Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-07-08


az young man who says he calls by
appointment is at the door, macam.
The lady arose.
TIE stranger who entered was quite
young. not more than %. He was
we'll dressed young man of medium
hight, with broad shoulders and
slender legs, and he carried himself
very straight. His hair was cut short,
his chin was square and his black eyes
snail and twiukling. He held his
derby hat as he faced the lazy.
She came chin with her hand out
stretched in cordial Hammer.
"Thank you for comng, Mr.. Cole
man." she said. Take this chair,
Please
His little eyes surveyed the lazy and
then took in the details of the hand
some apartment. He was not at his
cas- and his movements were awk-
warI He took the seat she offered
him and put his hat Gu the floor.
81 will not dctain you long the lady
added as she resumed her chair. You
en- spare me a half hour, trust?"
He moistencd his lips and gave his
head jerky nod.
Eyes, ma'am.'
( The lady locked at him intently.
"Mr. Coleman" she said, have you
q mothcr?'
He shook his close cropped head.
h., hn
ed. "She died when was very small.
I've been brought up hit-or-miss,
mann"
lie said this in a half apoiogetic
way and again his restless glance
roamed about the room.
IF mother came to you, Mr.. Cole
man, and asked you to do her a great
favcr, you would try TO o5lige her,
wouldn't you?"
He locked up quickly.
Sure, ma'am,' he answered. Name
the job
Thank you" said the lady. She
hesitatci. Il am very willing 20 pay
well .lor what ask"
.Slic put up his hand quickly and
there was something like pride IN the
gesture.
Set me hear first what it is you
want, ma am. I'm not loOkin' for dol
lars just at present. Things have
been comm my way pretty strong,
ma'am-as maybe you heard. Any
way, I'm not sellin' any chances to
oblige real lady"
He flushed a little. 1t was long
speech, and, perhaps, not quite re-
spectful.
But the lady treasured him by the
brightness of her smile.
Thank you again, Mr.. Coleman,
she said. Il assure you | appreciate
your sentiment. You are quite right
the nature of the favor should be
stated first You know that am Mrs.
Drayton BROWNE"
He nodded.
1T was the name signed to the let
ter that came TO me. I've hearG it be-
fore, ma'am."
And he made her a little bow. The
lady gracefully acknowledged the sa-
Lutte
And now we come to the favor"
She paused as if at a loss how to
begin.
is it somethin' In tn entertainin'
hne-somethin' quiet an genteel, in
the attic. maybe?" he suggested.
No, Mr.. Coleman"
She still hesitated.
May ask question, maam"
Yes, Mr.. Coleman"
He looked down at the pattern of
? the rug at his feet.
Maybe you are the mother of this
young Mr.. BObbie Brown that I've
heard somethin' about now and then -
Yes, replied the lady. Il am Rob.
ert Bfown's mother. You have heard
something about him, you say?"
The boy shifted his pose uneasily.
Yes ma'am. never met him. The
most I've heard is that he's a pretty
iree slender an good to the boys"
The lady sighed. Her intent gaze
rested again on the boys face.
IL Is about my son that ! want to
taik you. Mr.. Coleman. He makes
me veE unhappy"
The Roy looked UP at the lady. He
saw the tears in her eyes. His hands
suddenly clinched. He swallowed
something in his throat
IL wouldn't cry about it," he
stammeed. TIL lad will come all
right. here's others like him, beg
GIN yo'f pardon, maam."
He's hy only child" said the lady
he hat no father. He has been
spoiled y indulgence"
Again the boy squirmed uneasily
"Besgh your pardon. again
ma am, be said. "a neat way of deal
IN with lads like that is to cut Of,
'heir SUPPLIES. Hard work makes f,ne
medicine at times"
Ine lsl ~ shook her head.
"'0s mas money OF his own,