The new age. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1902-190?, 1902-09-27

with an old fellow like me-" Tom was
only thirty, but somehow he had felt
very old and settled since that night.
But Jack always decl.red that he
didn't want to he with any one else,
and he was such a shy child that Has
tlngs forbore IL press the point.
He was therefore much surprised
one afternoon, on coming in, to find
the rooms empty. Where could Jack
BET As the minutes went by, bringing
no boy. he became really anxious. The
Janitor had not seen him. He was re-
turning from fruitless inquiries when
he stopped sAeFt at burst of childish
laughter. Could II be Jack? He never
laughed like that. But. yes, 1t was
his voice, and 1t came from the girls
rooms
girl laughed. 1t was the same saucy
little laugh he had loved so much in
the days gone by. 1t decided him.
She had stolen his property and should
answer for the theft. He knocked
boldly on the door.
Silence. He knocked again. Evi-
IDENTIFY they did not hear him. So he
turned the knob and entered the for
hidden chamber.
Surprising sight! On the floor In
true Turkish style sat the stately Miss
Trevor. On her lap were n big sheet OF
cardboard and sundry brushes and
paints. Her hair was disheveled. and
several daubs of color ornamented her
cheeks and nose. Over her shoulder
In state of great excitement leaned
the truant. Hastings hardly knew him.
His cheeks were flushed. and his eyes
were dancing as he cried. "Now. that
is the way the little monkey swung
off by his tailr' His cheek was press
ed close to the girls. and his arm rest
ed lovingly on her shoulder. Evident
ly she had won his heart too.
Hastings felt swift pang of Jea:-
ousy and started forward.
Then they heard him, aud Jack
sprang up with cry of delight.
The girl was too loaded down to
rise, and so she sat there. Perhaps 1t
was the sudden flood of color to her
cheeks, perhaps it was the upward
glance of her eyes; at any rate. sud
den light came to Hastings. For a mo-
ment he stoou there blinded, dazed.
Then his customary GOODNESS came TO
his aid. 1t was his turn to carry things
with a high hand. and he must make
the most of IL.
His eyes challenged hers as he said:
How long have you been a receiver
Of stolen goods. Miss Trevor? | am
glad to see that you have the grace to
blush for your sins, even under your
paint"
Jack was quite shocked. "She did
not steal me-" he protested. 81 was
lonely. and I was waiting for you in
he hall. and she asked me to come in.
md came. and we've had a beautiful
ime." he added in joyous outburst.
That's just as bad" Hastings an
wered severely. You mean to say
hat she enticed you in here"
! Jack was speechess. The girl had
said nothing.
you might at least invite me to sit
down. since you are so comfortable"
Hastings went on. land let me join in
the beautiful time; though / don't
know. on second thoughts. that it isn't
pleasanter standing. 1t is so unusual
to see you at my feet"
Miss Trevor started to scramble up.
but two strong hands lifted her gently
into a big chair. 1t was a new expert
ence to her to be either commanded or
helped. But she did not seem to mind
IT nor to notice that he was still hold
ing her hands. Both had forgotten
Jack as Hastings bent over her and
asked. "Are you glad that | have
Gomez
Jack is delighted with it all. but he
never will understand why Tom al
ways calls the girl Hearts Desire"
when her name Is Alice.