her absolution in a smile, he whispered to Nan:

"What's 'on' for after dinner?"

"I really do not know of anything, Walter," she replied, smiling. "Don't
you suppose we girls ever want to keep quiet? This visit to your house
has been one continual round of pleasure--"

"Yes. You get _your_ pleasure out of rescuing kids from the street,
chasing runaway horses, hunting for runaway girls, and playing Sister of
Charity to sick people. Say! your idea of pleasure, Nan Sherwood, is
simply funny. Now, I've got something on for this evening, if you, and
Bess, and Grace--and the kid, of course--want to go. But no crowd. My
exchequer will not stand it.

"I'm running low in funds and father won't let _me_ overdraw my
allowance, although he lets Grace do it almost every month. He says a
girl hasn't any head for figures, anyway, and she's to be excused."

"Oh, my!" gasped Nan. "That maligns the sex. I ought not to allow that,
Walter Mason."

"Huh!" returned the boy, grinning. "Grace doesn't mind how much the sex
is maligned, I warrant, as long as father hands her out an extra five
whenever she runs short."

"But you haven't told me what the scheme is for this evening," Nan
reminded him.

"Movies," Walter said. "There's a dandy new theatre opened on Halliburton
Street. It isn't far, and mother approves of the class of pictures they
run. There are going to be some funny ones shown to-night, too. I'll
stand treat for you girls--but no more."

"Dear me, Walter," cried Nan. "You spend all your money on us girls."

"It couldn't go in a better cause," retorted the generous boy, stoutly.

Permission for the evening's outing was easily obtained, and the
quintette of pleasure-seeking young folk hurried away immediately after
dinner, so as to see the first show and get home early. Little Inez was
as eager and excited as she could be over the prospect of seeing a real
movie show.

"I seen some pictures once in a dance hall where a man let me sell me
flowers," she explained. "But, I never dared spend a nickel for no show.
Me aunt would have scalped me--sure she would!"

Mr. Sherwood had seen Inez's aunt that afternoon, at his little
daughter's request, and found that the woman dared make no objection as
to their disposal of the child. In fact, she seemed a good deal relieved
that kind friends had been raised for Inez.

The party arrived at the new picture palace to find a goodly crowd
already assembled at the entrance. On this o