Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1913-12-26

niture it might now be hidden. Then
presently he caught sight of the carte
de visfte in the crimson velvet passe
partout, and he cried out softly, "Oh,
monsieur, monsieur, where, then. did
you get this ?"- The little boy fetched a
big sigh and knelt down by the table,
his two arms trying to fold themselves
on top of the frame, his large eyes
fixed on the tiny picture.
"Well. sir" Van Zandt replied, "I'm
afraid I stole it." He was unadept at
dealing with a child and mostly intent
upon arranging mentally how to fetch
his guest to speaking of Betty.
Monsieur" The little boy felt this
anything to his exclamation of re-
proach the man went on with:
Why ,
Because. monsieur, this he put a
reverend little forefinger on the pic
ture. 'is madame my grandmamma."
Are you not mistaken. sir?" The
child shook his head.
II have the same on my candle
stand. monsieur, by my bed"
But. sir, the name of this lady is
not the same as yours. See, it is writ
ten on the card" He took the picture
from it's frame and held it up.
Monsieur. I cannot read the writ
ing"
1T says, Betty Van Zandt.'" the
man read.
Yes. monsieur" little Peter nodded
SlnVUlu SSnvnofIV Nv nv. cen
and my papa vas De la Quereau; also
my mamma, too" he explained to the
best of his limited ability.
Peter Van Zandt stared on. There
were tense thoughts racking his brain.
Betty married to another? How? I'm
possible!
Presently his breath came hard as
he spoke. "Your grandmamma, sir.
Would you tell me her name?'
But. yes. monsieur. Grandmamma's
name is Betty Van Zandt."
Then the mans whole body shook,
and his hands trembled and his lips.
and his arms ached. and his soul was
scathed, and be lifted the little boy up
and stood him on the table. not letting
him outside his hold, and he asked.
What is the NAME. do you know. of
that grandfather of yours who would
not like to have o and your grand
mamma go to Grace church,"
His name. monsieur. l know we'll,
is like mine, Peter-we say Pierre
Van Zandt. | have the middle name
And the arms of the man EMBODIED
the little boy very tenderly, very care
fully. very holly, and he pressed his
cheek to the little boys cheek, as he
said. I'VE will, we must find happiness
for your grandmamma. sir; but l will
tell you where it is"
"Where. monsieur. where?"
Peter pointed to the other side of the
curtains.
Its over yonder. sir. in your grand
mammals part of the house."
But, no. monsieur, no. l am sure,
because if i: were guantanamo would
o sit always. l have seen it. with
her looks this way"
Then for Peter Van Zandt the roof
was lifted and he felt upon his head
Eephyrs from heaven. Then he laugh
ed and lifted the little boy from the
table and said, Pierre"
Yes, mOnsieur?'
You know Christmas is coming;
only three days off now?"
Yes, monsieur. that is So" he was
stroking Paganini's ears. Paganini sat.
by his own selection. on top of the old
violin case.
"And both your grandmamma and
1 agree. you say, hat it is a sad time
of year?" The little boy nodded as he
cuddled his pussy cat.
But suppose We make it joyful. you
and l; suppose we believe that hap
piness will be found by doing that;
suppose we make a secret, just you
and |. about Christmas; shall we? Will
you?"
Yes. monsieur. l will; anything for
the happiness Of grandmamma.' he
drew nearer to Peter. How shall we
make the secret. monsieur"
For a moment Van Zandt did not
reply; he was as yet a bit in the mists;
but things were making themselves
plain to him; he found himself facing
the singular proposition of hat radiant
rose of a woman he had watched in
Washington parade ground. as the
grandmother of a little boy of seven;
it was not easy to adjust it. all at once
so little Peter had to wait. There were
a hundred questions Van Zandt would
have liked to ask this little boy; it was
also a dilemma for him whether to dis
close his own identity to the child or
not.
But, Peter. with all his ardor Of
thirst for Betty. was level headed.
Whereas his impulse was to pick up
the small boy and rush with him
straight over to the other side Of the
house and there await her homecom-
ing. he at once saw that this could not
be: that. in fact. after all. there must
be. he would rather have it so, a Sec
ond woOing of his wife.