The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1919-08-28
TJNIE'S FRIEND
BY JACK LAYTON.

ment Of the great industrial plant, had
but few days ago reached the zenith
Of his crimes, by ilinglng In II roge, his
little son down narrow stairway
The senior member Of the factory
Arm, now sent It's junior member to
investigate. The errand was dlstaste-
ful to John Burrows, and he knew that
his influence here, would be as lmpo-
tent as Il was against the evil power
Of the man, nt the works.
Small Tonic hailed his visitor from
his cot stretched before the window.
Are you my fathers rich boss7" he
demanded dehantly.
"rhat depends" John Burrows an.
swered In his qulzzical way, some
times think II Is your father who Is
my boss. How are the byulsesI"
Tonic made a grlmace.
Hurts every time | move" he said,
"an' the visiting nurse has me nll plas-
tered up, too. She" Tonie's tone was
contemptuous, "don't help much, but
when Angela comes, she tells stories
an plays picture games with me an
I forget all about II. Father likes
Angela, too" the hoy added trlum.
phantly. "llc told her that he was
sorry he threw me down stairs"
John Burrows remembered having
heard that the dreaded Antonlo's wife
had died some time ago; this Angela
might be, perhaps, a coming stepmoth'
er for the boy; he was thinking over
the possibility of gaining her influence
TO conquer the stubborn spirit OF the
man, who perslstently sowed dlssenslon
among his fellows. So strong was his
power, that 10 dismiss him would mean
loss OF valuable followers. And as
John Burrows considered. the door
opened and n girl came swiftly into the
room.
Angela" cried the boy, his thin
arms outstretchcd.
The head bent over Tone's was as
dusky as his own, and when the girl
turned TO look questionlngly at Bur.
rows, her eyes were deep and dark.
Admiration was In the gaze John
Burrows gave her. Her face wus like
n glowing flower above the pluinness
Of her dark blue dress.
"You are Tonle's friend, hear" he
said.
The girl nodded, as she drew some
bright picture cards from a bundle
and spread them out before the invalid.
Then. mechanically almost, but with
a - HAk .lt H.s a..
her game.
~" John Burrows told her, IAN a
member OF the factory firm. and.
wonder N you cnn agree with Antonio
In his grievance"
"I-do not" the girl answered brief.
ly.
"rhen, still wonder" he added and
came close 10 look down into her face.
III you might not influence him to our
point Of view. The man could he a
power Tor good as well ns for HARM"
Il eau only influence through kind.
ness" answered the girl. TRY"
John Burrows rode away with
memory picture OF her. rocking very
gently, the manned small Tonic In
her arms. The picture haunted him
strangely, lie found himself forced TO
return again To the dlngy. room.
angela came every day 10 see him."
Tonic told Burrows. Sometimes she
made good things aud brought them for
his and big Tonle's supper Big Tonic
spread them out on the little table as
Al IA NAl Ia ~.
even stayed awhile at evening, playing
one OF the picture games"
John Burrows formed habit OF
stopping In his car before his home
ward ride ePch evening. He too, left
surprises for small Tonic, an orange
maybe, or n new game TO play. And
II Angela was there, he carried her IN
the front seat beside him 10 the end
OF the street. Angela would not tell
him where she lived,
The mystery OF her tormented him
The refinement of her manner s0 at
variance with her rough friends OF the
court, and the simplicity Of her dark
dress with Its white collar so differ.
ent from their gay clothing.
When he left her at the end OF the
street, she always stood waiting with
a parting wave OF her hand, until he
was out Of sight. And as the summer
passed, the wild spirit Of Antonio show
Ell undoubted improvement.
John Burrows reflected sayagely that
II would be preposterous for u creature
like Antonio TO win the hand OF such
glorious woman. Then 10 John Bur
rows came the Illuminating discovery,
that the unknown woman undoubtedly
had won his own heart. And when he
saw her again bending tenderly over
the convalescent Tonic, he found II
impossible to withhold his secret.
81 love you" said John Burrows.
81 want you-to be my wife"
And even as he spoke the words, the
CONSERVATION which such union
would cause among his friends, the
disapprOyal OF the senior member OF
his own firm, were as nothing COM
pared 10 the suspense OF Angela's ST.
lence.
Then her radiant smile flashed upon
him.
II also. love you" she answered sim
ply. "And | am going 10 say yes, be-
cauSa | believe that | may ha-a