The Dolores star., 1916-11-17
CHAPTER VII-continued,

"Here's some kind O. note" said
Lem. picking up one Of the planks
which had been wrenched from the top
of the case. 1t says: Sir Sir Ker-
night Charles B. Thomas Rip 'er
open. chummy; who's she from7"
Charlie read:
To Sir knight Charles Brushly Thomas.
from few of his mul-mul- utood-i-nous
Ad-mirin' friends.
"Oh. dear" cried Charlie. looking
up with shining. pathetic eyes. II
never invited the girls to my party"
Don't you fret, Charlie-boy." COM
forted Mary Alice. "They couldn't have
come. They all went out Of town for
Christmas"
Everybody looked at Mary Alice.
An explanation was wanted.
1T vas Francis idea." she said.
First he wanted that him and me-
he and I should give it to you; then
the girls heard about 1t, and they were
just crazy to help. went to Mr.. VIII
lett's off1ce-I had to because-for a
Deason-and at first he said he and
Mrs. Willett would do it. all. But I
told him the girls would be SO disap-
pointed, and we fixed it this way. I
been SO nervous, for fear it wouldn't
come. Mr.. Willett said he'd have 1t
sent out, but was afraid Isn't it a
dandy? It's better n any Stacey's
had in their whole art department.
Mr.. Willett sent way to New York for
it."
This was a long speech for Mary
Alice. She blushed and retired into
the shadows.
You lazy critters, clean up this
mess" said Martha. Lem went out
with a big armful Of rubbish, while
Sam followed with the empty case.
Charlie sat lingering the shiny instru-
ments, his eyes glistening with happi-
ness.
Hes got a real talent" Martha was
always insisting.
Sam returned to the sitting room
alone. There was a deal Of puzzling
over the exact utilities Of the various
articles in the outfit. Somebody looked
up; it was Mrs. Brown.
"Wnat's become O. Lem7" she quer-
fed.
Just then the kitchen door swung
open and Lem, quite red in the face,
replied: Here I be-" He was push
ing before him a big and commodious
wheel-chair.
THAT'S what I wanted to 60 to
town for" he said. II wrote In and
had it saved out for me; a friend
picked 1t out. He's a storekeeper.
When 1 come home, I druv around the
back way SOS t nobuddy'd see me.
.Whaddayou think of 'er, chummyT
OF late Sam had been allowing Lem
a little money, in the interest OF
clothes and self-respect. He wanted
to see what Lem would do with it.
This was a part Of his treatment" in
the process Of reclamation. Now Sam
felt a queer, lumpy discomfort in the
neighborhood Of his Adams apple. as
II that member were trying violently
to climb out through his mouth. He
blinked.
Scrutiny showed Sam that Lem had
on the same humble suit Of clothes
which he had worn on the day he quit
jail. He had on the same blue cotton
shirt, with its limp color. 1t dawned
upon the Boss that all the clothes Lem
had bought consisted of a necktie Of
hot red, elaborately etched by machin-
cry with floral decorations as modest
as the wallpaper in a country hotel.
LENS soul had walked up. indeed!
Behind the expressionless eyes dweit
sentiment, tenderness. human sympa-
thy. Lem had gone humbly without q
penny Of his own for four months, and
then with bis first few dollars be had
bought q two-bit necktie for himself.
and this princely Offering to lay upon
the altar Of affection.