Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-11-03


AT least you mean that you appre-
cia att, my postion9"
"And you desire to accomplish the
end in view?"
Yes"
Surely you would not advise the risk
OF lifelong misery to the woman, re-
gardless of myself, in an attempt to Sc
cure what you call real wife on such
short notice?"
NO"
Every we'll. That is where 1 stood
with the only means to accomplishing
the end the condition that be married
before midnight"
Then, sir" She hesitated. Her
eyes were fastened on a spot In the
rug. He waited, feeling his heart beat
Ing. and wondering why. A moment,
and she added: ut shall be done"
Madam"
Don't speak to rue, please" she said,
lifting her hand without raising her
eyes. II am only woman, and there
are reasons why this touches me deep
er than wish. know of one who will
serve your purpose perfectly. You Gun
trust her. She will neither fail nor de-
ceive you; but know that there is a
condition she will require. Give me
your promise that you will accept 1t,
and I will send her to you
What is it?" Stanton asked.
Il cannot rightly put it for her. She
Will have to tell you for herself after
she has performed her part"
But suppose it were something
that"
i will be responsible that you can
easily perform 1t, without embarrass-
ment, and that it shall In no way touch
your pride, your name, your home, or
your fortune"
THAT is more than 1 ask, madam.
However, 1 agree to accept the condi-
ton, and will see to it, also, that my
obligations are properly met"
Never mind; just write down what
you Will need to know. Her name Is
Esther Thorndilse. She was never mar
ried. She was born of honest American
parents in Albecco, Col, December i,
1857. Her good name is without a blem-
ish. She will meet you at the main en-
trance to this building at nine o'clock
tonight. You can trust her"
How much later Stanton never knew,
he started like one waking from
dream.
He knew that she was gone. He had
seen her go. She left the room by the
private door opening on the corridor;
yet he read again the paper lying on his
desk to convince himself that it was not
all q dream.
Esther Thorndike," he repeated.
"squint-eyed, one-legged. hunchbacked
something of the sort. suppose; but
what does It matter? It's a rather good
idea. She was remarkable woman.
The most remarkable woman 1 ever
met. She must have come for this Es-
Their Thorndike at the start. IfIhadn't
been fool should have known that
she never came on such an errand for
herself"
He looked at his watch with an ex-
clamation of surprise, caught up his
hat and coat and hurried toward the
door, bethought him of word to his
ofhce-boy, turned quickly and opened
the other door, then started back with
veritable gasp, and stood shaking.
The boy had tilted his chair against
the door. the better to protect the en-
trance to his masters sanctum while
waiting for the sound of the bell. The
sudden opening of the door sent him
headlong into the private office.
Stanton did not notice it, but in
speeches., nerveless CONSERVATION
stood looking across the room, where,
against the wall, in the order of their
coming, the boy had arranged dozen
applicants.
They were young and old, white and
there was one black one among them.
At the head of the line stood q be-
dizened duchess from back of Green
street She was SCARED and brazen
veteran. AT the other end stood young
girl, her eyes on the floor and her
cheeks flushed with shame az she
crouched away from the rest,
Good morn'in', Mr.. Malcolm" said
the duchess. stepping forward. you've
got q good show to pick from, and
you'd best be about it, for her that's
10 be merred the day orter be gettin'
her toys on P.D.Q"
Ladies'" Stanton gasped, and then
he stopped to shudder.
He would have begun in almost any
other way, but he remembered that
they were all there upon his invita-
ton; there as his guests; there to con-
suit with him about becoming his wife.
He was too recently under the philos-
ophy of his first caller not to appreciate
the situation.
Ladies. he said again, "you must ex-
euse me, | have already made my Sc
lection" And in the simple instinct of
self-preservation he pushed the door to
and locked it, for the duchess, with
clinched fists and purple face, was ap-
preaching him. Having locked the
door, he turned and fled.
Going down in the elevator, he over
heard whispered conversation be-
tween the operator and neighbours
Office boy.