Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-07-19

BY AGNES G. 6ROGAN.

Homer had Il name to make for him
self--or rather to keep for his fame
NJ writer was now assured.
Somebody's baby, crying Justify
upon an opposite side of the wall. was
not an Incentive to genius. So Hon.
or hnd been for some time comfort
ably established IN n charming bunga.
low, with his widowed sister as his
housekeeper, and incidentally--thoug
of this he was unuwure--us his man.
ager.
Mrs, Blair likewise detested chill.
dren; their hands were usually dirty,
aud they possessed weakness for
strewing crumbs. where crumbs should
never be.
SO into this satisfactory chidless
home came like q thunderbolt Rock
well Brnnt's letter. Rockwell had
been a college chum of Homer's, and
In years past he had been Instrument
al In 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 man. Rockwell wrote
now to say that he was sending his
young son to the Old home town in or
der to have n certain reputable doctor
there look the boy over Rocky's
spine was not strong, his father wrote.
The boys mother being dead and
no relatives to send him TO, for the
week or SO 1t 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, $50
Kit lyon remember my elder sisters
childO, will 20 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 1t to his Sis
ter. Mrs. Blair gave it back to him
coldly.
~ suppose for the sake Of your
past we must 1--we 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 tram
Homer found, had already stopped
and gone again on It's way. On We
small suburban platform remained
bur one passenger Homer settled his
trrepronchnhle cravat rs he looked at
her. She was as lovely Il young Won-
an rs the proverbnl "spring morning
Curousiv she glanced at him ana
then she smiled.
"Haye you" she asked, "seen a lit
tie boy around herCP
81 have not Homer respond' !. lie
seated himself patiently. Encouraged
By something In her glinting blue eyes
he added:
81 came to meet Il small boy my
self. He and II little girl companion
should have arrived by that last train
You saw nothing of two childrenT
The lovely one shook her head.
81 told Rocky" she unused In
troubled tone, ito go no further than
the candy counter in the station, but
he has eluded me-
Rocky" the man gasped, "conld
YOU possibly refer to Rocky Brant
the boy whom l am eXpectng|
The young womans eyes Widened.
"You must be Mr.. st. Clair" she
said. mfr Brant wrote instructins
me to see that Rocky reached your
home safely"
Homer leaned forward.
"You know the boy them" he asked
apprehensively. Does he--er--lhhcr'
1T hit fathers adventurous sptritT
"Rocky's latest adventure IN"
Young woman replied, "was climbing
into waiting automobile and starting
IFS 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.
"And the girl" he asked breathless-
". his companion, Kit; Is she a lit
tie devil too?'
AS ! It'd'i Wv 'l'ii''' 'N''' ~
Young woman answered, "she was eX-
nctly what you express" She smiled.
T am remembering one occasion
when she traded her aunts valuable
net dog TO a strange little girl for
small pink parnsol."
"And those two are coming to stay
in my house, said the man despond.
emily.
"Oh! It may turn out better than
you think she chccrfully suggested.
Just then, tearing down the plat
form toward them came Il small, hap
py boy
At sight of the author he paused.
as that him?" he asked of the
girl abruptly.
THAT is daddy's friend she ex.
planned.
Are you going to like him, Kit"
asked Rocky.
Homer jumped to his feet.
"KitY he cried. "Surely 1t cannot
be that you-" Her eyes twinklcd
back at him.
Eyes. am Rocky's companion, Kit"
,t, SniI