The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-26


the class co:ors-orange and WHITE
were gracefully draped, and streamers
were testeoned about the chan leliar
One of the girls had a mandolin: she
began playing some songs, and soor
the others joined in. Tom almost for
got what he had come to do. He cren+
on toward the room; the door was wide
open hand he could see the package ON
the table. With that in his hands he
could cry victory and all would be we'll
He slipped in and hastily put the pack
age in his pocket. Yes. it felt like
the menu cards and, ah! revenge is
sweet
He turned to go, just in time to see
the door close and to hear the KEY
click in the lock. His heart beat fast.
he ran to the window and tried to
open it, but it was held by a secret
catch; he went to the other door and
tried it locked. Tom Madison, presi-
dent of the senior class of the boys
high school, was a prisoner.
He walked the room: he was very
angry and could almost have cried
What would the fellows say of him
who had boasted of such success. o.
it was dreadful! He threw himself into
a big armchair and waited; he was
next to the dining room and could hear
the tread of feet and smell the odor of
good things. 1t was certainly too hard
punishment for him. Should he knock
on the door and ask for mercy? No.
he would be martyr!
A half hour passed and he knew that
they were at dinner. Every word thew
said reached him where he sat.
Has he moved?" said one
Wasn't it done splendidly?" said an
other.
Lets bring him out" suggested a
THIRD.
Some one rose and came toward the
door Tom trembled as he heard the
key turn and braced himself for what
was to come. The door opened and
three girls stood before him.
1--WE are a committee" said one
Fannie Burke-Tom knew her and he
lowered his eyes. The girl continued:
appointed to escort you to the
table Come" The prisoner did not at
tempt to resist; he was as meek as a.
lamb, he entered the long room amidst
the clapping of hands. On ordinary &C.
casions he would have given almost
anything for such company; now it
was degrading. He stood where he was
placed and the three girls sat down,
Three others arose.
I'VE are a committee on punish
ment," said one. Come" He did as
he was bid and walked to the head of
the table.
I'VE have been told," said another,
that you sing. Singh
Tom looked appealingly around the
table; he tried to catch Kitty's eye,
but she didn't look at him. He longed
for a trap door or something to swal-
low him up. What should he do?
Ladies'" he began.
have a song-he sings, hear, heart"
Tom closed his eyes; he had to do
it-anything to get through; he opened
his mouth but no song came.
Beautiful o. divine" The commit
tee sat down and three others rose.
I'VE are a committee on refresh
ments. Comet" said one. They placed
him in a chair opposite the President,
and put a bowl of milk before him.
Tom turned as red as fire, for he felt
Mary Bronson's eyes upon him. He
couldn't eat: there was lump in his
throat and he was coming to the end
of his patience. Mary saw this and
got W., much to the relief of Kitty,
for she was now very sorry for Tom.
Girls" said the President, her face
flushed with excitement, II think we
have accomplished our end. Now that
we are victorious, let us be kind.
There are few questions though, that
1 would like to ask" She smiled as
she turned to Tom.
You came to capture the menu
cards?''
Yes"
You overheard part of our CONVEX
sation yesterday"
Yes"
Didn't you know that a false pack
a 90 nlaNo6 in tho ~ droTr
YOU on?"
mo, no." Tom had never thought
of the cards after he was locked in.
you acknowledge yourself beaten?"
"Ye-es." 1t cost Tom lots to say
that.
We'll" continued the President,
you were wrong to think us without
any plans, and we are sorry for you.
We know what your scouts are doing
outside: we know that they are wait
ing for you-and the menu cards"
She drew package from the table and
opened it-white cards with the class
flag on top; these were distributed
among the girls, and one was left
over.
1T would be a pity to let you go
without one" Mary said, passing it to
him, land we promise not to mention
anything of this She made sign.
and the class stood. How fresh and
pretty in their caps and gowns!
Girls" said the President 'you
agree to let the prisoner go?''
I'VE do" they cried.
Mary lifted a tumbler of water, ana
the others followed her example. She
passed a glass to Tom.
"A toast" she said, smiling.
Tom seized the water, and in a loud
voice cried: The girls high school,
and disappeared.
The boys didn't say anything about
the class dinner: they did not have
to, for Tom told them all about it. And
he added:
\ "They didn't behave like girls at all.
They were as kind as if they had been
you fellows"