The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-06-29

"A young man who says he calls by
appointment is at the door, maGam."
The lady arose.
The stranger who entered was quite
young, not more than %. He was a
we'll dressed young man of medium
height, with broad shoulders and
slender legs, and he carried himself
very straight. His hair was cut short,
ais chin was square and his black eyes
small and twinkling. He held his
derby hat as he faced the lady.
She came ohm with her hand out
stretched in cordial manner.
THANK you for coming, Mr.. Cole
man." she said. Take this chair,
please"
His little eyes surveyed the lady and
then took in the details of the hand
some apartment. He was not at his
ease and his movements were awk-
ward He took the seat she offered
him and put his hat on the floor.
81 will not detain you long" the lady
added as she resumed her chair. you
can spare me half hour, trust?"
He moistened his lips and gave his
head jerky nod.
Yes, ma'am."
: The lady looked at him intently
"Mr. Coleman" she said, have you
q mother?"
lie shook his close cropped head.
Il can't remember her." he answer
ed. "She died when l was very small.
I've been brought up hit-or-miss,
ma'am."
He said this in half apologetic
way and again his restless glance
1oamed about the room.
"If mother came to you, MIR. Cole
man, and asked you to do her a great
favor you would try to oblige her,
wouldn't your"
He looked up quickly.
Sure, ma'am," he answered. Name
ehe job"
Thank YOU" said the lady. She
desitated. 81 am very willing 20 pay
well for what ask"
/ He put up his hand quickly and
there was something like pride IN the
gesture.
LET 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
eblige a real lady"
He flushed little. 1t was a long
speech, and, perhaps, not quite re-
spectful
But the lady reassured him py the
brightness of her smile.
THANK you again, Mr.. Coleman,
she said 81 assure you | appreciate
your sentiment. You are quite right
the nature of the favor should be
stated first You know that l am Mrs
Drayton Brown?"
He nodded.
1T was the name signed to the let
ter that came to me. I've hearc it be
fore, ma'am"
And he made her a little bow. The
lady gracefully acknowledged the sa
Ihte.
"And now we come to the favor"
She paused as if at loss how tC
begin.
Is it somethin' in tn entertainin
Ene-somethin quiet an genteel, In
the attic, maybe?" he suggested.
mo, Mr. Coleman" o.
She still hesitated.
'May / ask a question, ma'am?"
'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?'
Eyes" replied the lady, 81 am Rob
ert Browns mother. You have heart
something about him, you say?"
The boy shifted his pose'uneasily.
~Yes, ma'am. I never met him. The
most I've heard is that he's pretty
free spender an good to the boys"
The lady sighed. Her intent gaze
rested again on the boys face.
ut is about my son that / want II
talk to you, Mr.. Coleman. He makes
me very unhappy"
The boy looked up at the lady, Ht
: saw the tears in her eyes. His hands
suddenly clinched He swallowed
something in his throat
IL wouldn't cry about it," HI
stammered. 9TH lad will come al
Fight. There's others like him, beg
gin your pardon, ma'am."
Hes my only child" said the lady
HE has no father. He has beel
spoiled by Indulgence"
Again the boy squirmed uneasily.
'Beggin' your pardon, again
na'am," he said, "a neat way Of deal
IN with lads Hike that is to cut oi
their supplies. Hard work makes fin
medicine at times"
The lady shook her head.
Robert has money Of his own,