New-York tribune., 1920-10-17


told you about who we're going to
try to help toward an education,
Do you know where those spelling
and arithmetic books are?"
"Why, l can help teach spelling
and arithmetic" exclaimed Rhoda,
and hurried enthusiastically upstairs
for the books.
"Well, lad" reminded the yard
master when they could hear the
girls light steps overhead, "you said
you had something to tell. Let's
hear it."
An irresistible picture Of Rhoda's
gray eyes smiling at him across the
books and papers Of their lamplit
study table framed itself in Dicks
mind.
Il was just blufing," he stun
bled. II got the idea in my bone
head that maybe l wouldn't learn
fast enough for you, and you'd get
sick Of me-"
Bonehead nothing" declared
Scott. Your talk shows you've got
a good mind. The thing is to get it
set on the right thing"
II think have now," said Dick
his eyes on Rhoda, as, flushed and
smiling, with books piled up under
her little curving chin, she came
down the stairs.
TT WO months passed. Three
4 times a week Dick bent under
the soft yellow light of the
Scott living room lamp, dutifully
reciting such simple lessons as
Rhoda or her father had given him.
Then, one evening, Scott stunned
him by announcing that they were
going West-he was quitting his job.
Dick bewilderedly asked why.
"l'm not a jealous man." ex-
claimed the yardmaster simply. 81
don't want any more than my own.
But they're promoting Whitman the
1st of October and LETTERS to go
over my head. He gets the chief
night job, while Olson gets Whit
mans place. There's no use sticking
around if the company doesn't want
me-"
Dick waited for a further express
sion, but nothing further came, not
word Of reproach for the incom
potency of Whitman or the defiant
rule ignoring of Olson. Then sud-
denly he realized that Rhoda was
going away.
Half of the given sixty days had
passed when Scott one evening left
Dick and Rhoda at the now familiar
study table to go to his lodge.
"Rhoda," Dick ventured, "did YOU
ever think that--that I'd be Won
derlng how Pm going to learn when
you're away?"
ooh, somebody will help you"
Rhoda replied brightly But she
lowered her eyes.
No matter who," said Dick So
berly; 1T won't be just the same -
why won't it be-just the same %
Rhoda was making meaningless
figures on her tablet paper.
Il daren't tell you why" said
Dick. "But it won't"
why daren't you tell me why?"
The girl bent her head until he
could see only corner of one eye.
"A couple Of months ago l was a
bum, hobo, worse than nobody.
Neither your father nor you know
where | came from or what I ever
did"
"You never did anything very
much wrong" said Rhoda gently.
'How do you know"
She looked up. Her eyes were
deep gray. Then she looked down
again.
Because l know" she replied un-
hesitatingtly.
But what if l did," Dick per
sisted.
She lifted a white face, but her
eyes were steady.
1t wouldn't matter" she said.
The next moment Dick was con-
scious Of his hand starting toward
hers. 1t hardly seemed to move, but
he knew it did. 1t went slowly but
not stealthiN. Suddenly a thrill
passed through him. He had seen
her fingers drop the pencil and
start slowly toward his.
In another moment she had lifted
her face. Their eyes locked. Gently