The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-07

and her checks red with fatal color.
winch MY Son thought the most beau
;iful he had ever seen. On either side
Oh the carriage sat man and "A
woman. The man was reading aloud
out OF Il book. and the woman had her
hand on the girls. and was sJftly
strokiny IL. The book must have been
Il very amusing one. for sometimes
she smiled. and the smile reflected it.
self instantly on the older. gl.;,ver
faces. My Son crcpt nearer, the in
trcpd heart beating at his audacity,
VII ne ieit sure they would hear his
approach. But they did not--pcri,aps
because they We're too absorbed in
themselves. Presently the man closed
the book. and they began to talk. My
Son could not hear what they said
but he saw how peace, content. and
perfect unity dwell among them At
least. hc did not apply these terms in
his small mind. but no felt that the
light from their eyes WAS more warm
ing than tho sunshine. and their
smiles more beautiful than the flowers
in his fathers garden. He creep, si!ll
closer. The man got up.
we must go home now. dear" he
said tenderly 20 the girl. 1T is long
past four. Arc you no. ready"
She shook her head. Let nc stay
here, father" she pleaded. at is 80
lovely. You can come and fetch mo
after tea. and then perhaps we can 20
along the shore for 4 little l should
like that best"
lie pressed her hand. LAS you will"
he said. You will be quite safe. :Dr
we can sec You from our windows |
know the mother will not take her
eyes of YOU" He laughed. He was
a big man. and his laugh should have
been big and hearty, like himself; but.
as II from long custom. he softcned it,
so that 1t was gentle. like womans
The lady rose also.
You will DO SO lonely, Eileen" she
said. Should not stay with you?"
The girl shook her head again. NO.
no: sha'n't be lonely have my
thoughts. Besides'-she looked round
there is that dear little boy. Look
how lie smiles and mods! lie Will
keep me company"
My son heard the suggested invita-
ton. and. emboldened. drew nearer
You will be quite safe in such
sturdy keeping" the man said. with
another smile Come. sweetheart"
He gave his arm, with a grave cour-
tcsy. to the lady. and together they
went up the beach, turning every now
and then to wave a cheerful farewell.
My Son watched them with great.
wondering eyes. SO absorbed was ne
that he would quite have forgotten
mis- charge had she not called him.
You funny little boy" she said.
smiling down at him. II have often
noticed you and wondered who You
were and why YOU look so quiet and
grave. Tell me all about Yourself"
He shook his head. The idea OF
telling any onc-much less n com
pletc stran2er-"all about himself
was a 100 sudden innovation to be
easily adopted
Are YOU happy" she asked sud
denly
lie assented at once. "Oh. yes" he
said Il am very lucky little boy"
Ills nurse had told him so times with
out number, consequently ii had to
be true. MI the same. the tears
spranG to his eyes. and he had to
wrestlc hard with them to keep them
from overlooking.
His companions smile deepened "a
lucky little boy" she echoed, and We,
YOU are cryins-no. no"-as she saw
how The injured red rushed to his
cheeks-"not crying. Of course. hu:
nearly crying. Tell me what's the
matter"
lie hcsitatcd a moment. 1T hurts
So he blurted out at last.
'What?"
Here" lie pointed to his throat.
And here lie rubbed himself
vaguely
Why does it hurt?"
lie remained silent. IT was all be-
yond his powers of explanation. But
with an instructive trust. he came ana
put his hand in hers y )ooJ, of do
termination crept into his blue eyes.
Does does-are your father and
mother ever crosse" he demanded.
She looked at him with q ncw
gravity.
NO. She said: never"
They love each other awful?"
Il think Sc
DO they love your"
Il am sure of it,
lie nodded as il the statement con.
h'mcd his own Impressions. AS for
me invalid. she waited patiently.
knowing that the heavy heart wo,,ld
unburden itself further The flush
upon mis- forehead decpcned ana his
lips trcmbled with the weight OF .
great question.
"Does--does your mother ever 20