Evening star., 1909-08-22

stood before him. Her heavy golden hair only
loosely, wavily drawn back from her small, pretty
face and hung in simple loose knot at the back of
her neck soft turquoise morning gown of silk fell
lightly from her shoulders She was very small very
slight. George concluded that she looked as if she
only little GIRL and very pretty little girl to
be sure.
Her great blue eyes were on him in glance both
curious and amused.
Good morning, Miss Dumont" said George.
Good morning Mr. kidlets, said she. And then,
as he said nothing, she added with incredulous
note underlying Did your father send you with
message for me?'
George hesitated 1t was exactly like fellow
felt on opening night Just before he got his and
got the qualms that always come in that minute
the doubt whether he would get his voice at just the
right pitch he entered, whether after all he was
plaud. But George had worked his chewing gum
effectively the way up. He had halted on the
ner for last munch during which he had given him
self fna rapid rehearsal before he entered the
apartment. And he felt ready to take the
plunge
He twisted his cap in his nervous hands. stared
briefly at the floor, and suddenly turned upward his
eyes, giving Miss Dunont the full effect of their slZe
and brown depths.
Pop doesn't know came, " he said slowly. : You
won't tell him, will your He'd be mad if he knew.
He'd think | was pretty fresh
She put her little hand on his shoulder in friendly
fashion, still, however, regarding him curousy.
All right" she said 4 won't tell. What is ter
do they call you Jack too?"
Nope; Pops Jack; I'm Jackie.
"Oh. Well, Jackie, what is it I"
George bent his head to side that his young
cheek softly brushed the back of the hand she held
On his shoulder. Miss Dumont smiled happily at the
1eft little movement of ngratIat1on.
Il don't know how to begin to tell you said
George. I'm afraid maybe you'll think I'm fresh
Miss Dumont shook her head decisvely. NO 1
won't" she said . You just go on
and tell me anything you want to-
Il wanted to ask you to do
something for me-. He was look
ing away from her; but he put up
| | | | ! | !. / ! | !"
~. his hand and rested it on the hand
s-NW - she still held on his shoulder.
\ W 1/rf ''Sure YOU won't be mad?'
II iH II Sure. What IS it you want me
IL als ! to do Jackie?''
XJ5I 4 Il Now George brought his glance
Mill II back till he looked fairly into her
NMi II eyes, and the face she saw before
kW n her grave and troubled.
N><'h Shake Pop" said the boy:
n A\Nl Miss Dumont -snatched her hand
WAN1 from his shoulder. why
MktF HI Jackiel" she cried.
U&sgAfs Il knew you'd be mad"
IA sEI why, ,no-no-not exactly mad
fiA not mad-of course not. But
X but Jackie | don't-we really,
- III you know don't your papa"
~ He loves you
II Her vain little heart fluttered;
but she said, "Nonsense"
Yes he does' said the boy.
He doesn't any more about
us at all since-since he met you.
"Us?"
Yes"
Who's us?''
Nom" answered the lad MON and me-"
sign of wavering passed over the smoothness of
Miss Dunont's throat. !" "Does-does she feel very
bad?
She doesn't let on she does She laughs about it
when people ask her. She doesn't even like me to see
her crying. But she does-a lot. I've caught her
crying almost every time when I've gone to her