The Dolores star., 1916-02-25
The Impossible Boy
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM

ce.1 --..
And Sam Hill stil sat glowering on
upon the scene.
"Oh. the wonder Of i'll" said q Low
voice at his elbow.
With an effort Hill aroused himself
the aching trouble in his heart pulsinl
painfully at the return to conscious
ness OF his own personality. Had som,
one spoken to him? II was only hi
fancy, perhaps! Suddenly something
cool and damp and unmistakably aliv'
thrust itself into the relaxed palm Of
his hand. causing him to start up
Then the cool thing shot forward, leav
ing his hand upon . rough coat o.
fur. An animal! What could It bei
Great Scott" he exclaimed, al
alert. In the darkness beside hin
crouched . shapeless mass. which
grunted softly.
IT'S only Mr.. JONES'" said the voice
that had spoken before. Hes Just
woke up It's only my bear!"
Then Sam Hill realized that the
creature at which he was staring in
the dimness was . small bear. tc
which was attached q chain that
clanked upon the asphalt walk.
mt. Jones. is TT" snapped Hill
And who the devil are your"
Il am Pedro" replied the animals
custodian. And even in the gloom
Hill could see the white CLEAN of q
smile. The slender figure Strengthened
up on the bench beside him.
What Pedro? Pedro who?" de.
manded Hill. interested In spite OF
himself.
only Just Pedro" came the answer.
Then followed a laugh-a wonderful,
ripping laugh. ending abruptly. as
though a door had been closed upon
music.
well, Pedro. whoever you are" 70
piled Hill, you seem to be in az Ill
straits as myself. else you would not
be sitting in the square at such an
hour"
Are you hungry. tool" Pedro in.
quired.
Hill laughed, a short laugh. not 50
pleasant to hear as the others.
IN q way" said he.
"Ah!" said Pedro pityinsly. and by
the tone Hill knew that tho youth had
guessed at a hidden meaning in his
words.
why do you come to the city,
asked the latter, after q pause. "Youl
brotherhood usually keep to the open
road"
II come because l am an artist, and
here I shall have more opportunity
to paint" replied Pedro.
You speak as though you were q
genius" said Hill bitingiy.
Perhaps l am" Pedro returned.
There was q silence, during which
MIR. Jones fumbled the hand of his new
acquaintance affectionately. Ther
said Pedro:
What L. your trouble?"
Somehow Hill was not In the least
offended by the question. For q mo
ment he considered II, then:
Il must go away and hide myself
he said.
And you don't want to 60 away?"
"Yes-or rather, want to 60, al
though it is duty 1 take . bittel
pleasure in discharging. But l mus
go. because l must hide"
"Oh!" said Pedro. why 60 on Il
hide? A good way to get out of sigh
is to remain where you are. and tel
no one about it. People 30 prompt!
forget about you"
Hill peered at the youthful face II
see II the bear trainer was joking; bu
no trace of mirth could he discover
"Perhaps!" said he. Then to chang
the subject, when did you arrive IL
the city,"
This afternoon"
"And what. exactly. do you expec
to do?"
ITO find a master. and to study; Il
find q studio. and to paint" was tn,
terse reply.
And meanwhile go hungry! Ar
you saving all your money for the end
you mention?"
Il have no money" explained Pedr,
cheerfully.
Then how do you plan to get you
studio?"
Il do not know yet" Pedro toll
him. But there must be a great man
In SO large q city"
$50 you are not daunted by tn
somewhat uncertain future befor
you." remarked Hill, even thong
you are unfed?"
"I have been that before" retorte
Pedro dryly. D. ...a.. -.
"Well." said Hill. "the most imms
diaie of our troubles can be mendet
l, too, am hungry: Will you dine wit
me!" q. -# ~ ..
1--WE shall be glad to-" said Pedro.
Hill had forgotten the bear. bu
when Pedro said I'VE" he realized ths
there were three hungry beings.
IAN right" he said, making rapi