" stand by ," whispered Abner

" --if stand at all," murmured the other boy, huskily

"Oh, Lord ! " They had rounded the big clump of evergreens and found Aunt Missouri Claiborne placidly rocking front porch ! Directed to mount steps and ring bell, to lay cards servant, how should one deal with rosy-faced, plump lady of uncertain years in rocking-chair What should caller lay upon her ? lion way more terrifying Even retreat was cut off Aunt Missouri had seen them "Howdy, boys; how ? " she said, rocking peacefully The two stood before her like detected criminals

Then, to Ross's dismay, Abner sank down lowest step porch, the westering sun full hopeless eyes He sat cap characteristic freckled boy remained standing walk up those steps according and agreement, if at all He accepted no compromise Folding his straw hat into battered cone, he watched anxiously delivery card not sure what Aunt Missouri's attitude were laid on her He bent down companion "Go ahead," he whispered "Lay the card "

Abner raised appealing eyes "In minute time," he pleaded

"Mars' Ross--Mars' Ross ! Head 'em off ! " sounded yell, and Babe, the house-boy, came around the porch in pursuit of two half-grown chickens

"Help him, Rossie," prompted Aunt Missouri, sharply "You boys can stay to supper chicken help catch them "

Had Ross taken time , reflected that gentlemen making formal calls seldom join in chase main dish family supper But the needs of Babe were instant The lad flung himself sidewise, caught one chicken hat, while Babe fell other manner of football player Ross handed the pullet house-boy, fearing that he had done something out of character, then pulled the reluctant negro toward steps

"Babe's servant," he whispered to Abner, who had sat rigid entire performance "I helped him chickens, and he's got to stand gentle while you lay the card on "

Confronted act itself, Abner was suddenly aware that not how refuge in dissimulation

"Hush ! " he whispered back "Don't Mr Claiborne's come out ? --He's going to read something "

Ross plumped down beside him "Never mind the card; tell 'em," he urged

"Tell 'em yourself "

"No--let's cut and run "

"I-- the worst of over When Champe sees us she'll--"

Mention of Champe stiffened Ross's spine glorious upon her, how very terrible make it should they attempt calling, fail, failure come to her knowledge ! Some things were easier to endure than others; he resolved to stay till the call

For half an hour the boys sat with drooping heads, old gentleman read aloud, presumably to Aunt Missouri and themselves Finally their restless eyes discerned the two Claiborne girls walking serene in Sunday trim under the trees edge lawn Arms entwined, they were whispering together and giggling little caller, Ross dared not use his voice to shout nor his legs to run toward them

"Why don't you go and talk girls, Rossie ? " Aunt Missouri asked, kindness of her heart "Don't be noisy--it's Sunday, --and don't get to playing anything that'll dirty up your good clothes "

Ross pressed his lips hard together; his heart swelled rage misunderstood Had the card been possession, , instant, have laid it on Aunt Missouri without qualm

" it ? " demanded the old gentleman, bit testily

"The girls want to hear you read, father," said Aunt Missouri, shrewdly; and she got up and trotted on short, fat ankles girls arbor The three returned together, Alicia casting curious glances uncomfortable youths, Champe threatening to burst into giggles with every breath

Abner sat hard cap and blushed silently Ross twisted his hat into three-cornered wreck

The two girls settled themselves noisily upper step The old man read on and on The sun sank lower The hills were red west brush fire flamed behind their crests Abner stole furtive glance at his companion in misery, dolor of Ross's countenance somewhat assuaged his anguish The freckle-faced boy was thinking village over the hill, certain pleasant white house set back in green yard, past whose gate, the two-plank sidewalk ran lamps were beginning to wink windows neighbors about, the houses said, "Our boys are all at home--but Ross Pryor's out trying girls, and can't get anybody to understand it " Oh, that he were walking down those two planks, drawing stick across the pickets, lifting high happy feet which could turn in gate ! He wouldn't care what the lamps said then He wouldn't even mind whole Claiborne family died laughing at him--if only some power would raise him up paralyzing spot and put him behind the safe barriers own home !

The old man's voice lapsed into silence; the light was becoming too dim reading Aunt Missouri turned and called over her shoulder shadows big hall: "You Babe ! Go put two extra plates supper-table "

The boys grew red tips ears, and as far as under their wilting collars Abner felt the lump of gum come loose and slip down cold spine Had their intentions but been known, this inferential invitation most welcome but to rise up and thunder out, "We came young ladies "

rise thunder out anything Babe brought lamp and set it inside the window, and Mr Claiborne resumed his reading Champe giggled and said that Alicia made her Alcia drew her skirts about her, sniffed, and looked virtuous, and said she didn't see anything funny to laugh at The supper-bell rang The family, evidently taking it for granted boys would follow, went in

Alone first time, Abner gave up "This ain't any use," he complained "We ain't calling on anybody "

"Why didn't you lay card ? " demanded Ross, fiercely "Why didn't you say: 'We've-just-dropped-into-call-on-Miss-Champe It's-a -pleasant-evening We-feel-we-must-be-going,' like you said ? Then lifted our hats and got away decently "

Abner showed no resentment

"Oh, 's so easy, why didn't it yourself ? " he groaned

"Somebody's coming," Ross muttered, hoarsely "Say it now Say it quick "

The somebody proved Aunt Missouri, who advanced only as far end hall and shouted cheerfully: "The idea of growing boy not coming to meals bell rings ! you two in there ahead of us Come on " And clinging head-coverings these contained some charm whereby the owners rescued, the unhappy callers were herded dining-room There were many things table that boys like Both were becoming fairly cheerful, when Aunt Missouri checked the biscuit-plate with: "I treat my neighbors' children just like I'd want children own treated If your mothers let you eat all , say so, and I don't care; but if either is little bit particular, why, I'd stop at six ! "

Still reeling blow, the boys finally rose table and passed out family, their hats clutched bosoms, and clinging together for mutual aid and comfort During the usual Sunday-evening singing Champe laughed till Aunt Missouri threatened to send her to bed Abner's card slipped hand and dropped face up floor He fell upon it and tore it into infinitesimal pieces

" love-letter," said Aunt Missouri, in pause music "You boys are getting 'most old enough about beginning girls " Her eyes twinkled

Ross growled like stoned cur Abner took sudden dive into Hints and Helps_, and came up with, "You flatter us, Miss Claiborne," whereat Ross snickered out like human boy They all stared at him

"It sounds so funny Aunt Missouri 'Mis' Claiborne,'" the lad freckles explained

"Funny ? " Aunt Missouri reddened "I don't see any particular joke in my having my maiden name "

Abner, who instantly guessed at in Ross's mind, turned white thought of what they had escaped Suppose he had laid card and asked for Miss Claiborne !

"What's the matter, Champe ? " inquired Ross, in fairly natural tone The air he had drawn into his lungs when he laughed at Abner seemed to relieve him numbing gentility which had bound his powers since he joined Abner's ranks

"Nothing I laughed because you laughed," said the girl

The singing went forward fitfully Servants traipsed darkened yard, going home for Sunday night Aunt Missouri went out and held some low-toned parley Champe yawned with insulting enthusiasm Presently both girls quietly disappeared Aunt Missouri never returned parlor--evidently thinking girls would attend final amenities with their callers They were left alone with old Mr Claiborne They sat bound in their chairs, while the old man read in silence for while Finally he closed his book, glanced about him, and observed absently:

"So you boys were the night ? " Then, as he looked at their startled faces: "I'm right, am I not ? to spent the night ? "