The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-09-11

NjH quisitc' came slowly down the brick sidewalk
" With ono hand She held paraso over her
wc-poscd head, and by the other she led her
stepson, Robert Egbcrt Livingstone His little
round face above his spreading white collar suggested
oherub but not happy The two Bulge boys their
little checked shirts open at the neck on their fence
and stared at them they passed He was also con-
scious of the eyes oil Willy Stevens opposite making
shallow prcense OF shcltcring himself behind tree
AS Mrs Livingstone reached the long fight Of stone
steps which led up to her door she looscncd his
hand in order to raise her dress Robert sat down on
the topmos step and folded his hands between his knees
Don't you want TO into the NICE cool parlor
and sit down." she asked
No thank YOU, mama"
Do you stay out here all aone?" she coaxcd
Robert nodded abruptly his little pink and white face
flushed and contracted. He knew that Willy Stevens
only waiting for her departure to pop out and make
face at HIM But he had made a great resolve that
afternoon.
Mrs Livingstone passed out of sight and the expected
happened WHY'S faces" were far-famcd and this
was no poor example Robert saw and marvecd In
the depths of his heart he had medated responding in
kind but he recognized the rashneSs OF this idea
His little hands rembled slightly and he pressed his
knees closer upon them
Hullo, Willy Stevens" he called. From his station
at the window of his lonely playroom 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 sauntered up Who knew, there might be
worthy material in this boy. who, at eight years old,
walked hand-in 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, Roucr-Egg,' he
peated, and looked about for applause
Robert knew that this rude, but something told
him that it would be we'll not to tell him Instead
he htched slowly down the steps until he level
with his audience and surveyed them with his clear,
blue eyes
Hullo. Tommy Bulge" he venturcd once more
Hullo, Bob the answer; and Bobs heart
sprang within him for JOY
tall frecklcd girl with long. thin arms and legs, had
ioned the group and after her toddcd 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.
"HulIo Rosemary in addressing girl he felt less
confidence in the Huo." and he tempered possible
rudcness by his sweetest little smile know YOU, too"
mo you don't" muttered Spccks under his breath
al mean I know your name amended Robert po-
litcly
Rosemary made no reply She leaned against the
lamppost ono foot resting the other lnstcp and
tnoughtfully spun her brown straw hat by lis elastic
Robert conscious Of her superior age and leadership
knew that tho boys awaiting her verdict The min
utcs hurried by Dared he hasten matters by some
PROPOSAL
In his playroom he had collection of bits OF china for
stones which he had been saving up. He would even
Give ono to the terrible Willy He gazed scarchInsly at
the group i'll front OF him. WHY'S voice broke the
silence,
His nromma holds him by the hand" he jccrcd
"Poor little 'fraid-oat, couldn't walk alone
Robert had expected this but his face flushed He
did not like to have mother hold his hand but he had
never told her so He felt that loyalty forbade any
sponsc and he devoted all his energies TO swallowing.
Don't YOU go into the nice. cool parlor and
sit DOWN." continued his tormentor.
You'd better 60 in yourself Robert rose to tho
situation and the lust OF battle began 10 burn in his
heart
"'Fraid catl Eggy-cgg!" William returned to gen
cralities.
Shut upl" shouted Robert. regardless of conse-
ouenccs if his mother overheard such term upon his
lips
"Eggy-egg! Eggy-cgsl"
Robert lcapcd to his feet and forward The group
scattered instantly, Rosemary and attendant forces tax
inc; N the fence as the safest post of observation Rob
crt remembered aerward with feeling OF pride, that
Il was hf fence that they selected But at the moment he
Encw nothing saw nothing but Willy rcrcating slowly
TO point of vantage. round brown stone lay directly
in Roberts path With delrious sense OF casting oil
all restraint he picked ii up and threw with all his
strength Even as it left his hand nc turned and with
,, WAITING 70 behold the consequences OF his deed. he
bccan m rim He ran as he had never run before lie
ran as he had sometimes dreamed OF running Mady up
the long stone steps tubbng his neat te toes across
the porch through the sorecn-door he never knew now
and almost into the arms OF his mother who was coming
along the cool dark hall
"Wby, my dear little boy, what is the paer'' she
asked
Roberts dreams of comradeshp and happiness had
vanished in his flight. Undoubtedly he had committee
inc objectionable sin But in all his agony he still
master OF himself
ran up the steps very fast he remarked as casually
IS possible
Mrs Livingstone considered such selfeyident state
mcnts the natural conversation 81 children
"I thought heard voices" she said
Robert still held firmly to his standard Of ire truth
81 ran the steps jast as fast as possibly could
he repeated, steadily.