, 1925-02-04

checkbook and q fcuntaia pea. Gs
wrote for a few seconds, tore the
check from the stub, and handed II %
Joyce.
That young woman gasped.
"Why-you don't really mean-it's
for t~wenty-eight thousand two hundred
and fourteen dollars" she cried.
And seventeen cents. Please don't
forget that" he added.
"But-what on earth do you meanr'
Jack was looking at Moya. and she
at him with shining ayes In which Joy
swan.
TITS a little thank Offering, Miss
Seldom"
Because you were rescued from the
mine. l suppose. Still
Because I'm engaged to be married
to The best woman In the world,.' he
corrected.
Joyce whirled upon Moya with In
slant %divinatlOn. "You little wretch,
n you never told me-"
II Miss Dwight had not known 1t
herself till this she gave no
sign to that effect. Were telling ron
now. dear" she explained.
How long have you been engaged7
Was 1t yesterday In the ~bucket?"
Jack laughed. Nothing so roman
tic. We've been engaged a little less
than half a minute. You get the first
chance to wish Moya Joy on having
won so great a catch. She's marrying
a pauper. you know"
Il think we're very rich," differed
his sweetheart shyly.
Joyce looked from one to the other
suspiclously. 81 haven't a notion what
either of you mean but I know In. go
Ing to hang on to this check, MI.
Millionaire Fauper."
Imps Of mischief sparkled in the
highgrader's eyes. Don't forget that
verinder has to write one for twice
as much"
Miss Seldom could not help laugh
ing. 'Tll see to that. He's not q
welcher. but . I wonder how he'll
look when | tell him."
you ought to tell him as soon as
you can" Jack limited boldly.
"oh. ought II Did you say you had
been engaged less than a minute. Mr..
Kilmeny? How much will you give
me to go down now and tell hIm?"
1--WE nothing left to give-except
my gratitude"
You're the first man who ever was
SO ungallant as to tell me he would
be grateful to have me leave him."
"Tm the first who ever proposed to
another girl in your presence. The
circumstance Is UNUSUAL" he flung
back gayly.
II didn't hear you propose. All you
did was to It," she replied
saucily.
That's true. too" admitted KIlmeny
We'll, I'm going to propose now II II
Isn't too late. You may stay II you
like"
Thanks. no." Joyce kissed her
friend. II hope you'll be very happy.
dear. -. ! believe you WILL"
M0ya choked on her words. 81
know ! shall. JOY"
Miss Seldom looked at Jack with an
expression In which embarrassment
and audacity were blended. ave al
ways rather liked your pauper." she
confided aloud to Moya-
Her condolences had their limits.
h omitted to mention what had just
popped into her mind. that within the
fortnight he had proposed to her too
on the same spot.
Jack bowed with exaggerated defer
nee when she shook hands with him.
He WINS Just now riding the seventh
wave Of happiness and felt friendly to
the whole world.
Thank very much. You're a good
scout. Joyce"
Good gracious! What nay that
bef Some more of your American
slang. I suppose" She broke nwny
from persiflage to add seriously I:
You're right about n thing, though.
You've got the best girl In the world.
BE good to her. Jack Kilmeny."
With that she turned and walked
down the hill.
h other two walked up.
I'm so proud Of you. Jack. boy"
whispered one OF them.
He laughed happily. I'm proud of
myself. I've done the best days work
| ever did for myself when I won
MOya Dwight"
"You know what I mean. Jack.
What other man would have thrown
away a small fortune-all he had
Just for mef'
81 can name one other" suggested
Kilmeny.
"Ned! But he's n saint"
And I'm a sinner" her lover re-
piled blithely.
You're the sinner I love. them"
They had reached n clump Of frs.
without knowing nov II happened she
found herself In his arms. There were
both tears and laughter In her eyes
as her lips turned slowly to nee his.
Jack. boy. I'm just the happiest
girl alive"
A mlst-like veil Of old rose hung
ahovo tho mountain topo Hand In