Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-10-08

| ~ @.Us!.
my fathsrsi" cried EIners. She
caught Margaret BY the arm.
But II your mother finds It out she
will never forgive me-"
II can't help It," said Elnora. II
want that violin. want It now"
"I'n go tomorrow and get Il II It has
not been destroyed"
Destroyed! Oh, Aunt Margaret
would any one dareT
II hardly think so. It was q good
instrument. He played It like q mas
| ter"
'Ten me-" breathed Elnora.
"His hair was red and curled moro
than yours, and his eyes were blue.
he was tall, slim and the very imp Of
mischief He joked and teased all day
until he picked up that violin. Then
his head bent over It and his eyes got
big and earnest. He seemed to listen
as II he first heard the notes and then
copied them. Sometimes he drew the
bow trembly, like he wasn't sure It
was right and he might have to try
again. He could almost drive you
crazy when he wanted to, and NO man
that ever lived could make you dance
as he could. He made It all up as he
went. He seemed to Listen for his
dancing music, too. It appeared to
come to him. He'd begin to play and
you had 10 keep time or die. You
couldn't be STILL
The tears were rolling down Elmo
ra's cheeks. "Oh, Aunt Margaret," she
sobbed. "why haven't you told me
about him sooner7 l feel a. II you
had given my father to me living 10
that could touch him. can zee him
too! Why didn't you ever tell me b.
fore7 Go on. 90 oni Tell me more
about my father"
"wait until ! zee II can get the
violin"
80 Elnora went homo IN suspense.
and that night she added to her pray
ers, Dear Lord, be merciful to my
father and, oh. do help Aunt Margaret
to get bis violin"
Wesley and Bully came In to supper
tired and hungry. Billy ate heartily.
but bis eyes often rested on . plate OF
tempting cookies. and when Wesley
offered them to the boy he reached for
one. Margaret was compelled 10 ex-
plain that cookies were forbidden that
night because Bfly had used Q bad
word that day.
-whatr' said Wesley. -wrouG words
been coming againf Oh. BUY. ! DO
wish you could remembev' can't sit
md eat cookies before q little boy who
has none I'll have to put mine back
too And Msrnret did the same
Then Billy slid from bis chair. ran
TO the couch. buried bis face In the
pillow and cried heart brokeniy. Wes
ley hurried to ths barn and Margaret
10 the Kitchen When tho dishes were
almost washed Bully slipped from The
back door.
Wesley. pfiing hay into the mansen.
heard Q sound behind him and In
quired. That you. Billyr
"Yes." answered Billy. ~and Ms sll
% DARK you can't ses me- now. KNIT itT'
"wsn. mighty neaf." answered Wss-
ley.
Then you seoop down and open soor
mouth"
Wesley bent over the small figure
and received an installment Of cooky
that almost choked him.
Now you can eat t." shouted Bully
In delight TITS all dark I can't zee
what you're doing Z all"
Wesley picked up tho small figure
and Get the boy on the back Of q horse
to bring bis face level % that they
could talk a. men.
~Now, what q dandy schemer he
commented did you and Aunt Mar
garet nx It upT'
"No. She amt had hers yet. But
got one for her. LIST a. soon - you eat
yours am going to take hers and feed
her nrst time Hnd her In the dark"
"But, Billy. where did you get the
cookiesi You know Aunt Margaret
said you were not to have any"
II ist took them" said Billy. Il
didn't tako them for ma ist took
them for you and hsr. Did-did-I
steal7"
wesley's big hands closed until %
almost hurt the boy.
.No~ he said vehemently. THAT ID
too big a word You Just made mis-
take. I. you had told Aunt Margaret
what you wanted to do and asked ner
for the cookies she would have given
them to you"
Must ! take II backr
.You think hard. and decide Jour-
SELF" suggested Wesley.
lift me down." sald Billy. after q
silence. ~ got to put this In the jar
and tell ber."
Wesley set the boy on the door. but
as be did so he paused one second and
strained him close to his breast.
Margaret sat In her chair sewing.
Billy slipped in and crept up beside
her. The little face was lined with
tragedy.
.Why, Billy, whatever is the mat
terr' she cried as she dropped her sew
| Ing and held out her arms Billy stood
back. he gripped his little asts dgnt
and squared his shoulderh Il got to
be shut mn IN the closet" he said
sOh. Billyl What IN unlucy days