The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-10-17

1sre like the roses you sent yester-
day" The boy looked admir1ngly at
his young mother.
A beseeching signal flashed from
Esi1em's eyes to the uoman's. BUT she
preiended not to see She coRld not,
would not, have Billy hurt, not for all
the happiness she cculd pronise her
self by marriage with this man.
When the package was opened in
the library by eager childish fingers,
IsiTsy saw wonderful little automo-
bile with real rubber tires and "a tiny
sirsn whistle that soGnded like the
big one on Gnlem's OWE car.
wind It," be begged Of Gillem and
soes the soft brown curly head was
close ito the big black one, and man
and BOY we're equally interested In the
toy. When Bisly's mother slipped
away ito dress for dinner. the boy
turned to Gillem with the eager ques-
tion, 4.tAre you very good friend of
mine@~
'fThe best in the world, Bfasy. What
can i AD for your
Mothers sad about somethtug. She
cries every time you go away. Do you
know why?"
"Why 81" stammered the man.
torn between his promise to the wom-
an he loved and the innocent, Srust-
answer.
II believe she wants to marry Mr..
Sam Garter. and she knows l don't
like him. You know you told her
hosv Mr.. Garter loved her. Is that 1t ?"
mo, no, i think not, Billy. Your
mother doesn't love Carter in that
way
"Now," said Billy, moving a little
closer and laying his hand on the
mans arm, ''if she would just love
you, I'd like first rate to have you for
a father. loved my real, own father
very much, like any boy" went on the
childish voice. "but tell you 1t would
be fine to have live father like you
around every day"
Billy was caught in two strong arms
aud held very. very close. I'D love
0 take you and your mother to my
zig house to live. ] love you and the
beautiful mother. too. Do you think
we could persuade her to go?"
"We1l try" whispered Billy. Don't
you tell her about what said. That's
d secret between US"
Sure, answered Gillem, happily.
All through the meal Billy thought
If Mr.. Gillems big stone house and
his kennel of fine dogs. 1t would be
great to live in that house, he
thought, and wondered how he could
lead up to the important matter.
Mr.. Walter" he questioned, 81
wonder what your dogs would do if
little boy went there sometimes"
"They would be glad to see him.
They are friendly fellows"
Il guess they wouldn't like to have
a boy around all the time, though.
would they?"
"Yes, they would" said Gillem,
taking care not to look at Elizabeth.
He could, with difficulty, keep the
laughter from his eyes.
Il think I'll go home with you some
day. Boys ought to stay with man
some, oughtn't they, mother?"
YES" said a very weak voice.
What are you talking about SOM"
''I told Mr.. Walter how you cry
sometimes, mother, and asked him if
it was because you wanted to marry
Mr.. Carter. He said he didn't think
so, but that he loved you and me, too,
and wanted US to go to his house to
live. Wouldn't it be fine to have
real live father to play with at the
lonesome time just before dinner?"
Billy slipped out of his chair and
went to her, and Gillem left his own
place to stand on the other side.
Won't you let me have Billy and
you for keeps?" begged the man down
close beside her, so that his eyes were
on level with l3illy's eyes.
"Yes," said Elizabeth, drawing the
two dear heads to her breast. III
mother both my boys"
And t. said Billy proudly, will
have. a real father like Freddie Camp
and Arthur Tyson. Now. let's go play
with our new automobile" urged Billy.
anxious to include the new member in
his family circle.
Copyright 1872 by Associated Literary
Press.)