The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-31
New POSSESSIONS
She Strove to Prevent Ills Vast.
Ing His Time and Illus.
banded Her Own Time.


close to 1t Laura Barton placed her desk
This was the only furniture in the apart
ment save two chairs and big bookcase
in which was noble array of diction
aries and encyclopedias. As for decora
tons, there was but one. a very large
map Of the world that hung against the
wall opposite the books. 1t was quiet
little room, the last and innermost Of the
Marsh u Drummond suit.
1t was a rather humdrum life that she
led, perhaps-at the Office at O'Clock
and home Ia boarding house, at 6; occa'
sionally lecture with. the landlady's
daughter.
One morning a man came into the of.
fee. He was rather short man, with a
big head and good deal of hair. She
noticed this In a hasty glance over her
shoulder.
"Ah, yes" he said, there 1t u.s." and he
planted himself before the big map on
the wall. He stood there for moment
or two. and then Laura heard him say:
"Oh, beg pardon; didn't notice you. No
intrusion, hope"
| She looked over her shoulder again.
The short man was bowling in her direc-
ton. This time she saw that he wore
eyeglasses and that he had somewhat
rugged but kindly face.
| "Drummond told me to step in and
consult his map" continued the short
man. "1'm preparing a paper on our new
possessions, and wanted to get my lati-
tude correctly. l. hope don't annoy
your"
"Not at ALL" murmured Laura.
"MayI Y'
She looked up in surprise.
1.-THE fact is" said the stranger, what
with my short stature and short sight
of the upper sections Of our new possess
sions over here in the Pacific. Would
you oblige meT
Laura hcsitated. Then the humorous
side of the affair appealed to her, and she
arose and came forward.
"It's nice to be so tall" murmured the
stranger admiringly.
"I'm no taller than yourself, think"
said Laura.
at is also nice to have such beautiful
should say such excellent eyes," said
the stranger.
Laura turned the beautiful eyes to the
map and somewhat coldly inquired what
he wished to know. When he told her,
she read the names of the islands to him.
He gravely put them down with note or
two In morocco book.
'If l had been taller" he somewhat
mournfully said, there's no telling to
what heights l might not have reached.
Thank you very much and good morn
ing"
Laura went back to her desk, and
somehow the merry visit of the short
man seemed to tighten the whole day.
She laughed when she thought of 1t on
the way home
1t was little strange, but she wasn't
really surprised when he dropped in again
the next morning.
Good day." he said in his CHEEKY
way. "'Our New Possessions is COM
Ing on famously. I'm still little mixed,
however, on some of those double jointed
names" And before she quite knew it
she was again aiding him. He only re-
manned n few minutes, however, and
then departed, with many thanks. The
next morning he dropped in again, and
the next, and the next. If he missed a
morning, Laura somehow missed him.
He was such q CHEEKY fellow; SO optimis-
little as she used this last term. And
then wave of pity ran over her. 1t was
plain to he seen that with his easy and
good naturcd way this man could never
be a success in life. Here he was daw-
ding over matter that might have been
finished up in day or two. How could
such an idling fellow earn even salts
factory living? 1t was great pity too!
He was such delightful character!
Who was he? She would ask one of the
clerks. No. she wouldn't. What was
this idler to herr
When he dropped in the next morning,
Laura received his greeting in some
what frgid manner.
''I'm afraid l annoy YOU" he said after
moments hesitation.
NO" said Laura quite boldly, ut isn't
that. But don't you think you are vast
ing great deal of time on this-this
workT'
NO" said the short man. with smile,
II don't"
'And haven't you any employment of
more Importance"
NO" said the short man promptly, Il
haven't"
Laura sighed. He was clearly incor-
rigib!e.
I'm sorry" she said
''l'm glad" said the short man.
Laura blazed up.
"But don't you know that you are
wasting your opportunities" she cried.
Don't you know that without energy
you can accomplish nothing? Don't you
care to rise in the world? You have tai
ents. Why don't you wake up and put
them to good use?"
She couldn't have said this to him IL
he hadn't smiled at her vehemence so eX-
asperatingly.
"And you would like to have me sue
cecd?' he asked.
"Cer,uinly / would" Laura promptly
replied.
There was brief silence. The short
man looked thoughtful. He drew out his
watch.
81 can't stay but moment this morn
ing" he said. II think l must have
dropped in merely through force Of hab-
it,"
81 hope haven't began Laura.
mot at ALL he interrupted. Good
morning"
Laura felt little conscience stricken.
"But it was for his own good" she con-
soled herself. And then Mr.. Drummond
entered the room.
"NIiss Barton" he said, 1--WE have new
er asked you TO attend to any Of our
court business, but occasion may arise
when your services in that connection
will be required. In order T." familiarize
yourself with the work H''''' you would
visit one Of the courtrooms dis morning.
] will send Barry with you, and he will
enlighten you on such points as are nee
essary. You are not to do any work, you
understand; simply to become acquainted
with courtroom routine"
1t was big case, young Barry inform
ed H.. - ~. - -, oGIrr. i involved a
it was bitterly contested "All the big
legal guns will be there" said the boy.
"John Stetson's going to wind up for the
defense"
They were early enough and lucky
enough to secure seats inside the outer