The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-10-02
The TWICE AMERICAN
BY ELEANOR NJ. INGRAM

corner, dragging over a furree
robe to cover her naughtiness, O.
saintliness.
She vas just in tirae. Two ladies
one quite old, came slowly dow1
the steps and crossed the few
PAGES to the carriage. AS they
entered the doorway, guarded BY
an lmpassive footman, the dazeo
boy started forward.
Excuse me, ma 'am," he said
trying to intercept the elder WON.
an.
She mentioned him away.
IL never give to beggars. Come,
Katherine"
The younger woman followed
her companion into the coupe
without a glance aside for the peti-
toner. The footman closed the
door, and the carriage was whirled
away by the impatient horses. The
boy was left standing alone, hold
ing in his chilled and grimy hand
a pair of French shoes almost as
line as white satin, and family f. a.
grant.
"a pretty comedy!'' spoke a
smooth, lazy voice behind him.
But the little one gives like a
princess, eh?"
The boy turned to face a gentle
man who had come from the other
side Of the street and now stood
lightly tapping his walking stick
on the pavement.
How is that, sir7" the boy
asked mechanically. He was still
bewildered and shaken beyond all
proportion to the event.
why, with both hands"
smiled the other; with a royal
disregard Of fitness or conse-
quences."
"She looks like-like . princess
like princesses I've seen IN pic
tures," the boy agreed.
bah, in fairy books! Most
princesses look like bar maids!"
the man returned. "Say that she
looks as a princess should, my
friend; or, better still, say that
she has a princely heart. The
heart-there is the only royalty,
the only domain worth ruling!
Heias, that it should have it's TYR
ants, also! Come, I have a fancy
to buy the shoes of you. What
is the price7"
The boy drew back, his black
brows knitting in a scowl, andI
shook his head.
"No9" the gentleman stoppedf
Tapping with his stick. "You rel
Why, / Will give more than
Your usual markets, I wager!
Where would you take themal
Come IA couple of dollars will bay
YOU a pair Of stout boots"
ATS NO business of y~ours,"'
was the ungracious answer.
@Tfruly IT is not1I have none
So amusing Shall we say, SIS fovr|
the pretty souvenirsf I assured
you that they cost no more, new. vi
The, glance he received was suf1I
fuient refusal. The boy drew back1
anthem STEP with obvious intent toll
leave. But the mans movement
was quicker than the gamin' 8 fur
tive swifftnessy as he leaned for-I
ward to- detain him.
"WhaSg'' he said in an altered
tone. ~You r cold, you are hun
grY-oh,, do not trouble to deny
it, my friend; I know the lookt
You stand barefoot in the snow,
wrapped IN rags, and refuse the
price of comfort? Yet You have
not the face Of a sentimentalist:
that jaw IS too strong, that glance
too hard It is then real, my poor
Dantef Oh, the divine folly! But
what would yon do with the magic
shoes which have walked across
your hesrtf Give them away9
You shake your head. Keep them9
That would be to deny the prin-
cess, her wish to help you. Sell
them to some pawnbroker, to be
fingered by unclean hands and re-
sold fer some meaner wearers All,
Won hesitate?'
What do you want them,fori''
the boy challenged, still Rallen,
yet odly fascinated by the, mans
faenful speech.
9Only for a purpose that You
would applaud Come, here is
the price! Why do I want them4
Why do you want themf A ca
price!'
Slowly the boy rellngRished the
shoes to the gloved hand extended
for them, and in exchange ne
ceiyed a folded bank note. With
a singular lack of caution for 8
street gamin, he did not look al
the money, but at the giver.
aYou called me a name, sir,