The Pleasantville press., 1913-04-09

face like the roses you sent yester-
day" The boy looked admiringly at
his young mother.
A beseeching signal flashed from
Gillem's eyes to the woman's, but she
pretended not to see. She could not
would not, have Billy hurt. not for all
the happiness she could promise her
self by marriage with this man.
When the package was opened in
the library by eager childish fingers,
Billy saw wonderful little automo-
bile with real rubber tires and tiny
siren whistle that sounded like the
big one on Gillem's own car.
Wind It," he begged Of Gillem and
soon the soft brown curly head was
close to the big black one, and man
and boy were equally interested in the
toy. When Billy's mother slipped
away to dress for dinner, the boy
turned to Gillem with the eager ques-
ton. Are you very good friend Of
miner"
"The best in the world, Billy. What
can do for your"
Mothers sad about something. She
cries every time you go away. Do you
know why?"
why IL" stammered the man,
! torn between his promise to the wom-
an he loved and the innocent trust
ing face before him, waiting for an
answer.
II believe she wants to. marry Mr..
Sam Carter. and she knows I don't
like him. You know you told her
how Mr.. Carter loved her. Is that it,"
mo, no, think not, Billy. Your
mother doesn't love Carter in that
way"
"Now." said Billy, moving little
closer and laying his hand on the
mans arm, ''if she would just love
you, I'd like first rate to have you for
father. / loved my real, own father
very much. like any boy" went on the
childish voice. "but tell you it would
be fine to have live father like you
around every day"
Billy was caught in two strong arms
and held very, very close. I'D love
to take you and your mother to my
big house to live. love you and the
beautiful mother. too. Do you think
we could persuade her to go?"
We'll try" whispered Billy. Don't
you tell her about what said. That's
a secret between u.s."
Sure" answered Gillem happily.
All through the meal Billy thought
of Mr.. Gillem's big stone house and
his kennel of fine dogs. 1t would be
great to live in that house. he
thought, and wondered how he could
lead up to the important matter.
"Mr. Walter" he questioned, 81
wonder what your dogs would do II a
little boy went there sometimes?"
"They would be glad to see him.
They are friendly fellows"
II guess they wouldn't like to have
boy around all the time, though,
would they?"
Eyes. they would" said Gillem.
taking care not to look at Elizabeth.
He could. with difficulty, keep the
laughter from his eyes.
Il think I'll go home with you some
oay' DOyS Ou6ht " otdy WIN q AhoA
some. oughtn't they, mother?"
"Yes," said very weak voice.
'What are you talking about SOM"
II told Mr.. Walter how you cry
sometimes, mother, and asked him II
1t was because you wanted to marry
Mr.. Carter. He said he didn't think
so, but that he loved you and me, too,
and wanted us to go to his house to
live. Wouldn't it be fine to have a
real live father to play with at the
lonesome time just before dinner?" :.
Billy slipped out of his chair and
went to her, and Gillem left, his own
place to stand on the other side.
won't you let me have Billy and
you for keeps?" begged the man down
close beside her, SO that his eyes were
on a level with Billy's eyes.
"Yes," said Elizabeth, drawing the
two dear heads to her breast. I'll
mother both my boys"
"And l." said Billy, proudly, will
have real father like Freddie Camp
and Arthur Tyson. Now, let's go play
with our new automobile" urged Billy.
anxious to include the new member in
his family circle.
Copyright, 1872 by Associated Literary
Press)