Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-12-19
By KATHLEEN NORRIS
Copyright by Kathleen Norris


why, she was up in mothers room
wasn't sure that grandpa was fool
ing, though maybe he was. l was
afraid purraps I'd hurt him"
"Then why didn't you run and tell
mother at once If you thought so?'
"Well-a l didn't think 1 could have
hurt him much because he didn't say
Ouch or anything" Tommy eluci-
dated cheerfully. "And then l thought
maybe Lizzie would be cross at me
for getting out of bed"
"Getting out of bed?"
"Yes, when / went downstairs. But
she was still in mothers room when
got upstairs, so l got into bed and
thought I'd tell her grandpa wanted to
see her when she came back"
"And why didn't you, Tommy"
81 don't remember. 1 guess went
to Sleep"
"And what made you go downstairs
in the first place, Tommy" his mother
asked, her voice trembling in spite of
her effort for control.
and Lizzie were talking so loud and
Lizzie was crying. I looked out into
the hall, the door was open-and
grandpa was there and / asked him
what he was doing and he said he
was sending telegram"
Eyes, that's perfectly correct"
George said. eve found it on the
hall table"
$50 then he said, Come on down
and pay me a visit, old scoutP and
went. And mother told me next day
he was SICK" Tommy went on pleas
antIy, as he worked busily with the
swivel of Georges watch chain. $50
purraps that was when he was begin
ming to feel little bit sick. II l was
spy, and they caught me-" Tommy
added vaingloriously, "Pd shoot so
fast, and my horse would ride so fast,
that I'd get away from them, whether
they liked it or not I'd"
Listen, Tom" George said. "Down
at my place at Sands Point, do you
know what I've got? I've got a
the isle of Shetland"
"A ponyw Tommy whispered. his
eyes alight. Mother, has he really
got pony?" he asked, digging his
dark hair into his mothers shoulder,
and smiling in bashful delight.
81 suppose he has," Ellen answered,
smiling.
"And that pony" George said i'm
pressively, twill be your pony if you'll
do something for me.
Tommy glanced at his mother, ac-
tually pale with joy.
"Mother-he is going to give me
that pony" he said, on an excited
breath. "Oh, mother, can l have
pony? He can stay at Hewlett's," he
decided swiftly. until we can have
a little stable built for him! / could
build it-or if man came to do some
of it, could help him. All you need
Is planks and nails"
"But how about doing something
for me?" George asked.
"Sure I" said Tommy, in the man
like, careless voice BETTING the
owner of a pony. 'Tll do anything"
81 want you to come over to Mine
ola with mother and me-" George
said. "And tell all this to a man
there-a friend of mine-all about
your grandfather. you know, and the
whole thing!"
"Why?" asked Tommy, round-eyed.
That's just what l don't want you
to ask, Tommy, and just what can't
very well explain to you. l don't ask
you why you want this pony" George
said pointedly. Nov, this man will
ask you lots Of questions, he went
on, "and you must answer them. And
if you can't remember anything, just
say So"
"All rightl' Tommy agreed indif-
ferently. HAS he got saddleT
Mothers going to give you
saddle" Ellen promised. She called
Lizzie Lizzie, will you take Tommy
upstairs and read to him, and talk
about the pony?' she asked, with a
significant look. And when they were
gone she turned to George, and she
and George and Joe stared at each
other.
"That is the most extraordinary
thing that has come to me in the
entire course Of my profession"
George said, slowly, as If he had been
stunned. II must get hold Of Ryan
at once. There's point or two
what do you make of his saying he
fired the pistol twice2"
"Lizzie's story agrees with thati
She had loaded 1t with only one
SHE'LL" Ellen supplied quickly. "All
the chambers but one were empty"
ut was like the old mani could
hear his voice." George unused, al
surrender II can get hold Of
Ryan! Ellen, could you take the
child over there at once?"
Anything anywhere |" Her face
clouded. But, George. they won't
tal-a thot hahv i,,fn oorrt-thay xuou,t