The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1907-05-02

Z 1t was the supper hour not only for
them, but everywhere in Canaan, and
the cold air of the streets bore up and
down and around corners the smell Of
things frying. The dining room win
dows Of all the houses threw bright
patches on the snow of the side yards
The windows Of other rooms, except
those of the kitchens, were dark, for
the rule Of the place was Puritanical
in thrift. as in all things, and the good
housekeepers disputed every record OF
the meters with unhappy gas collectors.
There was no better housekeeper in
town than Mrs. Louden, nor thriftier,
but hers was one Of the few houses in
Canaan that evening which showed
bright lights in the front rooms while
the family were at supper. 1t was
proof Of the agitation caused by the
arrival Of Eugene that she forgot to
turn out the gas in her parlor and in
the chamber she called library on
her way to the evening meal.
Joe escaped as soon as he could,
though not before the count of his lat
er sins had been set before Eugene in
detail, in mass and in all Of their depth,
breadth and thickness. His father spoke
but once after nodding heavily to con-
firm all points Of Mrs. Louden's re-
cital.
lyon better use any Influence you've
got with your brother" he said to Eu-
gene, ito make him come to time. l
can't do anything with him. If he
gets in trouble, he needn't come to me!
I'll never help him again I'm tired
Of it,
Joe's movements throughout the ear
lier part of that evening are of uncer-
tain report. 1t is known that he made
a partial payment of 45 cents at Sec
ondhand book store for a number of
volumes. -"Grindstaff on Torts" and
some others, which he had negotiated
on the installment system. 1t is also
believed that he won % cents playing
seven-up in the little room behind
Louie Farbach's bar, but these things
are of little import compared to the
established fact that at II o'clock he
was one of the ball guests at the Pike
mansion. He took no active part in
the festivities, nor was he one Of the
dancers. His was, ON the contrary, the
role of quiet observer. He lay
stretched at full length upon the floor
of the inclosed porch-one Of the strips
of canvas was later found to have been
loosened-wedged between the outer
railing and a row Of palms in green
tubs.
It was not to play eavesdropper that
the unlimited Joe had come. He was
not there to listen, and it Is possible
that had the curtains Of other windows
afforded him the chance to behold the
dance he might not have risked the
dangers of his present position. He
had not the slightest interest in the
whispered coquetries that he heard.
He watched only to catch now and
then over the shoulders Of the dancers
a fitful glimpse of pretty head that
fitted across the window-the amber
hair Of Mamie Pike. He shivered in
the drafts, and the floor Of the porch
was cement, painful to elbow and
knee, the space where he lay cramped
and narrow, but the golden bubbles Of
her hair, the simmer Of her dainty
pink dress and the fluffy wave Of her
lace scarf as she crossed and recrossed
in waltz left him apparently in no
discomfort. He watched with parted
lips, his pale cheeks reddening when
ever those fair glimpses were his. At
last she came out to the veranda with
Eugene and sat upon little divan, so
close to Joe that, daring wildly in the
shadow, he reached out trembling
hand and let his fingers rest upon the
end of her scarf, which had fallen
from her shoulders and touched the
floor. She sat with her back to him.
as did Eugene.
You have changed, think, since
last summer" he heard her say reflec-
lively.
"For the worse, ma cherieY Joe's
expression might have been worth see-
ing when Eugene said INA cherie," for
it was known in the Louden household
that Mr.. Bantry had failed to pass his
examination in the French language.
mo-" she answered. "But you have
seen so much and accomplished 50
much since then. You have become so
polished and so''- She paused and
then continued: "But perhaps I'd bet
ter not say It. You might be offended"
mo. want you to say It," he re-
turned confidently, and his confidence
was fully justified, for she said:
"WeIl. then, I mean that you have
become SO thoroughly man Of the
world. Now I've said 1t! You are Of
Tended, aren't your"
''Not at all; not at ALL" replied Mr..
Bantry. preventing by a masterful ef-
fort his pleasure from showing in his
face.
'Then I'm-glad." she whispered, and
Joe saw his stepbrother touch her
hand. but she rose quickly. There's
the music" she cried happily. ITS
waltz, and it's yours"
Joe heard her little high heels tap
ping gayly toward the window, follow
ed by the heavier tread of Eugene, but
he did not watch them go.
He lay on his back, with the hand
that had touched Mamie's scarf press
ed across his closed eyes.
The music Of the waltz was of the
old fashioned swingingly sorrowfri