Evening star., 1919-03-09

he was particular to see that he got
the exact tint. For his wife had
given him directions on this question
of selection; and. though he was
famed for fearlessness during the
hours when he earned bread and but
ter for his family. Detective Sergt.
Brennan lived in deep respect for
Maggie's authority.
The next day he was lying on
springy turf enjoying the earth's lux
urious caress He was gazing straight
into sky of deepest blue. He listen
ed lazily TO the voices OF the two chill
dren.
They were riding an ancient and de-
crepit horse, whose name. he gath
cred from their adjurations, would be
Moses. Brennan drank in their clamor
as II it were to him sweet music. He
sighed and stretched his great legs.
Daddy. Moses won't go when we
tell him to. He just eats grass"
Kick him in the ribs" Brennan
heaved another sigh. He shifted the
odor OF crushed grass; he gazed deep
er into the blue heavens. He told him.
self that this was living.
His ear caught the sound Of ap-
preaching footsteps. A voice called
his name. He sat up abruptly. Some
thing like CONSERVATION showed on
his face.
Tom Brennan! Just look at your
suit!'
Hello. Maggie! Time you Gamer
His voice was heavily jovial But he
prose doffed his coat and began
brushing 1t industriously.
IT was a coat OF cream -colored fan
reis; and when he put it on again
brennan loomed, a titanic symphony
in cream, from the soles of his can
vas shoes to the crown of the yatcht-
ing cap which exactly matched the
two-piece suit. He stood, smiling on
his wife. In that light raiment he
looked larger than usual, too huge
and lusty for such fragile fabric. Al
though the clothes fitted him well, 1t
seemed somehow as If his big muscles
must presently burst forth through
them.
"All right now! No harm done" But
there was apprehension in his eyes as
he looked into her face That face was
modelled on round lines--altogether
adorable!
you've wrinkled the coat, and
there's grass stain!"
oh. come on! Say. let's take the
Kids swimming. It's long enough
She smiled at his eagerness. Come
children. Daddy's going to take YOU
to the pool"
They scrambled off from the patri-
archal Moses, whom they left grazing
on the spot from which they had bat
tied to move him. They seized Bren-
nan by either hand. He laughed down
at them. There was fondness in his
eyes; for. in that khaki-clad young
indian IND chief, bedecked with feathers
and fringes. he saw a replica in
miniature of himself, and In the small
chubby vision In blue rompers he
beheld a diminutive Maggie
a few minutes later he emerged
from the bathhouse, his bulging
muscles cleaning splendidIy in the
afternoon sunshine. The bathing suit
seemed about to crack over his great
chest. Beside him, as nearly like
their God had made them as was
compatible with summer resort rules
the children shrieked with Joy.
The bathing pool billowed from end
to end when Tom Brennan hurled his
mighty bulk down through the SHIN
mering surface. Little breakers rolled
shoreward, while he swan, first with
his own miniature perched between
his shoulders, then with the chubby
baby clamoring shrilly on his broad
back.
When they were climbing the hill
TO the hotel Brennan felt his wife'S
small hand brushing the cream color.
ed coat.
"Td rather wear my old clothes
Maggie" He fidgeted as she swept tho
garment with more vigorous strokes
They're more comfortable, and
Wear them! Indeed you will weal
them, Tom Brennan! Do you thinl
I'm going to let you go tearing rount
in these?"
well, you made me today. Ouch
Maggie! Say! People will think your
beating me-" He made huge pretens
Of lodging and the children laughed
"Stand still! There! 1t wasn't
grass stain after all. I'm SO glad!
hunted all over town for this suit.
wanted you to wear II today--ou
first day here--so you'd look nice
But you're to keep them without