Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-21

want % % ThonS. BniJ shrisksd
again. s a &, Nj
Mn. counssoek ma seartsd 10 walk
slowly ana meet Elnora. The girl had
been % late that her mother reached
the 6inton gate and came up the path
until ths picture Inside became visible.
Elnora had told her about Sinton TAX
ing BILLY home Mrs. Comstock had
some curiosity to 80 how Margaret
bore the unexpected addition to her
family. DMyS voice. raised with ex-
citsmsat was plainly audible. sho
could - Elnora holding hiIa and hear
his excited wall Sinton's face was
drawn and haggard and Maryaret's
set and defiant A very imp Of per.
versity entered the breast Of Mrs. Com.
stock and danced there.
''Hoity. toityr' che said 40 she sud.
denly appeared in the door. "Blest II
I ever heard . man making sounds like
that bsfors!''
Billy ceased suddenly. Mrs. Com
stock was tan. angular. and her hair
was prematurely white. for she was
only thirty.six. though she looked 6fty.
But there was an expression on her
usually cold face that was attractive
just then, and Billy was in search 81
attractions.
"Do you like boys!' be questioned.
III there 10 anything love It Is q
boy" said Mn. Comstock assuringly.
Billy was on the door.
do you like dogsY'
"Yes, almost 40 well % boys. I am
going to buy a dog Just as soon as I
can find q good one"
Billy swept toward her with whoop.
"Do you want boy?" he shouted.
Katharine Comstock stretched out
her arms and gathered him in.
'tOf course want boy" 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 real boy. Billy"
will you take Snap2"
I'D like to have Snap almost az well
as you"
"Mother!'' breathsd Elnora implor.
ingly. ID, ct! oh. don't! He thinks
you mean tt!''
''And 30 I do mean it, said Mrs.
Comsss4k. ''I1l take him in jiffy. l
throw away enough to feed a little
tyke like him every day. Els chatter
would be great company while you are
gone. Blood soon can be purified with
right food and baths. and as for Snap
I meant to get a bulldog. but possibly
Snap will serve Just as well. All 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, Bily7"
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. II won't make q sound"
Mrs. Comstock held him closely and
her hard face was softening. OF that
there could not be doubt.
you like boysr' exulted Billy, and
his head dropped against Mrs. Com
stock in unspeakable content.
Yes, and IL 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 70 Nrs. Comstocx and
Elnora.
'Goodby!' he said casually. ''I'n
come and see you some time"
Wesley Sinton. gayesa smothered sob
and strobe from the room.
Mrs. Comstock started for the door.
dragging at Billy as Elnora pulled
back. but Mrs. Stnton was before them,
her eyes flashing.
Kate Constock. you think you are
mighty smart, don't your she cried.
II amt in the lunatic asylum. where
you belong, anyway" said Mrs. Com
stock. II am smart enough to tell a
dandy boy when see him. and I'm