Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-30

good care of youy boy. 7 think he
will enjoy it, and it will certainly do
him good.
II often think of you with great
affection. and hope that lie is treat
ing you kindly. Sometimes I fancy
that my old influence might have been
better for YOU than it a but life is
them, and doing better next tine.
| Always a~ffectionaieiy yours.
Rachael"
Three days elapsed after, this letter
was dispatched, and Rachael had
time to wonder with a little chill if
she had been too cordial to Billy, and
if Billy were laughing her coo little
laugh at her one-time stepmother's
hospitality and ngbralizing.
Eut as a matter OF fact, the invita-
,tion could not have been more hap
pity timed for young Mrs. Pickering.
Billy. without any further notice to
Magsie, had been to see Magsie's
manager, coolly ~'betraying her friends
marriage plans, pledging the angry
and hewildered Bowman to secrecy.
and applying for the position on her
own account IN the course of one
brief visit. sq74 II
Bowman would not commit himself
to engaging Billy, but he was infinite
ly Obliged 10 her for the news OF
Massie. and told her so frankly.
from this call, and hot and weary.
was trying to break an absolute
promise to the boy. involving the Zoo
and ice cream that Rachael's letter
arrived.
hard, and presently read it. again.
The softest expression her rather hard
young fac ever knew came over 1t as
she sat there. This was terribly de-
cent Of Rachael, thought Billy, She
must be the busiest and happiest
woman in the world, and yet her
heart had gone QUITO little Breck.
The last line. however, al more
than all the rest, just now. TO- Billy
! Pickering. She was impressi6nable,
and not given to finding out the
Truths of life for herself. ARachael's
opinions she had always respected.
And now Rachael admitted that life
was all mistakes. and added that
threatening line about paying for
them, and doing better. as
"'Cause I am so hot-and 7 never
had any lunch-and o d you
would" fretted the little boy, finging
himself against her, and sending a
wave Of heat through her clothing as
he did so.
Listen. Breck." she said suddenly,
catching him lightly in her arm, and
smiling down at 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 90 in
bathing every: day, and roll in the
surf; and picnic, and sleep ; out of
|doors!"
Did they ask me?" he demanded
excitedly. .s
Their mother did, and she says
that o car stay as long Is you're 4
good boy, down there where it's nice
and cool, digging in thu sand. and 60
ting bare foot
III be the sbAst boy you ever
saw" Breck suffered eagerly. I'll
work for her, and I'll make the other
kids work for her-she1 II tell you she
never saw such . good boy! AndsIll
write you letters
|, you won't have to work, old
man" Billy felt strangely stirred a
he rushed away to break the news
she kissed him. She watched him as
of his departure to the stolid Swedish
J girl in the kitchen and the colored
sjboy at the elevator. He jerked his
little bureau open, and began to
scramble among his clothes: no Sc
| lected q toy for Jim and q toy Tor
derry. and his mother noticed that
they were his dearest toys. She took
lhtm downtown and bought him a
bathing suit. and sandals, and new
ylpajamas, and his breathless delight
las he assured sympathetic clerk1tsttaa
her realize what q lonely, uncomfort-
f1fkflA fe1h0v he had been all fheae