Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-04

sciously holding his hand, parted her lips
In a smile of pride for the regard in which.
in some way, she felt she came in for
share.
Three cheers for the 'sistant super's
girl. Up, 'ipr'
Her hands tore away from his as though
they had touched hot iron.
Again the answering roar and the super
intendent resiguedly let it take its course.
He charitably refrained from looking at
the biushing face of Barbara
Now then. DULLES. lift i'm to our
shoulders" 1t was Kirby's voice. Five
or six jumped forward at the suggestion
and laid rough hands on him. up with
him." they shouted. Give him a ride.
Hold on. boys" said Imrie, pushing
them back. and chuckling amusedy at
their eagerness; here. quit, hold on, wait
minute. I've got something to say
Nhereupon they desisted and he continued.
You may be a little premature with this
whole affair. for l may not leave the canal
after all Certain-certain things occurred
tonight before you came down here that
nay make me change my mind. Yes-er-
Oh, how many are there of you?"
His hand went down into his pocket.
Stewart Brough glanced around at the sea
of eNpectant faces, and with a shrug of his
shoulders and a little jerky, comprehensive
wave of his hand. said indefinitely, oh,
there 10 be quite q few, sir
so there are. Well, it's my treat to-
night" He peeled off a bill from a roll and
handed it TO Stewart. who murmured
thank you, sir and slowly folded ii mp.
Go over back of the blacksmith shop.
said Imr!e, and try to make as little noise
as possible, and above all, don't go near
town again tonight
They moved off slowly and Imrie watched
them until the darkness swallowed them.
'There'n be lot of unsteady hands on the
job tomorrow" he meditated aloud.
At his side stood Barbara Elwell, filed
with conflicting feelings of vexatIon at
being so completely taken in by Cusack,
of lmrie. Her eyes were unconsciously
upon his face, but when he turned she
quickly dropped them and said shamefaced-
ly. Il was mistaken. wasn't r.
Indeed you WERE replied Imrie. Mis-
taken twice, in fact. Once you said you did
not love me, but you do.
Il don't" The way of women Is inscruta-
BILE She brought the negative out very en-
phatically, though her heart was beating
hard with the happiness his words brought
into being, and she knew his assertion was
beyond truthful denial She quickly moved
her hands away from his outstretChed to
take them. and hid them behind her.
All. but you do, Bob he persisted.
Say honestly that you do" His arms
stole about her with the bold assurance
born of confidence in the return of his love.
She drew back to the limit of the impris-
oning circle in stubborn rebellion. Say
you do" he whispered pleadingly. Don't.
Please, don't hurt me again as you did once
before
''Oh, do, do" she burst forth passion
ately. and hiding her face on his shoulder
Il love you, John, John, forgive me, for
give me-, she continued murmuring, which
he promptly stopped with kiss.
And what did they mean when they said
you were going TO leave the canal?' she
was saying a minute or two after. Were
you going away, John, because-because-
l.
Yes. Bob"
''And | might have lost you II it We're
not for those horrid men, and that dread
full little Cusack telling me that lie''
Don't call them 'horrid" They are 10y
al, earnest, welI-meaning. every one of
them, if they have not the gift Of elegant
language, and are not 'ciarks,' " he said,
looking in the direction of the departing
crowd. And they have done US a good
turn tonight, Bob. As for Cusack, / shall
always have a warm spot in my heart for
Andy Cusack.'
Il think l shall too. John" she said, with
a sigh Of happiness.
Struggling along at the tail end Of the
procession that was making for the rear
of the blacksmith shop. were Kirby and
Chaplin and their henchman, Cusack. Kir-
by happened to look back at the office, and
softly called Chapins attention to the Old
ed window. "Oh, Chaplin he said put
your lamps on the kid. quick
Chaplin looked, and gave a long low
whistle. II guess his health's improved
MUCH he remarked. 1T sure enough's his
treat tonight. Kirby" And they turned
again and sought their comrades soon to
join them in partaking till the sma' hours
Of the morning Of the fruits of the assist
ant Superinte 1Qpnt's gra-uitV