Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-13

ship, for, when 1t was over, and the
final vocalizations of Roderick Mays
with increasing distance. Sam and Pen
rod had forgotten their differences and
felt we'll disposed toward each other
once more.
After such rigorous events every
one comprehended that the game of
bonded prisoner was over, and there
was no suggestion that it should or
might be resumed. AS first hints of
evening were already cooling and
darkening the air. the party broke up,
its members setting forth, whistling.
toward their several homes. though
Penrod fingered with Sam. Herman
was the last to go from them.
He went through the yard toward the
alley, and at the alley gate. remem-
bering something. he paused and call
and they were too far away 70 catch
his meaning. Sam shouted, Cant hear
you," and Herman replied, but still
unintelligibly; then, upon Sans repe-
tition of Cant hear you," Herman
waved his arm in farewell. implying
that the matter was of little signifi
canoe. and vanished. But If they had
understood him Penrod and Sam might
have considered his inquiry of instant
Importance. for Herman's last shout
was to ask IL either of them had no.
ticed where Verman went"
Verman and Vermans whereabouts
were, at this hour. of no more concern
to Sam and Penrod than was the other
side of the moon. That unfortunate
bonded prisoner had been long since
utterly effaced from their fields of
consciousness, and the dark secret Of
their Bastille troubled them not-for
the main and simple reason that they
had forgotten 1t.
They drifted indoors and found Sans
mothers white cat browsing on desk
in the library, the which coincidence
obviously inspired the experiment of
ascertaining how successfully ink could
be used in making clean white cat
look like coach dog.
At the conclusion of their efforts it
was thought safer to drop the cat out
of the window before anybody came,
and, after some hasty work with blot
tiers. the desk was moved to cover Ger
tain sections of the rug. and the two
boys repaired to the bathroom for hot
water and soap. They knew they had
done nothing wrong, but they felt
easier when the only traces remaining
upon them were the less prominent
ones upon their garments.
These precautions taken, 1t was time
for them to make their appearance at
Penrod's house for dinner. for it had
been arranged. upon petition. earlier in
the day, that Sam should be his friends
guest for the evening meal Clean to
the elbows and with light hearts, they
set forth. Arrived at their adjacent
destination, they found Miss Margaret
Schofield just entering the front door.
Hurry. boys" she said. Mamma
came home long before I did, and I'm
sure dinner is waiting. Run on out
to the dining room and tell them I'll be
right down"
AS they obeyed. she mounted the
stairs, humming little tune and un
fastening the clasp of the long light
blue military cape she wore. She went
removed her hat, and placed it and the
cape upon the bed. Then. turning out
the light. she went as far as the door.
Being an orderly girl. she returned to
to her clothes closet She opened the
door of the sanctuary, and. in the dark.
hung her cape upon hook and placed
her hat upon the shelf. Then she closed
unusual. though she had an impression
that the place needed airing. She de-
scended to the dinner table.
The other members of the family were
already occupied with the meal, and
the visitor was replying politely. in his
non-masticatory intervals. to inquiries
concerning the health of his relatives.
SO sweet and assured was the condition
of Sam and Penrod that Margaret's
arrival from her room meant nothing
to them. Their memories were not
stirred, and they continued eating,
their expressions brightly placid.
But from out of doors there came the
sound of a calling and questioning
voice, at first in the distance. then
growing understanding nearer.
"Oh, Ver-er-man! O-o-o-oh. Ver-er-
ma-a-an!"
1t was the voice of Herman.
"Oo-o-o-o-oh, Ver-er-er-ma-a-a-a nv'
And then two boys sat stricken at
that cheerful table and ceased to eat
Recollection awoke with bang.
"Oh, myl" Sam gasped.
whats the maffero'' said Mr. Schn-