The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-31

on good looking stranger with gentle
written large all over I'm. merely
because he doesn't carry his credentials
in gilt frame under his arm.
John flushed and laughed.
You mustn't mind Egbert. said the
girl. He talks like that because he
knows / aIn trying to tease him
We'll" said Haskell, ito show my
entire confidence in this suspicious
stranger. I'm going to let him walk
along with my precious sister Nhile l
attend to an errand that ! haG quite
forgotten. See you this evs.ilag, Hal
Ian"
The two walked little ways in ST.
lencc
You are not quite stranger to me.
Mr. John Hallan." said Laura presently.
He lOoased down at her quickly
Have " ever metz he asked in sur
prise.
NO" she replied but I've heard a
good deal about you. jamie Drummond
is my dearest girl friend. and JAMES,
university The Drummonds live at
Eastbrook. and I hear from jamie very
often. Occasionally, to entertain me.
she sends her brothers lively letters
from college. And there is always some
thing about you in them. You must be
very good friends
Yes" said John.
Il Judge from Arthurs letters that YOU
are his hero. as well as friend. Appar
emily he never tires of his subject. He
has told jamie how clever and deserving
you arc. how you have toiIed your way
upward. and how highly you are regard
ed in the college.
John frowlled.
I'm afraid Arthur is inclined to be a
little emotional he said.
That's unkind.' said the girl. There
never was more sincere boy. And GER
tainly YOU can't deny your prowess as a
ball player Arthur told jamie how at
first you refused to play because you
felt you couldn't spare the time. And
then how you went into it only for the
glory Of the old school. saw you on
the ball field. and when heard your
name It came TO me at once that you
must be Arthur-s friend"
See here said John. quickly. you
are the only one I'm this town who knows
anything about me. You have given my
modesty such severe shock that l
think it would be only fair TO ask you
to keep the little secret. 1t doesn't make
any particular difference either way, but
1 had a sort OF fancy that I was run
ming away from myself. and 1 want
you TO humor the idea"
The girls clear gray eyes were turned
to him.
And why should you run away from
yourseIf?"
That's another secret" he laughed
Please. kind lady. he quickly added,
IF you'll keep this secret I'll make you
my conf1dant in the other"
She slowly smiled.
Agreed" she said. And in the mean
time 1 am going to see you play ball.
Yes" he lightly cried. That's my
main accomplishment You'll be at the
game
The whole town will be there"
Then I'll play my prettiest."
The girl paused by an open gate
This is my home she said. ''I hope
you will CALL Mr.. Hall2n."
Thank you" he murmured Il am
coming this evening
And ne went on up the hill with the
pleasant remembrance of how those
clear gray eyes had looked into his own
The next few days-and evenings
passed very pleasantly for John Halian.
The Haskells were delightful people.
and they made much of the young
stranger. At times he quite forgot the
temptation that had so strongly assaiIed
him. although he was no whit nearer
a solution of the dilemma Anyway. he
had pushed it aside where it no longer
held dominion over him.
Then came the day of the great game.
when the Brooks boys, naughty and con-
fident, and with a wild and hilarious
crowd of sympathizers, swooped down
upon the little town fully prepared to
bear away the pennant of victory
But how dumfounded they were. and
how quiet their sympathizers. when
John Hallan retired their first three
batters in quick succession. John had
never played better. There were a pair
OF clear, gray eyes watching him from