Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-20
II Man Decides
He Is a Failure in
Life; Then Comes
a ChiN's V0ice.

butler hurried down the steps to open the door
of the car.
MARY could have had all that" he thought
duly, and wondered why, when he would soon
be leaving it forever, he was returning to the
home where his presence, his influence, had
become a mere shadow on the wall.
And then the question answered itself. He
wanted to see the boy, of course-the peach.
checked, sunny-haired little ragamufin who
always ran to meet him at the gate.
But this evening as he got out of the car
there was no Shrek of rapture, no blue
rompered figure to catapult itself into his arms
At this absence Mortons heart gave sickening
lurch and the steps with which he approached
his house quickened to a run. dreadful
anxiety was gripping him as he flung the front
door open and strobe into the hall
With reassuring calnnness Mary turned from
the flowers she was arranging to greet him
with:
Hello, dear! Have good day?"
He looked quickly searchingly this way and
that.
where's June Bug?" he demanded.
MaryS face clouded.
Hes been very naughty, Jim. sent him
to bed. He took Helen's purse. Denied having
seen it when we questioned him. and then when
we found it hidden in his toy box he wouldn't
tell us why he had taken it. was Mortified
ana SenC MN 10 Ded at once. I wish you'd go
talk to him." she said.
Though Mortons first emotion was one OF
relief. 1t was instantly succeeded by paralyzing
shock of another kind.
That's what comes of leaving him to the
care of woman" he thought as he opened
the door OF the nursery and saw June's flushed,
tear-stained face against the pillows.
Daddy! Daddy" At sight of him Junior
scrambled to his knees and in another moment
Morton was sitting on the bed with the warm,
squirming little body in his arms.
MORTON pressed his cheek against the salt
of Juniors tears.
Mother says you've been naughty boy" he
told him.
Il did take it, daddy. did. did," he cried
in childish treble that caught on a sob.
But why, son? Why did my June Bug do
such wrong thing as that?" Morton asked,
perplexed and troubled.
For moment there was silence. Then, hesi-
family, with one round fist pressed into the
corner of his eye, Junior answered:
Cause-'cause I want to go to the bad
place"
The bad place! Why Junel" Morton was
dumbfounded
At the gravity in his fathers voice the bows
face puckered with fresh tears.
But you're going there, daddy. Nanny
V
And, don't you see, now that I've took big
sisters purse, can co. too," he explained
Morton's heart stood still. He could not be.
heve his ears And yet he wanted to believe
them-knew that to be able to believe them
was life itself to him. In minute, in second.
he would chase the COLLINS from this babys
mind, but now-now-"
In deep, shaken note he asked him:
"But, son, wouldn't you be afraid?"
The small. sturdy body snuggled down closer
in his CLASP
"Oh, yes, daddy, I'm 'fraidl I'm terrible
'fraid. Witches is there, nanny says And q
burning lake and a red devil with a tail and a
long pitchfork. But if you're going there I
want to CO. too" he said
AT his words Morton's eyes stung and there
was something hard and dry sticking in his
throat. Fool that he had been! Cowardi
Here was the miracle he had doubted, the tonic
70 put courage in his heart and into his veins
the fresh energy of swift blood. It was Easter
A shining miracle had been reborn again! June
loved himl Enough to brave the utmost terror
Of his child's Imagination
And he? He could start again and live again
for June. That Sawmilll It would be cinch
to put that Sawmiu on its feet. Child's playl
He could do 1t! He could do anything-for
June
Suddenly he felt young again, strong again,
triumphant! He laughed. And his step was
light, buoyant as q boys when he went to
phone his answer to Slade
Copyright, 1930)
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