The Holly chieftain., 1912-05-31


Laid up. kiddie-badly bruised.
Nothing serious. though: expect he'll
be out tomorrow.
And you'll bring him to see me.
He knows some stories and"
Yes, yes; certainly. BY the way.
he was inquiring about you: the little
tad he called you
Billy's face ripplsd. And presently
he slept
DR.. Steel came early the following
morning. Il think you need bit of
fresh air." he said to Mrs. Harcourt,
would you care to walk down the
road? Billy's pal Il on his feet today
and he will gladly come in and sit
with him for 4 half hour. Come.
what do you sayr"
Mrs. Harcourt glanced obviously to.
ward the cot. "shall l. dearie?" she
asked.
20, please do-if the nice gentle
man will come and talk to mel"
And SO Billy's mother rather reluct-
antly donned coat and hat and went
down on the piazza to wait for DR..
Steel.
When the stranger came in. Billy
was propped up on snowy pillows, his
eager. flushed face turned expectant-
ly toward the door.
We'll. we'll. little man, this won't
do at all What-a broken arm? And
what do you think is the best cure for
thing like that. eh?" He fished
square white box from his pocket as
he spoke and displayed it to Billy's
curious gaze "Marshmalows. But
only a dozen at time, you know"
he cautioned.
You're going to tell m9 the story
now. aren't you?" he questioned anx-
iously.
The other sat down by the cot, drew
deep breath. nodded and began:
"Once upon a time there was the
!: most beautiful little home you ever
could dream of-all green and white
aid pink and gold with roses, in sum-
| mer. There were great velvet lawns
reaching down to hedge in front. and
great. broad fields at the back, full Of
big. gnarled old trees that boys love
to climb and little amber creek run
ming through. for boys to go swimming
in. There were cows and horses and
cats and dogs"
Billy's steady glance gave flicker
of sudden delight. sand Shetland
pony like Jim Bailey's?" he interrupt
ed breathlessly.
Yes; a little spotted pony-for my
| boy" The words slipped out unguard-
edly. but he bit his lip and went on:
But one day something happened-it
was little and trivial, il wasn't really
anything-but it broke up everything.
to live with her people-and his papa
went away by himself"
I'm so sorry The moisture
| gathered in Billys eyes and ran in
crystal tracks down his cheeks All
at once he looked up and said earnest
| ly: II wish l was your little boy"
The stranger laughed heartily and
reached over and patted his chubby
hand do you really?" he asked
Billy nodded. Tell me another
story" he begged. That one didn't
| have the right ending"
The other took out his watch. II
wish ! had the time, but I'm afraid
it's getting too late. You see must
catch that downcoming train: l hear
the doctor and your mamma coming
now. and I'll run across the hall and
pack my grips"
"Wait till they come, please. want
you to-Mamma!" he interrupted him
self, hurry up and come see the nice
gentleman. He's going away on the
train and you might not get another
chance"
! Mrs. Harcourt entered the room
with cheeks glowing from her brisk
walk in the biting morning air: her
eyes shone as they rested on Billy's
beaming face. She turned smiling
glance to greet Billy's mice gentle
man" She half expected to see bat
tered old hero OF two wars with apple
cheeks and silver hair. What she
really saw was man Just verging on
the prime of life-tall. broad-shoul-
dered, strikingly goodlooking.
"Will!" The name broke In little
culver from her white, trembling lips.
The stranger took a quick step for
ward; his own face had grown white.
But the old smile, vivid and compel.
ling, leapt to his lips. In silence he
held out his arms In silence she
went to him and he held her there.
az though he would never let her go.
! Suddenly they remembered and turned