Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-05-05


posies, and ventured, even under the
jealous eye of her dragon shop-wa.ker'
to say:
"Oh. thank you so much!"
A smile in answer, rs, he passed on
and another perfect cay wore away
At closing time that evening the same
young man stood near the main en-
trance till long after the doors were
closed, but the employees poured out
of the basement entrance on the other
side of the building. and he m!ssea
them, much as he would have liked TO
see one bright-eyed girl in SHABBY
black, who sat in bus holding
bunch of violets, her lips parted IN a
dreamy smile.
The next morning bunch OF ira
grant, nodding lilacs was thrust
through her window-the first OF the
blooms she had ever owned-and again
she NODDED ecstatic thanks to her I'M
known friend. That she might be DO
ing wrong in accepting the favor did
not occur to her, nor that the JOY she
felt night and day was not all in the
flowers.
Then came a great handful OF long
stemmed fleur-de-lis, in all the exquls-
lite shades of purple, that brought 10
her, who had never seen them grow
ing wild, vision of pretty banks ana
ripping water, and again she nooded
and smiled her thanks, under disap-
proving eyes.
The next morning her friend
brought his offering in person, walking
with determined step and with a de-
cided expression on his face. ms
time he bore white tea roses-long-
stemmed, heavyheaded, fragrance
burdened-and handed them across the
desk. She blushed a rosy red, and be-
fore she could speak he said:
II want to say thing or two and IL
doesn't make any difference to me
who Objects" with a defiant glance at
the glowering shop walker.
Butch! sir, you have been so
kind to me, but l can't talk-lts
against the rules. I'll lose my place.
Miss Harrison!" came the warn
ing.
"Oh, please go!" implored Margie
in a half-whisper. Il have twenty
minutes for luncheon at one O'clock
and can see you at the back entrance
for one moment, If, you'll only go
now"
On this promise the young man
went away without word, but, I'M
fortunately, the shop-walker had heard
her make the appointment, and wish
ing revenge for past sights, and re-
senting her apparent friendliness with
another man.. reported the affair In
such terms that when luncheon time
came an envelope was handed to the
girl containing the amount of wages
due to her and notification that her
services were no longer required by
the firm.
In her distress she forgot all about
her appointment with the man who
had been the cause Of her dismissal,
so, as he stood waiting at the door, he
was almost knocked over by a slender
little girl with hat pulled down over
suspiciously red eyes, and an alto
gether detected appearance.
Something has happened" he ex-
claimed.
1.-THE shop-walker reported me-"
was the answer, with an escape OF
tears, land they have discharged me-"
mo! Did they?" was his exclama-
ton in lively tones, and with a most
cheerful expression. Come" he add
ed, "let us walk down to cafe
know, and let me talk to you mo-
ment while you have your luncheon.
Butt don't know you," demurred
Margie.
Nor do I you," he retorted, with
boyish laugh, "but l want to. Are
you afraid to trust me?"
Margie looked in his face'a moment,
and then walked along beside him I'M
til the restaurant was reached. Her
escort did not address her again until
they were seated in secluded corner
and luncheon had been brought
81 am Philiy Douglass" he said
briskly; twenty eight years old, I'M
married, with three hundred acres of
land-and one corner of my farm runs
down into the rivera moist, shady
little spot where almost every flower
will grow if it is planted, and we have
planted a good many. l live with the
dearest, gentlest mother in the world,
and 1 am worth enough money to do
as l please. You are" he paused.
"Margery Harrison" put in the
girl.
"Margery-Margery," he reiterated
softly. "a sweet name. What else
can you tell me that will make me
know you better?"
Twenty years DID," began Margery
demurely, stubborn, impatient and
unconventional. I lodge With my
brother Fred and his wife. I've
worked at Yorks' for five years, and
now" remembering her trouble, with
a quick rush of tears, they have sent
me away without moments notice
and 1 must start out to hunt for my
daily bread. And here l am, telling