The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey

d, as he jumped to his feet, and hurried over t

piece lay in place of the skates. Then Nick had not exactly stolen Hugh's

ok, as though scorning it, despite the hard work Nick may have do

warmly for him. "Serve him right, too, if this is the last straw on the camel's back, to send him to th

orward to snatch up his cap, with the full intention of hurrying out to see if he could overtake the thief; a

evens. Again he saw the picture of that good priest of the story, looking so benignly upon the wretched Jean Valjean, brought into his presence with the valuab

ugh, almost overcome by the wonderful similarity, which seemed the

d see Nick, who never liked hard work any too well, they said, busying himself like a beaver, putting in coal for som

d do the trading by himself. It's a queer way of doing business, and one the law wouldn't recognize; but, after all, it was an upward step for Nick Lang, when he could have taken the skates, and kept the cash as well. This certainly beats the Dutch! What ought I to do about it, I wonder? Of cour

Then the sound of voices outside caught his attention

g toward the house. One of these he recognized as his chum, Thad, who must have returned from Hobson's mill-pond earlier than he had expected. Anot

Valjean," Hugh muttered, thrilled by the sight; "and right now they're fetching Nick

over his prize; and recognizing the skates, for they were well-known to him, he had beckoned to the p

were coming in through the gate even now. Once again did th

It worked miracles in the story; perhaps it may in real life, Anyway, it's going to be worth while, and give me a heap of enjoyment watching the result. So here and now I s

so he did not waste any time in ringing the bell. Now Hugh could hear h

oom on the second floor, transformed into a genuine boy's den by pictures of healthy sport on the walls, besides college burgees, fishing tackle, a bass of three pounds that had be

and his face had assumed a sickly sallow color; while his eyes reminded Hugh of t

whirl into the room, closing the door at the same time, and planting h

uld never forget it as long as he lived. Bu

de whether or not the other would tell Chief Wambold to lock him up as a thief. "I chanced to see him pull something out that he had been hiding under his coat, a

g half under his brea

and square from Hugh here. You're all down on me, and

lice force held up something he

me your initials scratched on each skate. Take a good look at the same, and let me know about it, will yo

fore, if such a thing were possible; and t

rt that, perhaps, Hugh might be merciful, and let him off, as the skates were now once again in his possession. The shadow of the Reformatory loomed up dreadfully close to Nick Lang just

ates very well, Chief," Hu

a stern look at the cringing culprit near by, who weakly leaned

uy them. At first I was averse to letting him have them, but I changed my mind. These skates belong to Nick, Chief. You must set him free, and not hold this against him. He's going to wipe the slate clean this time and astonish

red at Hugh as though he had difficulty in understanding such nobility of soul; then, taking the skates, he went from the room. They co

ers as though still more than half convinced there had

g story. He shook his head at the conclusion,

ll the same I don't believe for a minute the leopard is going to change

made Thad promise to keep everything secret until he gave p

ely, he looked out of the window toward the west, where a bright star hung above the horizon. It seemed like a magnet to Hugh, who l

ing to think over. And if he makes the first advances toward me I'm bound to meet him half-way. I only hope it turns out like the story of Jean Val

ecause of the noble impulse that had impelled