Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1897-08-06

very important business to be
transacted, and in view OF IFS
proved reliance on your ability.
the matter will be given in your
charge
Mr.. Rnnker, an affAble old gen.
tleman, was more than gracious to
Bob. who did not seem to en-.
Enthusiastically receive his intOr'
nation.
Il thank yon, sir, for trust in
me- Bob returned with an effort at
appearing happy. 'Bnt may | ask
will this business call me out Of
town.
just a few miles, replied his
employer smiling. Across the
ocean, Mr.. Acton, aud if remem-
Der rightly, YOU once requested to
make this trip
Fora moment Bob was dumb.
rounded; bnt his business tact soon
reasserted itself and he rejplced
with a gratifled smile.
Mr.. Ruuker, the house does tme
too much honOr-l shall try TO
earn it in the conduct of the mat
ters yOn wish to intrust to me.
May I ask when | am expected
s.artP
'IfI is rot requiring too much
his employer answered, I'VE prefer
you to leave by the New York on
Saturday next. 1t will aid us ma.
terialy if you can be III London
by next week. OF course, II -
Not at all. Mr.. Rdnker,' inter.
posed Bob. NO invOn venience, l
assure yOn. 1t is GOw Wednesday,
and # might leave the Office at
ouce to begin my preparatlOn-
'Q1ite right 4Nr. Ruuker re-
turned. We'll dispense with you
until Friday morning, by which
time your instructions will 5e all
ready.
A few mements later Bob was
seated at his desk striving might
ily to finiSh his morning mail in
the shortest possible time. His
aim, however, was not to rush
home and tell the folks that his
long lOOked for European trip had
become a realization. He wished
to reach the Morning Star and |
say Que word to the little Irish
beauty. that he hoped should per
shade her towel, at least, not |
to forget him, and ifit was not too
great a demand, to ask her to
write 10 hun.
But il was noon before he could |
get away from the Office. His first
nervOusly rapid steps brought him
10 a florists, where he purchased |
few roses, only just so many as
he could carry in his pocket with
out lDjuring them. lie would sooner
have wheeled baby carriage
across City Hall Park than carry
those flowers IN his hand.
On entering the restaurant Bob
lrembled, and the cold sweat stood
on his brow. He foreshadowed TO
himself now the horror of going
down the church aisle with Fannie
leaniDg on his arm. Wouldn't it
be awlulg But still how rapturons!
'Psbaw, she'll never naye me,' he
murmured again to himself as he
took his accustomed seat.
Here another qnalm assal.ep
him. How colld be give Fannie
those roses without attracting
eyerybody's attenuOn9 How IN the
first place could he get them Our
of his pocket without tearlUg
their tender petals asunder7
While he was fidgeting over
these thoughts, he heard what
seemed a familiar step beind him,
and as the waitress reached bl>
side, he whispered h0arsely witt.
out drawing to uplltt his gaze.
Good morning, Fannie
SIR? was the interrogatory an.
swer.
The voice was strange. Ihe
tone incomprehenslble from the
eet lips OF Fannie. Bob look ed
up starting. The next instant
bis eyes dropped and unpardona-
ble mist clouded their fine gray
hue,
1t was not Fannlel
Your order, please the new
waitress demanded peremptorily.
Corn beef and pork Stammered
Bob, great lump in his throat
almost choking utterance.
Corn beef an porkP queried
the waitress. You mean corn beef
dn-, don't your
YES, conround it, muttered
Bob. 'COrned beet and-quail, If