Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-08-16
the boots and spread them out to

oh, II doesn't matter!'
Tommy, you're lazy" She did il
herself, while the boy watched with
a thoughtful quicker on his forehead.
Pm not really lazy, you know" he
said.
MOP"
Only they're always setting me to
do things that aren't any use.
stockings are of use"
81 wasn't thinking about stockings
I'm going to be a sailor. and they give
me a lot of sums to do. Sums are no
good to a sailor"
"Oh, yes, they are"
We'll, I asked Uncle Joe to help me
the other day-he's captain, you know
and he Couldn't"
Perhaps he wouldn't" said Miss
Mortimer.
"He couldn't" Tommy insisted. He
didn't know what a common denom-
inator was"
"Dreadful!'' cried Miss Mortimer,
who had entirely forgotten what it
was herself. To her great relief Tom
myabruptly left hat subject.
7 wish had another block of
chalk he said.
Isn't one enough?"
Il might lose it, and hen Ishould be
DONE"
Il see," said Miss Mortimer. Then
she flushed slightly and smiled, begin
ming TO stroke Tommy's hair again.
DO you particularly want it this
a~fternoon?" she asked.
II could do without it, of course
said Tommy, h~eroically.
Il think | can manage it for YOU"
Miss Mortimer took a notebook from
her pocket and tore out a leaf OF which
she wrote: Miss Mortimer presents
her compliments to Mr.. Fitton, and will
he kindly give the bearer a piece of
chalk TO make pair. The bearer col
Jared the other piece from under Mr..
Fitton's eyes this afternoon" Having
folded this missive and written Mr.. Fit
tons name upon it, she handed it to the
boy.
There" she said, take that to Mr..
Fitton and come back and tell me what
happens"
If he's not in the billiard-room, what
shall l do? l daren't go into the draw
ing-room with bare feet"
IF he's not in the billiard-room,
bring the note back to me. And. Tom
my, don't tell Mr.. Fitton where l am"
"All right" said Tommy. He set off
at top speed through the wood and
across the lawn, and dashed into the
billiard-room like a runner breastiny
the tape.
"Hello!" Mr.. Fitton rose from a seat
in the window and stared at Tommy;
then he broke into a pleasant laugh.
We'll, youngster, what 90 you
want?' he asked.
please, I've brought this said
Tommy, breathlessly. holding out the
note. Mr.. Fitton took it with a be-
wildereG air, carefully opened its many
folds and read. Then an expression
came into his eyes which entirely reas-
sured Tommy. even though the next
words were startling enough.
$50 you collared a piece of chalk
this afternoon. eh?"
Eyes" said Tommy.
"And YOU want another p%iece?"
"If you please"
"Well. there you are" Tommy
slipped the block into his pocket. said:
Thank YOU and turned to go.
III - Il >-1Ol III .
Tn not to tell you"
Where have you been?"
by the stream"
Tommy suddenly realized hat he
was on the point of giving Miss Morti.
mer away, and added hurr1edIy: But
she wasn't fishing with me-"
Good boy" said Mr.. Fitton. Il won't
try to find out your secret He turned
the note over and over in his fingers,
looked out of the window, pinched one
of Tommy's legs, appea ed to hesitate
about something, and finally said:
by Jove, 1 Wilt" and walked to a writ
ing table.
May 1 go?" asked Tommy.
Not yet, old man. Here, think what
you'll buy with this while 1 write a
note" He gave Tommy a five-shilling
piece, and the boys thoughts
ran riot over a chaos of possible pur-
chases. They particularly inclined.
however, towards leaden soldiers and
cannon, with peas for balls. The after
400 was turning out famously, after
all.
When Mr.. Fitton had finished, he
took a diamond ring from his little
finger and slipped it into the envelope
with the note.
There" he said, go straight to Miss
Mortimer with that. will you?"
"All right said Tommy. Il say, I
wish you'd teach me to play billiards."
Il will some day-when you're big
ger"
II could stand on a footstool," said
Tommy.
S you could, to be sure. Perhaps
We'll try tomorrow"
With this comforting prospect in
view, Tommy dashed back to Miss Nor
timer.
I've got the chalk" he said, land
this!" Miss Mortimer looked at the
five-shilling piece in his hand and
blushed.
And Mr.. Fitton SEM this to YOU"
Tommy went on. Il think there's some
thing inside"
Miss Mortimer's blush d%eepened as
she opened the envelope, and when the
ring fell out her lips parted to free
between a sigh and a sob.
Then she read what Mr.. Fitton had
written.
After a long silence. Tommy looked
up md saw Miss Mortimer rather trem-
ulously trying to slip the ring on her
It's awfully pretty, isn't it?"
Tommy said.
Eyes. Shall I wear it or throw it in
to the stream? Mr.. Fitton says 1 may
, - x-L;ol T Isl-a