Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-08-01

usually cold face that was attractive
just then, and Billy was in search of
attractions.
DO you like boys?" he questioned.
IF there is anything 1 love it is a
boy said Mrs. Comstock assuringly.
Billy was on the floor.
D you like dogs?"
Yes, almost as we'll as boys. l am
going to buy a dog just as soon as l
can find a good one."
Billy swept toward her with a whoop. |
d you want a boy?" he shouted.
Katharine Comstock stretched out
her arms and gathered him in.
o course l want a boy!' she re-
joiced.
Maybe you'd like to have me?" Of
fered Billy.
Sure l would" triumphed Mrs. Com
STOCK. ANY one would like to have
you. You are just a real boy, Billy"
will you take Snap?"
I'D like to have Snap almost as we'll
as you
Mother" breathed Elnora implor-
ingly. Don't! Oh, don't! He thinks
you mean it,"
And SO | do mean it," said Mrs.
Comstock. 'Pn take him in a jiffy.
throw away enough to feed a little
tyke like him every day. His chatter
would be great company while you are
gone. Blood soon can be purified with
right food and baths, and as for Snap
| meant to get a bulldog. but possibly
Snap will serve just as we'll. All 1 ask
OF a dog is to bark at the right time.
I'll do the rest. Would you like to
come and be my boy, Billy?"
Billy leaned against Mrs. Comstock,
reached his arms around her neck and
gripped her with all his puny might.
You can whip me all you want to- he
said. Il Won't make a sound"
Mrs. Comstock held him closely and
her hard face was softening. OF that
there could not be a doubt.
You like boysv!" exulted Billy, and
his head dropped against Mrs. Com
stock in ~unspeakable content.
eyes, and if l don't have to carry you
the whole way home we must start
right now" said Mrs. Comstock. "You
are going to be asleep before you know
it,"
"Billy. are you going to leave with
out even saying goodby to me?" asked
Sinton. with a great gulp in his throat.
Billy held tight to Mrs. Comstock and
Elnora.
"Goodby!" he said casually. "I'll
come and see you some time"
Wesley Sinton gave a smothered sob
and strobe from the room.
Mrs. Comstock started for the door,
back. but Mrs. Sinton was before them.
her eyes flashing.
Kate Comstock. you think you are
mighty smart, don't you?" she cried.
II amt in the lunatic asylum, where
you belong. anyway" said Mrs. Com
stock. II am smar enough to tell a
dandy boy when L see him. and I'm
good and glad to get him. I'll love to
have him"
"Well. you won't have him" ex-
claimed Margaret Sinton. THAT boy
is Wesley's. He got him and brought
him here. You can't come in and take
him like that. Let go of him!"
Wesley Sintnn appeared behind Mar
garet in the doorway. and she turned
to him. Make Kate Comstock let go
of our boy!" she demanded.
BILLY, She wants you now" said
| Wesley Sinton. "She won't whip you.
and she won't let any one else. You
can have stacks Of good things to eat.
ride in the carriage and have a great
time. Won't you stay with U.s."
Billy drew away from Mrs. Com
stock and Elnora.
He faced Margaret, his eyes shrewd
with unchildish wisdom. Necessity
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 you
want" said Margaret sinton.
"Can I sleep close enough SOS 1 a
touch you?"
Yes. You can move your lounge
up so that you can hold my hand"
said Margaret.
"Do you love me now?" questioned
Billy.
It'll try to love you if you are &
good boy" said Margaret.
"TheD I guess I'll stay" said Billy.
walking over to her.
Out in the night Elnora and her
mother went down the road in the
moonlight, and every few rods Mrs.
Comstock laughed aloud.
Mother. | don't understand you."
sobbed Elnora.
well. maybe when you have gone
to high school long you will" said Mrs.
Comstock. Anyway, you saw me
bring Mag Sinton to her senses, didn't
you?"
On Sunday. while Mrs. Comstock was
in town with the Sintons. Elnora, al
though repeatedly cautioned not to en-
ter the Limberlost alone. went after