airman grinned in his seat--in fancy he was transported to Albany
Avenue, Brooklyn, and listened again to the saloon bands of that
benighted street.

The day after the village dissipation Evan loitered around home playing
catch with Henty and Lou. He found they liked to have the ball tossed
midway between them, and did his best to be accommodating.

"Well, A. P.," he said, when Lou had given up the game to help get
lunch, "what do you think of Miss Arling?"

Henty blushed from his adam's-apple to the tips of his ears, one grand
and final blush.

"Evan," he said, "I'm in love."

"I thought you'd fall in love with her, A. P.," was the reply.
"Frankie is the finest girl in town."

"For you, maybe," said A. P., "but not for me. Nelsy," he continued in
confusion, "we have known each other a long while. What would you
think of me if I told you I loved your sister?"

A smile, happy yet troubled, was the answer Henty got.

In the afternoon Evan sat reading beneath the old maple trees that had
shaded his school-books from the sun in the beloved school-days gone
by. Lou came out and stood beside him a moment, and when he looked up
she bent over him, with the lovelight in her eyes.

"Brother," she said, "I knew you would bring him to me, but I never
dreamed he would be so grand!"

The brother laughed and teased her. When she had gone he sat musing on
the wonders of a girl's heart. There came to him, as there had often
come, the sure knowledge that he possessed such a treasure; but this
time came also the fear that that treasure might unwillingly be given
to another, for reasons that puzzle men.

"What foolish creatures we are," ran his thoughts. "I know that
Frankie is waiting for me to come. I have known it for years, and she
made me see it again yesterday on the train. I don't know why I can't
get up the courage to face the girl I love. I must. I must go now and
make good my promise. She is waiting for me in spite of all!"

More serious, perhaps, than he had ever been, he walked down the back
street along which a schoolboy and schoolgirl had so often strolled
together. When he came to the Arling residence he ascended the steps
with a palpitating heart. The front door was open. He rapped timidly
and waited, but there was no response. He peeked in, believing that
someone must be there.

Yes, Someone was there. She lay on the couch asleep, tear stains on
her cheeks. He moved toward her and knelt