The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-07-18

about that. l just ran to him and he
kissed me as If he was never going
to stop.
Il thought you weren't coming
back" said.
We'll, don't know that am" said
father. But I've come to see you,
anyway. How's mother?"
She's all right" l said, but wish
Mr.. Griggs wouldn't come so often"
Father looked as black as thunder.
How often does he conner" he asked.
Every evening"" I answered. And
guess he's going to be my father
now. Mother says SO, anyway"
Father looked blacker than ever.
See here, Roddy. can you keep a Sc
cret?" he said.
Sure" said l. Father and / had
always had our secrets together.
"But this is a real one" said ia
Their. you mustn't even let mother
know. How would you like to come
for weeks tramp with me? Fishing
and fun In the woods?"
I'D love to-" answered. "Mayn't
tell mother, thought
NO" answered father. "You must
promise. That's the secret. Suppose
was to be here with an auto tomor-
row night at twelve, do you think you
could slip out of the house and meet
me7"
told father / could, and / prom
Used faithfully not to say word about
1t. But 1t was hard work not letting
mother know, especially as she looked
so kind when she kissed me good
night
Mr.. Griggs was there as usual, and
! heard him say, when was out of
the room. Thank heaven the kids
gone, Minna. Now you and / can talk
sense"
"You mustn't take too much for
granted, LIONEL" I heard mother an
swer
How about little moonlight ride?
can get my auto here in a jiffy," said
Mr.. Griggs.
thought mother said no, but that
was all heard. waited hours, until
thought mother was gone to bed, and
Mr. Griggs away, and then / slipped
out. It was bright moonlight night,
and walked hurriedly up the lane.
And there stood father, waiting for me,
with his little car in the roadway. It
wasn't half as big as Mr.. Griggs, but
on Cd ID a.
Father took me in his arms and
kissed me again, and then hoped in.
And father got down to crank.
Just then big car came along in
the other direction. and. as It slowed
down to pass US, / caught sight Of
Mr.. Griggs. and mother at his side.
They would have passed without
recognizing me, / think, because they
seemed to be whispering to each 9TH
er, but / was go overcome / couldn't
help shouting to mother. She knew
my voice, and the car slowed down
and came back toward US, and heard
mother scream.
Mother! Here's fatherI" l shout
ed. You see, was kid then, and /
hadn't been told not to tell that. And
Thought how nice 1t would be to have
father home again in place of that
horrid Mr.. Griggs.
Mother screamed at the top of her
voice. and Just then father got the car
cranked and jumped IN. And all he
said to me was, You've went and
bust the show, kid. However, Wen
see what my own little jitney can do"
We were off in a moment, with the
little car going hcketyspnt, and the
big car going rackety-rack behind us,
and mother screaming; and then it
began to dawn on me that mother was
angry. And somehow l saw that IA
Their was taking me away from moth
or, because, just as the judge had said.
they couldn't both have me. and SO
had to go to the injured party. Though
! am sure father never injured moth
or In his life.
They've got u.s." said father, and
iust then we came to q bend in the
road, and father wheeled the little car
sidewise and stopped and jumped out.
And the big car came snorting up to
US and crashed into 1t Just as father
pulled me TO the ground.
GIVE me back my boy. Charlie!"
screamed mother. Then, as father
pushed me behind him toward the