ktie bought for a grand occasion in Boston,
which Howard had attended a few months before. On his way back to the
group to which he felt he belonged Tom had stopped at the candy table
and inquired the price of the fanciful boxes, his spirits sinking when
told the pounds were fifty cents and the half-pounds twenty-five. Money
was not very plenty with Tom, and what he had he earned himself. The
necktie had made a heavy draft on him, and twenty cents was all he could
find in either pocket.

"I say, Tim, lend me a nickel. I'll pay it back. I hope to die if I
don't," he said to Tim, who was hurrying past him on some errand for his
mother.

"I hain't no nickels to lend," was Tim's answer, as he disappeared in
the crowd, leaving Tom hovering near the candy table and looking
longingly at the only half-pound box left.

"I say," he began, edging up to the girl in charge, "can't you take out
a piece or two and let me have it for twenty cents? All the money I have
in the world! 'Strue's I live, and I want it awfully for the new
schoolmarm over there in the chair with them swells standin' by her."

It was the last half-pound box and the girl was tired.

"Yes, take it," she said, and Tom departed, happier if possible with his
candy than with his necktie.

"I bought it for you. It's chocolate. I hope you like it," he said,
depositing his gift in Eloise's lap, where Jack's box was lying open and
half empty, for Eloise's weakness was candy.

"Oh, thank you, Thomas," she said, beaming upon him a smile which more
than repaid him for having spent all his money for her.

She was really very happy and thought a good deal of Rummage Sales. She
had the best place in the hall;--a good many people had spoken to her.
She had won Tom Walker, body and soul, and she knew that her escorts,
Howard and Jack, added _eclat_ to her position. She had scarcely thought
of her foot, which at last began to ache a little. She was getting tired
and wondered how much longer the sale would last. Jack wondered so, too;
not that he was tired. He could have stood all night looking at Eloise
and seeing the people admire her; but he was rather stout and apt to
get very warm in a room where the atmosphere was close as it was here,
and he wanted to be out in the fresh air again. He could take his time
wheeling Eloise home, and if Mrs. Biggs staid at the rooms, as he heard
her say she was going to do "till the last dog was hung," he could stay
out in the porch an