People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-03
THE MERCHANTS GRIM {.
BY HORATIO ALGER, JR.

as he rose from the table.
Yes, l think so. I am expected
to keep open in the evening"
But you have an assistant%'
Yes
Then l advise you not to make
yourself a slave to business. We
shall hope for the pleasure OF your
company occasionally in the eve
ming"
James Cromwell felt fattered, AID
looking full in the young lady's face,
he thought to himself, "She is very
pretty, and she seems to show me a
great deal OF pOliteness.
Thank you, Miss Manton. for your
kind invitation. Twill accept it very
soOn-as soon as | think | can be
spared from my business"
You will be quite welcome said
Clara, graciously.
where ignorance is bliss It's folly
to be wise" So runs an old proverb
This was illustrated in the case of
James Cromwell, who ignorant Of
the real opinion entertained of him
by Miss MantOn, began, after while,
to conceive the delusive thought
that she had taken a fancy to him.
but we are anticipating. Three even
lngs later, when supper was con-
cluded, James Cromwell made no
movement to 60 back to the store.
This was quickly observed by Clara,
who said, with a smile:
"You are going to remain with us
this evening are you not, Mr.. Crom-
wellm
'If it will be agreeable" he said.
Can you doubt it?" she said, with
a look which quickened the pulsa-
tions of Cromwell's heart ii get
so tired passing the evening alone.
Papa gets hold of paper or maya
zine, and | am left to my own de-
vices for amusement
She invited Cromwell to their pri-
vate parlor, which was furnished
with piano.
"DO you like music, Mr.. Crom-
well?" she inquired.
Very much indeed, -" he answered,
Tough the truth was he scarcely
knew one tune from another.
Perhaps you are a musician"
mot at all, he said hastily, and
in this statement, at least, he was
correct Wont you play some
thing, Miss Manton?"
81 haven't anything new, but if
you don't mind old pieces, / will
play for you"
She played noisy instrumental
piece, to which James Cromwell lis
tened in silence, with very little idea
of what was being played. His eyes
were fixed rather on the young lady
herself.
"How do you like it, Mr.. Crom.
well?"
Very much. indeed" said Crom-
well, hitching his chair a little
nearer the instrument, and then col,
Oring, lest the movement should have
been observed.
Il think | will sing you some.
thing" said Clara. Il don't sing in
public, but before an intimate friend
| do not feel so bashfuLn
The words, intimate friend, .
slipped out so easily and naturally
that she seemed UNCONSCIOUS of them,
but they were intentional and she
glanced out of the corners OF her
eyes to watch their effect. She saw
that Cromwell's eyes frightened,
and the color came to his pale cheeks,
and then she knew that they had
produced the effect that she had in
tended.
''She is certainly very charming, "
thought Cromwell. land she is very
friendly. | don't think l ever met
young lady so attractive"
He's getting in love-" said Clara
to herself It'll be fun to see hin
when he gets carried away by the
tender passion. I've heard of elo-
quent eyes, but | don't think his are
capable Of looking like anything ex-
cept those of ferret. Well, I'll see
the play through"
She accordingly sang the we'll.
known song. Then I'll Remember
Thee, putting intoi it as much mean
ing as possible. and occasionally
glancing in languishing manner al
the young man who sat uneasily in
his chair, and began to feel the
symptoms of love. He sat as if SPELL
bound when she had finished.
why don't you compliment me,
Mr.. CROMWELL" she asked. turning
with smile. ''Do you know YOU
are wanting in your duty, sir? Every
young lady expects to be compli-
mented, when she has done young
gentleman the favor to sing to him. u
lit was because Twas so charmed"
said James Cromwell, with more
readiness than might have been ex.
pected. 81 was so charmed that
was incapable OF saying a word"
81 am afraid you are like the rest
of your sex, a sad hatterer, Mr..
Cromwell, said the young lady, shak-
ing her head, with a smile. "You
don't expect me to believe that, now,
do you"
"Yes, DO. Miss Manton. for it is