Evening star., 1900-09-29

became more uncertain. he 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 ap-
hold. They played cards good deal. and
talked about old times. After a 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. Mamie's eyes were red and
Bruces n Ger strained. He left
early and / .&e 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 cant help people talking, you
know-you see, there's some folks that don I
understand things. and they're talking lit
tie, you know, about your being around to
the house 50 much
They walked on, both silent.
"Of course. Hanch, il amt what 1 think,
you that.
Again he waited for a reply.
III tell you. Hunch. Name and I've been
talking il over. She's 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 we'd have one Of the girls around
say amt there nobody YOU like pretty well
Hunch? There's Jess Bartlett, now She s
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. Will your
Hunch wanted TO say no. but he looked
around at Bruce and some Of his anger left
him when he saw how eager and friendly
was Bruce's face. So he replied:
Guess So
Hunch spent a sleepIess night and awoke
with the determination never 10 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 BartlettS house.
Jess Bartlett an attractive girl, full
OF health and spirit. She admired Hunch' 5
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 uinerent from those
Hunch had been spending al Bruce 5. There
was more gayety and brightness jess knew
that she In a sense on parade, and, as
Mamie confded to Hunch. she kept things
stirred up. They played some games that
Jess explained TO them, and Their Mamie
made molasses candy and an 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 fed 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, rich au-
burn tumbing 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 were like this. she
said.
How do you mean?'
why. don't know. | always heard that
you didn't like girls, that you were-you
know-kind of horrid.'
81 haven't liked very many girls.
''Ill tell you something II you won't tell.
You won't think it's funny, Will you?'
Sure not.
Well. | used to be afraid Of you
Amt you nowT
'.Nope-that Is. not very much"
What makes You afraid of me?'
''Oh. | don't know" She danced a few
steps before him on the walk. Come on.
don't pokey. Can you dancer
NO. 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'll be fun, don't you
Think
Hunch nodded and caught her arm as she
whiried by him and they walked home
soberly, 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. q little confused. and