The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-11-18

about half Il block in advance OF them.
Wien the main street of the town WAS
reached. the form leaned against the corner
Of :: building and Looked the other way
when the following couple passed, apparent
~ unconscious That anyone besides them
selves was in the Immediate vicinity. The
i.oar was yet early and Bob. who was the
forFa 4: the corner. perceived that instead
"f g0irg directly hanc. Hal and Winnie
s&UntcTod slowly in another direction as IL
l. no hurry to leave each other.
The last straw broke the camels back.
Pancs of remorse and jealousy began TO
seriously trouble Bob. Winnie had ccm-
United 10 fragrant ohfense after all. She
had done just what any other girl would
have done under the same circumstances,
Thought Bob. And somehow she looked very
bewitchirG tonight. Why had he been 70
foo isil? He rrnembered having denounc-
81 Ia no weak terms n fellow who not long
before had hro;:en a date" and what would
tie boys think of MIN now that he had
done the same thing? He followed the
couple. uho were still talking in low tones.
Hal evidently pleading his cause with many
Sss:IIrce.
TO Hal Winnie had teartu!ly declared that
she would never again Ego with q fellow
who had treated her So" Hal demonstrated
with her. saying that 1t must be a mistake
and that surely 1t was not premeditated by
Bob. He pleaded for Bob earnestly and Of
Tered to see that young man and carry TN
explanation, If any was made. back TO
Winnie that night. Winnie. however. de-
clined to listen 20 the proposition. They
were only a block from Winnie's homo now
and were still deep In the subject, when Q
sidewalk was blocked and q voice entreat-
irgly exclaimed.
Winnie. c-can I s-speak to you . n.
minute?' 1t was Bob. Winnie glanced
Occasionally. even wistfully. at Hal. who
nodded a rnagnan!n1ous consent.
Why. certainly. Bob" IT will wait for
you" put in Hal. who retired q few feet
away and sat down on a convenient horse.
block. Bob Immediately plunged into his
subject and soon the tiff was on In earnest.
The determined look did not leave Winnie's
eyes. at once. and once or twice in reply
to some remark OF .Bob's she stamped her
little foot to emphasize her 10 VIM
rie evidently was hard to convince and
Hal. reclining on the horse block. Just out
Of earshot. noticed that the infection Of
Bob's voice had changed. and that he was
now evidently pleading.
Suddenly Hal awoke with q start. He
had been doing. but the sight Of the two
now silent figures standing on tho side
walk suspiciousIy close together brought
him to his senses Immediately. He pulled
out his watch. It was n:3o and he had been
doing on that horse block for nearly an
hour. When he arose and sleepfly yawned.
Bob and Winnie were standing On opposite
sides OF the sidewalk and Winnie was call
ing him.
Bob ana I have ssreed . forget our
differences said she.
II am glad that you two have some sense
Left" replied Hal. but as I started to e.
cort you homec I cannot conscientiously
leave you until I see you safe at your door"
And being in favor once more. Bob stood
this time without any remorseful pangs.
and from where he leaned against the fence
watched Hal bid Winnie goodnight. Hal
returned whistling and the two walked back
together. Grasping the hand Of his erst-
while rival. Bob exclaimed. Hal. I know
I'm a fool. but you did the right thing By
me tonight"
We'll" replied Hal. IF you think %. Il
will cost you a piece of pie down at Eds,
Let's hurry up. I'm hungry"