The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-09-28
A PRECIOUS TRUST

THE firm of Twist & Taffeta was
progressive-cO consid-
crate So, it being July, VIII MerriveH
got off at one o'clock on Saturdays.
So did Iona Wray, who was in the mail
order department, and who frequent
" came to him, in his position as man
ager OF the cloth department. to match
samples or order goods. On one of
these occasions he discovered that
Iona lived in the same suburb as he
did. He found out, too, that they gen
orally went out of the city at the same
hour, on the same train. On learning
which his spirits rose like a toy bal
loon. To be sure, Iona was pretty
girl. She possessed not only beauty,
but distinction She held her slender
young body so erectly, she spoke so
frankly, but also with such digniied
reserve, and she was so earnest and
so conscientious in doing the work in
trusted to her that VIII Merrivell for
got while in her presence to give the
firm his best duty and attention.
But. then, Merrivell was extremely
susce Dtible. If he had not been so
susceptible it is quite unlikely that he
would have been confded with pre-
cious trust And if he had not been
selected for the honor conferred upon
him he and Iona might never have pro-
ceeded beyond the boundaries where
the cOurtesies of casual acquaintance
cease. Indeed she did not feel suffi-
GENTLY familiar with him to mention
the fact of her intention to stay an
hour later in town than usual on one
particular afternoon, although she had
come down to Merrivell that morning
for six yards of lavender broadcloth to
be sent to lady living in Arizona.
Hot day." remarked Merrivell. "It
will he fine to get away early"
Delightful" assented Iona.
Blu, she did not enter the Northwest
.ern depot at her ordinary hour, al
though VIII paced up and down just
without the railing. and watched the
great gates until his train had come
and gone. Surely she would be here
before the next train was due to leave.
The thought of sitting beside her as
the train rushed out of the smoky city
into the beautiful green suburbs was
delightful. He might even get up cour-
age to ask to call! And if permitted
TO DO so, how kind he would be to
Bobby-if only Bobby would keep still
about their little alteration. Bobby
had stretched a string across the side
walk. Merrivell. running for the train,
had fallen over it and skinned his shins.
Observing the culprit, he had promptly
grabbed him and given him chastise-
ment brief but effective. COnfound it
How was he to know that the little red
headed wretch was the brother of this
charming girl? He would fall over
strings all the way from Melrose to
State streets, if only
u beg your pardon. madam!"
His hat was in his hand and he was
blowing profoundly to lady with
whom be had almost collided when he
had turned so abruptly in his impetu
Gus walk.
DO rot mention it," cried the lady,
who was young and pale and of almost
tragic appearance. She was handsome,
100 but evidently grief was responsible
Iorthe wild expression of her large black
eyes and the piteous trembling of her
lips, She wore deep mourning. She
was apparently foreigner. But you
VIII help me, sir? am in desperation.
Two hours from now / take a train TO
'he west. I came down here to make
arrangements for leaving. At my no
'el forgot some important papers. I
mus return at once and secure them.
IN the meantime may l beg of you
70 undertake the care of my darling
onoWtiower? It is a precious trust
and one which I would not coufde to
every stranger. Is this asking too
much. sir?"
Merrivell, the susceptible. MerriveH
'ae gallant, bowed still more courte-
ousiy Il am honored.' he assured her,
mghly honoredI Consider me at your
service."
ne felt jubila7t. This was an OPP
por'unity. Now, when Iona Wray ar
rived she would see with what gentle
sSs, with what tenderness he cared
.Or this child of stranger! She would
appreciate ali the lovely depths of his
y mpathyl She would be incredulous
ne statements of that red-headed
oooy She might even think Bobby
sSssefVed corporal reproval And, when
passed through the gates alone
uaI lingering glance would she not