fixed on the ground; he was absorbed in thought. Suddenly his attention
was arrested by Mary Jane, who awaited him, as she had frequently done,
in the doorway of a rickety, long-disused barn. "I say, Joe!--hist!" she
exclaimed, on seeing that he was about to pass without observing her.
"Look wot I've fetched yer;" and she held up a couple of well-polished
apples.

The young man's melancholy smile troubled her, and although he pressed
her hand in gratitude for the attention, she felt instinctively that she
had not occupied his thoughts.

"I say, Joe, what ails you?" she asked, tenderly. "Did I hurt your
feelin's when I asked ef you had noos from home? I thought you'd know it
was fun."

"Ah, no; you have never been unkind to me; you're a good girl. I'm not
ungrateful; you must never think that--but--"

"But you're sick," she interrupted. "I just knew there was somethin' out
er kilter when you kum in, fur you looked so kinder wore out. I'll run
and git you some brandy."

He held her back. "No--no; stay--it's nothing; I'll be all right
to-morrow--'all hunky,' as you say." He laughed to reassure her, and
asked where she got the apples.

"Jake fotched 'em up from Frisco, and it isn't everybody I'd hook things
for, you'd better believe."

"Wouldn't you do it for Dick?" Joe asked, with a mischievous smile.

"None o' yer business," she returned, indignantly. It would have pleased
her to notice even a suspicion of jealousy on Joe's part; but it seemed
to her that the mention of his rival just at that moment was ill-timed,
and she wondered why the fellow stupidly neglected his opportunities. He
was evidently touched, though, for he folded her in his arms, and spoke
affectionately.

"Tell me, Mary Jane," he said, looking into her eyes, "is it because you
really like me so much that you are so kind to me and put nice things in
my room? Did you think I couldn't guess who left the cake there
yesterday?"

The girl blushed with pleasure, and her eyes fell beneath his gaze. When
she raised them they were filled with tears, and her voice trembled when
she spoke:

"Oh, Joe, if I didn't care so orful much for you I wouldn't be always
gittin scolded about you; but--but--" She was interrupted by her sobs.
Joe stroked her hair lovingly, and she wept freely upon his shoulder.
"Ca-ant yer see I lo-ve you better nor Dick and all the rest o' the
fellers put together?" she asked, at last.

He kissed her again and again, then darted