The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-05-15

back again. was sure he would.
He did, touching the ratings a. be-
fore. And this time he touched the
uprights on my side of the tall ones.
That meant thet he was systematic
ally touching every one Of them.
| MY curiosity satisfied on this point.
Immediately reverted TO the more
important question-what could be
the young mans reason for behav-
ing in this extraordinary way?
lIe came slowly nearer. and just as
he was about to turn round, obeying
an impulse, / called to him.
lie gave little guilty start as il
aware for the first time that he had
been observed. and hesitated as il he
had made up his mind 10 walk away.
Don't CO." said. and my voice
reached him easily in the quiet au-
tumn air. You see / can't do you
any harm. ! only want to speak to
you for a moment"
lie left the ratings and came up
to my chair. and then | saw that he
was really a very nice looking boy
with an open, pleasant face that just
now was slightly flushed.
would you mind looking down
that street" / began by way of
breaking the ice. and telling me If
you see n mana servant out Of
livery-comng this way?" He
stepped aside so as to obtain view
down the side street and said that
no such person was in sight.
would you like me to wheel you
. little way?" he added
mo, l think l will stay here. But
your kindness in offering to do that
encourages me to ask you to do one
small favor"
''Oh certainly
''rhen will you tell me why you
touched every fourth upright in the
Ratings as you passed along just
now?"
The young mans cheek flushed with
shame and annoyance, and he re-
piled rather sharply, II can't con-
ceive, sir, how that is any business
Of yours"
You are perfectly entitled to
make me that answer" said i with a
smile, land, to tell the truth, quite
expected that you would. But as
you see l am an invalid and, being
unable to go about as you can, little
things are apt TO acquire an un-
natural Importance in my eyes. My
curiosity has been reused, and if you
can see your way to gratifying it
should really feel obliged TO you.
Besides, you know you promised to
do me a favor"
"Oh, well.' said the youngster in
an offhand way and with toss of
his shoulders that l thought became
him vastly, IF you care to know,
the fact is was seeking for mark
on the railings-a signal"
''Yes ?"
'You see that big house opposite?
1t is n girls school, and one Of the
young ladies there"
He stopped and hesitated for q
word. blushing furiously.
with whom you are in love?"
II suppose you would call it that.
She Is. very i'll. and / daren't go to
ask how she is. They wouldn't tell
me II l did"
But why?"
Because she is ward in chan
Gerry, and they have got an injunc-
ton"
Against you? Upon my word, my
young man, you are beginning early"
Don't make fun of me, please. sir.
can't stand 1t, and | might say
something that would not be respect
full and be horribly sorry for it aft
erward."
II assure yon / am not laughing at
you ror thinking of such "A thing"
said !. And as looked into the lads
ingenious face l wished | could have
had such boy to call me father.
but / don't understand yet about
the signal added.
ut was Carrie Emblcton. one Of
the little girls. who promised that il
Winnie was better she would make
sticky smear on one Of the rail
ings, bat l haven't been able to find
it. And am afraid she will not get
better; she may die, and l shall
never see her again.
slow would IL do if were to 70
to the house and ask for her?"
'Oh, sir, if you wo.id. And do you
think l might go with you?"
pondered for moment. and just
then jenkins. my man, came round
the corner Of the street. That gave
me an idea.
Suppose you take my mans place
and wheel me up TO the house?"
said. "Then you will have to help me
up the steps, for can't walk by my
self and can make the excuse that
I want to have you within call to
bring you into the sitting room. II
you are not afraid of being recog-
nized, that might do"
II don't think Mrs. Melrose would
recognize me coming as your SER
want. and if she did il wouldn't much
matter. she could only turn me out"
As he spoke he laid his hand on the
long handle of the chair.
dispatched Jenkins on another
crrand and the young man wheeled
me up to the big house. On the way