The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-12-17
THE LAST STORM
BY GEORGIA F. HARRIS.


t0. 1920. By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate. }
The fields of nodding daisies
Drought swift smile to the lips Of
the tired traveller, and pausing in the
middle Of the dusty road, he breathed
a sigh of deep content.
1.-THE last turn In the road" he muir
INJURED, n--then-home-to Lefty
and the boy"
| His hand stole involuntarily to his
breast pocket as he unused, and he
fingered the fat wallet he found there
with caressing hand. Then, with q
keen feeling of satisfaction, he start
ed on his way with quickened pace.
The familiar landmarks brought
memories, and with feeling Of shame
and remorse his thoughts dwelt on
his unhappy past. He wondered II
Lefty would find 1t In her heart to
forgive him-his pace slackened again
as his face saddened.
But the smile returned when he saw
a sturdy little blue-overalled young
ster, wading through the fields, his
arms filled with daisies. and the man
called out, Hello, Sonny!"
Hello" replied the little boy with
friendly grin, dropping his daisies.
"What's your manner" inquired the
traveller, smilingly watching the
youngster as he rearranged his
| flowers.
"Bob," returned the boy briefly, in
tent upon his task. whats yourn?"
my name is Bob, too" answered
the man promptly.
Gee, that's co-co-lnseedence," the
little fellow exclaimed.
| An amused expression overspread
the mans face.
"Of course" the little boy went on.
that's only my nickname. My bus
mess name is Robert V. Merwin.
That's what my business papers say"
| A lump arose in the mans throat
and the green fields swan about him.
"And what are your business pa
pers, my little man?' he finally asked.
"Oh, my vaccination stifcate and
my report cards and so forth" the boy
airily replied. "Of course, they aren't
like mothers business papers, cause
1 haven't a desk like hers or real
business"
"a real business" the man echoed,
land what sort Of business is that?"
"Womens shop, pretty things for
women" the youngster glibly replied.
"You live near by?' the man fairly
jerked out the words.
yep" answered the boy. Then
looking curiously at the man he add
ed, "but 1 guess you don't"
"Why not?"
swell, cause 1 guess everybody
round here knows me. You know,
they used to call me poor Lefty Mer-
wins young one"
"And your dad?" the words fell
from the mans lips as though he had
not the power to stop them.
"Aint got one," answered the boy
indifferently, "leastways, he's never
been round here, l guess. P'haps he'll
he sneaking back now, though"
The man caught his breath sharply.
"Why do you say that?" he asked.
~"Well, that's only what Miss Hen
derson and Emily says. Emily says
the other day when l went over in my
new suit, 4 s'pose Merwin'-thats my
dad-'will be sneaking back, If he
hears Letty-that's my mother-fs
dom so good"
The man turned sadly away and
buried his face in his hands.
"And your mother" the man MUIR
INJURED, "what does she say?"
"She never says nothing, 'cept once
when | asked her and she said, Well,
Bobbie-boy,' she says, guess we're bet
ter off without any Daddy, so let's
never, never talk about him.
And she was just right" the man
said, slowly arising to his feet. you
are better off without him-she- was
just right" --
The man closed his eyes for mo-
ment. Comm down the road?" the
child was asking.
4NOy llO lidD dh6WClCo mCdA hs
81 guess I'm on the wrong road.
wanted to get to the railroad station"
'"Then should say you were on the
wrong road" emphatically declared
the boy. "Good thing I met you, else
you'd be way out of your way"
"Yes it was good thing" choked
the man. He paused second then
added, Going right home to-moth.
er?'
The child nodded.
"Can 1 trust you to bring an impor-
tant business envelope to herr"
'"Try me. 1 bring the rent money to
Mr.. Tribble loads of times"
The man turned aside, and, taking
the huge roll of bills from his wallet,
placed the money in a large envelope.
Hastily sealing it, he turned to the
child and said:
Tell mother that this will help her
in her business"
''Then she'll be glad to get it." the
little one answered confidently. "Pin
it right inside my blouse and it'll be
safe all right"
The man knelt and with trembling
hands pinned the envelope inside the
little blouse.
"Good-bye-d little Bob he said,
bravely attempting to smile,
Goodbye, Mr.. Bob" answered the
youngster,
! Absently jingling a few coins in
his trousers pockets, the man, with
head bent, walked very slowly for q
| few PAGES. Then he turned and gaZed