The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-09
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child. that every trivial ne had made but eot-
rmcd his Pet;mcss Worse than all he had rot behaved
like gentleman; Donald for all his presumption had
shown far better breeding than he had "What con-
temptiblc cad | ami he thought He was insolent of
course. out his devotion o-al of U.s. cave him sor,n
rslt to talk he did Heaven knows its true enough
] have forgotten ms place. i haven't meant to-Sut
everything has gone wrong somehow" He rose from
the piano in moment, and, after wavering little, he
went to the book STOPPING suddenly. ne picked it up
The quick action released the sob his heart and as
still knecng lie caught tho book his breast his face
broke in response 10 the gasp of mounting breath
"Oh mother. mothcr" he spoke to her softly I've
thrown everything of yours down-everything that you
loved Can't you see how it all is? And how ashamed
am2"
He with the book in his hand and without mean
ing or knowing it, went to the piano and placed it, open
still. on the music-rack lie down upon the stool
again and gave himself up to sharp biting memories of
all that happened since his mother had held it in her
hand and read to her children her favore tale of Arthur
and the Round Table Suddenly he leaned and put his
lips to the page the lines where she had Unexpectedly
left of, and his boyish shoulders shook with dry,
srangling sobs When he Strengthened UP he began to
play gently staring before hm the lines and through
them to something beyond. 1t old tune he
played simple and his boyhood had been.
Sing me the songs that to were so dear
Long, long ago; long ago"
Playing So the hardness went out OF his heart and
with it the recklcssncss out of his young face.
Into the doorway, creeping wary past the danger
point came Evelyn, again escaped from bed Her face
rogush, and she had her finger her lip if to
impress upon herself the idea OF silence She stood there
until he had finished the familiar strain Then she tip
toed cautiously toward HIM. with the careful
ton with which children always perform this hazardous
act balancing herself with her arms as if she were walk
ing tght-rope, But suddenly she dartcd and sprang
upon him as he wheeled on tho stool Tc seized her in
his and swept her far above his head She caught
her breath with delight and he let her down level
with his face, she wound her about his neck half
laughing, hafcryng He husged her to him passion
acy himself between tears and laughter, and carrying
her the armchair. pumped her with playful threat
OF violence down into its soft depths
Why aren't you in bcd?" he said. "And in your
bare feet, tool"
Evelyn raised her nightgown daintly and disclosed her
other foot in its knit worstcd slipper. I couldn't find
but one" she explained, She wrggcd her bare pink
toes gleefully How dc do my son Johnl"
my son john" asked Kenneth, mystihcd
Zone shoe of. one shoe on,
Diddc diddlc, dumpkin, my son John'"
she quoted, and doubled the whole pink roguhly
But why aren't you and your son John sound asleep
son Pecr?" he added, quito spoing the effect of his
paterral ar.
Peter" cried Evelyn joyousy
Certainly gliby returned Kenneth
The ono tha; has TIE shoe looks ncater,
Aud you col him Iny Peter.
No- III didn't ycu tuck Peter ard John into bed long
ago3 They'll grow up ii ;ou dort give them
;neir sleep"
"Well" said Evelyn spcculat'yciy, they can't sleep
unless thei, mother does, and Just wake -fu
When Ira ;!}at way can't 60 20 sleep unless
tells me stories sings rNc that is, I can't most al
ways Donald tells lov,y stories bat his singing" size
laughed gaiy in r@coectoa "Is all creaky ard brcaky
His singing is Just 50 funny laugh myself awake
again"
She suddenly lived up az him in the chair Oh.
Kcnucth us Pyoyed you'd come in. Tell nc all abous
where you've bcca all this time, and everything"
Kenneth looked into her questioning eyes; tho warm,
flushed face with umhlcd hair very ms own
No dea-ie' lie answered; you must 60 to bed again.
It's ve7y late for little ciTlics to be up
u But Kenneth" she coaxcd. :" don't 5oont to go to
bed And now when | haven't seen you for years and
years I'm not bit sleepy, no the liest bit Besides,
I've lust had a nap and couldn't have again for
ever so long She opened her wide and stared
at him convincngy But the sustained effort this re-
oured was much for her and she yawncd in spite OF
herself Kenneth laughed provokingly. Oh that was
lust 'causc-causc ] ought to be sleepy and m not,
she cxpaincd in triumph And just cart unless you
tell me story or sing to me- This idea, dashed off
in the hurry of extenuation appealed her Yes, just
like mama used do in this very chair She reached
out her arms, put them about his neck and drew him
gently toward her, ooh Kenneth she said. as she
snugglcd her mouth just above his collar. miss
mama so much
He smootfed her hair comforting her awkwardly.
And so do I, dcarc, he said with effort. for he
was one OF those whom emotion before others always
shamcs "Wcll Siric if tell you story, will you
promise to go straight TO bcd?'
She lcaped with delight "Yes, really and truly"
she declared. If its good story it will put me to
sleep anyhow And then" she added oyfully you'll
carry me there" She untwistcd Peter and John from