Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-02

and if had had any sense might have got fine
ride in the tonneau" He rested his chin in the palm
and valleys and green fields flying by him. 1t
certainly is tough, he mumbled and | really
loved her; and didn't know it, really"
1t nearly when he reached the office.
For moment he hesitated outside the door of the
manifold room-he knew how empty it 60
ing to be without her, and he feared that of the
clerks might say something that would hurt But
he was received in silence-the bright spot in the
working lives of the five young men had gone out
with the last breath of Uncle Michael in far away
New Zealand. Sobe hung up his hat and coat
and walked over to his desk in the corner, just
alongside of hers He found a letter lying on it,
and although he knew that it from her and
that the other in the Office knew it too, he
opened the enveop and slowly read the Enclosure.
Then he walked over to the window, and looking
everything He beat slow tattoo the window
pane until he heard one of the men who was stand
ing at his elbow say Brace up, old man. What
did she say anyhow?
Slobe unconsciously put his hand in his coat
pocket took the letter half out and then let it drop
back again. "She didn't really say anything" he
answered 1T just receipt for the money
borrowed from her to go to Coalview.'
At the usual hour Slobe left the office and walked
around the corner to the little restaurant where he
had SO often lunched with the fascinating Miss
MacLear. Assuming jaunty an air possible, he
entered the place and smiled cheerfu1ly at the
cash girl behind the cigar counter and again to the
girl with the blond pompadour who had always
waited on them.
What do you think Of the newsa" said the
Slobe nodded and smiled weakly.
=, tell you it mighty few girls get swell chance
like that" she continued Sadie Millborn, one of
our girls, married ready-money out of here last
year. but she had no such splendid article in the
paper like Miss MacLear had. What1l you have1
That lamb with the dumplings looks to the good"
Again Slobe nodded, and the girl with the blond
pompadour disappeared through green baize door
in the far recesses OF the restaurant He picked up
the slightly soiled menu, and with little under
standing read long list of pies and buildings.
Then his glance wandered from the blue writing to
the empty chair across the table That's what
hurts" Sobe said to himself. It's her-blank the
money! l just want to see her sitting there and
frightening up everything.
The waitress returned with the lamb and dump
lings. and the young man mechanically started to
eat his lunch. The girl was about to dlate further
Miss MacLear's good fortune, but being person
of tact she first glanced at the young man. and then
decided to just lean against the wall and silently
wait for further orders.
The oldest employee of Budd's Instantaneous Spa
could not remember the day when carriage had
ever stopped at its hospitabe doors; that when
hanson drove up and richly clad young woman
alighted, the interest genuine and intense This
interest in way decreased when it was discov
cred that the young richly clad
other than Miss Nellie MacLear She wore tight fit
ting taior-made suit of small blackand white plaid
design, short lambs wool coat, long white boa,
almost dangerous altitude Under the brm of a
large black picture hat Miss MacLear smiled bril-
lianty in response to the silent ovation that greeted
her. as she picked her way mincingiy to the table
she had for SO long adorned. Slobe rose, and then
sat down again, wide eyed with wonder and adj
Iniration
tight gloves. What is it to-day?'' she said-lamb
and dumplings. How lucky!'
Il don't understand" said ,slobe,, eying her
curious1y. Why did you come back!"
Tie waitress had hurried away to the kitchen
with the new order, and they could speak without
being overheard.
3 Il came back" she said, because wanted to
tell you how sorry l about that note l wrote
you-you know the receipted bill guess sort