Courier Democrat., 1917-11-08

fast calling wds suspended.
The boy whistled briskly "My Coun-
try, 'Tis of Thee" and, though his
knowledge of the air failed him when
he finished the second line, he was not
disheartened, but began at the begin
ming again, continuing repeatedly after
this fashion to offset monotony by pa
triotism. He whistled loudly. He
walked with ostentatious intent to be
at some heavy affair in the distance.
His ears were red. He looked neither
to the right nor to the left-that is, he
looked neither to the right nor to the
left until he had passed the Baxters'
fence. But when he had gone as far
as the upper corner of the fence be-
yond he turned his head and looked
back, without any expression, except
that of a whistler, at Jane. And thus,
still whistling My Country, 'Tis of
Thee" and with blank pink face over
his shoulder, lie proceeded until he was
out of sight.
''Who was that boy?" the new neigh
Dor then inquired.
'It's Freddie" Jane said placidly.
"He's in our Sunday school. He's in
love of me-
=, "Jane!'
Again the outraged and ink stained
countenance glared down from the
window.
"What you wn1t?" Jane asked.
"What you III. an talking about such
things?" William demanded. "In all
J my life l never heard anything as dis
gusting! Shame on your
The little girl from across the street
looked upward thoughtfully. Hes
mad" she remarked. and, regardless
of James previous information. cit is
your papa, isn't it?" she insisted.
"No!' said Jane testify. II told you
five times it's my brother Willie"
"Oh!' said the little girl, and, grasp
ing the fact that Williams position
was in dignity and authority negligi-
BILE compared with that which she had
persisted in imagining. she felt it safe
to tint her upward gaze With disfavor.
''He acts kind of crazy" she mur'
mured
"He's in love of Miss Pratt said
Jane. "She's gon' away today. She
said she'd go before, but today she isl
Mr.. Parcher, where she visits, he's al
most dead, she's stayed so long. She's
William, to whom a1Awas audible,
shouted hoarsely, 'Ill see to your and
disappeared from the window.
"Will he come down here?" the little
girl asked, taking a step toward the
gate.
"No. He's just gone to call mamma
All she'll doll be to tell us to go play
Somewheres else. Then we can go
talk to Genesis"
"Who?"
"Genesis. He's putin load of coal
in the cellar window with a shovel
He's nice.'
"What's he put the coal in the win
dow for?"
"He's colored man." said Jane
"Shall we go talk to him now?'
NO. Jane said thoughtfully. "Let's
be playin' callers when mamma comes
to tell us to go way. What was your
name?"
.sRannie."
'.No, it wasn't"
sit is too Rannie," the little girl in
sisted. "Ny whole names Mary Ran
dolph Kirsted, but my short names
Rapnie."
Jane laughed. What funny name!"
she said. 81 didn't mean your real
name; meant your callers name. One
of us was Mrs. Jones, and one vas
IT want to be Mrs Jones'" said Ran
ME.
ooh, my dear Mrs JONES'" Jane be-
gan at once, 81 want to tell you about
my lovely children. have two, one
only seven years old and the other
"Janey' called Mrs. Baxter from Will
Hams window.
'.Yes'm!'
"You must go somewhere else to
play. Willie's trying to work at his
studies up here, and, he says you've
disturbed him very much
'.Yes'm."
The obedient Jane and her friend
turned to go, and as they went Miss
Mary Randolph Kirsted allowed her
nplifted eyes to linger with Increased
ulS4dNoI UPON w lllldH, WHO appeared
beside Mrs. Baxter at the window.
II tell you what let's do," Rannie
suggested in a lowered voice. "He got
so fresh with us an made your mother
come an all, let's-let's''-
She hesitated.
.'Let's what" Jane urged her in an
eager whisper.
Lets think up somep'n he won't like
and do It'll"
They disappeared round the corner
Of the house, their heads close to.
gether.
Upstairs Mrs. Baxter moved to the
door Of her sons room. pretending to
be unconscious Of the gaze he main
tanned upon her mastering courage
to hum a little tune aud affecting In.
consequence. she had nearly crossed
the threshold when he said sternly:
"And this IL all you intend to say to