Evening star., 1913-03-09
BY aERrRuDE ALLEN.

been writin' for any Black Cat pre-
miunls lately?' asked Thomas with an
air intended to imply a desire to make
conversation for reasons not personal,
but polite.
ST wrote for one last week, replied
Rex with the same air. But 1t came
broken. had to send 1t back. =
. Broken thought Tommy. watches
break" He cast about in his mind for q
leading question. seemingly innocent. yet
full Of guilt. A fairly hopeful one pre-
sented itself.
..WilI they make you pay the express?'
he asked.
Now a watch travels not by express.
but by mail. Ten to one Rex would fan
into the trap and mention this. Rex ap-
peared to fall.
'"Twas only a little thing. he saIu.
'T sent It by mail.
The impersonal. indeed. the polite, died
instantly out Of Tommy's tone. How
many wrappers did you haye?' he de-
manded.
Eight hLndred-just. answered Rex
Mentally Tommy turned once again to
page A. In the list of prizes onered Tor
500 wrappers one only could be mailed'
that one was "a gold watch. gentleman
or lady
."The trouble with the Black Cat peo-
pie" Rex went on pleasantfy, lis they're
so slow--slow as mOlasses in January.
cant tell when I'll hear from them.
come till after the birthday.
Mick Townsend's fathers selling out"
began Rex. as If changing the subject.
They're all going west"
Hes got some dandy little watches
left" he pursued amiably. 81 went in to
look around yesterday with Nick. He
showed me one his sisters crazy fora
beaut, with doves on it. and flowers.
Marked down to $24 from $685. rs my
rabbit white?" he asked. "All white. or
has it some brown spots
What answer Thomas made he never
knew: all he knew was that dancing be-
fore him was "a dandy little watch,
beaut, with doves on it and flowers" and.
most magic of all. marked down to $34
from $65 At 5 o'clock that watch was
drawer.
Six days remained in which to debate
to the fair Rosamond on the way to
school, The last seemed especially allur-
ing Thomas charmed his fancy by pic
turing Rosamonds delight. .'Oh, you.
DEAR" she would cry. with her irresistible
smile. II have been just longing for a
gold watch for perfect ages! Which, in
deed. barring the endearment. was but
repetition OF part of an outburst that
Thomas and Rex Scott had overheard
months ago. and which, going on to
state that the young lady would simply
adore any one who'd give her this COW
eted treasure, had infamed the two boys
Win a OuTnluk Q6tSFN1aHdtlOn 10 lay IQlS
offering upon loves altar. So, for while,
Tommy basked in the sunshine of Rosa
mond's accepting smile. Then all at once
he became conscious of the thorn in his
side. Suppose. the Black Cat Company
should act in promptness! Then, Of
course, the fair ROsamond's smile would
shine upon the man who got there first
second watch. even beloved and enflow-
cred, could scarcely hope for more than
formal polsteness. Tommy decided to
leave his offering at the door.
At Z o'clock, therefore, the birthday
morning, he slipped quietly out of the
house and hurried down the street. AS
he neared the Weatherby homestead he
began keeping g. sharp lookout for Rex
Scott, who might appear at any moment
bearing gifts However, he reached his
destination without event and blushingly
deposited his burden in: the hands Of an
astonished maid.
tits early we do be out. Mister Tom
my she remarked, with knowing
smile.
''Oh. I was just going by said Tom
my, haughtily, "and thought I'd get it
out Of the way
Maria grinned more broadly. Sure, .
she exclaimed, II do be seem jist how
came last night she said.
Thomas wheeled about
IT was tellin' Miss Rosamond," con-
tinued Maria, that 1t would be very
pleasin' to ye to have Mister Scott pre-
sentin' her wild one Of the rabbits ye'd
been after tendin' and raisin.''
Thomas turned round. els that what
he brought her?' he cried.
Sure" affirmed Maria, that's what
* rabbit-a 50-cent rabbitr' Tommy
stood still and stared open-mounthed at
Maria. Then smile Of perfect beati-
tude spread slowly from ear to ear. He
pulled of his cap and held 1t up in front
of him.
"Say, Maria.'' he chuckled, do you
want me to, show you how to kick as
BY some happy fortuity, Thomas
Darlington Sedgwick was just starting
for school when Rosamond weatherby
passed by.
.Mornin'.'' he said. raising his cap.
Many happy returns"
Thank you." answered Miss Rosamond
She opened her school bag and drew out
the box he had intrusted to Maria. She
held it toward him. Il couldn't think Of
accepting gold watch from boy" she
said:
why not?" demanded Thomas.
Mice girls DON'T explained Mss
Weatherby. "It isn't proper to-"
Tommy did not speak Neither did he
notice the proffered box. Rosamond OBJ
served him disapprovingly.
Il think you are very rude." she said
coldly.
Now. when thunderbolt falls out Of
a perfectly clear sky upon ones
pained and astounded head, the COM
mon civflities of life are likely to ap-
pear of a nature quite artificial and
secondary And it is plainly adding
insult to injury to call attention to any
social shortcomings at such a time
Thomas felt this deeply.
II should think that anybody would
know that only your father. or your
mother, or, somebody like that could
give you things like watches" con-
tinued Miss Weatherby. flushing angrily
as she drew back her hand. Boys are
such silly heads! I had to tell Rex
Scott long time ago that I couldn't
even accept a watch he got with his
old premiums. So he got one for him
self and bought me a lovely rabbit,
and box of caramels. l think that
was very nice."
hateful toad! Thomas held out his
hand for-the- watch
If you'd only said sooner that you
liked car'mels." he said, wistfully. II
could have bought you enough to make
you sick for "a week for the price OF
this"
"You horrid boy!', cried Miss Wealth
erby, tossing her curls in high disdain.
You perfectly horrid boy!'
An impulse, a sudden strength. his
heritage of mastery from Adam,
coursed hotly. through the youthful
veins of Thomas Darlington Sedgwick.
Look here. Mis- ssy." he said, slowly and
impressively, looking Miss Weatherby
TRAIN AND