The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-05-26

fore.
Il don't believe [ ought to come
here by myself" she said, as she
closed the door, Il wonder what
Aunt Catherine would say to it."
You are late said Hamlyn. Il
have been waiting impatiently for
you"
sam I, really9" replied Alice.
what is the time, then?"
He pulled at his watch chain me
chemically, ~forgetful of his escapade,
and disclosed the bare swivel. He col
ored slightly as he realized his mis-
take, and felt her eyes upon him, but
answered lightly;
About 90 minutes past one, !
fancy"
ut must be just lovely to work
here" she said. Everything seems
so old and historic. 1 believe should
only have to sit here a few hours a
day and I should become a lawyer by
breathing the air"
(Which reminds me-" said Hamlyn,
shat / have been breathing air quite
long enough and want lunch. Where
shall we go?"
Alice Valentine hesitated.
Look here" she said, at last, 81
want to say something to you You
have been taking me about such a
lot and I have done nothing for you.
I feel real mean. I want you to let
stand you a lunch to-day"
He shook his head laughingIy.
"You forget" he said, "that you are
my guest; but 1 want you to say
where you would like to CO."
He named a well-known restaurant
in Piccadilly, where she knew the
prices were ruinous.
NO" she said, "don't let us 60
there. viii you take me to n of
those little bohemian places you told
me Of where you get a table d'hote
lunch for Is pence. I should love to
go. 1t would be a new experience"
"You look too smart he replied,
glancing at her admiringly; abut 1
tell you what I will do. We will split
the difference and go to a kind Of
semi-fashionable place where you
shall see all sorts and conditions of
people and hear a band"
Once of twice during lunch, when
conversation tagged, Hamlyn noticed
again the thoughtful expression on
her face. At last he took the mat
ter up.
"Ten me-" he said, "what you are
thinking Of"
II was thinking" she replied, slow
ly, "of how I could help some one
who has been very good to me-"
Not a difficult matter, surely-for
ST very difficult" she said, sun
der the circumstances. The person I
want to help is poor and, I think, very
proud"
She was looking down at the table
cloth, and studiously avoiding his
eyes.
Can I be Of any assistance2" he
said.
"You-why-a she laughed. eyes,
perhaps you can. / will think about
It and let you know"
There was a new sympathy in her
voice and manner, and Hamlyn felt
mad desire to take her there and
then in his arms and cover her face
with kisses.
But there was no opportunity then
10 tell her of his love. Immediately
after lunch they were obliged to hur-
y off to meet Miss Stafford at a matt
ace, and Hamlyn had no further
of a tete-a-tete with Alice, but
arranged satisfactorily a meeting
.or Monday afternoon, when he deter
mined to put his fate to the test.
'You will not forget" he said, at
parting, "to let me help you in the
you mentioned?"
mo-" she replied, with a singular
.ook on her face. ST will not forget"
AS Everard walked home he recalled
her tones, her face, the fair, flushed
cheeks, sweet mouth, earnest brows
and eyes of softest fire. There was
that in her look which satisfied him.
He was awakened from his reverie
oy an urchin inquiring what o'clock
t was. For the second time that,dav
he mechanically tugged at his watch
,hain.
"COnfound it," he exclaimed, as he
'ealized his loss. ST never knew that
t was such a nuisance to be with
a watch. I must get it out first
hing on Monday morning."
The urchin, grasping the situation,
an away, grinning.
On Sunday Hamlyn again bethought
himself of the watch.
Il had better study the ticket" he
aid, "and see what I shall have to
He fumbled in his waistcoat pocket;
t was not there. He tried the Others
With the same result. With growing
,@neasiness he searched in esery pocket
# the clothes he had worn on the
saturday, but the pawn ticket was
lot to be found.
81 must have left it at my cham
'ers," he decided at last. ut is very
.areless of me. hope my clerk won't
ind it."
On Monday morning he got up
.arlier than usual and drove down to
he Temple in a hanson. His clerk
lad already arrived. Hamlyn
earched all over the table carefully