e laughed and applauded with the rest, all
the while trying to quiet something that was tugging at her away down in
her heart.

When the performance was over she forced her way to Kitty's side, where
she remained in spite of all Thomas's palpable efforts to get her away.
Finally he proposed that they all go to supper at one of the coloured
cafes.

"You 'll see a lot o' the show people," he said.

"No, I reckon we 'd bettah go home," said Mrs. Hamilton decidedly. "De
chillen ain't ust to stayin' up all hours o' nights, an' I ain't anxious
fu' 'em to git ust to it."

She was conscious of a growing dislike for this man who treated her
daughter with such a proprietary air. Joe winced again at "de chillen."

Thomas bit his lip, and mentally said things that are unfit for
publication. Aloud he said, "Mebbe Miss Kitty 'ud like to go an' have a
little lunch."

"Oh, no, thank you," said the girl; "I 've had a nice time and I don't
care for a thing to eat."

Joe told himself that Kitty was the biggest fool that it had ever been
his lot to meet, and the disappointed suitor satisfied himself with the
reflection that the girl was green yet, but would get bravely over that.

He attempted to hold her hand as they parted at the parlour door, but
she drew her fingers out of his clasp and said, "Good-night; thank you,"
as if he had been one of her mother's old friends.

Joe lingered a little longer.

"Say, that was out o' sight," he said.

"Think so?" asked the other carelessly.

"I 'd like to get out with you some time to see the town," the boy went
on eagerly.

"All right, we 'll go some time. So long."

"So long."

Some time. Was it true? Would he really take him out and let him meet
stage people? Joe went to bed with his head in a whirl. He slept little
that night for thinking of his heart's desire.

IX

HIS HEART'S DESIRE

Whatever else his visit to the theatre may have done for Joe, it
inspired him with a desire to go to work and earn money of his own, to
be independent both of parental help and control, and so be able to
spend as he pleased. With this end in view he set out to hunt for work.
It was a pleasant contrast to his last similar quest, and he felt it
with joy. He was treated everywhere he went with courtesy, even when no
situation was forthcoming. Finally he came upon a man who was willing to
try him for an afternoon. From the moment the boy rightly considered
himself engaged, for he was m