Evening star., 1914-10-07

| horses. but that her happiness was
marred sadly by the fear that a reck-
| less little chap would dart across for
| hidden ground and call down upon his
| unfortunate head the wrath Of the
captain.
Again. young Peyton's glance went in
| the captains direction. He sat tense
and alert, ready to fire a perfect vol
ley of abuse at the slightest trespass.
He appeared to court a battle royal
and when the last of the parade came
around the corner young Peyton bare
ly suppressed a chuckle of satisfaction
| because nothing had happened.
But just as Mrs. Brown sighed in
relief there hove in sight dusty. out
at-elbow trio. They were the children
Of the widow who had dared. Capt
and never would He Strengthened ex-
pectantly, fire in his eye. The Oldest
boy was in the lead, running eagerly.
He looked rebelliously at the captain.
He, made a movement as if to make
a short cut across the sacred green, but
suddenly his eyes met Mrs. Browns.
He pulled up abruptly smiled sweetly
and led his followers sedately around
the corner: Once on the run again. he
diest p'rade?"
Just fine. Tommy. Going to the
circus?"
"Nope!" There was immense indif-
ference in the young voice, but his step
had lost all jubilation as he went on
up the street.
| Under her breath Mrs. Brown said
Poor little chaps. they have so little!'
| Silently young Peyton asked: You're
lawfully fond of boys, aren't you, Mrs.
Brown"
She looked frightened II love
them"' she hesitated
"Of course. you do" Though the
seemed to grow bolder. And you'd
like to take those little chaps and
others like them to the circus, wouldn't
lyou?
There was no response Mrs. Brown
was gazing at distant horizon of
blighted hopes. Young Peyton asked
the second time, Wouldn't you, Mrs
Brown"
Sadly she answered, YES"
He leaned near her. why don't you
go and borrow them?"
The fright came back into her ewes,
Her hands went out deprecatfngly. In
| a moment she arose silently and went
| inside.
Then the captain fared at young Pey-
ton: You thought you'd have a scene.
didn't you? Like Ito see the old man
riled up, eh?"
Very calmly young Peyton answered
You didn't come in for moments
thought. Captain Brown. felt SO
sorry for yovr wife I had to spit out
little women on earth, Captain Brown
You young donkey! Do you think
you have to tell me that?"
Young Peyton braced himself s"Trbe,
why in thunder don't you take care Of
herr
"Take-care-of-her The captain.s
figure grew limp. What nonsense ave
you-why. Mrs Brown is the picture of
healthI -
She's we'll. physically, I'll admit.
a great sadness was in Peyton's voice
But mentally-" He shook his
head dolefully.
| Capt. Browns hands frightened on tho
arms of his chair. Billy Peyton." he
breathed. "what-do-you-m
| Young Peyton's glance was relent-
less. Capt. Brown. your unjust treat
nent of boys carried over a period Of
80 many years Is wearing your life ont
mentally. She loves boys. She would
cherish every one of them, renew her
youth in them. but you simply clamp
her down. Oh. yes. she looks we'll
but" Peyton's voice was ominous.
haven't you heard that when the brain
is Weakening" He stood very close
to the captain. Put your thinking can
on in time, Capt. Brown"
| moment later the captain was
alone, Peyton's words and visions of
a long ago yesterday torturing him
He saw his wife. proud and happy with
her boys about her. bereft, yet bravely
irving to comfort the husband who
would not be comforted; saw her