The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-17

stage Alice pursued. (which seems
a pity, especially for the child's sake,
Hes an attractive boy: we saw him
with her at Atlantic city last winter
one OF those wonderfully dressed.
patient. pathetic children. always
with tho grown.upsl Tho little chap
must have "A rather queer life OF II
drifting about from hotel TO hotel.
They're hard up. and I believe most
OF tho shops ana hotels have actually
hlackliHted them, lie would seem 10
be the sort OF man who can not hold
on 10 anything. and. OF course. there's
the drinking! She's not the girl to
save him, She drinks rather reck.
lessly herself. It's n part OF her
pose"
II wonder IL she would let the
/ youngster come down here and
scramble about with my boys1" TIA.
ehaei said Unexpectedly. She had
not seriously thought OF Il. the nug.
gcstion came idly. But instantly II
took definite hold. Il wonder II she
wouldr" she added with more anlma.
ton than abe had shown for some
time. II would love To have him.
and OF course the boys would go wild
with joyi | would be NO clad TO do
poor old Billy n good turn. She and
| were always friends. and had some
queer times together. And more than
that'--Raehael's eyes darkencd ~
believe that IL had had the right IN.
fiuence over her she never would
have married Joe. regarded tho
, whole thing too lightly: l could have
tried, In different way. TO prevent
u. at least. ! am certainly going TO
writs her. and ask for little nrccken.
ridge. IL would be something 10 do
for Clarence. too" Rachael added In
low tone. and as II half TO herself.
and for many years ! have felt
that would be glad TO do something
for him To have hia grandson here
-~doe#n.t II seem oddf--and perhaps
10 lenN Billy hand. u seems al.
most like an answer to prayer, lie
can sleep on tho porch. between the
boys. and II he has some old clothes
and sbathins suit"
g .
''Ny d~ar Billy" sho wrote that
night. II have heard ono or two hints
Of late that you have good many
things In your life just now that
make for worry. and am writing TO
know II ms boys and I may borrow
your small son sor a few weeks or
month. 80 that one small cornplica,
tlon Of summer IN tho city viii be-
tssI
Long Island on a strip OF high land
that runs between tho beautiful bay
| and the very OCEAN. and when Jim
and Derry are not In the one they
are ap, 90 be In the other. ~ will be
great Joy 90 them % have "a guest
and delight To me 10 TAX. good care
Of your boy. l think he will enjoy u.
and u win certainly do him good.
Il often think OF YOU with great
Affection. and hops that ITO IL treat.
iuR you kindly. Sometimes fancy
tina, my old influence might have
been better for you than ~ was. but
lif. "a mistakes. after all. and paying
for them. and doing better next time
Always affectonsieiy yours.
RACHAEL"
Three days elapsed after this letter
was dispatched. and Rachael had
time to wonder with little chill II
she had t~en too cordial 20 Billy. and
n Billy were laughing her cool little
laugh nj her onc.,imo Ht.pmo;hcr'a
hospitality and mornlixinF.
But az matter Of fact. the snvi.
tation could not have been more hap
PLY timed for young Mrs. Pickering
billy. without any further notice 10
Magsie. had becn 20 scc MaGsle's
manager. cooliy bcirsying her friends
marriage plans. pledging the angry
and bswiidercd Bowman TO secrecy.
and applying for tho position on her
own account In tho course OF ono
brief visit.
Bowman would not commit him.
aclf 20 engaging Biily. but he was
Infinitely obliged 20 her for the news
Of Magsie. and told her 20 frankly.
10 was when she returned homo
from this call. and hot and weary.
was trying 20 break an absolute
promise to the boy. involving the Zoo
and ice cream. that Rachael's letter
arrived
Billy read 81 thru. sat thinking
hard. and presently read IL again.
The softest expression her rather
hard young face ever knew came
over II as she sat there. This was
terribly decent OF Rachael. thought
Billy She must be the busiest and
happiest woman In the world. ana
yet her heart had gone out TO little
Breck. The last line. however. meant
more than all the rost, just now. to
Billy Pickering, She was impression.
able. and not given 20 finding ont
the truths OF life for herself. Ia.
chaels opinions she had always re-
spccted And now Rachael admitted
that life was all mistakes. and added
that hcartening line about paying
for them. and doing better.
Cause am holland I never
had any lunch--and you said YOU
would fretted the little hoy. Ringing
himself against her. and sending "A
wave 81 heat thru her clothing as he
did no.
Listen. Breck" she said suddenly.
catching him lightly IN her arm, and
smiling down Mt him. would you like
TO go down and stay with the Greg.
DRY boys"
II don't know EN-" said Breck,
doubtfully.
Down on the ocean shore" Billy
went on. where you could 70 in
bathing every day. and roll In the
surf. and picnic, and sleep out OF
doorsT'
Did they ask me?" he demanded.
cxoltedly.
"Their mother did. and she says
NASAL. cATARRh