Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-18

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school," said Miss began, pointing
long ruler at the freckled faced boy.
Jimmy smiled scornfully and threw
another paper wad at the back of his
Interest foe and settled down in his
seat.
sect your hat and coat, James. l
am going to take you to your father.
Perhaps you will explain TO him why
you cannot obey me-"
When Anna began reached Mr.. Null
Inns Office she confronted a tall. hand
some man with black eyes much like
Jimmy's own, who looked down upon
the two visitors with friendly smile.
"Sit down." he said, bringing for
ward a chair, -
am James teacher-Miss Degan,"
ruly, Mr.. MuIlin, that have brought
him with me today to say that unless
your influence can be brought to bear
upon him or that you can assure me
of his future good behavior I very
much fear that Mr. Broadman will
expel him."
Mr. Mullins fine eyes widened with
unconcealed surprise. "Well, really"
he said after little pause, ''it's hard
ly my place, you see, to be responsible
for Jimmy's behavior"
Anna arose with sparkling eyes and
cheeks flushed with Indignation. ooh,
do not say that, Mr.. Mullini How can
you. a father, repudiate any response
bility for your sons conduct?
Mr.. Mullin seemed to find unusual
interest In the lovely face framed in
its mist OF dusky hair. He seemed re-
luctant to terminate the interview by
any definite answer.
''Then you refuse to interfere, Mr..
MullinT' Miss Degans voice was
naughty now, and her red lip curled
with contempt. "As a father she
paused suggestively.
Mr.. Mullin seemed to awaken to new
life "As a father" he said vaguely
''as a father He stopped abruptly
and shot fierce glance at Jimmy edg-
ing toward the outer door. Then he
went on with a return of the friendly
smile with which he had greeted her:
81 believe you will have no further
trouble with Jimmy, Miss began. 1
will take him in hand He shall not
cause you any more trouble. I am
sorry he has distressed you. 1t must
be rather a task to keep these young
imps in order"
From his tall height he looked down
on her in such genial good nature that
Anna began found herself liking AL
derman Mullin very much indeed.
THANK you so much, Mr.. Mullin," she
said gratefully. 81 was afraid to come
to you at first beca use"- She paused
In embarrassment and turred to the
door.
Mr.. Mullins eyes twinkled. ALDER
man Mullins bark is worse than his
bite" he said dryly as he opened the
outer door and accompanied her to the
elevator.
At the farther end Of the corridor
James, the unruly, was engaged in
silent, furious wrestling match with the |
Office boy. at Mr. Mullins sharp whis-
tie they disentangled themselves and !
1t was then that Mr.. Mullin gripped |
one. of Jimmy's generous ears and so |
led him, walking stiffiy, into the inner
Office and closed the door.
In the long ride uptown Anna began |
tried to forget the interview with Al |
derman Mullin. 1t had turned out |
much better than she had. expected, |
and yet there had seemed an instant |
when he was about to refuse to take |
any part in the discipline of his own |
and only son. She had been surprised |
to find the father Of James such |
young and amiable looking man. She |
had heard such stories of his fiery, |
dominant nature she had hesitated to
bring a complaint before him. She
had feared for the boy-Jimmy had
always spoken In tones OF almost ter |
ror OF his father-and yet
She gave up the problem and tried
to think of the pleasure that awaited