She wasn't certain. A feeling of dull resentment took possession of John. If Sid was going to act this way, he'd make it as costly an affair as possible. "Chop-suey sundae," he announced, after a hasty glance at the printed menu. "What?" stammered Sid. Such a delicacy cost a whole quarter, the most expensive treat that the soda fountain purveyed. "Yes," said John calmly. "Better take one, too, Louise," he added maliciously. "They taste just peachy." She accepted his suggestion gratefully. "Give me a glass of water," ordered Sid weakly. It is an awful thing to possess soda liabilities of fifty cents when you have but three dimes and two nickels in your pocket. John sensed his rival's predicament and smiled. Slowly, with manifest enjoyment in every mouthful, he devoured the tempting, frozen treat. Then he leaned back in his chair contentedly and waited for Louise to finish. The white-coated soda clerk approached the table for payment, and the terror which crept into Sid's face was strangely like that on Mordaunt's when the police had broken into the river hut. He drew out his inadequate supply of small change and looked at it blankly. "Come, boys," prompted the man of syrups and sodawater, "I can't wait all day." "I haven't enough money," whispered Sid at last. John turned, a hint of the stage hero's mannerisms in his dramatic gesture. "What? Invite us for a treat and then can't pay for it? You're a fine one, Sid." He drew a half-dollar from his own pocket and flung it down on the table. "Never mind him," he turned to Louise. "I'll pay your car fare home!" And with the crushed and humiliated Sid following them miserably, he led the way from the drug store to the waiting car. CHAPTER XIV HE BUYS VALENTINES Sid made one more effort to cope with Miss Martin's suddenly aggressive fiance. John came upon the couple one late, crisp January afternoon, as he was leaving for the paper route. Louise did her best to appear nonchalant as he picked his way carefully across the slippery, wagon-rutted road, and Sid, after a longing glance toward the iron fence which surrounded the home lot, decided to brazen matters out. "'Nother chop-suey sundae?" John sneered as he eyed his rival scornfully. "'Tain't fair, always talking about that," blurted Sid. "How'd I know the money I'd need when I left home?" John deemed the excuse unworthy of notice, and turned to Louise. "What's he want this time?" "Go skating with him," she replied after a moment's hesitation. "Then ask you to have a treat in the warming house, and let you pay for it 'cause he didn't bring enough money. I'll teach you to skate--tonight if your mother'll let you. Silvey said the ice was fine yesterday, and everything'll be peachy. Want to come?" What maiden wouldn't? John glanced at his watch. The paper wagon was due in five minutes. "I've got to run," he said hastily. "See you tonight!" He left on the dogtrot for the corner.