The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-07
IN III. evening Bert waylaid him in the

upper hall and drew him into the room:
II am going to tell you now, Van, ne
said with a nervous laugh. The fact IS
well. / am going TO tell you everything.
In the first place j may have TO oorro"
little money OF you, Van"
II gave you some two weeks ago, and
don't know how TO spare any more,
said Van. anxiously.
"Nriser!'' cried Bert clapping his
shoulder with forced gayety. You know
you have a boxful Of gold and silver"
The same that you have" said Van;
''the gold piece that Uncle George gave
us before he went to sea, and the one
grandfather told us always to keep as
pocket-piece, and the little silver ] have
earned vacations and saved for more than
year"
mo squirrel could ever beat you for
boarding nuts" said Bert, lightly. Mine
was gone long ago. But lend me your
little pile. Van: that's a good fellow,
and I will surely see you paid with in
terest I give you my word and honor"
Van did not seem to think this very
reassuring. "You know what | was saw
ing 1t for. Bert" ne said appeaingiy.
"You see how shabby I am, and you know
can't ask grandfather. who is doing so
much for us. He says boys wore home
spun suit a whole year when he was
young; but he doesn't notice how times
have changed since then. And I'm grow
ing so fast. too. Look at my sleeves.
Bert"
Grandfather Is a mean old curmud-
geon" began Bert.
stop! l wont hear that" cried Van
wrathfully. THAT isn't honorable when
-"
Now, don't get up your Dutch blood"
said Bert, impatlently. I'm tell you this,
Van"-he started violently at a sharp
noise in the hall-"you are always talk
ing about honor, honor, but II you don't
lend me that money. and pretty quick.
too there won't be anything left but
dishonor for any Of US"
For whom?"'said Van. sharply.
For me, for you. for grandfather,
then, II you must know. The fact is.
Van. l got into little scrape last night.
We boys went out for n lark-there |
confess IL; the most innocent thing in
the world, you know"
Nor said Van stouty.
Bert waved his hand. "And some OF
US took little too much beer, and then
somehow some money was lost that was
lying on a desk. Surely 1 didnt take II.
Van" he said hastily. as a blaze of color
swept TO Vans hair.
Surely not" said Van. proudly.
But they think II was some OF our
boys, and they have sent a horrid man for
he got in TO Principal Greene; but If we
don't have the money by o'clock to-
night we are all to be arrested And
II is almost that time now" he said, his
face growing white and sharp. collins
is waiting for It downstairs this minute
O, Vanw he cried, quite breaking down,
as a hard look came into the boys eyes,
don't refuse, or 1 am ruined, don't you
see? And you will break mothers heart
I
rest Of your life? Save me this time,
Van and / promise you I'll turn right
about. I'll never break a rule again o.
Van. save the honor Of the name, any
howl"
Van turned with set face, and taking
a little box from the bottom Of his trunk,
be opened st with a key hung around his
neck. How the merry, friendly treasure
shone and blinked in the lamp light-the
little suns and moons Of glitteriug gold
and slverr
Must you have It alI?" asked Van.
family.
Bert greedily counted it. ut viii be
just enough" he said, joyously. with
what the other boys have raised. Don't
feel bad, Van" he patted him on the
shoulder. "YOu have been the jolliest
kind Of a sun this time. making a host
Of miserable little planets happy. Col
Inns and l and all the rest Will revolve
around you gratefully for days. Come.
don't be sulky. You have been doing
more for yourself too than you think.
i heard the man say who chased us
"Ohw exclaimed Van.
"'There is one boy that / am sure OF,
and that is Nanderheyden Jones! We
look so much alike, you know. OF course
/ couldn't stop TO undeceive him, and !
suppose he thinks so still. 1t might he
hard TO make him change his mind"
THAT is infamous!" exploded Van.
Don't make a mountain Of 1t. You
will never hear Of il again. cried Bert
lightly. "Ah, there is Collins whIstliug
for me-" and Selling the box Bert hur-
ried from the room.
The bell rang for study-hour; the house
was full Of cheerful clatter. Van came
slowly after the halls had cleared. lie
felt that he could not meet anybody VT.
His mind was in great confusion. While
his honorable soul shrank IN revolt from
the least shadow OF disgrace h could
not help rcbelling at the selfshne5s that
lad made itself good at his heavy loss.
AS he leaned against the great hail win
COW, and thrust his hands into his ragged
pockets psng came over him i'm spite of
himself There would be nothing better
in that line, then-no trim, well-ftting
garments-all through the bright spring
with its pitiless starel
And yet what kind OF a boy was he?
Did he prefer disgrace? Was there any
choice? Could anything weigh against
Berts dishonOr?
go. l suppose | am the meanest fellow
in the universe" he burst out explosively.
Mr. Hardy, just coming up the stairs,
paused with kindly inquiry in his eyes.
20 nothng-I didn't know" began
Van. blushing furiously; and then 10 Mr..
Hardys great surprise, he made a head
long dive FOR his room. locking and bolt
ing the door.