The San Francisco call., 1909-01-30

The barber hesitated. Does your
mother know about it?'
She said / could" said William. BE
sides. my father likes short hair best"
He produced his quarter. Perhaps they
knew father was poor.
Il suppose it's all right, Jim2" said
the barber aside to his assistant.
'Oh, reckon So" said, "he seems to
know what he's about" and he lifted
William into the big chair
William felt thrill of joy as the
white towel was pinned around his
neck
Snip, snip. snip!' The relentless
and seven shiny red curls lay upon the
floor. William expressed a desire to
have his head clipped like AnatOle
Fascfs, but the barber convinced him
that it would be more genteel to have it
a trifie longer. Then he put some beau
tiful perfume on the clipped head.
brushed the particles of hair from Will
liam's neck and removed the towel.
William stood before the mirror, gaz-
ing at his transformed reflection No
one could call him girl" now. A look
of absolute happiness came over his face.
Then he turned to the barber. quoting
an expression he had heard his father
use: Il think you got good cut on 1t,
Mr. Ferraro"
The barber chuckled as he gathered
up the curls. He chuckled again as he
leaned against the door watching Will
liam out of sight.
When William reached the VerpIanck
homestead he found the colonel seated
in solitary state on the piazza reading
the evening paper which boy had just
brought. He looked up inquiringly.
then-'Bless me- he exclaimed. its
William Merlin. What have you done
with your curls, William?'
II have them here" said William.
producing his package, "and I'd like to
see Miss Little right away, please"
The colonel, scenting situation.
went to the hall door. where he spoke
to passing maid. go up to Miss Lit
ties room, Betty. and tell her there's
gentleman here who wishes to see her
at once"
There was a light swish of skirts on
the stairs and Miss Little emerged in
the daintiest OF white gowns. The
colonel motionad toward William. Mr..
Merlin, Eleanor
Why. it is Mrs. Merlin's little boy
she exclaimed, in astonished accents.
But whatever have you been doing.
child?"
William proceeded at once to bust
ness.
"Tve brought the curls." he said,
opening the package, "and you may
have four for SIS. Four is one more
than three
For moment Miss Little looked be-
wildered, then as the situation dawned
upon her she sank into the nearest
chair and laughed till the tears rolled
down her cheeks. Then she sat up
aghast. What will your mother say,
William?"
William looked astonished. "She said
I might. Don't you remember, Miss
Little. on the porch by the tea table?'
Miss Little looked at the colonel. but
he wore look of preternatural gravity.
She looked at William, who stood
expectant, then she hurried up stairs
and returned with netted silver purse,
from which she took three crisp bills
and placed them in Williams hand.
I'm much obliged to you, William"
she said; land tell your mother I'm
coming to see her right after dinner"
Eleanor said the colonel. after
William had departed. "as a friend L
would advise you to take the next train
to Baltimore.
Dinner had already been served in
the Merlin home, and Mrs. Merlin, un
easy at her sons absence, was about
to send Katie to reconnoiter when the
door opened and the delinquent himself
appeared on the threshold. His face
was beaming.