The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-03-22
The Eleventh Commandment.
By MARGARET LEE.

usual frame of mind and proceeded to
his office. He was ono of those charm
ing individuals who carry with them
an atmosphere of mingled health,
wealth and happiness and unconsciously
communicate it to all who come in con
tact with thom. Tho ticket master at
his station enjoyed seeing him lightly
mounting the steep stairs and always
put out Storer's slip and change with a
fresh sense Of interest and pleasure in
his own mOnotonous occupation. Tho
elevator boy in his close cage anticipated
Storer's smile and kind "Good morn
ing, Bill, to say nothing of holiday
souvenirs. In the office ho was simply
adored by the clerks, and on this day,
as usual, found his mail ready to his
hands. One letter was attractive by rea-
son OF certain peCuliaritics. His name
was written in black ink. Tho address
was in blue, as if the sender had looked
in n directory and added it with strange
pen and ink. Tho word "Personal' was
in the corner of tho small envelope, and
the handwriting was unfamiliar and
evidently that of a very nervous woman.
Storcr read it eagerly with utter
amazcment:
DEAR MIR. SToREH-I am in great trouble. I
know OF no ono to help me- Will you come and
sec mo2 am with friends at No. - West
Eighteenth street. used to meet you every
summer in Centervillc.
GERTRUDE BALDWIN.
Mr.. Storer read and reread the note.
Then he recalled his vacations spent in
Centerville during his old college days.
Baldwin," he repeated over and
of
rose before him. Picnics, boating par
ties, games Of croquet played OH lawns
gay with youthful figures, drives,
walks, mountain strolls, moonlight
wandorings he reviewed them all. Ger.
tainly he personally had no intimacy
with any one named Baldwin. Yet the
name grew in his memory and gradual
ly attached itself to an old, rambling
house with spacious grounds and farm
lands stretching up the hillside. Yes,
he remembered tho place and a great
barn upon it, in which ono stormy day
the jolly party improviscd dance to
the music of violin. He saw the grace
full figures in motion. The sounds of the
merry laughter within and of tho rag
ing storm without came back to him
with the perfume of the hay that filled
one CornOr. But of Miss Gertrude Bald
win he could form no idea whatever
But stay! Seated on the hay wcre sew
eral girls, children in his estimation.
They formed n pleased audience, and
one Of those girls, slender creature,
with eyes like violets and a wealth of
tawny hair, had enacted the part Of
hostess. Yes, Gertie was what they all
called her.
Gertio had given him q brimming
goblet Of delicious cider from q hugo
pitcher and offered him apples from an
apron full of choice specimens selected
by herself.
Yes, he had often been attracted by
this pretty, half grown girl He used
to see her on Sundays in her muslin
gown and floating ribbons, sauntering
to or from church. Her shy glance and
bow, her flush when he dotted his cap
and returned it, came vividly before
him. The last time he left Ccnterville
for homo she had been in the stage
coach with several of her companions
and occupied the seat next to his They
had chatted all tho way, discussing ev-
erything that excited their attention
along the road, and how they had
That was seven years ago. And now
this childish girl was in trouble Somo-
thing rose in his throat He made a
note Of the address, put the envelope in
an inside pocket and rapidly read his
business letters. Then he pressed but
ton, and tall young fellow appeared
in the little room.
Dawson, I'll be hero after lunch if
anybody wants me particularly.
Eyes, sir.
Then Mr.. Storer pu on his overcoat
and hat and started for West Eighteenth
street. AS he went he easily explained
to himself why this girl might think of
him and send him this simple appeal.
He was associated in her mind with all
the light hcartedness of happy youth.
We are apt to contrast extremes nf con-
ditions
The house was an unpreten&a ono,
and he was admitted and usiitfeH ihto
the parlor by an elderly woman of 1t
tractive appearance. She took his cSN
and left him to his meditations. "
He waited some time-long enoug6&
to become familiar witlN3ke. photda
graphs on the walls, the psefSsg of thG
carpet and the general effect Of the we'll
cared, old fashioned pieces Of furniture.
One or two Of them he coveted. He was
thoroughly absorbed iii tall, carved
bookcase when slight noiso warned
him, and he turned to meet Misb Bald
win as she closed tho door and stood BE-
fore him. y .T
She was struggling with emotion ,tfhe
violet eyes downcast, tho beautiful &air
prettily twisted around her head& A
dark woolen dress, with linen culB and
collar, defined the 1.-the girlish Rure as
he recalled it, For tho first tinfe in his
}ife John Storer felt completely at a
loss for words. Then the girl raised her
eyes as If to assure herself of his identi-
ty, and he found his tongue. Her eyes
had told him her story.
"Gertie, am so glad you thought Of
me. l inst got your note. Really feel
quito honored. Now. if / can do any
thing that will servo You don't hesitate
to command mo. We are old friends. {"
He took her hands and drew her to
the sofa. BY filling in broken sentences
and supplying others he soon learned all
the facts.
1t sounded like very old, common
place story, even to the point that Ger
tie did not believe that her lover meant
to desert her. Some unforeseen trouble,
she thought, had prevented him from
fulflling his promise. Her parents had
practically turned her out, but had given
t.nxs kHn L.