Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21

does he say about you now. Nose? TIM
| sure you seem better" she said, cheerfuliy.
| 'Yes'm. he says Use on do pike to recov-
| cry.
| covery?'
you sent for me. did you notT'
Yes, Miss Ant'n You see Use dun got
| bed confession. cause you see the doctan
| says Use er-gwine to get well"
| Antolnette wondered what he could posi-
| bly, have to confde in her. We'll. I'm
| Nose fdgeted around and mopped his
| brow. at am de hahdest thing evah tried
| to do" he said at last.
Take your time." she said. kindly. but
wishing in her heart that he would begin
and have done with 1t. for Stedman Ponson-
| by was awaiting her at the tennis court
| ''Yo' see Use er-bout cured OBJ de rheuma-
| tiz," after long silence.
Yes"
"Its powerful lucky To- yo' ladder dat
| is"
"of course we are glad of it, trifie i'm
patiently.
"Ah me. oh me" he groaned.
"rIl have to go. Mose," said Antoinette.
picking up her hat.
at am erbout de ruby ring" said he, pre-
tending not to hear.
She put her basket down. She was all at
| tention now. "Is it possible that you know
anything Of that?"
L SpSCtS i 10. plAIutiVPiy.
What do you know? Why don't you tell
me?'
"You'se been awful good to me, an dat's
why l tell yo' dis. You'se melted my stony
| heaht wild yo' kindness-yo an Phil"
II knew he had something to do with Il. !"
| said she. frowning. But If you will aid us
| in recovering it I've no doubt papa viii be
| lenient with him"
Ant nette?'' said Nose. determined to have a
little vengeance for Phil.
I'm sure I can safely promise it
''An he'll not have de robbah put In Jail!'
| mot il he restores the ring, l think
..Nor eff he jes' tells yo. whar 1t is, SOS
| yo' kin go an git itf'
| mo, no. of course not, If you will tell me
this minute. Tell me all you know at once"
| said she, impatiently.
at am in de artificial pond.'
Antoinette gazed at the speaker incredu-
| lousy She said nothing, for she thought
| his mind was wandering and wondered II
she would better make her escape at once.
But Nose continued and told her the
whole story, with aid of many questions
and promptings.
| "Yoll remembah dat jes' borrahed II?
| repeated he, to save himself from censure
| or punishment. can sence yo' knows 1eS'
| whar it is, yo can git it yo'
'And how do 1 know that Blackhart, or
| some one else has not taken it? Didn't you
| understand that that was why he had you
| put it theresa he could get 1t -
| "Oh no, TO suah he didn't. Miss Ant nette.
| Yo DON undahstand. DR.. Blackhaht ain
nevah been in Easton senee 1t was put IN de
pond
| "Well, you need not try to explain Nose,
4 for am going at once to get help and see
| If what you say is true. It's hard to believe
| that any one could be SO Superstitious, ana
| she hastily took her departure.
| She had forgotten all about Stedman and
| tennis, and was intent upon getting Jim to
assist her. On second thought, however,
| she determined to go alone. She could
|
| true she felt sure some accomplish of
| Blackhart had secured the ring as soon as
| 1t was placed In the water.
| If found what a joyful surprise it would
| be for all She already pictured herself a
| heroine How fine to walk into the house
| with the ring upon her fngerl She almost
believed the story, as she fastened home
| ward.
| "Ah! Antoinette, I had almost given you up!
have waited so long and It's growing warm,
too. But let us have one gamer! It was
| Stedman who spoke and recalled the fact OF
| his existence to the girl, who was walking
| rapidly by the tennis court, quite oblivious
| of her promise to meet him there.
"Stedman! I'm too tired to play. Please
| excuse me this morning" and she stood
| waiting for him to go.
| tsWeH. I'm tired myself-tired waiting for
you. Come and sit down; wish to tell you
| something
81 wonder that I ever liked Stedman Pom
| sonby." thought she, pettishly. I'm sure
| hate him now" but she sat down without a
| word.
"Antoinette, I-I-always liked you bet
| ter ter than any one else; an, don't you
| know, an"
! eyes + know, Stedman. and I'll permit
your liking forever. provided you never
speak Of 1t again. and will excuse, me this
morning." and she stood up,
1 He took his hat. looking dreadfully
| wounded Good morning, Miss Montjoy,"
| he said. when you wish to see me. you
| will have to send for me.'
| "Oh, don't stay away SO long as that, Mr..
| Ponsonby,'' cried she, wickedly, as he
| started Off ..E
| She looked about to see that she was not
| observed, and then went directly across the
| lawn to the hidden stone steps that led up
| to the pond.