kiss me good-night?"

She hesitated, flushed and palpitating. Kisses were rare in the staid
little household to which she belonged.

"I--I think not."

"Please! I'm not very happy, and it will be something to remember."

Perhaps, after all, Sidney's first kiss would have gone without her
heart,--which was a thing she had determined would never happen,--gone out
of sheer pity. But a tall figure loomed out of the shadows and approached
with quick strides.

"The roomer!" cried Sidney, and backed away.

"Damn the roomer!"

Poor Joe, with the summer evening quite spoiled, with no caress to
remember, and with a potential rival who possessed both the years and the
inches he lacked, coming up the Street!

The roomer advanced steadily. When he reached the doorstep, Sidney was
demurely seated and quite alone. The roomer, who had walked fast, stopped
and took off his hat. He looked very warm. He carried a suitcase, which
was as it should be. The men of the Street always carried their own
luggage, except the younger Wilson across the way. His tastes were known
to be luxurious.

"Hot, isn't it?" Sidney inquired, after a formal greeting. She indicated