Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-08

"HOley, toityT' Sne salo rs SUD-
denly appeared in the door. "Blest II
I ever heard a man making sounds like
that beforc!"
Billy ceased suddenly. Mrs. Com.
stock was tall, angular. and her hair
was prematurely white, for she was
only thirty-six, though she looked atty.
But there WINS 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.
III there 10 anything I love It IL a
boy" said Mrs. Comstock assuringiy.
Billy was on the floor.
do you like dogs"
Eyes, almost as we'll as boys. I am
going to buy a dog just as soon as I
can find a good one"
Billy swept toward her with a whoop.
do you want a boy?" he shouted.
Katharine Comstock stretched out
her arms and gathered him in.
"Of course I want a boyv she re-
joiced.
Maybe you'd like to have me?" Of.
fered Billy.
Sure I would" ~triumphed Mrs. Com
stock. ANY one would like to have
you. You are just a real boy. Billy"
will you take SnapT"
"T'd like to have Snap almost as well
as you"
Mother" breathed Elnora implor.
ingly. Don't! oh, don't. He thinks
you mean It'll"
And SO I do mean It," said Mrs
Comstock. I'll take him in n jiry. !
throw away enough to feed a little
tyke like him every day. His chatter
would be great company while you are
gone. Blood soon a be purified witt
right food and baths. and as for Snay
I meant to get a bulldog. but possibly
Snap will serve just as we'll. All l ash
Of a dog is to bark at the right time
I'll do the rest. Would you like t.
come and be my boy, Billy"
Billy leaned against Mrs. Comstock
reached his arms around her neck ant
gripped her with all his puny might
You can whip me all you want to-" Ii,
said. Il won't make a sound"
Mrs. Comstock held him closely ant
her hard face was s~oftening. OF tina
there could not be a doubt.
You like boys" exulted Billy, an,
his head dropped against Mrs. Com
stock in unspeakable content.
Yves, and II l don't have to carry 70,
the whole way home We must star
right now" said Mrs. Comstock. "Yo,
are going to be asleep before you know
It,"
BILLY, are you going to leave with
out even saying goodby to mel" asket
Stnton. with a great gulp in his throat
Billy held tight to Mrs. Comstock an,
Elnora.
"Goodby" he said casually. "Il
come and see you some time"
Wesley Sinton gave a smothered sol
and strobe from the room.
Mrs. Comstock started for the door
dragging at Billy IS Elnora pulle'
back. but Mrs. Sinton was before them
her eyes flashing.
Kate Comstock, you think you ar
mighty smart. don't your she cried.
II amt in the lunatic asylum. wAer'
you belong, anyway" said Mrs. Com
stock. II am smart enough to tell
dandy boy when I see him, and In
good and glad to get him. I'll love II
have hlm!
"Well. you won't have him.. ex
claimed Margaret Sinton. THAT DO.
is Wesley's. He got him and brough
him here. You can't come in and TAX
him like that. Let so Of him."
Wesley sinton appeared behind Mar
garet in the doorway, and she turned
to him. Make Kate Comstock let g
Of u boyw she demanded.
BILLY. she wants you now" sait
Wesley Sinton. "She won't whip you
and she won't let any one else. 70,
q have stacks Of good things to eat
ride In the carriage and have a grea
time. Won't you stay with u.s."
Billy drew away from Mrs. Com
stock and Elnora.
He faced Margaret. his eyes shrew'
with unchildish wisdom. Necessit,
had taught him to strike the hot iron
to drive the hard bargain.
"Can l have Snap to live here al
ways" he demanded.
Eyes. you can have all the dogs 70,
want" said Margaret slnton.
Can I sleep close enough SOS / cal
couch your
"Yes. You can move your loung
up so that you can hold my hand,
said Margaret.
"Do you love me nowr questione'
Billy.
I'LL try to love you e you are
good boy" said Margaret.
Then I guess I'll stay" said Billy
walking owe to her.
Out In the night Elnora and be
! mother went down the road In tn
moonlight. and every few rods Mrs
Comstock laughed aloud.
Mother. I don't understand you,'
sobbed Elnora.
"Well, maybe when you have gon
to high school long You wfil," said Mn
Comstock. Anyway. you saw n
bring Mag sinton to her senses. didn'
your"
On Sunday. while Mrs. Comstock va
In town with the sintons, Elnora, a
though repeatedly cautioned not to on
ter tho Lmberiost alone. went afte
specimens and wal noon carrying Nv