The Portland daily press., 1895-04-23
PATRICE C co.

| Mr.. Alexander Paxton was in town for
six weeks. He had been charge d 'affaires
for an intolerable time at certain small
| capitalize city had seemed at all times
the reverse of a capital to Paxton-and
now this morning he was having an in
| teryleW with an important person.
The new berth was twice as valuable as
the last and the heart of Alexander Pax
ton beat pleasantly. Even in the diplo-
| matte servicepromotion sometimes comes.
You are married, think, Mr.. Pax.
| ton?'' said the important person. "You
must bring Mrs.
Excuse me-" said Paxton, flushing.
"No, 1 am not yet married.
"Ohl" But the person seemed scarcely
| inclined to credit the assertion. It con.
| ficted with an mpression-erroneous
| but still an impression-that he had got
into his head. ooh, that's singular now"
1t is singular" confessed Paxton.
II should have preferred married man
| for the post" The person blew gently
on the edge of his eyeglass snatch of a
popular air. 81 should have much pre-
ferred, very much preferred-in fact, I'm
afraid in this case it's almost indispensa-
ble.'
Its an omission that can perhaps be
remedied," interrupted Alexander Pax
ton hastily. He became quite nervous at
the mere thought of losing the appoint
ment. If you think it would be advisa-
ble."
II do; do, with an air of great relief
"Thank you, Mr.. Paxton. That's better
You'll hurry affairs on, will you? Get the
event over before you sail if possible.
That's right Shall we say good morning?
Good morning. Call in again before YOU
go and leave your address now with ne
of the secretaries. This is your stick, I
Think"
Mr.. Paxton came out into Whitehall
with mixed air of citation and perplexity.
He walked nearly to Charing Cross before
he remembered that he was going in the
wrong direction. Then he returned. The
only woman in London refused him last
night-she still seemed to him the only
woman in London-but he would try her
again.
'Scott!' cried Paxton.
1t was only a hanson going swiftly by
that caused the exclamation. A face looked
over the splashboard-a girlish face with
bonnet atop that looked like, not bon
net, but mere accidental bunch of flow
ers. Mr.. Paxton hailed an empty cab
Here, hansonW
Fright you are, sir. Same old keb.
Same old driver
'sDo you see that cab going along there
with the yellow wheels?"
''Jest by Dover Ahse, sirp''
"That's it. Catch it up and follow it,"
I'm on it, SIR
Alexander Paxton sat in his hanson,
and as it went along quickly he thought
There's no one else, he said to him
self. 'She said No last night at the
Buffers, but we parted very good friends.
A woman whose husband has been dead
for three years ought to marry again. I'll
call at her fiat in Victoria street, anyhow"
But the cab with the yellow wheels went
past Victoria street. 1t went past Victoria
station. 1t pulled up eventually at an ar
tistic little shop with name over the
window-Patrice
Mr.. Paxton paid his cabman and sent
him Off. When he was tired Of waiting,
he took long breath and went into the
shop.
what can we have the pleasure of
showing you, sir?''
Alexander Paxton looked around the
shop. She was not there. One or two Gus
toners were there examining furniture
and wall papers, but she was not to be
seen.
II wanted to see''- he began hesitat-
ingly.
'MadameP Certainly, sir. Will you step
this way, pleaseP'
Mechanically Paxton followed into
pleasant little place, half office, half room.
She rose from desk and thrust her pencil
between the folds of her bodice.
My dear, are you, then, Nine Patrice?"
why, yes, Mr.. Paxton. You didn't
know, dare say"
II thought you had money of your own?n
$50 / have. But have to earn it. One
has to work for a living nowadays, you
know, but 1T doesn't do to brag about it,
She flushed rather prettily-a gift of the
gods that is rare--and seemed nervous.
do you know" she went on, II am
glad to see you again. wanted to ask
you about your late berth, but last night
we were--we were speaking of other mat
ters.''
1--WE were," acknowledged Alexander
Paxton. And am quite ashamed of
myself to come to you again. But I love
you SO much, my dear, DEAR
She went hastily to the door of the office
and closed it carefully.
And you told me that you did care for
me, ana II that is SO really can't see why
IN the world we shouldn't be happy
He told her frankly Of the mornings
interview in Whitehall, She sat on the
other side of her desk, and leaning for
ward in her chair olasped one knee and
looked straight before her. A line or two
OF worry showed on her white forehead.
Do you mind" she said when he had
finished, "do you mind if say once more
Mop
Eyes, DO, dear
She sighed and opened drawer Of her
desk
am glad to believe that you do 1aind."
II you Won't marry me- I shall give
up tho appointment must chance some
thing else turning up. Only should like
to have had 1t. And do love you, dear,
and would
''The firm of Patrice & Co.." she replied
Yjth Sffn1t01i0,, oF 1,o.-4.1..a,.