The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-02-03

Boys sworn ally for at least three or
four weeks that they had been neigh
bors. Now she stopped. is 1t boy
doll?" she asked, holding out her
hands. 81 should think you'd rather
have boy-doll," she added, as she
returned Moll. This one is nice and
big and-and cuddly, but she's kind OF
fat, and needs some new clothes"
A group of girls trilled, and she
tripped away to join them. Boy turned
Moll over and surveyed her critically.
New clothes, indeed! Weren't the
skirt and jacket made of his own best
suit, and the stocking-cap and leg
gings exactly like his own? What
more could boy want? Girls were
different He supposed baby-sister
would want doll like Edith's when
she got big. He tucked Moll up more
comfortably and trudged on. Two or
three big girls passed and chaffed Boy
about the doll. He was tempted to be
saucy, but remembered Daddy's teach
ings in time to tighten his lips and pre-
tend not to hear. Men must always
be polite to ladies'" he reminded him.
self as he snuggled Moll closer.
Just before he reached the school
grounds little chap from the kinder
garden bumped against him with
sneering remark about ''girl-boys."
Boys face was so red that the freckles
on his nose looked white, and the
hands thrust deep in his pockets were
| clenched till they hurt. But the boy
was littler than he and Daddy said
that only towards hurt little fellows.
Boy backed against a tree, and,
| looking quite over the smaller ones
head, pursed his lips into whistle.
of tune; the sound wouldn't come,
somehow, but it served.
Others gathered, some to join in the
fun, some to see fair play. Boy whis-
tied calmly on till Pug Walters, at least
three sizes larger and the bully OF
the primary grades, stole behind him,
and shouting: Hey, sissy, lend us
your doll" snatched Moll from under
his arm and held her aloft by one leg.
Lets have a game of football, hey?"
He held the doll out and drew back his
foot, but before he could kick, a tor
nado of arms and legs struck him, and
the doll was forgotten in an attempt to
defend himself.
Now Boy was no mollycoddle, in
spite of the alliterative titles and his
beloved doll. Among Daddy's theories
was one that every male human be-
ing should be able to defend himself,
and Boy had been learning to do that
about the time he got steady on his
feet.
The units of the yelling circle that
formed as If by magic saw no occa-
sion to interfere, and Boy, unconscious
ly giving vent TO the loneliness and
heartache of the preceding days, as
well as the rage that had been accu-
and Moll, pommeled his antagonist
with vim cheered on by his partizans.
1t was a fight to the finish, with no
referee to call time. Back and forth
they went, now one gaining and now
the other. Boy forced Pug to the edge
of the ring and was about to strike
once more, when sudden silence dis.
concerted him. Looking up, he found
Teacher close beside him and grieved
droop to the corners of her mouth, and
turning his head to avoid her eyes, he
saw Daddy at the outside of the ring
watching in puzzled silence.
Miss Haines turned to the biggest
one of the group, you might have
prevented this" she murmured re-
proachfully. you know how we de
pend on you big boys" She pushed
Pug toward him. "Since you didn't
see fit to stop the fight, you may take
this boy to the cloakroom and put him
in order, and then take him to his
teacher"
Boy, narrowly watching Miss Haines
thought he detected a flash of salts
faction in her glance at Pug's rather
swollen face. But he told himself
that he must be mistaken; Teacher
couldn't be anything but sorry over {
fight. Daddy, now
Someone had picked up the doll, anC
Miss Haines was brushing and shaking
it as though her one object in llft
was to render it immaculate. Whe;
all the boys had gone, she extended
her hand without a word, and Bo.
took it, feeling himself grow smalle
every instant Daddy stood aloof, a
though merely an observer. Could i
be possible that he did not mean Il
interfere, to explain? Teacher woult
be kind, of course and she would meal
10 be just, but she couldn't understand
ladies never did, not even Muvver-lov
, or. He'd have to be punished, he kney
: but he wouldn't mind that-much-i
: Daddy would only go away. His lip
wire beginning to tremble, and if b
J should cry, Daddy would be s.
ashamed.
Neville's hand closed reassuringl
: over the dirty, bloodstained one tha
stretched toward him in half-consciou
} appeal, but loosened as Miss Haine