Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-15

must be performed before he could enter state
where such joys these would be his daily lot
Then Willy Stevens appeared before him IN the flesh
Willy had not pleasant associations with Ro9ert ana
tened out into the middle of the road and stood before
You throw stone at me-" he said
To Willy this appeared the basest OF taunts
Won't" he answered gruttiy
"Yes throw stone" said Robert . I'm going to
Get out" responded Willy, with uncomplimentary
title Robert resolved to Rosemary against the
companionship. He was anxious to get the business
"Yes please do, and then won't talk to each other
any more" he suggested. He standing quite near
Willy who responded to this proposal by violent slap
in the face There was no wcrd of this in the bond.
Robert trembed violently as he doubled up his little Inst
and let it out at Willy. They closed, they tell, they
rolled they scratched they bit Uncoascousy also, they
roared somewhat The screendoor of the green house
banged Father Bulge, weary with his days work, has
tened down the steps and into the middle OF the road
He picked up the combatants set them or their feet
bestowed box on the ear OF each and returned to his
interrupted meal.
appointed table, heard the commoon in the street. but
not for did they imagine that it could possibly
concern them Mrs. Livingstone, just returned from
long davis shopping supposed that Robert had been put
bed according to directions, after his early supper
The maids had shrked the responsibility of telling her
that Master Robert had disappeared with some children
about eleven o'clock and had not been heard OF since.
Suddenly in the doorway appeared a small, torn,
streaked crumped little figure its face almost oescured
against its nose.
Please excuse me, mama" remarked the vison
moving his hat "but I can't open the drawer where my
clean pocket handkerchefs are"
Mrs. Livingstone with cry, and stopped to take
him in her arms Mr. LIVINGSTONE, with an inkling of
the true state of the case reserved his sympathy.
Robert, oh Robert, darling, what has happened to
you?" she cried
"Willy Stevens and /" he began Mrs Livingstone.
with flashing eyes, began arraignment of Willy but
Robert held up scratched and dirty little hand for
silence
Il fought" he said al fought" Mr. Livingstone
turned to the window with what sounded suspiciousy
like chuckle Mrs Livingstone stumbled TO her feet
Robert unburdened his heart. The mixed details of
God and picnics and stones and little sisters were not
clear his Tackcd little nerves, and conveyed abso
utey impression to anybody else 1t all ended in
Mrs. Livingstone picking him up bodily in her and
carrying him upstairs. Mr.. Livingstone calmly finished
his salmon and green peas, and settled himself to smoke
From time to time expression of amusement fitted
over his face There was rustic OF skirts, and Mrs
Livingstone burst in, her hands pressed tightly together
Can you forgive me, oh, can you ever forgive me?
Mr. Livingstone merely looked sympathetic and said
nothing.
forgot him; forgot all about him." she explained
Mr. Livingstone settled her comfortably the sofa
Don't think we taking it bit too seriousy7"
he suggested
bowl"
Mr. Livingstone restrained an inclination to say that
he much obliged to Willy. Mrs. Livingstone finding
him not inclined to take up arms reyenged herself by
turning the situation against him.
This is a horrid nelghborhood. | always thought
Suppose we send him to his grandmother's for
good, long visit" .he replied.
Mrs. Livingstone's face lighted
" Are you sure it would be all right9" she asked.
Mr. Livingstone lit his cigar again.
i" 1 think it would be the best thing all around" he
said.
Robert was never quite clear in his mind about that
visit his grandmother 1t did not polite look
upon penance, but he did wish she would not cry
in his neck, and squeeze him hard when she hugged
At last day when the leaves rustled you walked
through the Mrs Bronson put on her black bonnet and
took Robert to the station On the cndery platform they
encountered neghbor, with whom she sank a
venient settee Mrs Bronson was large, soft woman
unlike the lady at the candy store; her face was
thicky wrinked and she had fadedbue eyes, and her
mouth turned chronicaly down at the corners The
neighbor was small and hooknosed and salow. They
both looked at Robert and then at each other raised
their eyebrows, and sighed deeply
Does he kHo1O YETI" asked the neghbor in sepul-
chral whisper.
Mrs Bronson glanced apprehensively at Robert but
he feeling alternately in his upper rghhand pocket
for his ticket and his lower eft-hand pocket quite alb
sorbed She bent voluminously over toward Mrs Lam
man.
she exploded behind her hand.
They turned simultaneously, looked at Robert and
then at each other sighed deeply and shook their heads
Then the train whised, and Mrs Bronson, cut short in
ncoherent remarks about not allowed keep the
poor little DEAR and of it wouldn't be the same
now kissed Robert loudly and Often and, to his indy
ing disgust placed him in charge of both brakeman and
conductor.
At the station in town papa was waiting for him. but
mama was nowhere in sight They went home by troll
ley, which was always delightful, Robert strained his
eyes for the first glimpse of the house Mr. Livingstone
felt strangely silent and embarrassed he passed along
the with his little at his side. His masculine
desire to make plain announcement had been curbed
by the many subtle precautions laid upon him by his
wife. AS Robert climbed eagerly up the long, stone
steps, eer which seemed to contain the words "nose
- joint followed him from the house across
the street, unheeded
In the hall were still no signs of mama r. -q
" Go upstairs and her. Robert" said his father
sheshe has something to show you" he added rather
feeby.
Robert, his little heart torn by former memory
rushed upstairs At the door he greeted by sharp
little wall,
That night Robert, advanced to the dignity of putting
himself to bed neeed down and gave grateful yet dig
ned thanks for the partial uhment of his request in
this rather formess representation of what ought to have
been tall thin sister. Then not without hopes of the
two brothers with freckes, his little heart in complete
marvel at the ways of Providence he climbed into bed.