Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-03


oapital--tho city had seemed at all time
the reverse OF a capital TO Paxton-ans
now this morning he was having an In
terview. with an important person.
The new berth was twice as valuable al
the last, and tho heart of Alexander Pax
ton beat pleasantly. Even In the diplo
matte service.promotion sometimes comes
-"You arc married, 1 think, Mr.. Pax
tom" said the important person. "Yol
must bring Mrs. -
i"Excuse mo, said Paxton, flushing
"No, am not yot married"
"OhI' But the person seomed scarcely
inclined to credit the assertion. 1t con
hicted with an mpression-erroneou
but still an impression-that he had go,
into his head. oh that's singular, now. v
"It is singular, - confessed Paxton.
II should have preferred married man
Tor the post" The person blew gently
on tho edge OF his eycelass a snatch Of a
popular air. II should have much pre-
ferred, very much prefeIrcd-in fact, I'm
afraid In this case it's almost indispensa-
ble.''
''It's an omission that can perhaps be
remedied," interrupted Alexander Pax
ton hastily. Ho became quite nervous at
the more thought of losing tho appoint
ment. IF you think it would be advisa-
bIe.'
II 10; 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 ii possible.
That's right. Shall we say good morning?
Good morning. Call in again before you
60 and leave your address now with one
of the secretaries. This is your stick,
think?'
Mr.. Paxton came out into Whitehall
with mixed air of elaton and perplexity.
He walked nearly to Charing Cross before
no remembered that he was going in the
wrong direction. Then he returned Tho
only woman in London refused him last
night-she still seemed to him the only
woman in London--but he would try her
again.
"Scottp' cried Paxton.
It was only hansom 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 nero accidental bunch of flow-
ers. Mr.. Paxton hailed an empty cab.
Here, hansom!'
fright you arc, sir. Same old keb
Same old driver
''Do you see that cab going along there
with the yellow wheelsi"
"Jest by Dover Ahse, sire''
"That's it. Catch IL up and follow it,"
I'm on it, sir.
Alexander Paxton sat In his hanson,
and as 1t went along quickly he thought.
"There's no one else, T" 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
oall at her Hat 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 a 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 hesitnt-
ingly.
"Madames Certainly, SIR Will you step
this way, please?'
Mechanically Paxton followed into a
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?'
SO have. But have to earn 1t. One
has to work for a living nowadays, you
know, but it doesn't do to brag about it,"
She flushed rather prettily-a gift of the
gods that is rare--and seemed nervehs.
do you know" she went OH, Il am
elaa 10 $50 you again. wanted TO ask
you about your late berth, but last night
we were-wo were speaking OF other mat
ters. -
1--WE were," acknowledged Alexander
Paxton. And l am quite ashamed Of
myself to come to you again. But 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, and If 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 clasped 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 IL say once more
Nor
"Yes, do, dear"
She sighed and opened a drawer OF her
desk.
Il am glad to believe that you do mind"
"If you won't marry me, / shall give
up tho appointment. / must chance some
thing else turning up. Only / should like
to havo had 1t. And do love you, dear,
and would"-
"Thc firm of Patrice & Co., " she replied,
with affcctation Of light heartedness,
slnust not listen to these things. 1t Is not
art furniture, and 1t ia not decoration.
Patrice a. Go. has a reputation for these
things, but il does not deal In the afiec-
tions"