Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-01-06

lie was In hurry TO see her eyes when
she opened it, The lecture was good,
of course, but he should be glad when
| it was over.
A bored sigh from the little maid
echoed his wish. She was look
| ing duly about the room again and,
presently, her big brown eyes lit upon
the young man who leaned back while
the others leaned forward, and who
looked upon her with friendly eyes
\ while the others examined her sore
foot. She returned his glance with
grave scrutiny. He pleased her. He
was good TO look upon. He had a
flower on his coat. Clearly this was
something she did not expect among
this crowd of ugly men. The little
maid was unconsciously realizing the
difference between good-looking
chap, with good tailor and an eye
for ties, and the student who is too
| absorbed to care what he has on.
They looked steadily at each other,
the young fellow with smile on his
lips and the child with pleased ap-
probation dawning in her eyes. Sud
denly she smiled also. Then she
laughed aloud.
"Pretty man," she chuckled, point
ing with her chubby foreGnger at the
well-groomed youth.
There was a roar from the class and
the young fellow blushed fiery red
at the honors thrust upon him. The
man next him grinned
"She recognizes you, Leggatt," he
said.
The lecturer, with a smile, proceeded
to the boys case. The girl felt her
foot free and extended her arm to the
class.
81 want to go to him." she cried,
her lips quivering with excitement.
"Hush, DEAR" said the nurse, re-
provingly. But the child persisted.
"Take me down." she begged, with
her eyes fixed on Leggatt.
He shook his head, smilingly, at her
and turned his face resolutely toward
the lecturer. In second or so, in
spite of himself, he stole a glimpse at
the child. She was still seated at the
table, dangling her poor little legs,
with her arms pleadingly extended and
with great tears gathering in her eyes.
Young Leggatt moved unea silly,
tried to look away, uttered forcible
exclamation under his breath and then,
finally, with an impulse he could not
control, dashed out of his seat to the
front of the room and took the now
sohbinp child in his arms
The lecturer frowned lit was his
duty to frown-then turned his back
SO that he was not supposed to know
what was going os, The young fellow
retired with the ltttle girl to the end
of the hall and sat down, taking her
up on his knee. The nurse hovered
near. The little girls eyes danced.
She smiled up at the handsome youth
while he was wiping her tears away.
Then she proceeded to have one of the
best times in her poor little life. She
found out why his hair was parted in
the middle, and why he wore stick
pin. She counted the diamonds in
his watch and traced his. initials on it's
back. She learned how to make rab-
bits out of handkerchiefs, and elected
his admiration of her own new one
with the blue flowers in the border.
His pockets revealed unknown treas
ures. She made hieroglyphics on his
ivory tablets with silver pencil. So
far there was mutual enjoyment.
1T was when she was going through
his last pocket that she unluckily
al, Nhn
outside box was tied with pretty pink
string. She wanted the string. The
young man gave it to her. Naturally,
then, she opened the box to see what
was inside. This had not been the
programme. Inside was another box.
How funny! The second box was gilt.
tering. Funnier still Perhaps it
would open also. just at this juncture
young Leggatt had his attention dis
tracted for one perilous moment, and
when he came back to his. play with
the little maid he received an un-
pleasant shock.
She had opened the silver lid and
was gazing in an ectacy of delight at
the sweets and ribbons within. With
feminine lnbultlon Sue recognized
the contents, although she could never
have seen anything similar. She
looked up at him, gaily, as if it had
been game and she had found the
handkerchief.
Candies" she cried, ioyfully.
eyes," said the miserable but truth
ful young man. Then she generously
offered him one. He seized the oppor-
tunity and took the box from her.
"See, he said, wishing he had never
been born, "pretty box shuts. Now,
wrap it up. Put it away" and he
slipped it into his pocket. Her face
looked grieved wonderment at him,
and he weakly added, "Hunt for it
again.
She looked doubtfully at him for n
minute while he basely tried to divert
her attention. He pointed out the
big clock beside him and the interest.
ing fact that the pendulum swung all
night and all day. But the little maid,
L 4 L H. l. I