Evening star., 1900-09-29

became more uncertain. ne took to spend
ing the evening with them often he
could. Mamie was prettier than ever. with
a new depth in her eyes, and Bruce APP
peared very well as the head of a house
hold. They played cards good deal, and
talked about old times. After while
Hunch found it easy 10 drop in and take
supper with them.
one evening, late in October. when he
came in to supper, he missed the usual
cordiality. Mdmie's eyes were red and
Bruce's Il Ier was strained. He left
early and .ce walked out with him, say
ing that little walk would do him good
Say. Hunch." ne said, when they reached
the sidewalk, Il don't know whether you
heard about it, but
About WHAT
Well it amt any of my feelings Hunch
but you can't help people talking. you
know-you see there's some folks that don't
understand things, and they're talking a lit
tie. you know. about your being around to
tfe house much
They walked on, both silent.
''Of course Hunch, il amt what / think,
you that
Again he waited for a reply.
III tell you, Hunch, Name and I've been
talking il over. She's a good friend OF yours
and she says if you stop coming just be-
cause people talk she'll never forgive YOU
She's right. too. And We was thinking
mebbe wed have one Of the girls around
say. amt there nobody you like pretty WELL
Hunch? There's Jess Bartlett, now. She's
an awful nice girl. And she's stuck on YOU
Hunch. She's Jim Bartletts sister, you
know. He's on the life saving crew. Names
been talking with her, and she says she'll
come around with you tomorrow night II
you'll go get her. VIII you?'
Hunch wanted to say no. but he looked
around at Bruce and some Of his anger left
him when he how eager and friendly
was Bruce's face. So he replied:
Guess So
Hunch spent sIeepless night and awoke
with the determination never TO go TO
Bruce's again. He continued to decide the
question all day from different points of
view In the evening. however, a little
earlier than he was expected, he called at
Jess Bartlett'S s house.
Jess Bartlett was an attractive girl. full
OF health and spirit. She admired Hunch's S
bigness and strength and made such an eff
fort to be agreeable that before they had
finished the long walk TO Bruces house
they felt pretty well acquainted. The even
ing that followed was different from those
Hunch had been spending al Bruce's. There
was more gayety and brightness. Jess knew
that she was in a sense on parade. and. as
Mamie confided to HuEch. she kept things
stirred up They played some games that
Jess explained TO them. and theE Mamie
made molasses candy and impromptu
candy pull took place in the kitchen. Once
Jess slipped Hunch's scarf pin from his tie
and Bruce and Mamie laughed knowingly
at Hunch's clumsy efforts TO take 1t away
from her. Finally she fled into the corner
and held the pin behind her with both
called. "Oh. Hunch, you're slow" where
upon Mamie blushed and laughed and Jess
blushed and tossed her head. So Hunch put
both arms around her. but she struggled
for some time before he got the pin away
from her. Then she dropped into chair.
flushed and excited her hair, a rich au-
burn. tumbIing about her face, and Mamie
whispered TO Hunch. Amt she pretty,
thought"
The night was dark and on the way home
Jess slipped her hand through his arm.
Now that they were away from the others,
Hunch was embarrassed.
Il never knew you We're like this she
said.
How do you mean?
why. l don't know. | always heard that
you didn't Ike girls that you were-you
know-kind of horrd."
81 haven't liked very many girls
''I'll tell you something IL you won't tell
You won't think it's funny, Will your
Sure not"
Well | used to be afraid OF you"
Amt you uow?
''Nope-that is. not very much"
What makes you afraid OF me?''
"Oh. | don't know" She danced a few
steps before him the walk. Come on.
don't e so pokey. Can you dancer
mo, not very much
"Oh. you've got to learn TO dance, or
won't like YOU bit. I'll tell you I'll teach
you. some of the nights when we don't go
over TO Names. That'H be fun, don't you
Think
Hunch nodded and caught her arm as she
whirled by him and they walked home
soberiy. talking about Bruce and Mamie.
and how happy they were. At the door
Hunch said goodnight and started away.
She stood on the steps.
Say" she called softly. as he opened the
gate. you've got the key"
Hunch came back. little confused. and