Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-02-25

HE knocked poor Mr. Don down.
mum, and thumped his pretty head
against the fioor,'' exclaimed Ellen,
who was the boys genuine adorer.
But" continued she, vindictively, 4
gave the creature cuff that made his
dirty ears burn, I'll warrant. Wait till
I ketch him again"
The battered warrior lay quietly
against his mothers breast, his smart
ing eyes closed. Finally, assured that
the beligerent Ellen had departed, he
opened them suddenly.
Mamma" questioned he, a world
of anxiety in his tone, "baby is my
really, truly sister, amt she?"
Eyes, darling" said his mother,
comfortingly.
"And Keith" continued Don; isn't
Keith my really truly"
Mrs. Kennedy kissed the sensitive
mouth pityingly before it could finish
the question.
Don and sister are Keith's really,
truly treasures" she said, tenderly.
Whereupon, over the bruised little
face came a smile of perfect content.
"Don's so glad" he said, nesting
closer. eff Keith and baby wasn't"
wasn't what, Midget?" asked
Keith cheerily, the while flash
ing his wife a glance of inquiry.
'Keith's going out in the car, Kiddy;
run get your cap" he said. While the
boy obeyed, his. mother explained
Don's Waterloo.
"Dear little chap" said Keith, feel
ingly. Dear loyal little Don, would to
God I was really, truly father Did
the beautiful face that looked into his
own echo his wish, he wondered.
One day about a month before he
was six, shadow of vast proportions
darkened Don's face. He knew the
worst. He was to be sent away tt
college when he grew big. Keith said
so. To go to college meant to leave
his baby sister, to depart from whom
presaged woe unspeakable. He hat
overheard his doom. Well, he would
do his best not to grow. No more
crusts would he eat, lest he flourish
physically.
Eat your crusts," the thrifty Eller
! had ever admonished, "and you will
grow big"
Daily he stood under the lead-penci
mark that Keith had once made upol
the wall to mark his inches. A-tremblt
always lest he find his head overtop
ping the line. To be big! how eagerl.
he had looked forward to reachin,
even Keith's shoulder. Now-if h
could have stunted his growth, TO
love of his baby sitser, he would hav'
done so, even at the cost of suffering
The day upon which Don was six
he arose early. Down to the garag
he ran. Old John he knew would b.
| there He was, and whistling a
susual. Don, being of an observing
mind, had noticed that most big pee
ple'' like Keith were married. Sine
he must grow big, he had determine
like the Fairy Prince to marry and b
happy ever afterward-in fact, hi
| udu ollASO OSSh OSSAAS
upon He would go to college, sine
Keith wished it, but the very day h
came home he would marry. This h
had risen early especially to confid
to his old ally John.
"And who, Mr.. Don, would ye b
marrying" asked the old fellow, wit
fitting solemnity.
"My sister, of course" replied Dor
loftily. (How stupid of John not t
know!)
Whereupon, long and loudly laughe
the chauffeur, to Don's infinite ammo!
ance.
Don't We know, Mr.. Don, that
young gentleman can't be after ma
rying his own sister" asked he.
With the immense courage of lovin
conviction, Don fought long and val
antly against such an absurd pre1l
dice, but finally beaten at every poir
by his argumentative opponent, di
gruntled and crestfallen~ entere
the breakfast-room.