The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1893-12-02
TWO OF THEM.

an open letter in his hand, upon his face
q look. of perplexity, not unningled
with annoyance. A ne-looking fell
low, with an honest, manly face, lit
with soft blue eyes; and the. curves of
the well-cut lips We're firm t.nd true.
Through the open window came the
scent Of new-mown hay, and the breath
of roses and honeysuckle.. A round
table in the center Of the room was
laid for two, and over at the window
his mother-a grave, stately old lady
with whom he lived alone-was re-
garding him with mild surprise.
''What is it, Roy?" she asked, gently.
IT know, when you look like that, that
something annoys and troubles you.
What is it, SON." -. "
Enough! Mother, I don't believe that
I am lacking in courtesy or the require
ments Of gentleman; but it is little
annoying to have an unknown female
thrown upon your protection in this
way. Listen, please! This letter is
from my friend Bonner Of Newburgh."
He spread out the crumpled sheet
which he had been holding in his hand,
and read aloud:
MY Dear Roy: I'm in a quandary,
and come to you to help me out. The
case, in brief, is this: My sister, Miss
Marguerite Bonner, is DESTROYS Of at
tending the great worlds fair, Ny
business is at present so pressing that
1t is quite impossible for me to accom-
pany her. Once arrived in Chicago,
che will be met by friends-relatives
who are anxiously awaiting her arrival.
Now, as I happen to know that you
are intending to start for Chicago next
Tuesday, I ask Of you, as 4 special IA
Eor, to look after my sister to her
journeys end. Will it be any trouble
to you, Roy? She is a timid little
thing, and shrinks from the thought of
travelling alone. If you consent to be
thus burdened, drop me a line. and
Marguerite will be on the train as it
passes your town, where you can join
her
"Oblige me-that's dear fellow; for
y
and crusty old bachelor.
yours, as ever,
Frank
Roy Dunbar folded the letter, and
returned it to his pocket
1T is awfully provoking" he ex-
claimed, land the lady is a stranger to
me, too. Frank Bonner ought not
to.
"Roy, I am ashamed of you"
Mother, I know I'm a brute; but
/ intended to make the trip with my
friend Clavering; and now, to have to
look after a lady, and be on my good
behavior all the time. And the first va
cation I have been able to enjoy for
whole year. All, well! I am an un-
lucky fellow, and may as well accept
the situation with patience"
His mother smiled. She was thinking
in the depths of heart that, it was
high time for Roy to be thinking about
wife. He was nearly thirty, and in
excellent circumstances. There was no
earthly reason why he should not mar
~:
II canot live forever" the old lady
said to herself, land I should like to
see Roy happy with 4 good, true wo-
man for his wife,"
Breakfast over, Roy Dunbar proceed
ed to wire a reply to his friends letter,
accepting the trust reposed in him with
as good grace as possible At least,
the telegram did not commit himself:
but was as laconic as such things usu-
ally are.
The days went by with remarkable
oeler1ty, and the day appointed for
the trip to Chicago came at last. Row
or6n I'D +1,1 -
paused for the usual intinitesimal time
ut his own station. He entered draw
Ing room car, and had not moved six
PAGES down the aisle, when voice call
Ing his name, made his halt in surprise.
A lady!
"Why, Mr.. Durbar!' extending q
gloyed hand, chow glad am to meet
you! l knew you the moment I saw
you! The journey is so long and tire
some 1 shall be delighted with your
company, am sure.
Have you forgotten me?'' for his
eyes wore bewildercd look. which
he could not altogether repress on short
notice. II am Miss Bonner, Miss Mar
guerite Bonner
Miss Marguerite Bonner? His cbare,
the young lady ccufided to his care
by loving brother. He felt as though
some one mad suddenly drenched him
with with a shower bath. She. "the
timid little thing" who shrauk from
travelling alone-and all the rest of it.!
A woman of some fifty-eight or sixty
years, if she was a day, and LOOKING
every hour Of her age. Notwithstand.
ing the thick coating Of pearl powder
which accentuated rather than con-
cealed the network Of wrinkles which
or erspread her thin face; and the little
dabs of too perceptible rouge upon
either cheek. Her hair was palapably
dyed, and frizZled within an ii.ch Of
its life; there was no mistake, either,
in the dazzling white teeth, which bore
too plainly for possible mistake the
handiwork Of the dentist And withal.
she was so exceedingly girlish and
sprightly that she attracted the arten-
ton of the observer at once to the
. fact that she was one Of the real old
maids of whom one reads occasionally,
but who, we are glad to sce are now
becoming, as q race, as extinct us the
dOdo.
Roy felt an uneasy sensation over
9 take him; but there was no help for
ho 1o11