The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-10-13
ROCKY AND KIT
BY AGNES c. BRoGAN.


Homer had d name 10 make for him
self-Or rather to keep-for his fame
as writer was now assured.
Somebody's baby, crying Justify
upon an opposite side of the wall, was
not an incentive 10 genius. So HON
CT had been for some time comfort
ably established in d charming bUnga-
low, with his widowed sister IA his
housekeeper, and incidentally-rhuug
of this he was Unaware-as his man
ager
Mrs. Blair likewise deteSted chill
dren; their hands were usually dirty,
and they possessed a weakness for
strewing crumbs, where crumbs should
never be.
So into this satisfactory childless
home came like a thunderbOlt Rock
we'll Brant's letter. Rockwell had
been a college chum Of Homer'S. and
In years past he had been Instrument
al i'll many ways in helping his lit
erary friend on To his career.
Rockwell was still young: the au-
thor reflected, what marriage and CAGE
may do to a man. Rockwell wrote
now to say that he was sending his
young son To the old home town III or
der to have a certain reputable doctor
there look the boy over. ROcky's
SPINE was not strong his father wrote.
The boys mother being dead. anu
NO relatives TO send him to, for the
week or so it would be necessary TO
keep him in the city, Rockwell had
remembered his good old chum," and
was entrusting the boy TO his care.
"He won't 90 without his close COM
paniOn," Rockwell further added. -"
IliY (you remember my elder sisters
childO, will go with him. | trust
they will not greatly Inconvenience
you, old chap, and I'll be eternally
grateful"
When Homer finished the letter he
groaned; then he carried it TO his sis-
ter. Mrs. Blair gave it back to him
cOldly.
! 81 suppose for the sake OF your
| past we must live through it," she
said. Kit and Rocky! The names Of
the two would indicate what sort of
impS we shall have to contend with"
Rockwell had given little time for
refusing his request. The train,
| Homer found, had already stopped.
and gone again on its way. On the
small suburban platform remained
bui one passenger. Homer settled his
| irreprOachable cravat as he looked at
her She was as lovely a young wom-
an as the proverbial "spring morning"
Curiousiy she glanced at him and
| thar she smiled.
"Have YOU" she asked, ''seen lit
tic hoy around here?'
/ 81 have not" Homer responded. lie
seated himself patiently. Encouraged
by something In her glinting blue eyes,
he added:
81 cume to meet a small boy my
self. He and a little girl companion
should have arrived by that last train.
You saw nothing of two chiidrenE'
The lovely one shook her head.
81 told Rocky" she unused in q
troubled tone, ito go no further than
the candy counter in the station. but
he has eluded me-"
Rocky" the man gasped, could
you possibly refer to Rocky Brant
the boy whom l am expectingF"
The young wOman's eyes widened.
"You must be Mr.. st. Clair" She
said. "AIr Brant wrote inStructing
me to see that Rocky reached your
home safely"
Homer leaned forward
you know the boy then?' he asked
lapprehenSively. "DOeS he-er-inher
lit his fathers adventurous spirit?"
"Rocky's latest adventure" the
young woman replied. twas climbing
Into a waiting automobile and starting
Its engine. He Is too young. Of
course. to understand automobiles, but
with his usual uncanny cleverness he
succeeded in stopping the car
Homer st. Clair turned pale.
land the girl" he asked GREATNESS
Iy, "his companion, Kit; is she lit.
tie devil too?"
"As 1 recall the child. Kit" the
! young woman answered, 'she was ex-
actly what you express" She smiled
: "I am remembering one occasion
when she traded her aunt's valuable
pet dog to a strange little girl for a
small pink parasOl."
"And those two are coming TO stay
I'm my houser" said the man despOnd-
emily.
ooh. 1t may turn out better than
you think" she cheerfully suggested
, Just then, tearing down the plat
form toward them came a small, hap
, by boy.
At sight of the author he paused.
rs that him?" he asked Of the
girl abruptly.
THAT is daddy's friend" she ex
planned.
"Are you going TO like him, KitF
asked Rocky.
4, Homer jumped TO his feet.
"Kit?" he cried. surely il cannot
be that you" Her eyes twinkled
back at him.
YES, am Rocky's companion, Kit,
- u