Evening star., 1912-02-04

could not trust that precious thing to the
elements of summers night. And, strange
to saw, | did not put it down as worthless
paid real money.
| remember that | was accused of being
late on every ground but the true one. |
was tempted to eat my supper; but-oh,
how it did hate to pass my tired lips! | was
hot, weary, afraid.
| went to bed very early, and without
urging The congomeration i'll my interior
was beginning to assert its wrath But be-
fore | got into bed cached the rest of my
money. | had a place for it.
There was a register at the Dashboard.
could take this out, and in, to one side of it,
as far back as my hand could reach, was a
receptacle capable of holding many things
Novels, candy, "secret language" letters,
such things, had stored there before now
And here put my handful of coins, heaving
a sigh of relief as | let them fall in among the
dust of the place.
7 HAD just tumbled into bed when the
l doorbell rang. | wondered who it could
be, and in Il moment | knew. "Good even
ing, Miss Anderson!'
Great rattans! 1t was Red Head! She
had come to tell on me! Oh, what reckon
ing was in store for me! Oh, how sorry | was
that | had not brought my financial find
home intact! Oh-Oh-Oh!
| lay clinging to the sheets in fear and
trembling. Awful thoughts came to my
mind. Perhaps had better rise and dress
and run away. could go down the cherry
tree whose branches swept the window of
my room! | might be able to escape by the
back stairs! Yet hated to go without kiss
ing my mother goodby
Again, it occurred to me what a noble
thing it would be for me to get up, take my
money out of its hiding place, and walk
down stairs into the parlor, to make full
confession in the presence of Red Head, my
father, and my mother But what would
the result be? Would be forgiven Per-
haps not. And my father welded a heavy
hand at times. Perhaps | could deny it ALL
but Red Head and the evidence
The bell rang again. 1t was Archie How
lands father. "Say,' | heard him say to my
father, as they went into the parlor, Il Won
der if YOU know about that small boy of
yours. Why" But the rest was shut out
bv the closing of the parlor door.
| must have fallen asleep; for | seemed
to be awakened by sudden light. opened
my eyes and looked Outside my room was
my father with a candle, and behind him
came my mother. | closed my eyes, and
kept them closed. They entered my room
softly.
Careful" said my mother. "Don't wake
him till we've looked. Where are his trous-
ers?"
l heard them searching my little linen
knickerbockers, and knew what for
"He hasn't any of it in his pockets, said
my father. "How about his shirt?'
mo pockets said my mother. Some
times he hides things under his rag rug. "No,
there's nothing there"
well have to wake him up said my
father "He must have more somewhere.
Wonder where in time he got it, anyway?
I'm sure haven't missed any, and you say
you haven't"
"Don't wake the poor little chap said
my mother. "He's had an awful day, and
tomorrow will be time enough. l suppose he
and half the children in the neighborhood
will be sick
"Feel his head said my father.
felt my mothers soft touch on my brow,
smoothing the hair back from my forehead.
Oh, it was so good! l wanted to turn over,
open my eyes, and clasp her in my arms. If
she had been alone | should have done so,
and have told her all, there and then.
But there was my father! | feared his
wrath 60 I still Dretended to he aSeeD