The St. Johns herald., 1900-05-19

novel apiece, but soon got to talking, girl fashion. and were deep in dis cussion of Amos Judd, when there came Q loud knock at the door.
 "Great Scott!" exclaimed. in stage whisper. the rosy advantages of my plan suddenly fading in the cold light Of reality.
 There. ftold you sol" cried Margery, ungenerouSly, sitting up abruptly so that her hair fell about her iii q great, shining. coppery shower. "Sh-shut up!" whispered, reaching out with an agitated sto"kinged tee Tor the bedroom slipper ! had carelessly kicked of a moment before. Again the knock came. this time more imperative.
 What in heavens name shall we tio?" gasIed Margery.
 Keep still, you chunap:" l said. sotto 7oce. too nervous to pick my words.
 Then the door handle turned and VIC heard Ned's voice saying: There's n0body home. Let's come in and wait for them"
 "Ail right" was the reply. in Jacks bass tones. Maybe it's not the proper thing, but we might as well risk it. and We heard tke door close as our visitors entered and took possession of cur apartment.
 II was too ridiculous. I'd have had to laugh if our lives had been at stake, and in spite of the imminent danger of discovery in this mortifying plight stuffed all Of sofa pillow that would go into my mouth and shook till my sides aChed.
 Ii was the expression on Margery's face that recalled me to myself at last. Chancing tO glance up from behind 8 corner Of the cushion I was trying to swallow, caught her listening with strained attention to something that . was being said On the other side of the screen. with every bit of color gone out Of her face and look in her eyes I'd never seen there before.
 "Ies," Jack was saying, Eff they don't hurry I'll have to go without say ing good-by. My train leaves at seven, and I've lets to do."
 Ned lighted his pipe before he re- piled. Dear Ned, l believe he would smoke in Heaven if Peter didn't take the precaution 10 search him before be let him in.
 "l guess it'll surprise them some" he remarked at last. "Especial!y when they Lear you're never coming back"
 nuged Margery violently at this. but she didn't look at n1e-the minX-and then Jack went on dolefuliy:
 "Oh. they won't care very much, I'm afraid"
 "Of course they will, protested Ned, pulling away. And will anyway. Must you go. old boy"'
 Well, ii $ this way, Ned. As long as l hoped that Margery might care for me l wouldn't give in to my uncle's proposition that l should marry his ward, Miss Wilson. and become his heir, but now that I'm satisfied 1 have no chance with the girl love, might as we'll marry the other one and please the old man, suppose. I'll be miserable anyway" And Jack heaved such sigh that the big paper screen waved about till il threatened to come down about our heads.
 gave mortified look at Margery, but her hair had fallen over her face, and I could only see one little hand cinched tiercely as if she had rain somewhere. reached dumblt over and tried to take the it;ie hand, but she shook me off, and so fell 10 listening again.
 Well, it's not so bad as it might be-" Ned was saying, ercouragingly. II hear Miss Wilson is q beauty"
 "She is" said Jack, with enthusiasm.
 And then think of the money, my boy. Most any fellow would envy you"
 "I suppose so," said Jack, dreariiy. ''But I must go. Times up. Will you say goodby to the girls for me, Ned2 Tell Margery-"
 Here Jack choked and was so busy catching large, warm tear that was chasing toward the end of my nose that forgot 10 look at Margery. when to my amazement little figure in gray bath robe. with q cloud Of coppery hair flying after il, bounded right oyer me, and as the screen toppled over with crash heard Margery's voice cry:
 "Oh. TO. Jack, you mustn't go. IT love you, Jack"
 had a confused vision of Jack seiz- ing the little figure in his arms, and then I started to run don't look SO pretty with my hair wet as Margery does. But somehow when l got to the door met Ned. and as looked up something I saw in his eye made me stop short.
 Ned Tucker" I exclaimed, you knew we were there all the time."
 Well" he said, not a whit ashamed, eff you will leave the ventilating shaft open"
 'YOu wretch" cried, and then some thing else struck me And the uncle," l gasped, and the beautiful Miss Will 
 Are about as real" said Master Ned, ..'as civil service reform. ."-Chicago Herald.
 ILLS OF LONGEVITY.