El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-05-16

w my stamp colecdonT'
asked Jack Brentford
going, up to the sofa where Christabel
southwood was sitting. Please say
Yes" whether you would or not" he
added in a lower tone. I haven't
seen you all day, and this book viii
take ages to look at"
ChristabeI looked up with her charm
ing smile, and made room for him be-
side her. She was no longer very keen
on stamps but looking over a book
with anyone gives such a delicious
sense Of nearness, and. for some
strange, mysterious, and altogether un-
guessable reason. Christabel liked TO
feel Jack near her
7 have a collection at home" she
said.
oh, have you? Then, if there are any
here that you have not got, you must
tell me, and 1 shall be aWfuuy glad"
"Oh, I cOUldne take any of yOursw
said Christabel colOring- "Or perhaps
you only meant you would be glad
your collection was superior to mine"
"Of course" said Jack. and they
smiled into each others eyes.
To Jack it was quite sufficient
happiness TO be sitting beside her on
the sofa; TO touch her hand. ever so
slightly, in turning the pages TO
of her exquisitely blue eyes.
Behold the gem Of the cOllectiOni"
he said, pointing TO a rare specimen.
Christabel looked at II carefully.
Alas1 what do mine eyes with grief
behOldE she quoted tragically. The
one stamp on earth I am really ambi-
tiOuS TO posseSsi Let's turn IL Overr'
Jack, however. gazed fondly at the
stamp Whatever its market value its
price was now far above rubies. Chris
wanted IT; he had II. Could good luck
go farther than that2
I'll tell you a secret about that
stamp" he said, whispering myster-
iOusly.
"Oh. what?'' she answered. in the
same tone The expression of awed
curiosity in those wide blue eyes could
not have been better done
I'm going to give It.
To the girl I love best" he whis-
pered back IT'S secret"
Yes, Of course"
The grey eyes looked down into
the blue, so softly, so tenderly. Chris
was gazing straight up at him a
blush had crept into her cheeks, her
breath came a little faster. The girls
heart beat rapturously- He loves mel
He loves meT and an inward voice
whispered to Jack, She understood"
There was something ineffably sweet
in this partial uncertainty. He would
know later on.
At that moment up tripped his cousin
Madge
oh. do let me look at your book,
Jack! Do you remember how jolly IL
was in the old days when we started
together Jack and 1 were always in
separable,' she added for ChristGbel's
benefit. giving her cousin a seduc-
tive smile.
so I believe" said Christabel rising.
VIII you have my seat?"
She got up before Jack could remOn-
a or
seated herself by his side Strange
how circums alter cases A year
ago he would have hailed his fair cous-
in with delight Tonight he felt that
necki
Did Jack give you any stamps last
hight2' she asked Chris the day after
the album inspection
on, no-not out of his book" said
Chris.
Didn't he really? Why. he gives me
lots I believe he would give me any
1 asked for"
Even the gem OF the collection
asked Chris, smiling
Yes, I'm sure he would"
I wonderT said Chris, and her
smile deepened.
Madge saw the smile and felt an
nOyed- She often thought that Chris
did not quite believe all her state
ments and she resented this incredulity.
TIL go and ask himl" she cried.
jumping up and going out of the
room.
He won't give it to her" thought
Chris.
In a few minutes. Madge returned.
She looked a little flushed and not
happy.
such a nuisance, Jack is out" she
said as she flung herself petulantly
down.
He came in shortly after. and stopped
for a moment TO talk. As he left the
room, Madge ran after him.
thingI"
Chris heard her. clear voice so far.
and then the two were out Of earshot
She sat waiting feverishly. Why should
she feel excited about 50 trivial
thing? What could It matter one way
or the other? All the same. she could
hardly sit still, and in q few minutes
Madge came dancing in.
Victory! she cried. Look, here
She opened her palm. and there lay
the stamp Chris knew so well-the
gem Of the collection The room swan
round her
He is very generous" she managed
Meanwhile, Jack had concocted
plan Of his own. Tomorrow was ST
Valentines day Valentines, Of course.
were out Of date, but one might al
was revive old custom. Jack smiled
when he thought Of the queer form his
valentine was TO take. Nobody would
guess when they saw Chris take a SOL
ttary postage stamp out of an envel-
ope that she had received a valentine.
and that il said to her as plainly
as tongue could speak:
You are the girl Jack loves best"
50 ran Jacks dream, and his heart [
was very light as he ran upstairs after /
lunch In haste to prepare his valentine.
He was riding into town. and would
post II there. Whistling gaily. he I
turned the pages Of his book. Then
al OF sudden the sound ceased. and /
JACK stood staring dumbly at the emp 1
ty space. The stamp was gonei
Wen, I'm blessedI' he exclaimed.
Stolen-as 1 liver /
Saint Valentines day dawned wet 1
and stormy. Chris did not appear at I
breakfast, having received strict in /
functions to stay in bed until Mrs