The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-09-28

that before!'
Billy ceased suddenly. Mrs. Com
stock was tall, angular. and her hair
was prematurely white. for she was
only thirty-slx. though she looked fifty.
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 boys?' he questioned.
IF there is anything love it is a
boy" said Mrs. Comstock assuringly.
Billy was on the floor.
DO you like dogsT'
Eyes, almost as we'll as boys. I am
going to buy dog just as soon as
can find good one."
Billy swept toward her with whoop.
do you want boy?" he shouted.
Katharine Comstock stretched out
her arms and gathered him in.
"Of course want q boyi' she re-
joiced.
Maybe you'd like to have meY' 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 Snap?"
I'D like to have Snap almost as we'll
as you"
Mother" breathed Elnora implor-
ingly. Don't! Oh, don't! He thinks
you mean itv'
And so l do mean it," said Mrs
Comstock. I'll take him in a iiffv. r,
throw away enough to feed a. little.
tyke like him every day. His chatter
would be great company while you are
gone. Blood soon can be purified with
right food and baths, and as for Snap
l meant to get a bulldog. but possibly
snap will serve just as well. All 1 ask
OF dog Is to bark at the right time.
Ill do the rest. Would you like to
come and be my boy. Billy?" ".
Billy leaned against Mrs. Comstock,
reached his arms around her neck and
gripped her with all his puny might,
You can whip me all you want to- he
said. Il won't make a sound"
Mrs. Comstock held him closely and
her hard face was softening. OF that
there could not be doubt.
you like boys" exulted Billy. and
his head dropped against Mrs. Com
stock in unspeakable content.
Yes, and if don't have to carry YOU
the whole way home we must start
right now" said Mrs. Comstock. "You
are going to be asleep before you know
it."
BILLY, are you going to leave with
out even saying goodby to me?" asked
s1nton, with a great gulp in his throat.
Billy held tight to Mrs. Comstocka and
Elnora. -.
"Goodby" be said casually. :"rn
come and see you some time"
Wesley sinton gave smothered sob
and strobe from the room. ::
Mrs. Comstock. started for the door.
dragging at Billy as Elnora pulled
back, but Mrs. Sinton was before them,
her eyes flashing.
kate Comstock, you think you are
mighty smart, don't youT' she cried.
Il amt in the lunatic asylum, where
you belong, anyway" said Mrs. Com
stock. II am smart enough to tell a
dandy boy when I see him, and I'm
good and glad to get him. I'll love to
have him!'
'Well. you won't have himv' ex-
claimed Margaret sinton. THAT boy
Is Wesley's. he got him and brought
him here. You can't come in and take
him like that. Let go of himy"
Wesley Sinton appeared behind Mar
garet in the doorway, and she turned
to him. MAKE Kate Comstock let 60
of our boy" she demanded.
BILLY, She wants you now," said
Wesley Sinton. "She won't whip you,
and she won't let any one else. You.
can have stacks of good things to eat,
ride In the carriage and have great
time. Won't you stay with usT' i
Billy drew away from Mrs. Com
stock and Elnora. 80. o.. s:z.
he faced Margaret. his eyes shrewd
with unchildish wisdom. Necessity
had taught him to strike the hot iron.
to drive the hard bargain.
"Can have Snap to live here al.
ways?" he demanded. .~...-. ! x-zgy.
Yes, you can have all the dogs You
want" said Margaret sinton.
"Can I sleep close enough soys1' can &
touch your .s'mrrv 81. .. @S55s a.
Yes. You can move your lounge
up so that you can hold my hand"
said Margaret. 49,. ri, ....1es..1 II, .sf
S DO you love me now?' questioned
Billy. =, -, ~ -: :, -. s, : 4
I'll try to love you If you are q
good boy" said Margaret. .=1 s#.
Then I guess I'll stay" said Billy,
walking over to her. 4. s.5.
Out in the night Elnora and her
mother mot Went down the road In the
moonlight. and every few rods Ms.
/ 3 C g laughed aloud.
rs other, 4 don't understand you, y. ri y.