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Show Thanks to Little Brother By MARY GILBERT uick halston was thoroughly out ol humor, both with himself and his stir roumiings He had expected so mucti from his vacation this year! How carefully he had planned his outing to be at Spring Lake at the same time as Margaret! He had pictured the bright hours he would spend with her. steadily gaining her favor, until there dawned that perlect day when he dared ask the Important question. Instead or this alluilng prospect, he found that insufferable Walter Chase paying Margaret Mar-garet open court Dick gritted his teeth at the thought of the times that she had refused re-fused his Invitations because Bhe had already accepted Walter's. The thought that he himself was to blame lor not Inviting her sooner never seemed to enter his head. Tomorrow was his last holiday Then he must leave Margaret and go back to work. To teave her was bad enough, but to leave her to Walter Chase the thought was maddening "You look as I feel." said a crisp, young voice at his elbow. Dick turned quickly, a frown on n : s handsome lace. He was in no mood to talk to any one just them, especially especial-ly to Margaret's young brother. "What's the matier?" he demanded irritably. "I've broken my last fishing rod." Maurice answered gloomily, "and an empty pocket won't pay for a new one." "That's hard luck." Dick admitted, "but not enough to make you look like me. You need only a little money to make you happy " j "And what do you need?" asked Maurice pointedly. Dick flushed at the blunt question, and the boy smiled at his embarrassment. embarrass-ment. "Needn't think 1 don't know," he aald deliberately. "You're afraid that you stand no show with Margaret." The frank friendliness of the boy's manner quite disarmed resentment. "Do you know," he continued, con- "Needn't Think I Don't Know." fidentlally. "I'd bet most anything on you?" "You really would?" Dick responded quickly. "What makes you feel that way?" "Well," Maurice answered slowly. "She acts sort o' mad at herself lately. late-ly. Besides, I heard her tell father once that there was nothing In it at all." "Nothing In what?" "Why. In her. going with Chase, of course." "That's the best news I've heiird ti.is summer!" Dick exclaimed, grasping grasp-ing the boy's hand warmly. "I only wish you'd told me sooner!" "Might have if you'd given me a chance!" laughed the lad, withdrawing his fingers from the too friendly pressure. pres-sure. After a moment's reflection, Maurice began tentatively: "I 8'pose you'd like to win out with Margaret pretty well?" "Well, rather!" Dick exclaimed, his eyes glowing at the thought. "You've always treated me white." Maurice continued, "and now I'm going go-ing to pay up. Besides, It will be great fun to fool Chase. He certainly is the limit." "What do you propose to do?" asked Dick with dawning interest. Maurice eyed him sharply. "Do you promise, word of honor, to ,io just, exactly as I tell you? If 70; don't I'll get myself into a scrape Maybe I shall, anyway." Gazing into the lad's earnest face Dick promised to follow Instructions He could i surely make matters no worse than they were. Perhaps The boy's eager voice Interrupted his thoughts. "Tomorrow morning at six o'clock mind you, not a bit laier or there'll be other folks there you be on the lake shore, behind that thicket near the bathhouse. Keep yourself hidden till you hear from me You'll know what to do then without being told " 'Six o'clock!" echoed Dick. "What's your game?" "That's my affair until tomorrow morning Will you come?" "I guess so." "Sure?' The boy's tone was very earnest Sure." the man agreed, wondering what would come of the promise. "Goodby till then!" exclaimed Mau-rlse. Mau-rlse. springing to his feet, "but you'll hear Irora me when the time comes, and r'-n't you forget it!" "By the way, Dick," responded cordially cor-dially "Can you get good fishing tackle at any store here?" - "Sure If you've got the price." "If if you see that matters are coming my way in the morning, just Pick out the best fishing outfit you can find and let me foot the bill." "Gee!" exclaimed Maurice. "Ain't I glad I came! I'll tell the cook to count on fish, beginning tomorrow.' But for his talk with Maurice. Dick thought that he could never have borne the miserable evening that lol-lowed lol-lowed Margaret seemed unconscious of his presence. Chase, looking handsomer hand-somer and better groomed than ever, exulted In his rivars discomfiture Dressing next morning to meet his early appointment, Dick cursed himself him-self for his folly. "That rascal Maurice is playing some trick on me!" he thought wrathfully. "What would the fe'lows say ir they knew I'd do a fool thing like this just to humor a boy In his whim ?" He dropped his collar button, and that gave him a fresh outlet for bis 111 humor. Then he laughed at the whole affair and felt more at peace with himself and the world. As he left the house his watch told him that he would reach the rendezvous rendez-vous almost on the stroke of six. He concealed himself behind the thicket and awaited developments. Suddenly a boy's cry of terror sounded on the air, followed by a woman's wild shriek. Instinctively Dick sprang to aid them. Maurice was far out on the lake, apparently seized with cramps. Margaret, Mar-garet, wringing her hands helplessly, stood on the shore calling for help. Off went Dick's coat and shoes. A few vigorous strokes took him to the side of the sinking boy. There was a thrilling scene in the water, then both v ere safe on shore, with Margaret Mar-garet hovering over her brother. Maurice's fluttering eyelids opened at last, and he whispered that he'd soon be all right. Reassured as to the boy's condition, Margaret turned her grateful eyes to his rescurer. "How can I ever thank you?" she exclaimed. I don t want your thanks," Dick answered boldly. "I I want you!" The rosy flush of dawn seemed reflected re-flected in the girl's cheeks as she stood for a moment with downcast eyes. "This Is no sudden desire," Dick continued earnestly. "It has been the greatest thing in my world since the first time I saw you. You remember that glorious evening?" He was standing close beside her now, his dark eyes seeking hers. As she slowly raised her drooping lashes, Maurice, whom they had both quite forgotten, sprang up with a whoop of delight "Congratulations!" be exclaimed. "I'm off for that fishing tackle!" The color deepened In Margaret's cheeks as she drew from Dick, exclaiming: ex-claiming: "Whatever does the boy mean?" "Never mind him!!' responded Dick, regaining his former position "Let's talk about something more interesting. interest-ing. Let us talk about us!" |