Arizona republican., 1921-12-11
T H F. B O Y

A COMPLETE NOVELETTE,

why. Sallis. I believe you're be- ginning to like the kid" Toms black eyes sparkled.
 T loathe himl she snapped. but here 1t is August. School will be here before we know it." r Anyway, my vacation comes next week. said Tom, and Joe Fishers going to take his boys to the camp and I'll take Henry. That'u give you time to breathe"
 With pre-boy peace and order es- tabhshed Sarah Waters prepared for her great yearly event-the lunch ing of the Woman's Garden league which league she had forcibly estab- lished and continued to bully and en- courage and keep together as its one an always elected president. Who could describe that lunch in all its detailed perfection! The Garden league in it's best light summer dress half so good in all it's life. But most of the talk was of the boy and of the shame it was to introduce such an inmate into such a paradise.
 Its different with us" said one impressive. stout young matron. Our children are born to us and we love them and spank them, and it's all right. But for a woman of Mrs. Waters's years to have perfectly strange brat handed in"
 My sakes!" screamed Sarah, "you needn't pity me so much as all that! Henry belongs to Toms family, and as for my years, never heard of any one being aged and infirm at forty" Just them the whole Garden league began to cackle and chatter rapidly, saying: "Well, no: they should say not" and wasn't the weather love- ly" and the way the sweet corn was coming on," and so forth. The night Tom and the boy came home they found Sarah waiting on the porch. The dog was dashing around the boy in frantic circles; but she got Henry up on her lap, with her arms tight around him. He nestled close to her. You don't seem like an aunt any more, he observed. You seem like a man. ma"
 "Hello!" exclaimed Tom, There's letter in my pocket forwarded from the office. The sister writes that the news has just reached her and she will gladly take Henry and bring him up with her three boys"
 Well, upon my word! The nerve of that woman!" cried Sarah Waters. that I should take all the trouble I have taken with the boy and then be expected to give him away to her! And the way I've broken myself in no one will ever know. First thing tomorrow morning, Tom, you take out those adoption papers or find out how it's done. I'll write to her and tell her she's too late-the boy is ours. Henry" she spoke to the little grimy figure still in her lap, were really just your cousins, not your uncle and aunt-but now you must begin and call me mamma. And Uncle Tom is your daddy. I guess we can bring you up well as ony one. 1 I don't think any boys got a nicer home than this and your daddy and
 I are going to build you splendid playhouse in the back lot" "Myi" said Tom. Are wei How nfce!"
 And the next time that Tompk- ins boy talks about living with an
 old aunt you'1 known what to say to
 him, Henry
 .'You bet, will" said little Henry. well" Tom smiled adoringly at | Sarah, I'm mighty glad of this. dear.
 You sure do beat every woman l saw
 and I hope you won't be sorry for 1 taking the boy"
 q won't be sorry. After all, there's l more in life than just growing old.