The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-23

the shade. It is because you love me that you are trembling ou are going to marry me. You had no business to have written all those letters to me, if you meant nothing! You konw that very we'll"
 There was no answer. The old Vic was coming back.
 Shall call my father?p She was try ing desperate tactics now.
 You may" said Vic, coolly, but he will not hear. You forget he has gone visiting in Block G."
 Janet had to bethink herself again. Nothing farther occurred to her at the moment. Possibly something might Only Vic quite unfairly followed the example of his late subordinate and set the strong est pair of arms in Kirktown about her. He drew her to him. Instantly the trem- bling stopped, and she began to cry softly on his breast He was so strong. t was comfortable though.
 Look at mel he said, you dare not look at mel
 He was right. She dared not after tell ing what was very like story about her father. She knew very well where he had gone. The Reverend John Fowler always visited on Thursdays. All the world knew that-even Vic Morris, when it was to his advantage.
 "I dare you to look at mel'' He said
 
 an excuse to hold her longer.
 All at once she turned the depths of her sapphire eyes upon him. The spark in them was extinguished. It had become now only mellow glow. Tears had moistened and softened everything. Janets eyes were deep wells of youth and beauty-yes, and love.
 Vic Norris was instantly and hopelessly conquered He altered his tone. He was the vanquished, this time.
 "Oh, Janet, can you love a fellow like me?'
 Promptly tue eyes filled up. Their blue ness, as of the deep sea or of Henry Moores pictures, had become mysterious ly liquid, and was about to overflow. Vic hastily prevented this, in the way that suggested itself to him as the most con- venient In the circumstances. He felt her shrink within his arms-then come closer to him.
 You are sure you will never be sorry? she said catching the lapels of his coat all she could do.
 .'Never-never!" cried Vic, ''only you are infinitely too good for me. You really cannot love mel"
 q dol" said Janet, clear and firm as if she were giving talready) the mar riage responses.
 "Then I shall have to keep house for fatherr' said a voice behind them, which made them. jump asunder. Please, Janet. give me the key of the jam cupboard now, and I won't tell. Hope a mouse may jump on me if I do"
 They turned and beheld the small Violet Fowler, youngest of the fam fly.
 'eVioletr' cried her sister, ''how long have you been here?"
 ;I tl,a but practical maiden, smilinng evas- ively. q forget how long! Can have the key of the jam cupboard?''
 This was against all discipline, but necessity is all ''musts.
 You can have it, Miss said Janet. ''but don't think 1t is because-because there is anything that I--we-l-that is. Vic and I, are ashamed or. We shall tell father as soon as he comes inH'
 "Oh. yes that retored the small maid. kicking the bars of the chairs sauciIy. But about the k---"
 "Get out you little heathenP cried Vie "therel Che thrust shilling into her hand) go and buy toffee for the whole crowd But don't say word to a soul. Boys shouldn't know any. thing You understand of course, but tbev wouldn't What do Ar and Tim know-about things like this-se- crets?"
 The small girl regarded the shilling in the palm of her hand with some disfavor.
 of it's meant for the whole lot" she suggested, the big boxes cost half crownv
 Vic snorted with laughter and found her a half crown which he spun for her to catch. Violet caught it adroit- .ly. One has not three elder brothers for nothing.
 ..Now give me back the shilling" he