Page:The ransom of Red Chief and other O. Henry stories for boys.djvu/203

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Lost on Dress Parade 183

shrewd judges of men; and thought better of their own judgment than they did of useless conventions. His ten dollars, discreetly ex- pended, would enable the two to dine very well indeed. The dinner would no doubt be a wonderful experience thrown into the dull routine of the girl's life; and her lively ap- preciation of it would add to his own triumph and pleasure.

"I think," he said to her, with frank gravity, "that your foot needs a longer rest than you suppose. Now, I am going to suggest a way in which you can give it that and at the same time do me a favour. I was on my way to dine all by my lonely self when you came tumbling around the corner. You come with me and we'll have a cozy dinner and a pleasant talk together, and by that time your game ankle will carry you home very nicely, I am sure."

The girl looked quickly up into Chandler's clear, pleasant countenance. Her eyes twinkled once very brightly, and then she smiled ingenuously.

"But we don't know each other it would- n't be right, would it?" she said doubtfully.

"There is nothing wrong about it," said

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