Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-11-29

novel apiece, Dut soon got 10 talking,
girl fashion, and were deep in a dis
cussion of Amos Judd, when there came
loud knock at the door.
Great Scott" exclaimed, in a stage
whisper, the rosy advantages of my
plan suddenly fading in the cold light
of reality.
There, / told you sol" cried Margery,
ungenerously, sitting up abruptly so
that her hair fell about her in a great,
shining, coppery shower.
"Sh-shut up" whispered, reaching
out with an agitated stockinged toe for
the bedroom slipper l had earelessly
kicked off a moment before.
Again the knock came, this time more
imperative.
what in heavens name shall we
do?" gasped Margery.
Keep still, you chumpl" said, soto
voce, too nervous TO pick my words.
Then the door handle turned and we
heard Ned's voice saying: There's
nobody home. Let's come in and wait
for them"
"All right" was the reply, in Jacks
bass tones. "Maybe it's not the proper
thing, but we might as well risk II, )" and
we heard the door close as our visitors
entered and took possession of our
apartment.
II was too ridiculous. I'd have had
10 laugh If our lives had been at stake,
and in spite of the imminent danger of
discovery in this Notifying plight /
stuffed all Of a 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.
CHANGING to glance up from behind a
corner of the cushion | was trying TO
swallow, l 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.
yes" Jack was saying, "if they
don't hurry III have TO go without say
ing good-by. My train leaves at seven,
and I've lots 10 do"
Ned lighted his pipe before he re-
piled Dear Ned. / believe he would
smoke in Heaven If Peter didn't take the
precaution to search him before he let
him in.
Il guess it'll surprise them some" he
remarked at last. Especially when
they hear you're never coming back"
Inuged Margery violently at this, but
she didn't look at me-the minx-and
then Jack went on dolefully:
"Oh, they won't care very much, I'm
afraid"
"of course they will" protested Ned,
putting away. And | will anyway.
Must you go, old boyF
"Well, it's this way, Ned. As long as
/ hoped that Margery might care for
me | wouldn't give in to my uncle's
proposition that / should marry his
ward, Miss Wilson, and become his heir,
but now that I'm satisfied | have no
chance with the girl love, might as
well marry the other one and please the
old man, suppose. I'll be miserable
anyway" And Jack heayed such a sigh
that the big paper screen waved about
till il threatened to come down about
our heads.
Igave Mortified look at Margery, but
her hair had fallen over her face, and |
could only see one little hand clinched
fiereely as If she had pain somewhere,
reached dumbly over and tried TO take
the little hand, but she shook me of,
and so fell 10 listening again.
"well. it's not so bad as il might be, +"
Ned was saying. encouragingly. Il
hear Miss Wilson is a beauty"
"She is" said Jack, with enthusiasm.
"And then think of the money, my
boy. Most any fellow would envy you
II suppose So" said Jack, drearily.
"But must go. Times up. viii you
say good-by TO the girls for me. Ned i?
Tell Margery-"
Here Jack choked and / was so busy
catching a large, warm tear that was
chasing toward the end of my nose that
l forgot TO look at Margery, when to
nv amazement a little figure in gray
bath robe, with cloud Of coppery hair
ayinR after it, bounded right over me.
and as the screen toppled over with
crash heard Margery's voice cry:
"0h, no, Jack, you mustn't go. II
love you. Jack"
had a confused vision of Jack seiz- |
ing the little figure in his arms, and
then | started 10 rum don't look SO |
pretty with my hair wet as Margery |
does. But somehow when / got 10 the |
door / met Ned. and as I looked up |
wrathfully something saw in his eye
made me stop short.
Ned Tucker" l exclaimed, ''you
knew we were there all the time"
WELL" he said, not whit ashamed,
''if you will leave the ventilating shaft
open"
"You wretch" l cried. and then some
thing else struck me. "And the uncle
/ gasped, "and the beautiful Miss VIII
son"
Are about as real" said Master Ned,
"as civil service reform. Chicago