The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-02-12

II can't imagine what b the matter
with Nora!' said Jessie, indignantly
''She must have heard the bell!s'
Shc gave third emphatic jerk to tn
handle.
IF could attract my sisters atten.
ton. said the Young man, stepping
out and looking up at the second.story
window.
His sister! Jessie's eyes opened
wide. The idea gave . new and moi
unpleasant aspect to the case.
Perhaps. though, his sister wa liv'
ing with them. But, no; In that case,
would he not have wished 10 attract
his wifc's attention rather than his
sister's?"
Two pennies and a lead pencil
thrown against tho window brought
no response. however.
vestibale. hopelessly.
Its rather peculiar situation" he
said. Were aliens and outcasts q,
our own door"
Jessie laughed.
II suppose we shall have to wait
till somebody comes in with akey,'
she said. ..lIow dreadful!"
She went out to the top step, and
looked up and down the street anx.
iouslv.
Mr.. Sandcrson followed her.
oh. we've q last hope" he said.
with a sudden inspiration. I'VE can
ring up the jSnitor."
He pulled the janitor's bell vigcr-
ously.
.'What a delightful idea" cried
Jessie: and Mr.. Sanderson looked
fully rewarded.
The jsnitor was q good 6ve minutes
in getting to the door.
He grinned slightly ~ he opened it.
appearing to take in the situation.
That hell wires broke" he OBJ
served. indicating the row Of handles.
''How long YOU been ringing at ems"
oh. NO, long" said Mr.. Sander
son. evssively. and joined in Jessie 8
lsnyh.
He raised his hat again IS he left
her At the door. and ran on upstairs:
but she did not appear to resent it
she even smiled in return.
He is not married. after ALL" she
said to her sister. As she took of her
things" in the nom.
"Whos" said Ollie.
Mr.. Sanderson-the gentleman ON
the second door" said Jessie, emphat-
icslly. Il, is his sister Who lives
with him: and he is quite pleasant
Jessie Harrison. said her sister.
s:ernly. what have you been doing!?"
She WAS not entirely satisfied when
Jessie had explained.
Did YOU ask him to csll?" she said.
suSpicic,,siy. Yes. l see it in your
eye-you did. you dreadful girl.'
Il didn't said Jessie. laughing;
''but IT'S quite probable that I shall
YET
The Harrisons grew reconciled to
their ila: "a time went on.
Mr.. Harrison grew accustomed to the
door. and Mrs. Harrison was no longer
disturbed ny her occasional encounters
with the families upstairs. and Ollie
WAS speedily reaSSured As to Charley
Natson by tha. Young gentleman 5
faithful appearance five times = week,
via the horse cars
l, WAS some three weeks after this
removal ,hss Mrs Harrison cook. fol-
loxing faithful custom of cooks, sud-
denly deserted her.
Ollie was on two days's visit to
friends Jus; OFT of town. Mrs Harri-
snn was noi As well as usual. and the
household burden fell on Jessie
Thae young lady vas capable of car
ving il
Size was rather pleased with the now
city Of having everything in her own
hands. for she would not allow her
mother to asSis; her in the remotest de-
gree.
She made out bill of fare for the
day. and her mother having smilingly
approved it. started out to market i'm
mediateiy.
On her return. she put on her Oldest
dress and took down the cook book.
Lobster salad was the programme for
lunch. and 4 lobster salad of exception
al merits was presently produced.
1t was rather annoying, to be sure.
stopping every two or three minutes to
answer the dumb-water bell and call
"All right down to grocery, NEST
market. fish store and bakery boys. but
that was a necessary result of her rather
extensive marketing.
Sh. was looking over the plentiful
supply of eatables before her and won
dering whether to have peaches for
lunch and grapes and pears for dinner.
or grapes and pears for lunch and
peaches for dinner, when the dumb
waiter bell jingled again. She opened
the door impatiently and looked down.
A red faced man stood below, staring
up with some aggressiycness.
Throw down the key of your cellar.
and Ill put your wood in" he said not
too gently.
frown for his gruffness. II don't want
any wood"
"A lady ordered it in the street Just
now, said the man, raising his voice.
lone barrel of kindling wood, for twen-
ty five cents. and cheap, too. First fiat,
she said. Throw down your key"
''It couldn't have been the first fiat, !"
said Jessie, preparing to shut the door.
mo lady has ordered wood for the first
fiat"
II know what I'm talking about, -
the man retortcd. loudly. "And don't
propose to be cheated out of an order.
You can throw down that key as soon
as you've mind to, and the money,
too"
Jessie returned his fierce gaze doubt
fully. She was not frightened, but she
was somewhat at q loss. How should
she get rid of him? Where was the
janitor?
'Im awaiting for that key" said the
man threateningly.
The door above opened at that mo-
ment, and Jessie, looking up, saw two
heads appear in succession-a pleasant
Irish face surmountcd by dark cap;
and that of the second floor gentleman,
in hat and overcoat.
''Is there anything the matter?" said
Mr.. Sanderson, meeting Jessie's upturn-
ed gaze, with much concern.
''Oh, dear, ycs!'' Jessie responded,
with a smile Of gratitude. ''This man
is behaving very disagrceably. He says
somebody ordered wood for our floor,
and l am sure nobody did,"
''Take your self off, thcn," said the
young man sharply.
At ~