The citizen., 1918-01-03

hospitable matron she advanced
rraciously toward the new neighbor.
why. my dear Mrs. Smith. come right
I'M thought you'd call this morning.
! want TO tell you about my lovely lit
tie daughter She's only ten years old
an says the brightest thingsl You
really must
But mere Jane interrupted herself
abruptly aud. hopping behind the res.
Identisl bush. pcepcd over n. not at
Airs. Smith, but at q boy Of ten or
eleven who was passing along the side
walk. Her expression was gravely In
terested, somewhat complacent, and
Mrs. Smith was not 50 lacking In per-
ception that she failed 10 understand
how completely the time being. at
least--calling was 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
dlsheartcned, but began at the begin
ming again. continuing repeatedly after
this fashion TO Offset monotony by pa
triotism lie whistled loudly. lie
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 IL. 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 whistler at Jane. And thus,
still whistllng My Country. 'Tis Of
Thee" and with blank pink face over
his shoulder. he proceeded until he was
out Of sight.
"Who was that boyT' the new neigh
Dor then inquired
Its Freddie" Jane said placidly.
Hes In our Sunday school He's In
love " me-"
"Janer'
Again the outraged and ink stained
countenance glared down from the
window
what you wantf" Jane asked
"What you mean talking about such
thingsy" William demanded. "ln all
my life never heard anything as dis
gustlngl Shame on yonl"
The little girl from across the street
looked upward thoughtfully. He's
mad" she remarked. and. regardless
Of James previous Information, "It is
your papa. isn't Iti' she insisted.
MOI said Jane testify. Il told you
Hve 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 II safe
to tint her upward gaze with dlsfsvor
"He acts kind Of crazy." she mur.
INJURED
Hes In love OF Miss Pratt" said
Jane. "She's goin' away today. She
said she'd go before. but today she Is!
MIR. Parcher. where she visits. he's al
most dead she's stayed 50 long. She's
awful. think"
william. % whom all was audible.
shouted hoarsely. "rll see 20 you!" and
disappeared from the window.
"Will he come down heref" the little
girl asked. taking a step toward the
gate.
mo. He's just gone 10 call mamma.
All she'll don he to tell us 10 go play
somewhe heres else Then we can go
talk 10 Genesis"
"WhoT"
Genesis. Hes putin load OF coal
in the cellar window with a shovel
He's nice"
whats he put the coal in the win
dow forT'
Hes colored man." said Jane.
"Shall we 20 talk 10 him nowT'
mo" Jane SAID thoughtfully. Lets
be playin' callers when mamma comes
to tell us to 20 way. What was your
namef"
"Rannle."
mo. II wasn't"
ut Is too Rannie." the little girl In.
sisted. My whole names Mary Ran
dolph Kirsted. but my short names
Rannie."
Jane laughed. What funny namer'
she said. II didn't mean your real
name; meant your callers name. One
OF us was Mrs. Jones. and one was
Il want TO he Mrs. Jones'" said Ran
ME.
"Oh. my dear Mrs. Jones'" Jane be-
gan at once. II want TO tell you about
my lovely children. have two. one
only seven years old and the other
"Jane!' called Mrs. Baxter from VIII
liam's window.
"Yes'mr'
You must 20 somewhere else 70
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 10 go. and as they went Miss
Mary Randolph Kirsted allowed her
uplifted eyes TO linger with increased
disfavor upon William. 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.