St. Landry democrat., 1890-08-02


ctared Bertrand, reaching for his third
tart.
But w-what would you do, STAN
mered his friend, terrified by such RASH
ness, Cliff any one were to catch us
you, l mean?"
"I'd run" decided Dick, as he calmly
purloined another tart.
"Stopl'
Tom was fairly dancing.
"Eh 7"
stop say. That's your fourth"
"Proyes how fine they are" responded
Bertrand, brushing the crumbs of his
mustache.
"But you won't leave any for me"
walled Hilton.
His scruples were quite gone Dicks
endowment of the tarts had been too much
for him. Hunger had conquered con-
science. He made an onslaught on the
shrinking pyramid. He captured two tarts
which he devuored in successfully distrib-
uted aud impartial bits. When five min
utes had passed. all the prim little forget
mel ots and primmer little rose buds were
visible on the oval dish.
Comically, guilty, the criminals looked at
at each other. Then as if moved by one
impulse. they put their hands in their poe
kets. Dick laid a silver dollar on the
plate. Hilton followed suit. Then ber-
trand pulled out his notebook and wrote
ITO the Queen OF Hearts, who made some
tarts-with thanks and compliments
He tore out the page, laid 1t on the Be-
leek dish, and weighted it with the money
After which both conspirators took up
their guns, and shaking with laughter,
ran across q vacant lot, around corner,
Jumped INFO their waiting buggy. and
drove rapidly into town.
at is after four" remarked Tom I'VE
must make haste"
And all this time Chrystal Brunton,
blesedly uncons cious of the theft being
perpetrated, sat and listened to the chat
ter of Miss Stokes. 1t was quarter to six
before that victimizing visitor made her
welcome adieux.
"Gracious, how will have to rush T.
groaned Christal, rs she closed the door
behind the brown silk back of Maria Ange-
line-for that was her guests novellstlc
name.
Into the dining room flew Miss Brun
ton. pushed out the table, whisked eft the
yelours cover, spread on the cloth of milk
white damask, took the solid silver from
its chamois wrappings, and brought he
company china from its seclusion under
the sideboard. Then she put on big
nainsock apron. went into the kitchen,
frightened the FIRE, hurried to the buttery,
carried the meat into the dining room, and
went back for the tarts.
Where had they vanished? There was
the dish But the tarts She stood still
and rubbed her eyes.
Stolen, beyond doubt.
The face that was so sweet, and youth
full and sunny souled, If not positively
pretty, grew scarlet from brow to chin.
Oh, it was too bad After ali her trou-
BILE too Who could have taken them ?
probably those horrid little Volmouth
children.
The CLEAN of the dollars caught her eye.
She went forward, took up the scrap of
paper, and read the lines thereon. She
laughed in spite of herself. Assuredly
the Volmouth children were not the cul-
prits To be- robbed and paid in thif fash
ion What hungry and gentlemanly vii
liam lurked in the neighbor hood oh, 1t
was apgravating and ridiculous. too
"Well, Pm glad it was the tarts and
not grandmother's Beleek dish he fam
ton.
friends appeared Mrs. Brunton emerged
from her room, and the head of the family
came home from the city. At the first
favorable moment, Chrystal beckoned her
brother into the hall.
clarence p
"Well3"
"Ths strawberry tarts T.
"Did they fail T.
His particular penchant was strawberry
tarts. He was interested in their possible
fate.
Fail I" Indignantly "They never fail
with me. They" with much solemnity,
"were stolen p
| MOI
She nodded sadly.
"By whom p
al don't know" And then she told him
| of the note and the money left on the
plate.
At supper, he laughingly insisted on
telling the whole story. Hilton and Ber-
trand, who had grown painfully embar-
raised when Clarence Brunton had pointed
out his home. stole startled glances at
each other as the tale proceeded.
s'Let me see that scrap of paper, Chris
sie," Clarence said, in conclusion.
She drew it from her pocket, and handed
| to him.
'By George y he cried, in surprise and
delight.
! He sprang to his feet, and then sank
back in his chair, with a roar Of laughter.
Clarence |" protested Chrystal.
eff the writing isn't" he gasped.
Bertrand interrupted him.
.sMiner he confessed
| Eyes, yours y And off he went In an.
other paroxysm of laughter. Chrystals
eyes, blue as forget-me- nots on the Belees
dish, grew very wide, indeed. Was that
handsome fellow the Knave of Hearts who
stole her tarts?
They, the thieves, attempted explana-
lions, apologies. Hilton put the blame on
Bertrand and Bertrand on Hilton. Their
all joined in young Brunton's hearty ano
contagious mirth.
That was just year ago. And Their.
are those whosavow that, before the Apri
sunshine wakes all the world to beauty
Chrystal Brunton will be Christal Bruntor
no longer. For if not exactly a Queen o.
Hearts, she is at least queen over one
heart. And that one is Dick Bertrand's.-
Kate N. Cleafv in Neso York LedQer.
Good Language.