replaced the article in Gray's hand.

"Eh? Won't you accept it? Why not?"

"I--Oh, I dunno."

Gray pondered this refusal for a moment before saying, "Perhaps
you think I'm--trying to make a good impression on you, so you'll
buy some diamonds?"

"Mebbe." Buddy averted his eyes. He was in real distress.

"Um-m! I ought to punch your head." Gray slipped the case into
young Briskow's pocket. "I don't have to bribe people. Some day
you'll realize that I like you."

"_Honest?_"

"Cross my heart."

The boy laughed in frank delight, his brown cheeks colored, his
eyes sparkled. "Gosh!" said he. "I--like _you!_" For some time
thereafter he remained red and silent, but he kept one big hand in
the pocket where lay the gold cigarette case. There was a wordless
song in Buddy Briskow's heart, for--he had made a friend. And such
a friend!

The Briskow children possessed each other's fullest confidence,
hence Ozark took the first occasion to show his gift to Allegheny,
and to tell her in breathless excitement all about that wonderful