The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-04-06

glance assured him his appearance
was quite satisfactory, and then he
stepped out and hurried to the Square.
He had just time to catch the Rock.
port car and a ride of half an hour
brought him to Scroop court, n short
street of very new houses, amid which
! he had little trouble in locating No. %.
81 never went to a church entertain
ment," he said with smile, where
change was mentioned, and Pm too
old to begin"
a tall young man In a long Prince
| Albert, pale young man with thick
black hair, looked around at Durham
and gave him a pleasant smile and
nod. Durham nodded back, and then
went up the stairs.
Dear me-" murmured a voice over
his shoulder "but that was stupid" I
must have caught my heel on the up
per step. New shoes you know 1t was
awfully good of you to be In the way.
l might have progressed down every
step to the bottom. It's Mr.. Blossom,
isn't itY'
Durham looked around A pretty
| girl with glowing cheeks, a pretty girl
in pretty light dress, was looking
down on him from an upper step.
mo" he said. ut isn't Mr.. Blossom;
it's Mr.. Greer, and Mr.. Greer Is very
glad that he could be of some assis.
lance to you during the recent rush."
"Oh," said the pretty girl, Il
thought 1t was the minister's friend
from the west l am May Fleming.
You know Mr.. Chandos, don't your
Durham shook his head
'The fact is" he said, "Pm almost
an entire stranger"
He put in the almost" because he
felt that he had some slight acquain.
lance with a young lady by the name
of Fleming.
Il will introduce you" she said. and
drawing him to the tall young man,
presented him in due form and then
slipped away.
Durhams heart warmed to the
young minister at once. He looked
so earnest, so kindly, so good
81 do not remember to have seen
you among us before" he said.
NO" said Durham. ITS the first
time I've been in this part of the city.
I'm an eastern man, New Yorker"
Some free masonry of instinct prompt
ed him to add, Harvard, '96."
princeton, o." cried the minister.
and then they shook hands again.
your NAME" said the young shep.
herd as he beamed down on Durham.
sis quite familiar one. At least II
would be esteemed so by most readers
of the daily press"
Eyes" said Durham. shortly. And
he frowned
He was about to add something
when his attention was drawn away
by the pretty girl whom he met on
the stairway. She held salver to him
and from it he drew a card. 1t bore
the name Jack"
Durham showed 1t to the minister.
81 fancy" laughed the latter, that
you are expected to look up a Jill "
So Durham passed about the some.
what crowded rooms, an 10! when he
found his "Jill' it was the heroine of
the staircase again.
"And Jill came tumbling after" he
merrily quoted as he thrust his card
before her. And presently they found
themselves at one of the little tables
scattered about the room and when
a bell tangled the playing commenced.
Durham had never played in just this
fashion before but he quickly caught
the fashion of it and entered into the
spirit of the business as if he Mad
found the one occupation that pleased
him most
At just 10 o'clock the playing
stopped and the score cards were all
gathered up by the active small boy,
and then Durham understood that
this meant prizes. He fancied he had
discovered why the playing was car
ried on in such a grave and quiet man.
ner.
There were light refreshments
served by the young women and Dun.
ham found them good. lie strove 10 In.
terest the people at the table with him
and soon had them in a jolly mood.
He told funny stories and hummed
the latest popular song for the young
woman who sang and did clever
trick with the cards for the young
man who wondered how professionals
could become so expert in handling
the magic pasteboards. When the re-
freshments were cleared away every.
body was expected to Join in social
converse, ana Dunnuln sought MS new
friend, the minister.
"You seem to be having a merry
time" said the latter.
"That is what / endeavor to dc
wherever CO." said Durham with 9
smile; "and it has required no effort
whatever on the present occasion
This is all delightful novelty to me-
you have a happy disposition
said the young minister.
mot always" said Durham. II dc
a great many things that are distaste
full to me. / am not. cut out for q
fnancier, nor even for an ordinary
business man. At the same time. DOM