The Lamar register., 1912-07-03

Then you do want me sometimes.
don't you?" she said finally. 81
know I could help you make the boy
happy"
Before she went George made ar
rangements for her to come every
morning at 10 to take the cherub
Patsy for two hours. "Pd rather not
have the boy with other children"
he said honestly. But II you'll Just
keep him here at the housewife |
try to write a bit-it would help me
ever SO much. I've got Q very good
Irish woman to keep the house-but
she doesn't understand much about
the little chap. I'm afraid"
You're ever 20 good" said Ann.
And I'll do my best. What's the
boys name?"
Archibald" lied George content
edly.
George made his plans carefully.
He could rely upon Patsy; the ohild's
vocabulary included only few words
and he was totally incapable Of carry
ing on any kind Of conversation. Mrs.
Masoon was q little more dificult:
but after George had explained that
he had arranged to have Patsy absorb
. little education and refinement
every morning and offered to rent
the boy for q dollar a week. thst
valuable child's grandmother gave In
and promised to say never a word to
nobody" She oonsoled herself with
the assurance that. though doubtless
out OF his mind. Mr.. Walton was
nevertheless gentle and harmless
As for gossiping neighbors. George
did not have any - yet. and he vowed
that he would continue not to have
any.
One morning . couple of months
later Ann burst suddenly into Georges
study.
"Oh. Mr.. Walton" she cried. do
come her. Little Archibald has Just
learned a word. i've been trying to
teach It to him for ever SO long. but
you know he's . little backward about
talking"
Thank goodness he u.s." muttered
George to himself a. he followed the
girl to the living room. where Patsy
sat playing with his tin soldiers. She
got down beside him on the floor.
Archibald. dear" she said. say
the word Miss Anne taught you
There's a good boy"
Archibald Walton. alias Patsy
Leary. looked up. His blue eyes were
guileless as he lisped his first distinct
word:
"Divil at bit." he said with convic-
ton.
Ann looked at George with fright
ened eyes. The corners of his mouth
were twitching. but he said soberly:
1T must have been hard to teach
him that"
oh" cried Ann. standing by him.
Il didn't" There were tears In her
voice. 81 taught him to say daddy
and l thought you'd be 30 pleased"
"Oh, say" he said uncomfortably
Ann. already miserable. felt that
something was wrong.
see here. Miss STAGE" he said,
after a moments hesitation; things
are in a mess. and l don't see how
ever can get out of 1t. But this non
sense has gone on long enough. You
see. when I first saw you. l knew
wanted you
Just then q stalwardt young man
with freckles and yellow hair. and
with murder in his clear blue eyes.
stalked into the room from the direc-
ton of the kitchen. In his wake was
the frightened Mrs. Magoon.
Whats this I hear, Mr.. Walton,
about me son Patsy" he demanded.
Ann turned pale; George turned
red; Mrs. Magoon began to wiring her
hands-and Patsy threw himself rap
turously on the speaker.
Daddy! Daddy" he screamed.
And hearing himself thus addressed
for the first time. Patsy's father. gath
ering the child in his arms. decided
that perhaps after all the treatment
he had been daily subjected to hadn't
harmed him. and retreated with the
hysterical Mrs. Magoon to the
kitchen.
THE figs up. Ann" said George
Walton you see what did.
rented that youngster so that I'd have
an excuse to keep you near me- From