The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-13

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roses that had lain on top beside il. to
Howard Mac laid his hand on How
ards knee under the table with pres
sure that meant: ssYou have won her,
she will like you," and Howard felt his
heart tbrob as the grave eyes, now
sweet and tender, looked at him, and
the red lips smiled, as she wished him
as happy birthday as she was having.
Then came the evening games and
forfeits, and the kiss he hadn't had,
and he wondered if Mac was mistaken
and Elsie didn't like him after all. He
was just as wide awake at three as he
was at twelve, and turn as he might,
her eyes looked up just as they did
when he bent to kiss her. Fallen in
love, do you say? Well, perhaps 50,
but he realized that she was Macs sis
ter, and if she old not like him, would
it not take Mac from him also. Sure
ly, she was only child, but then Mac
had said she never changed. Irritated
and puzzled, yet with a great longing
for the good will of this household that
had been so kind TO him, be finally
dropped asleep.
On entering the drawing-room next
morning he saw Elsie standing at the
farther end Of the room looking out
and he crossed to her, saying in his
CHEEKY voice: "Good morning, Elsie;
rather dismal landscape, isn't it? l
think it's pleasanter inside, with such
bright fire, don't your"
.Yes indeed, | do"
''Then turn this way and tell me if
you think people ought 10 pay their
debts when they can just as well as
not? 1 have very peculiar case in
mind, where a payment has been evad-
ed, and apparently no effort made TO
reach satisfactory settlement. am
in a quandary about it. What would
you do?n
SIS it a debt to your
''Yes; and 1 cannot afford to lose it.
I want it.u
The dark eyes flashed a little as she
said: 81 would have it if had to go
to law. think it is a dreadful thing
for folks to purposely keep other peo-
ple's money, or anything that does not
belong to them"
This isn't exactly money, but it be
longs to me, all the same. am glad
you think as do about it. When you
say anything that does not belong to
them, it includes kisses, of course,
and''-a wave of confusion went over
Elsie's face, and then a mischieveus
look in her eyes, and ct last she put
her handkerchief to her mouth to cover
the laugh that she could not keep back.
Her eyes sought the door as if she
wanted to escape; but no, Howard
stood in front of her, and she could noe
be 50 rude as to push him oat of her
path. He was laughing, too, she saw
when she looked up, and her courage
grew as she said: THAT'S outlawed,
and, besides, it was April FOOLS day."
and the smile again dimpIed her face.
have read some law, and there is
nothing in any of the books about for
feits outlawing, and so of course they
run right on; and as for the day, why,
/ am sure You would consider money
loaned on Sunday TO be debt just AZ
much as If it were contracted on Mon
day, though the law would not require
it to be paid, for business must not be
done on Sunday, and any note made
that day would not be good.
"Oh, f., there comes Mae y and look
of relief showed itself in her cOunte-
nance, for she seemed TO have lost her
ready wit before this young man, who
could argue q case so well. But she
turned again as they went out 10 break
fast to ask very demurely: "Who is
your collector, Mr.. Payne?"
Quick as thought came the answer /:
"Mr. Howard Payne, and if you have
any bills to be collected should be
glad if you would put them into my
hands. 1 promise prompt attention
aud quick returns"
al agree to that, Howard for know
when you want anything you get it
some way, and when you once get hold
you never let go,' said Mac.
"He will have that kiss, and / shall
give it to him, know" Elsie thought.
"Pll just keep out of his way" And
SO When the time for the ears drew
near, she started on long walk, and
did not reach home until the carriage
had been gone ten minutes.
Now Mac and Elsie held a lengthy
correspondence, and jolly writer she
was, too, filling every inch on two.
sheets of paper with jokes and happen
ings and family sayings, so that it was
almost like visit home TO receive one
of her letters. Seeing how eager How
ard was TO hear, he allowed him to reat.
them all. Once Howard sent her b
little note asking if she would get /
specimen of blue flower growing near
her home, as he could find nothing o.
the kind where he was, and when i
came back it was pressed in a note of
her handwriting, which he carried,
about till he feared it would be too
worn-out to look at, so he packed il
away with the souvenirs Of his mother.
and his fathers last letter. OF course,
thanks must be sent, and finally every
letter either way had an extra note for
or from Elsie.
Then Elsie went away to school, and
several years went by without his see
ing her. Mac graduated and went t.
California. Howard went into a law
yer's Office, and when the senior part