Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-01

son-like her."
Billy indicated Margaret "You
don't Ike boys, DO your hs Quss'
toned.
"I like good boys." said MafsareE
Billy was at her knee instantly.
"Well, say. I'm q good boy" be an
nounced joyously.
II do not think boys who hurt help
less kittens and pull out turkeys tails
are good boys"
"Yes, but didn't hurt the Kittens"
explained Billy. 'They got mad bout
LIST q little fun and scratched each
other. I didn't s'pose they'd act like
that And 1 didn't pull the turkeys
tall. I list held on TO the first thing
grabbed and the turkey pulled Hon
est, It was the turkey pulled" He
turned to sinton. you tell her.
Didn't the turkey pull7 I didn't know
It's tail was loose, did IT
II don't think you did, Billy" said
Sinton.
Billy stared Into Nargarees cold
face. "Sometimes at night Belle sits
on the floor and I lay my head In her
lap. could pull up . chair and hay
my head In your lap-liks this,
mean" Billy pulled mp . chair. climb
ed on It and laid his head on Marga-
rets lap. Then be shut his eyes
again. Margaret could have looked
little more repulsed II he had been q
snake.
Billy was BOOB up.
my. but your lap is hard" he said.
"And you are q good deal fatter an
Belle, too" he slid from the chair
and came back to the middle Of the
room.
"Oh, but I wisht my pa wasn't
dead! he cried. The food broke and
Billy screamed In desperation.
Out Of the night a soft, warm young
figure flashed through the door and
with a swoop caught him in her arms.
She dropped into a chair. nestled him
closely and drooped her fragrant
| brown head over his little bullet eyed
red one and rocked softly as she
crooned over him:
"Bnly. boy. where have you beenf
Oh, I have been to seek wifs.
She's the Joy Of my life
But, then. she's young thins. and she
can't leave her mammyr
Billy grlpped her with Q death grip.
Elnora wiped his eyes, kissed bis face.
swayed and sang.
"Do you love me tight as thstr' be
questioned blissfully.
"Yes, bushels and BUSHELS" said Ell.
nora. Better than any Little boy in
the whole world"
Billylooked at Margaret "Shs dontF
he said. "she don't want me here t
aH."
Elnora smothered his face against
her breast and rocked
"You love me, don't your be said.
II will II you will 60 to sleep"
Every single day you will give me
your dinner for the bologna, won't
your said Bully.
"Yes, L wflI,~ replied Elnora. But
you will have as good lunch as I do
after this. You will have milk. eggs.
chicken, all kinds Of good things, little
pies and cakes, maybe"
Billy shook bis head. II am going
back home soon as It Is light" he said.
"She don't want me. She thinks I'm
bad boy. She's going to whip me
II he lets her. She said 30. I heard
her. Oh, l wish he hadn't died!
want to 60 home" Billy shrieked
sgain-
Mrs. ComstOck had started to walk
slowly and meet Eli ora. The girl had
been 80 late that her mother reached
| the sinton gate and came up the path
until the picture inside became visible.
Elnora had told her about Slnton TAX
ing Billy home. Mrs Comstock had
some curiosity to see how Margaret
bore the unexpected addition to her
family. Billy's voice. raised with e1-
citement, was plainly audible. She
could see Elnora holding him and hear
his excited wall. Sinton's face was
drawn and haggard and Margaret's
set and defiant A very imp Of per-
versity entered the breast Of Mrs. Com
stock and danced there.
"Hoity. toityr' she said az she sud
denly appeared in the door. "Blest II
ever heard a man making sounds like
that beforer'
Billy ceased suddenly. Mrs. Com
stock was tall. angular. and her hair
was prematurely white, for she was
only thirty six. though she looked 6fty.
But there was an expression on her
usually cold face that was attractive
Just then. and Billy was In search Of
attractions.
"Do you like boysr he questioned.
III there Is anything love It Is a
boy" said Mrs. Comstock assuringly.
Billy was on the door.
do you like dogsr'
Yes, almost as well as boys. ! am
going to buy a dog just as soon as !
can nnd good one"
Billy swept toward her with whoop.
"Do you want a boyT he shouted
Katharine Comstock stretched out
her arms and gathered him In.
"Of course I want q boyr' she re-
joiced.
Maybe you'd like to have msr' Of.
fered Billy.
Sure would" triumphed Mrs. Com
stock. ANY one would like to have
you. You are just real boy. Billy"
"Will you take snapr
"Id Ike to have Snap almost as well
as you"
"Motherr' breathed Elnora implor.
ingly. "Don'tl Oh. don't. Hs thinks
you mean itr'
"And 80 I do mean It." said Mrs.
Comstock. 'I'll take him In ji6y. ]
throw away enough to feed little
tyke like him every day. His chatter
would he great company while you are
gone. Blood soon can be purified with
right food and baths, and as for Snap
[ meant to get bulldog. but possibly
Snap will serve just as well All I ask
OF a dog Is to bark at the right time.
I'll do the rest Would you like to
come and be my boy. BillyT
Billy leaned against Mrs. Comstock,
reached his arms around her neck and
grippel her with all his puny might.
You can whip me all you want to-" be
said. II won't make sound"
Nfro Comstock held him closely and