The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-31

Woutu not Dredk the Alaskan BOWS ana
arrows and fishing spears, nor steal the
catseyes. The young people were quite
willing, and so il came about that both
regularly spent their noon hour in the
little shop solving the problem. Once Dick
did propose that they vary the programme
by playing game, but the proposition
was repulsed. ut would not be true TO
the problem" his companion said, and the
idea was al once abandoned.
The DAYS rolled steadily by and became
weeks. but Dick scarcely realized the
flight of time until one Saturday noon,
when the young lady said: 81 must go
now, but think have a plan of attack
that will mate the red king next Tues
day."
Why Tuesday ?" asked Dick.
why. don't you remember that Mon
day is Christmas day ?" she asked, smiling.
Dick had really forgotten, so infused
had he become in that unsolvable problem.
Il wish l had remembered" he thought,
after she was gone. Il would have liked
and then for the first time he became
aware that he did not know his CON-
panion's name, her place of residence, nor
where she worked. He knew that she was
printer; they had talked about chess.
about books, about California and the
talked about herself, He wondered if she
knew his name. "I'll ask her Tuesday,"
he decided. "I'll ask her to let me come
aud call on her," and then, somehow, his
heart became suddenly very light and he
found himself calculating. as he bent over
his entry-pages that Afternoon how much
of an establishment his Scant six months
savings would set up, and how well it
could be main tanned on $50 4 week
He really wished he knew his fellow
chess players name. He would have
liked TO send her some flowers Christmas
day.
He had enough to think of on Christmas
day, however. A fire broke ont on that
morning in the neghborhood of The bust
ness place where he was employed. ana at
one time it was feared the deyouring ele-
ment would step across the narrow street
and lick up the row of buildings in which
the offices were situated. The flames were
held back, but Dick found plenty of en-.
ployment about the scene of the fire, and
il was late in the afternoon before he even
til ought of the problem Oh which be had
planned to spend the better part of the
day. 81.
:',It's an ugly Christmas present for a
good many people, he said to himself, as
he gazed at the ruins of Printing house
Row. Pm glad I've got place TO 90 To
work Tomorrow and he trudged off
home. Next day ne sought the curio-shop,
but the young lady was not there. He
waited through the noon hour, but she did
not come. 49, - ::... -
Maybe she nefer gone any more" the
proprietor said. "HOw's that2" asked
Dick. ~. - -. ::
>"Nell. der printing shop we're she work
vas purn down yesterday. an she no gone
to work any more. :. r.. T.. 3. .-:-
To Dick it seemed as If the whole world
had grown dark. Itcould not be that she
had gone out Of his life before he had even
learned her: name. Tie proprietor did
l. K H.,
she worked for some oBe of the many
printing firms IN the buTned-o row, but
he could not even give any clew as to
which one. -: III. -. :.
Poor Dick was in despair There was
no one of whom to inquire. He did not
even know where to inquire or whom to
ask for. Oh what fool lie had been so to
miss his opportunity -. :. !. =. 81
Day after day passed away like dread
full dream. He went To the curio-shop every
day at noon. but he had not tile heart to
look at the pro blem, and il was left nnrlo-
ticed in the window. All Thursday and
Friday moons he waited, but ON Saturday
he bad net the heart To GO tothe cuTio-
shop. He asked and obtain a half-holiday
and went home to his room. but he could
not stay there, and presently be lie Fl il and
wandered of downtown. Uneonsciously
his feet carried him in. the direction of the
little shop. When he reached the window
lie nOlItbu tue pEOUFeHi Ildu DePn moved.
and with heart filed with hope ne en-
tered. HAS she been here 2'' he asked of
the proprietor. as. she hat been here
and go1t-pye: said. She goes away to-
night" .:.-: II. -, -. 49,
. *"Where ?" demanded Dick '.She,did not
say" was the reply. and 100 crushed TO
make. any comment Dick left the place
He wandered up Montgomery street dis
consulate. unable even to think, when he
caught sight of a familiar gray dress quite
a distance in front of him. Hurrying for
ward he overlook the wearer and peered
under her jaunty hat. ;:...-:: =.
= II was she. - :. T.. ~.
. ''Come back to the curio-shop,, said he.
She looked UP in surprise at the en-.
counter. Why" asked she. 1--WE must
trycthe problem once more" was all Dick
could saw. ard bearing her along by the
sheer force or his impetuosity lie piloted
heT. up. Clay street: The proprietor was
10 the doorway. May we study The prob
Temp" Dick. asked. In few IN oments
they were bending over the board, but
Dicks thoughts were not ON the problem.
Neither were hers. -.
There is no USE" she said at last. 81
wonder let you bring me here. cannot
think of this Thing. I have too many
other pro blems to solve" 49,. -: =.
:@~<..::Such as what?" Dick asked, meeting
her eyes with a. keen gaze. Her glance
fell. 49, :-,'.".-..~ =: - ~
THE problem of work, for instance"
she said. 81 have lost my position and am
going out of town tonight in. hopes Of
securing another.
THAT is not a difficult problem" said
Dick, softly. -. -
:: You would think otherwise if You had
to solve it." was ;hertrepIy.
=. Il have solved it," Dick whispered, ever
SO family. "Shalf i tell you my solu-
ton pr
= She glanced at his glowing face. Yes
no-you cannot solve problems for me-"
She faItered.: II must work them ont NV
self" and. she half arose to 90. ''No."
Dick said, possessing himself of her ha nd.
..:let me work them out for you. My solu-
ton is this: We will be married at once"
The Young lady sBatched her hand away.
;"Oh y she cried. in confusion, ~ think
/ see the Knights move"
-: Yes" SAID Dick. $50 do |, aud he is 60
ing TO make it at ONCE; And leaning for
ward he gently kissed her forehead and
toak again the hand which this time was
yielded to him. 49,. 80.
1--WE will solve the pro blem tog etAer," ne
said. =. -.
..''.Dat is goot," said the forgotten propri-
etoT, suddenly coming forward. You two
shalt chessmen hat for Wedding bres-
emit; .ADELINE E. KNAPP.