Evening star., 1909-05-08

turned shortly.
INA, na." said Mr.. Purdie. winking at
his daughter" "yen get daein' onything
ye like wi the saxpence."
Lizzie compressed her lips and shook
out her towel with unnecessary violence.
satisfaction behind his evening paper.
Mr. Purdie stroked the back Of the
boys head. "Weel. ma mamie, yell
haze try at the medal onywey. Eh?"
"But yell no be here efter the morn's
nicht. grandpaw." said Macgreegor.
"Ah. but I'll shin hear II va get the
medal. an yell shin get yer saxpence."
Mr.. Purdis returned. reassuringly.
Macgreegor meditated for nigh min
ute. Then he slipped from his grand
fathers knee and procured his lesson
book.
It'll try an get It the morn." he said
bravely. as he settled himself on . stool
by his grandfather's side.
Mr.. Purdie's counten,nce fairly shone.
AN I'll hear ye yer readin' an spellin'
the nicht." he cried. and John and Lizzie
looked at each other until the latter's lips
relaxed into q smile.
A quieter and moro studious evening
Macgreegor had never spent, and before
he went to bed he knew his lesson per-
fectiy. 1t was. however. unfortunate that,
in his easerness to do his best, he should
have learned a lesson which he was sup
posed to have learned week previously.
The winner OF the medal for the next
day was Johnny Knox. who was quite
accustomed to the honor; 1t was his three
days, at least, out Of every five. But 1t
was not once a week that he enjoyed the
honor Of being addressed by Macgreegor.
who had once championed his cause in a
tight with bully.
Here. Johnny. I want to speak to ye.'
said Macgreegor. when school was over.
Johnny's small pale face beamed.
Its a secret" added Macgreegor. draw
ing him away from the stream Of young
sters
The beam increased in brightness.
'I'll no tell onybody." said Johnny. and
took it in the best possible part when his
companion retorted-- 4t 5ta s-+
"Ye better nor
Macgree:or took Johnny's aria and con-
Quoted him into convenient close.
Then in a whisper h, put the question:
''Wull ye len us the medal till the morn's
mornin.?'
Len ye the medal" gasped the aston
ished Johnny. whit dye want the medal
fur?'
Fun" was the brief reply. "I'n gle
ye 1t back the morns mornin'. Johnny"
Johnny looked exceeding dubious
Come on!' said his friend persuasive
ly. Len US the medal. Johnny"
Johnny shook his head.
'I-rll gle ye a ha'p'ny, II We len us
consideration.
"But whit are ye wantin' 1: fur7"
'I'll gle We a penny"
Johnny stared. "Whaur's the penny?"
he suddenly inquired.
Yell get 1t the morn's mornin'."
Fine ham," said Johnny in a tone that
made Macgreegor clench his fist.
"As shairs DEATH" he said, restraining
himself from grabbing the battered disk
pinned to the other boys coat.
But Johnny was not satisfied.
"Ye micht lose the medal" he said
slowly. "an' then
Macgreegor drew his forefinger across
his throat, az he said 5olemnly: "Yell
get the medal. an the penny furbye, The
morn's mornin'."
He repeated the mystic sign, and John
ny wavered. His fingers went to the
medal and fumbled at the fastening
"I'n TAX 1t att fur ye," said Macsreegor
kindly. and a moment later the medal
was In his hand.
Johnny looked fearful. but his power
of speech seemed to be paraly7ed. He
followed Macgreegor from the close.
walked with him a. far as their ways lay
together. and left him at street corner.