The Washington times., 1911-01-17

pealing smile. IF you don't mind, III
III walk with you
Miss Chambers could not do other
than acquiesce, and Kate hurried out
of the room with, "TIl put on my hat
and meet you in the hall in just sec
ond.''
Miss Chambers looked again upon
| David, and again he felt, beneath her
perfect courtesy. an infinite sorrowful
said; and the next instant the door had
| closed upon her.
David gazed at the door in wide-eyed
| stupor-and gaZed-and gazed. He had
| hardly moved, when, half an hour later,
| knock at his door was followed at
once Dy the entrance of Kate Morgan
| The humble bearing of her exit was
| gone. She was her usual sharp, free
and-easv self, and she had a keen little
That Miss Chambers is one of the
swclls, amt she?'' she asked, dropping
into the chair and crossing her knees.
David admitted that she was.
Il sized her up that way the first
second. walked with her to church
looking place, and told her a lot about
myself-a maid, out of work and look
ing for job, you know" She gave
David sly wink. She didn't say much
herself, and didn't seem to hear all
said. She's got some kind of a club, and
said perhaps later l might care to join.
And she pomised to see If some of her
4. friends didn't need a maid" Her keen
little smile of triumph returned, and she
added softly. Jobs in swell houses amt
so easy. to pick up
See here" said David sharply, "are
you planning trick on one of Miss
Chambers friendS?"
Instantly her face was guileless. "Oh,
she'll forget all about me-" she said
easily. But see here yourself! How
DO you happen to know a woman of her
sort? She told me how Tom brought
her up here'-she smiled at memory of
the story-"but you must have known
her before?"
David had forseen the question, and
his wits had made ready an answer
Tor to bare to Kates inquisitive mind
the truth of his one-time friendship
WIN MISS Chambers, this for a score OF
reasons ne coulu not do. She's one of
these phllanthrOpic women. She's in
terested In all sorts of queer people.
m one OF them. She's tried to reform
me-"
If Kate discredited his explanation.
she did not show her suspicion. She
went went on to question him about Miss
Shambers and his acquaintance with
her. and 1t strained his invention to re-
turn plausible answers He Drayed
that she would go. or stop; and when
Tom crept fearfully in few minutes
Later his arms full of bundles, the BOYS |
appearance was as an answer TO his !
prayer. She turned upon Tom and
began quizzing and joking him about |
ms recent adventure; but the how.
hardIy answering her, kept his eyes
hNed IN guilty apprehension upon David. |
Presently, to the relief Of David. but |
not of Tom, she went out Tom stared |
at David from near the window where
he had stood all the while, puIsing with
rear OF the upbraidng, and perhaps
worse, that he knew was
coming David looked back at him ,
!Lroush narrow eyes that twitched at
Tom" he said, with a queer choking
or or the voice. you lied to me about the |
Yes" the boy returped in whisper.
AND you lied to me about Miss Nor
gan lending you money!"
And you've been stealing all this
yes. But"
Dayid's, thin right hand stretched
across the lowered comforter. Tom
ZANE forward in slow wonderment and
TOOK IT, DaTd's other arm slipped about
the bed. - uP'ii
1T was wrong: but, boy. what a heart
you We got"' he said, huskily
A tremor ran through Toms body. as
though sobs were coming. Then the
body Stiffened. as though sObs were no
ng fought down.
Is Dat all you're goin' to say?' asked
4 gruff, wondering whisper.
David's arm tightened What a heart
you've got"
The thin body quivered again, and
again stiffened. But the eruption was
not to be controlled. Sharp sobs ex-
Dloded, then by tense effort were sub
iued. Tom struggled UP. and David
saw a SCowling face, tightly clinched
against the emotion that makes you lose
'aste to show. The boys look was
iefiant declaration of his manhoord.
Suddenly another sob broke forth. His !