Evening star., 1925-08-30

how much Ben Staley left those chill
dren?"
IF he didn't leave enough. the old
lady and III manage all right"
He left enough. / don't know but
what he's left too much. Some one
be sure to raise trouble
Why"
'Therell be more than million
dollars when we get it in shape"
For those two babies TO spend?"
For you to hold for them
For me?" He wiped his forehead.
You're their guardian. The codi-
cil's bombproof- I'm filing it tomor-
row.
What d. have to do?"
File bond"
For million. Where'd get it?"
"I'll fix that"
Trust me?"
Miller surveyed him coolly. ''If Sta
ley did, can," he said.
Then what do l do?"
Look after the property and see
that none of it gets away"
We'll. I've lost none Of my own,
but that little old ranch of mine is
about all I've ever reckoned to han
die"
This is a big job, Jimmie. It was
big even for Ben Staley."
why do you suppose he picked
me?"
He knew the children liked you"
Il like them"
And You were there
I'm always out of luck"
Some men wouldn't call it that"
Does this constitute me with the
legal right to go after old Cronkrite.' -
The law'll get him.
x j. i; ::
THE law didn't. for old man Cronk-
l. rite killed himself before justice
overlook him, and Burning Bush
waited for another kind of next chap.
ter, wondering what Jimmie Braden
would do with his charges. He did
nothing for awhile but leave them in
his mothers care. Jessie and Ben
solved part of their problem by NOV
ing themselves, without bag or bag
gage, across the street 1T goes with
me-" he said blithely. although ii
meant giving up his own room TO the
boy.
I'VE like this place. said Jessie
gravely, land we're going to stay
with you always. Our father told
you we were, didn't he, Jimmie?"
Sure
Even when you marry Lefty"
I'm not going to marry anybody"
when I'm big" Ben saved the day
I'm going out every Saturday night
to dances"
you are not" said Mrs. Braden
Eat up your muSh now, and don't
be watching him"
Eat" ordered Jimmie He sal
down with them, chatting them. teas
ing them, petting them.
'tWin you take us to church to
morrow" Jessie asked
Me-"
Your mother said you might
She'll take you"
II win not" said Mrs. Braden
They're your responsibility"
''Oh, go on, ma I'll give you q
new clock for Christmas"
"I want no clock"
'I'n buy you that dress in Gold
mans window"
"I'Il not be bribed. Eat that egg
jessie
"I'n get you a sewing machine"
What time have I for sewing?'
He hesitated, watching the two heads
bent over their food. Then he rose
swiftly, and went out of the house
|, going straight to Lefty Carlin- "Wil
you take the kids to church tomor
| row." he asked her.
why don't you?"
"You know haven't been to church
for years"
"Then why do you want them tc
go?"
'Kids ought to CO." he said. ''They
ought to have something, you know ;
Something to throw away wheE
they get old enough to want to
throw?"
"Oh, say, Lefty" he pleaded ir
fv.~,v, L. tyaN, "a
| them"
You're their guardian" she said
It's your job"
eff 1 make the grade Of it." he
demanded of her, will you revise
your opinion of me?'
'I'n think it over" she promised
you watch my smoker
X X 4 x
THE smoke began to ascend the
next morning when he took the
children to church. He was relieved
that no one gave him special heed
and that Ben and Jessie, evidently in
structed by his mother, behaved with
angelic rectitude. Burning Bush had
evidently decided to let him go his
way without provocative intrusion
and only Lettys smile across the edi
flee gave him any particular sense
of triumph in the achievement. He
went around to see her that evening
hoping for more particular encourage
| ment. but You've just begun" was
| as far as she would commit herself.
'I'll bet," he told her, that Tn
the only man in the world who had
! to prove that he could take care of g
couple Of kids before he could get q
wife,
"It'n be better for the kids If more
men had to-" she retorted.
Except for his remuneration of the
| Saturday night dances and his ap
| peafance at Sunday church service he
went at about the old pace, joining ir
| trouble whenever the Double 7 outfit
| ciashed with the XII crowd and motor
| ing up to the Canadian border, hut
gradually assuming. the authorit,