Gilpin observer., 1900-09-13

ohS hdo pOOulc lol Il pCt
Frank Dempster Sherman.
The firm of Twist & Taffeta was
progressive, consequently considerate.
So, it being July, viii Merrivell got
off at l o'clock on Saturdays. So did
Iona Wray, who was in the mail order
department, and who frequently came
to him in his position as manager of
the cloth department, to match sam
Piles OF order goods. On one of these
occasions he discovered that Iona liv-
ed In the same suburb as he did. he
found out. too, that they generally
went out of the city at the same hour,
on the same train. On learning which
his spirits rose like toy balloon. To
be sure Iona was pretty girl. she
possessed not only beauty, but distinc-
ton. She held her slender young body
so erectly, she spoke so frankly, but
also with such dignified reserve, and
she was so earnest and so conscien-
tious in doing the work intrusted to
her that Will Merrivell forgot while
in her presence to give the firm his
best duty and attention.
But, then, Merrivell was extremely
susceptible. If he had not been so
susceptible it is quite unlikely that
he would have been confined with a
precious trust. And II he had not
been selected for the honor conferred
upon him he and Iona might never
have proceeded beyond the boundaries
where the courtesies of casual ac-
quaintance cease. Indeed she did not
feel sufficiently 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 a lady living
in Arizona.
Hot day." remarked Merrivell. 1T
will be fine to get away early"
Delightful assented Iona.
But she did not enter the North
western depot at her ordinary hour,
although Will 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
courage sufficient 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 al
tercation. Bobby had stretched a
string across the sidewalk. Merrivell.
running for the train. had fallen over
1t and skinned his shins. Observing
the culprit, he had promptly grabbed
him and given him chastsement brief
but effective. Confound 1t! How was
he to know that the little red-headed
wretch was the brother of this charm
ing girl? He would fall over strings
all the way from Melrose to State
street. IL only
Il beg your pardon, madam!"
His hat was in his hand. and he
was bowling profoundly to a lady with
whom he had almost collided when he
had turned so abruptly in his impetu-
Gus walk.
DO not mention it," cried the lady,
who was young and pale and of al
most tragic appearance. She was
handsome, too. but evidently grief
was responsible for the wild express
sion of large black eyes and the pite-
GUS trembling of her lips. She wore
deep mourning. She was apparently
u foreigner. But you will help me-
sir? am in desperation. Two hours
from now | take a train to the West.
| came down here to make arrange
ments for leaving At my hotel |
forgot some important papers. | must
return at once and secure them. In
the meantime may | beg of you to I'M
dertake the care of my darling Snow
flower? 1t is a precious trust and one
which | would not conhde to every
stranger Is this asking too much.
sir?"
Merrivell the susceptible. Merrlve!l
the gallant. bowed still more courte-
ously. 81 am honored," he assured
her. highly honored, Consider me
at your service!"
He felt jublant This was an OPP
portunity. Now. when Iona Wray
arrived, she would see with what gem
tleness. with what tenderness he cared
for this child of a stranger She would
appreciate all the lovely depths of his
sympathy. She would be increduous
of the statements of that headed
Bobby. She might even think Bobby
deserved corporal reproval And,
when she passed through the gates
alone what lingering glance would
she not send back to him whore he
sat caring for the child of lonely
young widow. He would smile sadly
in answer. and she would realize that
1t was only his sense OF chivalry
which kept him from her side And
all the way out she
So deep was he In the delicious