama.
"Do you want to stay out here all alone?" she coaxed
Robert nodded abruptly; his little pink and white face
flushed and contracted. He knew that Willy Stevens
was only waiting for her departure pop and make
face at him But he had made great resolve that
afternoon.
Mrs Livingstone passed out of sight and the expected
happened. WHY'S faces " far-famed, and this
was no poor example. Robert and marveled In
the depths of his heart he had medated responding in
kind but he now recognized the rashness of this idea
His little hands trembled slightly and he pressed his
knees closer upon them.
Hullo Willy Stevens" he called. From his station
at the window of his lonely payoom the attic he had
noticed the proper form of address, and he used his
knowledge with what seemed to him telling force. The
two Bulge boys with accord dropped from their
fence and saunered up Who knew, there might yet be
worthy material in this boy, who, at eight years old,
walked hand-n-hand with upon the street
Huh what's your name?' pursued Willy in answer.
Robert Egbert Livingstone
Hullo Eggy-Egg," returned Willy promptly, and
sowed the seeds of undyng hatred in the bosom Of
his new acquaintance Hullo Roten-Egg, he re-
peated and looked about for applause.
Robert knew that this was rude, but something told
him that it would be as we'll to tell him Instead
IL
with his audience and surveyed them with his clear,
blue eyes.
"Hullo Tommy Bulge" he ventured once more.
Hullo Bob came the answer; and Bobs heart
sprang within him for joy.
tall freckled girl with long, thin arms and legs, had
Joined the group and after her todded small person
of indefinite sex, eating banana Unwilling to address
the second Bulge as "Specks," the only title he had
ever heard applied him, Robert turned his attention
to the vanguard.
"Hullo Rosemary'-in addressing a girl he felt less
confidence in the "Hulo" and he tempered possible
rudeness by his sweetest little smile" know you, too"
"No, you don't" muttered Specks under his breath
a mean l know your name" amended Robert, po-
litely.
Rosemary made no reply She leaned against the
lamp-post, foot resting on the other nstep, and
thoughtfully spun her brown hat by its elastic
Robert conscious of her superior and leadership,
knew that the boys were awaiting her verdict The min
utes hurried by Dared he hasten matters by
engaging proposa-a game of hopscotch for instance
In his playroom he had collection of bits of china for
stones, which he had been saving up. He would even
give one to the terrible Willy. He gazed searcngy at
the group in front of him. WHY'S voice broke the
silence.
"His momma holds him by the hand" he jeered,
"Poor little fraid-cat, couldn't walk alone"
Robert had expected this, but his face flushed He
did not like to have his mother hold his hand but he had
never told her He felt that loyalty forbade any
sponse and he devoted all his energies to swallowing.
"Dont you want to go into the nice cool paror and
sit DOWN." continued his tormentor.
YOU'D better go in yourself" Robert to the
situation and the lust of battle began to burn in his
heart.
"Fraid cat! Eggy-egg!' William returned to gen
eralities
"shut up" shouted Robert regardless of conse-
quences if his mother overheard such term upon his
lips.
"Eggy-eggi Eggy-egg!"
Robert 1eaped to his feet and forward The group
scattered instantly, Rosemary and attendant forces TAX
ing to the fence, the safest post Of observation Rob
ert remembered aerward, with feeling Of pride, that
it was his fence that they selected But the moment he
knew nothing nothing but Willy, retreatng slowly
TO point of vantage A round brown stone lay directly
in Roberts path With delirious OF casting off
all restraint he picked it up and threw it with all his
strength Even as it left his hand he turned and with
ont waiting behold the consequences OF his deed, he
began to run He ran as he had run before. He
ran as he had sometimes dreamed OF running Mady up
the long stone steps subbng his neat little toes across
the porch through the screendoor he never knew how,
and almost into the OF his mother who was coming
along the cool, dark hall.
"Why my dear little boy, what is the mater?" she
asked
Roberts dreams of comradeship and happiness had
vanished in his flight Undoubtedly he had committed
the objectionable sin But in all his agony he still
master of himself
ran o the steps verv fast he remarked as casually
as possible
Mrs Livingstone considered such sef-evident state
ments as the natural conversation Of children
al thought heard voices" she said.
Robert still held firmly TO his standard Of the truth.
"I ran up the steps just fast I possibly could"
he repeated steadily.