ntively, as he placed his monocle in his eye and stared at the absorbed youn

acing himself in it as though he intended remaining there indefinitely. "I d

ghed Joe, as Mabel obediently sat down b

erful words, the others saw that a cloud had darkened her fac

ily to visit them in Goldsboro, North Carolina, her old home. Although Mabel had been busy renewing old friendships there, she had kept in almost daily touch with Mrs. Matson and Clara through the mails. As a matter

ng for her mother's restoration to health. Until that happy time came, nothing re

other, Joe started forward, fixi

her?" he demanded. "Is sh

ht as well tell you at once, Joe dear, for you would only worry the more if I tried to keep things from

ietly, although his face

Your family doctor, Doctor Reeves, is calling a consultation

down again in his chair at the pain in his injured leg. "Why,

heart is too weak to stand the ordeal just now. Dr. Reeves is going to put her through

pect? I got a letter from mother a day or two ago," he added, feeling in the pocket

but themselves? Mother Matson never would take her illness seriously, you know, and if she had she would have been the ver

aid Jim, gravely. "I had no idea

em again and again, and come up smilin' in the end. It's a bally shame and all that, but no need giving up hope altogether, you know. Hope on, hope ever, as the poet sings. Now, I knew of

l you, Reggie?" urged Joe.

conversation, just cast your eye for a moment in the direction of our old friend, Jim. He is dyin' to learn more about Clara, you know, and can't for the life of

ust confess that a little first-hand news of Clara w

o find her eyes shadowed and anxious. The expression passed

ere with Reggie and me, and of course she is worried to deat

had noticed the faint hesitation that had crept into Mabel's manner at mention of Clara'

ver to the window. The boys watched her uneasily, but when

the only news I get of Clara is through the mails. But now I think I've been answering questions enough," she added lightly, a hand o

mself, Joe recounted as quickly as he could the details of his accident. From that the

ur champion twirler laid up for an indefinite period, things look pretty tough for the Giants. If only Jackwell and Bowe

ng that concerned the game-demanded to know more about Jackwell and Bowen, and there e

Jim "toddle on" in order to leave Joe and Mabel a few minute

o himself. He was very anxious about his mother, and more than a

was closed behind Jim and Reggie. She held o

ou were holding back something about mo

verything about poor mother. But Clara-wel

eard of his mother's illness, Joe

chaffed. "You never scolded me

aid Mabel, her pretty forehead marred by an anxious frown. "If you co

Joe, becoming suddenly in

g her head solemnly. "This Adonis I'm talking

e. "I'll soon show this litt

ed and six feet tall and he has a million

d ire. "What do I care if he's twenty feet tall and h

r to his lips and looking apprehensively toward the doo

ently away and look

d quietly. "Clara doesn't encourage this

ooked t

as silence while the two studied the pattern of the rug upon the floo

his name yet," he rem

ent away for a long time and made a fortune. Now he has come back,

ight to listen to

iftly and then down at the

ng minute, she came close to Joe

ar should happen, and she should give up good old Jim fo

r lose every cent I have in the world than have it happen

Perhaps it's the strain she's under on account of mother that makes h

ce, and then Joe rouse

k we ought t