Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-05
ICE Or A LOST NICKEL.



They wanted first,class
they were about to conduct
q experiments. Ruper Pratt
} highly recommended by East
erts. and they engaged him. 1t
EXCELLENT situation, with a fine
nd the certainty Of liberal re-
Il the experiments he was con-
turned out winners. He liked
tion, he liked tho city, and yet
lonely.
Il Pratt was slow at making
He had never overcome a
shyness. In all his school
be possessed but one strong
They had parted the day after
tok their degrees. II Tiacy
had remained with Rupert
the same roof, sharing his
Is and aspirations, it would
len different. But when Tracy
j Rupert slipped back into his
ways. Ho studied, he exEeri-
he took long walks and rides.
made no friends, and his heart
ed for human companionship.
IN November be had occasion to
)e east end. Oneo the officers
company was Commissioning from
illness and had expressed de-
hear the bright young chemist
DO to him the results Of certain,
apt experiments he had been
Ting. Roger boarded the Euclid
Erie street late 10 the afternoon
nuG it pretty well filled lie took
nbout the middle of the car and,
& a letter from his pocket,
u 1t with great interest. 1t was
Tracy Grant, from Hongkone,
Tracy had secured, through the
bee OF English friends, a position
bager Of an exporting house, 1t
bright, CHEEKY letter, and it did
" good.
n me know when you finally settle
the writer said. "You tell mo
have an excellent offer from
Fest. Have you accepted it,?
where is itY You don't write
enough about yourself, dear
4 j particularly want to know
you are going. because my little
has Just finished college and is to
with our aunt, and it is possible
|gou will become acquainted. a
hmation deyoutly to be wished. I"
car stopped, and Roger was aware
young woman had come aboard.
|pked up and found she was stand
|n the nisle beside him. It was
! hasty glance that he gave her,
e was aware that she possessed q
that was strongly attractive and
Der eyes were perhaps the tender
I'D the brightest be had ever seen.
'umpled mp his letter and, QUICKLY
/, offered her his seat. She 40.
i 1t with thanks. A moment later
bad deftly crowded UP the two
u who occupied the seat and made
for Rupert. As she pointed to the
It place he noticed that she looked
i'm q little curiously. 1t was
Ike sci utiny, but Rupert found it
sing.
moment later the conductor came
10 aisle. Rupert hastily felt in
pocket and passed out a nickel.
young woman handed the con-
If a dime. That official promptly
ned her the nickel which Rupert
ust given him and which he had
led in his hand. As il fell in her
gloved palm Rupert started and
d pale. He recognized the coin.
5 his dearly priced pocket piece,
piece Tracy Grant had given
with the alleged Hindoo hallmark
Q side, which meant, according to
81 am never lonesome and
IN turn meant, according to Tracy,
The talisman would always attract
coins to the owners pocket.
IRISH it like the apple Of your eye,"
Tracy. until you meet the girl
s to win your love and wear your
and then have it made into a
Q for her with Brother Tracy's
wishes. /"
! hero was this precious token Of
lid and Jonathan friendship slip
into the dainty purse Of a strange
, woman. What could he do? He
ask her for it. Gould he summon
q courage? He tried. He framed
ords he would use. He moistened
'ngue.
N the car suddenly halted at
street, and while his attention
nomentarily distracted the young
~ arose and, giving him a bright
that was so Enthusiastically friendly
it almost took his breath away,
ted from the car with the nickel
lrse.
pert softly groaned, This would
do. The car was in motion. He
y strobe back to the platform and
! lightly to the pavement. When
iched the corner of the street down
, the young woman had turned,
Nv her ascending the steps OF the
d house, a handsome stone resi-
on the west side of the street. .
IN Rupert's courage wilted again.
lrned and walked up the street.
heeled about and came back. He
MT give W that precious nickel,
walked to the house in which he
seen the charming young woman
pear, and boldly ascending the
Pressed the bell button. A neat
1g maid answered the summons.
TT felt in his pockets. He hadn't
d with him.
wish to see the young lady of the
!" he said.
maid looked at him sharply.
thing about his appearance must
softened her heart.
cine in, I" she said, land l will
Hiss Leslie. What name, please9'
he nnme," replied Rupert, lis of
Tell her a gentleniau
IS to see her for monet or two. u
he wondered at his own boldness.
maid disappeared, and almost
a handsome, elderly lady
motherly look came into the
GU wished to see my niece?n she
red, with a rapid glance that took
he callers general appearance.
TT slightly flushed. He bowed and
sted.
came on a somewhat peculiar
d." he stammered. "If your niece
young lady whom i saw entering
ouse a few moments ago, she is
erson | wish to see. y