The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-08-04
body home. Lets come in and wait for

"All right" was the reply in jack
bass tones. maybe it's not the prope
thing. but we might as well risk it,
And we heard the door close az our Wis
itors entered and took possession Of on,
apartment.
1t was too ridiculous. I'd have hat
to laugh II III lives had been at stake,
and in spits Of the imminent danger Of
discovery In this Notifying plight
stutfed"nll of a sofa pillow that would
20 into my mouth and shook till my
sides ached.
1t was the expression on Margery's
face that recalled me to myself at last.
CHANGING to glance up from behind a
corner Of the cushion | was trying to
swallow, l caught her listening with
strained attention to something that
was being said on the other side Of the
screen. with every bit Of color gone out
Of her face and a look in her eyes I'd
never seen there before.
eyes, Jack was saying, "if they
don't hurry, I'll have to 20 without
saying goodby. My train leaves at 7.
and I've lots to do"
Ned lighted his pipe before he re-
piled. Dear Ned. ! believe he would
smoke In heaven II Peter didn't take
the precaution to search him before hs
let him in.
~ guess it'll surprise them some"
he remarked at last. ESPECIALLY when
they hear you're never coming back"
nudged Margery violently at this,
but she didn't look at me-the ming
and then Jack went On dolefully;
"Oh. they won't care very much,
I'm afraidl'
"Of course they WILL" protested Ned,
putting away. "And l will anyway.
Must you go, old boy?"
"Well, it's this way. Ned: As long
as ! hoped that Margery might care for
me wouldn't give in to my uncle's
proposition that I should marry bis
ward, Miss Wilson. and become his
heir, but now that I'm satisfied / have
no chance with the girl / love, l might
as we'll marry the other one and please
the old man, I suppose. I'll be miser-
able anyway" And Jack heaved such
a sigh that the big paper screen waved
about till 1t threatened to come down
upon our heads.
gave a Mortified look at Margery,
but her hair had fallen over her face,
and ! could only see one little hand
clinched fercely as II she had a pain
somewhere. reached dumbly over and
to take the little hand, but she
shook me off. so ! fell to listening again.
"Well. it's not 50 bad az 1t might
oe." Ned was saying encouragingly.
i hear Miss Wilson is a beauty"
"She is, said Jack with enthusiasm.
"And then think Of the money, my
10Y Most any fellow would envy you"
~ suppose 80, said Jack drearily.
But ! must 90. Times up. Will you
ay goodby to the girls for me. Ned3
Tell Margery'-
Here Jack choked. and l was so busy
a large, warm tear that was
hasing toward the end Of my nose that
forgot to look at Margery, when, to
ny amazement, a little figure in a gray
athrobe. with a cloud of coppery hair
|ying after 1t. bounded right over me,
nd. as the screen toppled over with a
soSA' AC0Ao NAuIkcIy . VUlCo cry
"Oh, no, Jack, you mustn't goi IL
love you. Jack!"
! had a confused vision Of Jack seiz.
az the little figure in his arms, and
hen ! started to run. don't look 30
with my hair wet ~ Margery
oes. But somehow when ! got to the
DOR ! met Ned, and as ! looked up
Faithfully something ! saw in his eye
'ade me stop short.
Med Tucker" ! exclaimed, lyon
new we were there all the timel"
"Well. he said. not a whit ashamed,
II You will leave the ventilating shaft
"You wretch" ! cried, and then
'mething else struck me. "And the =
ncle.' gasped. land the beautiful
'iss Wilson"-
care about al real" said Master
ed, las a rainbow. Edgar Temple
ield In Chicago Herald. !
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