The Worthington advance., 1900-10-05
Hptk1t&fkss1k&sss sssat< NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
A PRECIOUS TRUST
THE firm of Twist & Taffeta was

progressive-conseq consid-
crate. So, it being July, Will Merrivell
got of at one o'clock on Saturdays.
So did Iona Wray, who was in the mail
order department., and who frequent
ly 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 . toysbal-
loon. To be sure, Iona was a pretty
girl. She possessed not only beauty,
but distinction. She held her slender
young body 20. erectly, she spoke so
frankly, but also with such dignified
reserve, and ;ske was so earnest and
80 conscientious In doing the work in
trusted to her that Will Merrivell for
got while In her presence to give the
firm his best duty andiattention.
But, then, Aerrivel1 was extremely
susceptible. 8If he had not been so
susceptible ~ is quite unlikely that he
would have been conAded with a pre-
cious trust. And tif he had not been
selected forathe honor conferred upon
him he and iona m5ght never have pro-
ceeded beyond the Boundaries where
the courteSfes of, casual acquaintance
cease. Indeed, she did not feel sufR.
ciently 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 dewn to Merrivell that morning
for six yards Of lavender broadcloth to
be sent toa lady living in Arizona. +
"Hot day." remarked Merrivell. ut
will be fine to get away early"
"Delightful!" assented Iona.
But 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 al
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 tc
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 thi.
charming girl? He would fall ove1
strings all the way from Melrose tt
State streets, If only
II beg your pardon, madam!"
His hat was in his hand and he wa!
bowing profoundly to lady Will
whom he had almost collided when hi
had turned SO abruptly in his impetu
Gus walk.
"Do not mention it," cried the lady
who was young and pale and of almosr
tragic appearance. She was handsome
too, but evidently grief was responsible,
for the wild expression of her large blacl
eyes and the piteous trembling of he1
lips. She wore deep mourning. Sh,
was apparently foreigner. "But 70,
will help me, sir? am in desperation
Two hours from now I take train t,
the west. came down here to max,
arrangements for leaving. AT my no
tel forgot some important papers. :.
= must return at once and secure them
In the meantime may I beg of 20,
to undertake the, care of my darlin,
Snowfower? It is precious trus
and one which would not confide Il
every stranger. Is this asking to<
much, sir?"
Merrivell, the susceptible, Merrivel
the gallant, bowed still more courte
ously. II am honored," he assured her
"highly honored! Consider me at YOU,
service!"
He felt jubilant. This was an op
portunity. Now, when Iona Wray ar
rived, she would see with what gentle
ness, with what tenderness he caret
for this child Of stranger! She wouk
appreciate all the lovely depths of hi
sympathyi She would be incredulou,
of the statements Of that red-heade<
Bobby! She might even think Bobb,
deserved corporal reproval. And, whe1
she passed through the, gates alon'
what . lingering glance would she no
send back to him where he sat caring
for the child Of lonely young widow
He would smile sadly in answer, an.
she would realize that It was only hi
sense OF chivalry which kept him from
her side. And all the way out che I 1
so deep was he in the delicious dream
ne did not perceive the return of th,
black-eyed stranger until she was clos,
beside him.
You are 80 kind! I shall now fee
perfectly safe about my Nttls darling
shall soon be back!'' .,,. ,'.S 81
Then she disappeared, and Merrivel
lo,,aa th&1a - ..xa.y. ~. I.--l- -l..s.s % !