Alaska sentinel., 1905-11-23
She took fl from the showcase ana

wrapped it daintily with narrow, white nickels from his pockets. Then as he hurried from the store, holding his dearly bought treasure carefully In both hands. she took fifty-five cents from her own slender purse and dropped 1t into the cash drawer.
 When Billy, bankrupt in fortune but very rich in love, came in sight of the big hotel, he awoke to the fact be was clad in garments not too whole and clean, and that his face and hands bore unmistakable signs of his wrestle with stubborn soil.
 "I ought to "a had my Sunday clo'es on," he murmured distressfully, but I gotta go on now. She might go to. night"
 Hearts Delight was sitting on the long veranda, surrounded by her faith 1 ful courtiers. In the shadow, behind the little group, sat a young man with ayerted face and gloomy eyes. He had come to spend his one poor little week of vacation near Natalie, but he had scarcely had speech with her. Tomorrow he must go back, and well, the years that lay before him seemed very dark-long weary years of bootless toll. All his thought, all his labor had been for her; although he had never been very hopeful; and now the last shred of hope was gone.
 By the time Billy reached the foot of the tall yeranda he was apoplectic with embarrassment. Breathing ster- torously, he began the long ascent, painfully conscious of the sudden silence above, and the amused eyes that were scanning his worn and scanty garments.
 He laid the little packet in his lady's Imp and would have turned and fled, but his limbs seemed to have lost the power of locomoton.
 Natalie swiftly united the string, while Billy watched her adoringly. He | was not afraid of her but of the strange people with the mocking eyes.
 "Oh, my dear little china heart" she gurgled. And l thought 1t was sold. It was never there. But who sent it, Billy Boy"
 "l bought it," said Billy, swelling with pride.
 Why, Billy, Billy Boy! Where in the world did you get so much money" she cooed tenderly, putting hei arm around him and drawing him u her side.
 Il worked answered Billy, display ing his brown. hard little paws. He was not ashamed of them now.
 Why, Billy, Billy Boy! And you did all that for me?'
 I'd do more'n that for you. I'd do anything for you," said Billy. stoutly.
 The young men laughingly mur- mured their approval of this sentiment. Involuntarily Natalie turned to the moody face behind her. Clifford had not spoken. He was still looking at darkly against the sunset sky, and 1t seemed to her that the lines pain had carved in his face had all at once grown deeper and harder.
 She glanced down again at the ador. ins little countenance on her arm. Years before Clifford's face had worn that same look of boyish idolatry, and 1t touched her now as his manly de votlon had failed to do.
 She rose, stopping to kiss Billy's forehead as she did so.
 T shall keep 1t as long as I live, Billy" she said.
 And you won't break 1t as you did the others?" Billy asked anxiously.
 Natalie smiled strangely. No, Billy Boy. I shall never break any more, I think-neyer any more."
 Turning again, she said gently, Isn't 1t almost time for our walk, Cliffordf"
 With great light in his eyes, the young man sprang forward, and the others made way for him as courtiers must do when the king comes.
 As the two strolled down the pine frlnged road, Billy followed at a re- spectful distance, turning handsprings that greatly relieved his effervescing spirits.
 Had she not kissed him before them all? An, she might chatter with these grown young men, dance with them, drive with them, walk with them very close, as she was walking now; but kiss them? Never! They were far too big and old for that, Billy was sure Household Ledger.
 
 Curious Waiter.