Evening star., 1900-09-29

what have You been doing all the after
noon?'
Nothing much"
"Oh. IL you like" said Tommy: and he
proceeded to give her an account or mis- un-
satisfactory doings. The theme was en-
crossing.
Hes all right. except when he's playing
billiards. 1 collared piece OF chalk
though
He produced the chalk from his pocket
for Miss Moriimers admiration.
Beautiful" she said.
..Td like to run away" said Tommy;
only couldn't go alone you KNOW
IT'D be splendid"
Run away
Il should rather like to go with you. old
chap"
could your cried Tommy.
We'll. I'm not boy. you see.
THAT doesn't matter.
I'm afraid it does.' said Miss Mortimer.
"You could dress up like boy.
81 wonder how should look!
You'd look Jolly" said Tommy. You'd
have to have your hair cut though, . or
they'd take you for poet. or something
THAT would never do" said Miss Morti-
IF we could only do it"' said Tommy.
Wen think about it. shall we?'
"If you like" said Tommy. He did not
feel very hopeful. Even in his small expe-
rience delays were usually fatal. Miss Nor
timer was not slow to observe his deJection
Poor Tommy she said: you're a dear
boy. and not so very naughty. Sne dreW
him closer and kissed him. Now. Tommy
in the ordinary way, did not care for Kisses.
but that one was not at all unpleasant, ana
he knew how funny girls were. After
time Miss Mortimer cried out suddenly:
"Oh, Tommy, what's that in the stream?
Tommy darted off and rescued his shoes
and stockings. which had slipped into the
water from the bank. He came back car
1T sal. 30 6nd OF pd
the stockings, by their laces. He was
chuckling delightediy-
Il don't see anything to laugh at SAID
Miss Mortimer
into an explosion II expect they fell on
the old loach and finished him."
What are you going to do?
Bare feet all right. l often go about
in bare feet. Dad says it's good for me-
Miss Mortimer glanced at his strong young
limbs and smiled.
Il daresay it is," she said. Hadn't you
better take the stockings out OF the boots
and spread them out to dry!
"Oh. it doesn't matter"
Tommy, you're lazy She did 1t her
self, while the boy watched with a thought
full pucker on his forehead.
MOP
only they're always setting me to do
things that aren't any use.'
stockings are of use.
Il wasn't thinking about stockings. I'm
going to be a sailor, and they give me lot
of sums to do. Sums are no good to
sailor
"Oh. yes, they are"
well l asked Uncle Joe to help me the
other day-he's a captain. you know-and ne
couldn't"
Perhaps he wouldn't" said Miss Morti-
mer.
He couldn't" Tommy insisted He
didn't know what common denominator
was"
Dreadful cried Miss Mortimer who had
entirely forgotten what it was herself To
her relief Tommy abruptly left that sub
ject.
Il wish / had another block of chalk he
said.
Isn't one enough?'
Il might lose it, and then l should be
done"
Il see.'' sad Miss Mortimer. Then she
flushed slightly and smiled, beginning to
stroke Tommy's hair again.
do you particularly want 1t this after
noon?" she said.
Il could do without it, of course" said
Tommy. heroicaly.
Il think | can manage it for YOU"
Miss Mortimer took a notebook from her
pocket and tore out leaf. on which she
wrote, Miss Mortimer presents her compli-
ments to Mr.. Fitton and will he kindly give
the bearer piece Of chalk to make pair.
The bearer 'colared' the other piece from
under Mr.. Fitton's eyes this afternoon"
Having folded this missive and written Mr.
boy.
There she said: take that to Mr.. Fit
ton and come back and tell me what hap
pens.
IF he's not in the billiard room what
shall / do? / daren't go into the drawing
room with bare feet"
IF he's not in the billiard room bring
the note back to me. And Tommy don't
tell Mr.. Fitton where I 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 breasting the tape.
"Heiio" Mr.. Fitton rose from a seat in
the window and stared at Tommy, then he
broke into a pleasant laugh.
We'll, youngster, what do you want?'
he asked.
please. I've brought this" said Tommy.
breathlessly. holding out the note. Mr. Fit
ton took 1t with bewiidered air. carefully
opened its many folds and read. Then an
expression came into his eyes which entire
ly reassured Tommy. even though the next
words were startling enough.
so you collared a piece of chalk this
afternoon. eh?"
Yes said Tommy
And you want another piece?'
If you please.
We'll there you are" Tommy slipped
the block into his pocket. said Thank you
and turned to GO
Hold on! Where is Miss Mortimer?''
I'm not to tell you
Where have you been?"
"By the stream"
Tommy suddenly realized that he was on
the point of giving Miss Mortimer away
and added hurriedly: But she wasn't fish
ing with me-
Good boy" said Mr.. Fitton. II 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 Tommys S
legs, appeared to hesitate about something
and finally said: by Jove, l wilIr' and
walked to a writing table.
May l go?" asked Tommy.
Not yet. old man. Here, think what
you'll buy with this while | write a note"
He gave Tommy d fve-shilling piece and
the boys thoughts instantly ran riot over
chaos of possible purchases. They particu-
iarly inclined. however, toward leaden SOL
diers and cannon. with peas for balls. The
afternoon was turning out famously, after
ALL
When Mr.. Fitton had finished he took
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 your
IAN right said Tommy. Il say, I wish
you'd teach me to play billiards..
Il will some day-when you're bigger"
IL could stand footstool," said
Tommy.
so you could. to be sure. Perhaps Wen
try tomOrrOu