The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-05-28
An Evening Guard
for the Children
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS.


C>>>SsS>sSS>>SS>SSSsSS>>sSSss sssssssssC
&C. 1921, by Mcclure Newspaper SyndicateD
Bobby Warden jumped lightly on
the train as it slid into the Glen
Cove station. There was feeling OF
extreme JOY in his heart as If some
thing stupendous were about to hap
pen in ais more or less prosaic exist
ence.
Practically the only visit his sister,
Leona, ever had from him was
surprise. His sisters two children
were in bed by this time, but there
was the happy breakfast with the FAM
fly and then q dash for the train PACK
to the town. The ransacking OF MS
well-laden pockets by the children
was always new Joy to Bobby. the
Hydes thought he spoiled their on
spring and Leona scolded, but to no
avail.
So Bobby, his pockets bullying to
grotesque proportions, strobe the mile
through the village that took him to
the small house on the hill. he al
ways hoped the Hydes would be at
home, and generally found Them
since there was no one ever to leave
at home with the children.
None but a young couple. without
a servant, and having child or TWO
can appreciate the tragedy OF turning
down, one invitation after the other
with the excuse, mo one to stay nome
with the children"
However, for the time being, Leona
had solved her difficulty.
Bobby did not know this and, as
he drew near the cozy home OF his SIS
ter, he felt reasonably certain OF find
ing them home.
Leona never pulled down her blinds
and as usual the piano was going full
! tilt. Bobby bounded up the veranda
! steps and glanced in the window be-
fore making his noisy entrance.
He drew deep breath. Now ne
knew what the stupendous something
waiting in ambush, or rather under
the soft yellow light above the piano
i was.
It was a slip Of girl with smooth
black hair and the whitest OF hands
That was all Bobby noticed in the
first breatkless glance. He did not
see Leona nor Arthur, but supposine
them to be in the back room. opened
the door and walked in.
The girl at the piano opened WIDE
violet eyes upon Bobby, then prompt
" proceeded to fall off the piano
bench. Apparently the sight OF thu
strange man, with pockets thai
seemed bulging with murderous tools
right within the room with her. wa!
too much for the Evening Guard.
Bobby shamelessly realized that n
was glad she had tainted. Otherwis'
he would have had to await fate
kindness before holding the "only
girl In his arms.
As 1t was, when the heavy lashe
| lifted and revealed to Bobby the YER
depths Of violet eyes he was sad tina
priceless moments were so soon ovel
Grace Cox wondered, in that frs
conscious moment, whether or not sh
were being crushed into cOmplet
breathlessness. Never had she fel
arms more firmly placed about he
slim body. However, Bobby's eye
scattered her fright. They had no e.
preston Of violence in them. In fac
Grace liked the peculiar sense OF bein
caressed by those eyes.
II am sorry you were frightened
said Bobby.
$50 am l." said Grace, at show
am not d very good evening guar
J for the children-when ! faint at sigf
Of a strange man."
"But I am not strange man." Bol
by argued, II am Bobby Warden
Le0na's brother"
"You are a stranger-to me-" CO.
tradicted Grace.
SWELL" growled Bobby, ut
.. Leona's fault. I'd like to know WI
she has kept me in the dark regar
!, ing her acquaintance with you."
|, Grace laughed.
"LeOna perhaps uOeS nOt consiu
!, our friendship one Of the episod
, Of life"
4 HAS she known you longT d
7 manded Bobby.
mot more than two months
! Grace told him.
! .Humphw grunted Bobby. TIL
: suddenly, where are LeOna al
. Arthur
4 Having dinner with the Eva
Z family. have been sitting ev
i. here with the children lately SO th
!, they could 60 out evenings. I Il
3 Just next door,
4 HAS Leona never told you what
: nice brother she has? asked Bob
4 as It finally behooyed him to reno
3 the great coat with its grotesqut
Il bulgy pockets.
Il think she did once menti
i. that she had a brother" Grace sa
: .sbut we always have far better thir
C to discuss, than mere men," She I
e lfberately checked the dimple. tt
II strove for expression.
Il "Oh! Well can 60 out and
-. l~~.s .,,r~oc%od Rnhhv