Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-03-06
PHYLLIS.

tlr. l nope tncN are not 100 late.
Edgar Merton wheeled sharply about
and threw surprised glance in the di-
rection of the door.
When he had said come i'm" in answer
to tho low knock upon its panels ne had
expected to see some one OF his own
sex enter.
Bat instead he saw. standing half
timidly there in the doorway, one of
faircst visions of sweet gilrhood that
ever greeted any mans admiring eyes.
Dressed in plain and inexpensive
garb. but neat and exquisitcly tasteful
In every detail. her small, supple figure
seemed TO have the graceful dignity OF
ayoung princess.
The soft. fluffy fringe of hair curling
above her smooth white brow was "A
lght and shining brown, her eyes the
deep dark tint OF dewy, shaded wood.
violets. and her dainty SIX II rs haw!ess
as pure. white pearl.
Bending forward slightly, and ex.
tending to him the box of flowers rs
she spoke. Merton thought that among
the hundreds of high-bred beautiful
women whom he had met in the world
of fashion there was not one so lovely
as the fair. shy girl who stood before
him.
'.Whyw he exclaimed. recovering
himself after that momcntary stare
of wonder. Il beg pardon, but II
did not expect TO see lady. 1 thought
a messenger boy would have brough!
the flowers, and"
1T is very unusual for me to dc
euch errands. sir" the girl interrupt
ed. slight flush coming into hei
checks ''But all the assistants in the
shop were very busy. and Mr.. Wood
fern requested me 10 bring them. fear.
Ing that you might be Disappointed
"Oh. that's all right" he replied,
with a glance that somehow, made the
color burn more warmly in her cheeks.
They're in good time. and"-opening
the box and giving rapid look ut its
contents-'my order filled exactly.
I'm rather glad it did happen so. fo."
with liatiering smile and bowl
recognized you instantly rs the beauti-
full girl whom | noticed in the shop this
afternoon. | esteem myself most for
tunate in having this opportunity to
meet YOU; and if you will do me the
honor to step inside and wait a few
minutes until"
mo, no. sir" she interrupted sud.
denly recovering from the spell OF as
constituent in which she had thus far
stood speechless. IF the flowers
suit YOU there is no need for me to
wait. Good-evening, sin"
And with flashing eyes and height.
ened color she turned with uncon-
scious haughtiness. away.
But my dear young lady" persist.
cd Mr.. Merton. hastily following her
out into tle hail. II was inten ling TO
drive you home. My carriage will 10
here in five minutes and"
He stopped abruptly there for no
saw that his words were falling on
empty air.
The graceful figure Of the florists
pretty assistant was already flying
down the shallow, richly carpeted
stairs. aud. with muttered oath
crushed between his teeth Edgar Mcr-
ton strobe back into his elegant bache-
lor apartment
"Confound her prudery!" he grum.
bled. genuine disappointment in his
tones. She's the prettiest little crea-
turc I've set eyes on for years, and ]
don't intend to give her up SO easily.
thought little nattering attention
would win her over; it does most of
'em but she-wcll. she's different,
that's all. So much the better"-with
a dangerous smile creeping about the
corners of his cruelty handsome mouth.
Il shall prize my little beauty all the
more for having had some trouble gain.
ing her. Well. old Woodfern shall
have my exclusive patronage hereafter,
that's quite certain"
And with low. satisfied laugh, he
dismissed the subject from his thoughts
for the time being; then. having rung
for u messenger and dispatched the
flowers. with tender little note en-
twined among them, TO fashionable
belle of his acquaintance, he ran down.
stairs TO the waiting carriage. and was
soon rolling luxuriously along through
the illuinined city streets to brilliant
evening at the opera.
And Phyllis Payne, the pretty 1ow-
or girl" as he had named her in his
thoughts. was also hurrying along the
city streets. but in quite differen.
direction. and on two little tired feet
which had scarcely known n moments
res; all day.
Her cheeks were hot and indignant,
and the lire in her blue eyes burned
angrily rs she hurried on.
Il will never do such an errand as
that again--never. never! | will give
up my place first" she declared To her
self. vehemently. What bold.
wicked smile that man had and what
an evil look in his black eyes! Oh. |
remember now how he stared at me
this afternoon when he came in to
leave his order; | wonder II he will
come to the shop again? IL am
afraid | couldn't bc civil toward him
any more. Aud then-then should