The daily Alaskan., 1917-10-18

six years older than Willie even thenl There's no comparison at all. I'll let him order a dress suit on his twenty first birthday and not minute before. don't believe in it, and intend to see that he gets all this stuff out of his system. He's got to learn some hard sensem
 Mrs. Baxter shook her head doubt fully, but she said no more. Perhaps she regretted a little that she had caused Mir. Baxter's evening clothes to be so expansIvely enlarged, for she looked rather regretful. She also look ed rather incomprehensible, not to say cryptic, during the long silence which followed, and Mir. Baxter resumed his rocking, unaware of the tlxity of gaze which his wife maintained upon him, a thing the most loyal will do some times.
 The incomprehensible look disap- peared before long, but the regretful one was renewed in the mothers eyes whenever she caught glimpses of her son that day and at the table, where Williams manner was gentle, even to- ward his heartleSs father.
 Underneath that gentleness the har- ried self of William was no longer de- batting a desperate resolve, but had fixed upon 1t, and on the following aft ernoOn Jane chanced to be a witness of some resultant actions. She came to her mother with an account of them.
 Mamma, what you s'pOse Willie wants of those two ole market baskets that were down cellar?"
 "Why, Jane?"
 "Well, he carried 'em In his room, an then he saw me loOkin', an he said, 'G'way from herev an shut the door. He locks so funny! What's he want of those ole baskets, mammaW
 "I don't know. Perhaps he doesn't even know himself, Jane."
 But William did know definitely. He had set the baskets upon chairs, and now, with pale determination, he was proceeding to fill them. When his task was completed the two baskets con- tained:
 One heavyweight winter suit of clothes, one lightweight summer suit of clothes, one cap, one straw hat, two pairs of white flannel trousers, two madras shirts, two flannel shirts, two silk shirts seven soft collars, three silk Geckties, one Crocheted tie, eight pairs of socks, one pair of patent leather shoes, one pair of tennis shoes, one oyercoat. some underwear.
 One two foot shelf of books, consist ing of several sterling works upon mathematics. in a damaged condition; five of Shakcspeares plays, expurgat- cd for schools and colleges and also damaged; a work upon political econ- omy and another supOn the science of physics; Webster's Collegiate Diction- ary: How to Enter Drawing Room and Five Hundred Other Hints;' Wit ty Sayings From Here and There" Lorna Doone;" "Quentin Durward;" "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" very old copy of "Moths," and small Bible.
 William spread handkerchiefs upon the two overbulging cargoes, that their nature might not be disclosed to the curious, and, after listening moment at his door. took the baskets, one upon each arm, then went quickly down the stairs and out of the house, out of the yard and Into the alley.
 After an absence of about two hours he returned empty handed and anI- ious. Mother, I want to speak to you" he said, addressing Mrs. Baxter in voice which clearly proved the strain of these racking days. Please send Jane away. can't talk about important things with child in the roOm."
 Jane naturally wished 10 stay, since he was going to say something impor- tant. Mamma, do haf to gO"
 Just a few minutes, dear"
 Jane walked submlssively out of the door, leaving 1t open behind her. Then, having gone about six feet farther. she halted and, preserving a breathless si- lence. conSoled herself for her banish, ment by listening to what was said, hearing 1t all as satisfactorily as If she had remained In the room.
 Mother" said William, with great intensity, "I want to ask you please to lend me $3.G0."
 What for?"
 "NIother, don't feel can discuss 1t any. I simply ask you, Will you lend me $3G0?"
 Mrs. Baxter laughed gently. "I don't think l could. Willie, but certainly l should want to know what for"
 Mother, am going on eighteen years of age and when ask for small sum of money like $3.G0 think might be trusted to know how to use 1t for my own good without having to answer questions like a ch"-
 "Why, Willie" she exclaimed, "you ought to have plenty of money of your own! You ought to have plenty left out of that old junk and furniture I let you sell last month. You had over $9I"
 p William