"Here's the money to pay for the ride on the cars," Pearl
said, reaching out five of her coins.
Jim waved his hand.
"That's my share of it," he said, pulling his cap down
on his head. "You see, you do the first part, then me,
then Camilla--just like the fiery cross." He was half
way to the stable as he spoke.
He threw the saddle on Chiniquy and was soon galloping
down the road with the box under his arm.
Camilla came to the door in answer to Jim's ring.
He handed her the box, and lifting his hat was about to
leave without a word, when Camilla noticed the writing.
"From Pearl," she said eagerly. "How is Pearl? Come in,
please, while I read the letter--it may require an answer."
Camilla wore a shirt-waist suit of brown, and the neatest
collar and tie, and Jim suddenly became conscious that
his boots were not blackened.
Camilla left him in the hall, while she went into the
library and read the contents of the letter to Mr. and
Mrs. Francis.
She returned presently and with a pleasant smile said,
holding out her hand, "You are Mr. Russell. I am glad to
meet you. Tell Pearl the flowers will be sent to-night."
She opened the door as she spoke, and Jim found himself
going down the steps, wondering just how it happened that
he had not said one word--he who was usually so ready of
speech.
"Well, well," he said to himself as he untied Chiniquy,
"little Jimmy's lost his tongue, I wonder why?"
All the way home the vision of lovely dark eyes and
rippling brown hair with just a hint of red in it, danced
before him.
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