The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1919-07-17
TONES FRIEND
BY JACK LAYTON.


cottage of the dingy factory street.
Antonio Mangella, the disturbing ele-
ment of the great industrial plant, had
but few days ago reached the zenith
Of his crimes. by flinging In rage, his
little son down narrow stairway.
The senior member of the factory
firm, now sent its junior member to
investigate. The errand was distaste-
full to John Burrows, and he knew that
his influence here, would be as impo-
tent as 1t was against the evil power
of the man, at the works.
Small Tonic halted his visitor from
his cot stretched before the window.
"Are you my fathers rich boss?" Q
demanded defiantly.
"That depends" John Burrows an
swered in his quizzical way, "some-
times / think ii Is your father who Is
my boss. How are the bruises"
Tonic made grimace.
Hurts every time l move" he So ],
San the visiting nurse has me all plas-
tered up, too. She" TONES tone WAS
contemptuous, "don't help much, tut
when Angela comes, she tells stories
an plays picture games with me an
l forget all about it. Father likes
Angela, too" the boy added triun'-
phantly. HE told her that he We 8
sorry he threw me down stairs"
John Burrows remembered havin z
heard that the dreaded Antonio's wifi I,
had died some time ago; this Angela
might be, perhaps, coming stepmoth.
the possibility of gaining her influence
to conquer the stubborn spirit of the
man, who persistently sowed dissension
among his fellows. SO strong was his
power, that to dismiss him would mean
a loss of valuable followers. And az
John Burrows considered, the dooI
opened and girl came swiftly into the
room.
Angela" cried the boy, his thin
arms Outstretched.
The head bent over Tonie's was as
dusky as his own, and when the girl
turned to look questioningly at Bur-
rows, her eyes were deep and dark.
Admiration was in the gaze John
Burrows gave her. Her face was like
glowing flower above the plainness
of her dark blue dress.
You are Tonie's friend, 1 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 radiant smile at the boy, she began
her game.
~" John Burrows told her, IAN a
member of the factory firm, and,
wonder II you can agree with Antonio
in his grievance"
"I-do not" the girl answered brief.
~.
"Then, / still wonder" he added and
came close to look down into her face.
IF you might not influence him to our
power for good as well as for HARM"
81 can only influence through kind
ness" answered the girl. "I-try."
John Burrows rode away with a
memory picture Of her, rocking very
gently, the manned small Tonic in
strangely. He found himself forced to
return again to the dingy room.
angela came every day to see him."
Tonic told Burrows. Sometimes she
made good things and brought them for
his and big TONES supper. Big Tonic
spread them out on the little table as
she told him to, and sometimes, he
even stayed awhile at evening, playing
one Of the picture games"
John Burrows formed a habit Of
stopping in his car before his home
ward ride each evening. He too, left
surprises for small Tonic, an orange
maybe, or new game to play. And
il Angela was there, he carried her in
the front seat beside him to the end
of the street. Angela would not tell
him where she lived.
The mystery Of her tormented him.
The refinement of her manner so 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
parting wave Of her hand, until he
was out of sight. And as the summer
passed, the wild spirit of Antonio show
ed undoubted Improvement.
John Burrows reflected savagely that
1t would be preposterous for creature
like Antonio to win the hand Of such
a glorious woman. Then to 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
disapproval Of the senior member OF
his own firm. were as nothing COM
pared to the suspense of Angela's 81.