South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-17

enJoyably. effervescenly alone. She
took skipping steps along the wood
laid paths, and broke into snatches
OF long now and again. she bent
delightedly over a wild flower in
bloom: bounced upon an occasional
berry as though IL were a rare
find; even Chirped 10 the birds in
their lesfy restreats.
Finally. warned By the shortened
shadows that the noon hour was
close at hand. she retraced her
steps Her effervescent spirits had
not entirely subsidized when, In max
ing a detour TO reach the roadway
near her own home. Miss Miller
came close TO "a little gray bungalow
snuggled among the trees.
There was no sign Of occupancy
until a strain OF mechanical music
drifted from one OF the open win
dows This was followed by a gaycr
tune and then a childish treble took
up the familiar air Involuntary
Miss Miller drew nearer. and 10 her
surprise was greeted in the first1nO-
ment OF ensuing silence.
Good morning was watching
YOU. Won't you please come in?
I'm all alone"
Wonderingly she approached the
rooted porch. where small boy
now stood with beaming face
Il just s'pected company might
come. So 1 got dressed up: and /
was playing so they'd knox this was
the right place" he announced Sc
riously.
"But I'm not company" began
Miss Miller. checked by the re-
proachful look from a pair of wide
open dark eyes.
"Of course you are-my company.
IF 1 say come in and YOU come"
replied the boy Then he smiled
Charmingly. Wont you please
come in and be my company? I'm
dreadful lonesome
Miss Miller looked over his head
into the shadowv room. You're
alone" she asked hesitating in
credulously.
oh. I'm alone a lot OF times. But
this is worse cause Tony left us last
night. He drank too much wine and
rather said he'd have TO go instant
ly. But Tony was fun for me. He
N~ould play games like a boy: and he
was a excellent cook. father said
Where is your father" Miss Mil
Ter was in the shadowy room by
this time, and persuaded into a COM
Portable seat.
Fathers working. And if TOny'd
stayed. Z wouldn't be lonesome to-
day. Shall I play for your"
Yes. please agreed the visitor
She looked furtively round the room
cd TO the music. IL was furnished
simply but in strikingly good taste
But the idea of a man going away
10 work and leaving that child alone
i'm this bungalow" considered Miss
Miller.
The two became very chummy
during the next half hour. Fathers
name and mines the same" said the
boy. so I'm Little steve WhatH
] call YOU ."
I'm Miss Miller And I live in
the first house on the main road as
YOU go from here to the station. I'll
be there all summer"
Little Steve regarded her critical
lv. Il wish you could pretend 90 he
Tony" he unused. "Of course. you
don't look like him But I'm hun
sry-and Tony could cook
why. I. can cook. too" Miss Mil
Ier was still i'm n playful mood.
shall 1 get luncheon for YOU. Little
Steve? / don't mind If yOuH help
me And you may call me Tony If
you'd rather"
lie gleefully jumped at her sug-
eostion. The table was set and food /
was prepared in the adjoining kit /.
chen. Miss Miller slipped into a
big linen apron she found. and I.
walked about with pompous air. :
Little Steve called her Tony. and she /
replied in a rumbling bass voice /.
which amused the boy tremendously 4
The table was set for two: for. by .
this time. Inez had decided TO see
DC through and stay with the lonely
child as long as possible. She pre-
sumed the plate which Little Steve !
set opposite his own was intended
Tor her; and IL never occurred to her /
that. IN her impersonation OF Tony
she had forfeited her right to such .
"a place at the table; until. when the .
meal was ready. little Steve went in /
TO the hall and rang a japanese /
gcrg loudly.
Father. our lunch IS ready. And +
I've got a new Tony2" she heard .
him say. Then. i'm big linen apron. +
with ruffled hair. flushed cheeks and .
astonish eyes. Miss Inez Miller I
found herself confronting a tall !,
distinguished looking man i'm white I
He. in turn appeared no less aston F..
ished.
You are Little Steve's father
The visitor was the first TO find
voice II understood ne was alone
here-that his father was away at
work"
I am a writer and have my study .
on the floor above" said stephen
Craig. with a slow smile
Hastily the blushinC Miss Miller
explained the situation and caught /
up her hat Your lunch is ready. 4
Mr.. Craig And now III hurry
home for mine. Goodbye Little .