The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-03-13

will you not, Mr.. Hartley?" she asked
while doing up the bundle.
eyes," and West Hartley rendered
his Offering.
Some one else came up just then, anl
they turned away, leaving Ruth for 6
moment with her father.
ooh, papa"
"What is it,"
"See what generous soul Clarence
Hlllsdale has. Five hundred dollars
for a pair of slippers! And West, oh,
how mean:"
GLOW much did he give you?"
''Ten dollars only"
"Well, that was your price, and q
pretty steep one, too, considering the
fact that they did not cost more than
one-half that sum-"
~ know, but think how great the
contrast between their gifts. Why,
I'd given more, after what was said, if
l had been obliged to pawn my boots. D
"West Hartley is more ssensible, ,
was papa's short reply.
They went away, each bearing pain
OF slippers wrought by her dear little
fingers, and each within his heart had
hope enough to make him happy, and
Ruth lost her chance to study her two
lovers.
Long before the close OF the evening
Papa Dorian got sleepy and started for
home. Ruth was in good hands, and
he was too tired to stay there and stand
the heavy fire and constant demands
upon bis purse and patience, SO he
found his overcoat and furs in the
ante'room, and presently was trudSins
along towards his comfortable man
sion.
A 1.-the figure passed him 1T the end
OF the block, and under the light from
the street lamp he recognized West
Hartley. He was in q hurry, and with
q little curiosity Papa Dorian hurried,
too, and kept quite near. All at once
he disappeared. Papa Dorian rubbed
his eyes. Where in tie world did he
90? All! There was grocery store
on the corner. Possibly he might
have gone in there. A few steps more
and Papa Dorian was peering in at the
glass door.
Yes, he was there, and SO the cur
loslty boz outside watched and waited.
1t WAS for long while, for this
strange Young man was superintend-
ing the tying up of mysterious parcels,
and finally the rolling out of barrel
of -four.
"What in tho world is the fellow
buying groceries for? He don't keep
housed" thought the watcher at the
door, as West took out his pocketbook
and paid Bill on the counter.
"TAese articles must be delivered
tonight, he said, as he opened the
door.
"All right, sir"
Well, Papa Dorian looked after the
tall figure as it sped out Of sight, and
began to think it decidedly mysteri.
Gus affair.
81 may get myself into trouble. but
I'm bound to solve this matter" and
straightaway he walked into the
store.
''These articles are to DO delivered
tonight"
eyes, sir.
"Where?"
cat No. % NJ street."
could yon give me ride around
there?"
ooh, yes" The answer came prompt
~, but the grocer's eyes looked won.
dcringly at the tinoly-dressel gentle.
man.
1t was long ride and by no means
a pleasant one, for it ran through mar
row streets and alleys and ended in q
low but clean little court.
"Here you are, sir, at No. %. Hul.
loo, there; Mrs. Martin !'
The door OF No. % swung open, and
a woman pale and poorly.clad up.
peared.
"Here's load of goods for YOU"
''For me? There must be some mis-.
take"
"Not bit OF it. Take parcel or
two, and I'll run up with the rest"
Papa Dorian, eager to SEQ the whole,
caught up bundle and ran up stairs
behind the wondering woman and the
grocer.
1t was poor little room, as neat as
wax, half-illed with freshly.ironed
clothes, and its proprietress, pale,
meekly-faced woman, bearing the
marks OF poverty upon every Inca.
meat. Two children, from their
supper Of bread and milk, looked at
the stranger, and hailed the apples, as
the grocer rolled them inso q basket,
with shout of delight.
'Did you buy these, sir ?" asked the
.:'.?man, turning 70 Esp" Dorian.