The Washington herald., 1908-02-12

dancing pony. but as far as she could see,
no small boy was on the train. Fearing
that Ee had not heard the name Of the
station called. she spoke TO the conductor.
who told her that no such person was on
the train.
Well" she thought. I suppose 7 should
be glad Of IT," and was going back 10 the
trap, when IL occurred to her that he
might some way have gotten past her
into the station. and might be waiting
for her there. She looked in. No one
was there but a very tall young man.
who was leaning back rather Imply
against the seat-pale as from a recent
Illness! Madge gave him more than
passing glance, because she wondered
who he might be-young men at Pinecroft
at this season were a rarity.
Looks sick" she muttered-or a little
dafIy" She was getting into the cart
when a quiet 4 beg your pardon" caused
her 10 wheel around. The strange young
man. hat in hand. was certainly speak
ing TO her She merely looked her sur-
prise.
Are you not Miss Vaughn: and weren't
YOU expecting me?" Her blue eyes wi
dened into a positive stare Of amazement.
IL am Madge Vaughn. but yOu-you
must be mistaken
I am DR. NOrth-Tom North-my
mother wrote he was blushing a lit
tie at the QUeerness Of her reception.
'YOu-yOu are little Tommy? Why"
she began TO laugh merrily. and the
young man laughed too. a bit stiffly, for
he did not understand the joke You
have the advantage Of me-" he said
Aadge sobered at his tone and realized
that she was not displaying any marked
hospitality. She held out a repentant
hand which the young man took eagerly.
I Were sort Of cousins. I guess" she
said. Anyway. If you are Tommy North,
we've been looking for you. so get in
and we'H start"
II can go away II 1t is not convenient"
protested the man.
Convenient, After I've worked for
three days getting picture books and
kites and little blue overalls ready for
you? no. sir; you VIII have TO use all
those things"
You see" she explained. as she drove
along, I'VE got the impression from
/ some one that you were about eight years
/ old-your mother never mentioned your
age OF height. and so we got ready for
/ small bOy-and-aud here are some
cookies I brought along so that you would
not ask questions on The way home. '
She thrust q paper bag into his hands.
They were both laughing like chill
dTen as they drove in at the gate. and
I by the time explanations were made TO
/ Mrs. Vaughn the young man was
] thankful that the surprise had hap
Ipened. lie felt that it had been a good
/ thing to take Madge by surprise for
when two people have laughed together
they have rapidly progressed in their
acquaintance.
/ On the very first day Mrs. Vaughn
/ had looked at the two with cOmprehen-
/ sion in her eyes. and as the weeks
grew into months she felt reasonably
sure that Madge would never so back
/ 70 the office.
/ why should she" whispered the
older woman to herself. when a pros
porous young physician is not only
| willing but obviously anxious 10 mo-
nopolize hero
/ The day before he was scheduled to
go back to the city. new man, by
| reason OF Pihecroft air and agreeable
/ companionship. they took the big red
and blue kite TO the top of a nearby
/ hill 20 fly it. tt scared clear above the
! trees as the man slowly Unwound the
! long yellow string. The girl watched
/ il rather sadly. for as yet there had
/ been no word Of love between them.
| and she realized that she had grown
| TO care so much that il was hard not
to let him see it. She felt glad, though,
! that she had not let him see il, because
! there might be another girl in the city
to whom he was bound, and she-well
she had her work at the Office The
tears had come into her eyes and now
they splashed over. The young man
/ looked UP just in time to catch sight
of them, and letting the string go he
turned and caught her in his arms
Dear" he whispered, what is it7'
She did not speak, but she did not try
to get away, either. and after mo-
ment he said:
rs it because I am going away-is it,
Madge?' She shook her head.
why. then" he urged. tell me-
Suddenly she began TO laugh-a soft
little laugh that made the man hold
her closer.
Il was only wondering, she said
whether or not there was a girl"
You bet there is" he interrupted
and I've got her right where ! want
her" Which sentence. slangy as il
was, seemed to be wholly satisfactory
TO Madge.
i Copyright. 1898. By E. c. PaFoells)