Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-16

setting or arranged the children's seams
for the next day.
More than once. however, he had seen
Rupert and his handsomely arched black
brows in the direction Of Fairlie, and once
he caught the girl intently studying the
strange young man with his handsome head
and foreign manners.
1t was not long after this, however, that
Johnny came softly up to John Glendonwyn
and, putting a complete set of sticky
knuckles upon his knee, observed in a mys-
FERROUS undertoRe:
"Thay-Ise dot somehng to tell 'oo!"
Well" said John, what is 1t? Tell
awayl"
Johnny peered over the knee on which
his hand rested in the direction Of John
G~lendonwyn's right pocket.
dot any mo bwandy- balls ?" he inquired
tentatively, as II afraid OF committing him
self prematurely.
In spite OF its characteristic delicacy
John perceived the implied suggestion, and
bestowed the entire pound upon him, hop
ing that at least they might make him ex-
ceedingly sick, and so disable him for a
while. He did not yet know Johnny.
The infant shylock accepted the brandy
balls with a gratitude which could not be
called more than mediocre.
90 didn't fink to bwlng no ninth pies,
did 'oo?" The question was put without
any particular hopefulness. Johnny did
not expect so much sense from a grown-up.
1t was worth trying, though. You never
could tell.
"No. 1 didn't" said John, who was grow
ing tired. at strikes me, young man, that
you've had quite enough"
The boy drew off and eyed his mentor
sternly. Then he began in q high, level
tone one of his dreadful proclamations:
100 NEEDN'T TALK SEED 90"
Johnny" whispered John, aghast, re
member. You promised
Didn't pwomise Observation-Disclosures
diet" retorted Shylock. "Only pwomised
till pies dotted done-an' pies is all done 2"
well, Johnny, what did you come to tell
me?" asked John, placably, hoping thus to
divert the thoughts OF the young black
mailer from his fell intent.
SAINT tell co." said Johnny, sulkily.
mot II 1 give you another s~ixpence to
get some more mince pies tomorrow" sug-
gested John.
"'Thillin'!" said Johnny in a stage Wills
per.
TIL business being settled on these
terms, Johnny bent himself close to Johns
ear and whispered:
"Teatzer's want 90 to help her wifi her
book
John rose and went over to where Fairlie
was knitting her brows over her grammar
and dictionary. She had a small reading
lamp before her on a table.
AS John approached Fairlie looked ur
with a pout of the lips and a slight blush.
1T is this horrid Latin" she explained.
II am trying to learn 1t by myself do &c
want to help the boys. And, besides, I am
dreadfully ignorant-and-aad l don't want
to bel"
John, in his heart OF hearts, thought the
ignorance quite as adorable as the desire
for knowledge, and much more bewitchine
than the possession of It. But he could no,
fail to perceive his own advantage in Fair
lies admission.
IF you would let me come over some
times when you have a spare hour l think
could help you" he said. modestiy.
II do not care to trouble Mr.. ColstouA.'
continued Fairlie. 81 am occupied at The
hours when he is teaching his Latir
classes, or l should ask him to let me be 4
scholar"
John drew a chair and sat down by Fair.
lie. An atmosphere Of a sweet, warm
glowing girlhOod instantly e~nveloped hin
and he could scarcely unrIddle the simpl.
difficulties which lie in the path of tn,
s~elf-taught for the 1uttering of his heart
He was alike unconscious Of the swift.
falling glances OF Kate GlendenninR. the sly
quiet amusement with which his brothe
regarded him and the more dangerous I'm
spection Of the temporarily bribed Johnny
A breath was on his cheek. The timbr,
OF an excellent low voice in his ear. AL
Gaul was never divided into three parts I,
such an accompaniment OF meeting hand
and huttering hearts. He raised his eyes
and. 10! the shell-pink deepened on he
cheek to rose red. Ininitives were neye
more perfect than those which John ex
planned. This hour was to John the crow
Of the day-nay, OF all the barren year
The bitterness of his late Homecoming
Veronica's acrid tones Of the morning, III
solitary tramp with dismal thoughts alon
the lochside, the disappointment Of tn
walk home-all were forgotten.
II was with a start that he became con
scious Of a sudden hush stealing over tn
kitchen. Without a word Fairlie pushe
away her books. Old David stepped to tn
door and In q loud voice sent forth a mono
: syllable which cracked in the frosty al