Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-10-17


Her hat observes a stylish set.
| She has poodle for a pet"
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 a pretty girl. She
possessed not only beauty, but distinc-
ffon. She held her slender young body
so erectly, she spoke so frankly, but
also with such dlgnifed reserve, and
she was SO earnest and SO conscien-
tious in doing the work intrusted to
her that VIII 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 if he had not
been selected for the honor conferred
upon him he and Iona might neve:
have proceeded beyond the boundaries
where the courtesies Of casual Gc
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 Merrlvell that
morning for six yards of lavender
broadcloth, to be sent to a lady living
in Arizona.
Hot day" remarked Merrivell. "It
will be fine to get away early"
''Delightful!" assented Iona.
But she did not enter the North
western depot at her ordinary hour,
although 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
courage sufficient to ask to call! And
il 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 chastisement brief
but effective. Confound it, 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. If only
"I beg your pardon, madam!"
His hat was in his hand. and he
was bowling profoundly TO 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
foreigner. but you will help me,
sir? l am in desperation. Two hours
from now l take a train to the West
l came down here to make arrange
ments for leaving At my hotel |
forgot some important papers. I must
return at once and secure them. In
the meantime may beg of. you to un-
dertake the care of my darling Snow
flower? 1t is precious trust and one
which I would not confide to every
stranger. Is this asking too much.
sir?"
Merrivell the susceptible, Merrlvell
the gallant, bowed still more courte-
ously. Il am honored," he assured
her, "highly honored! Consider me
at your service!"
He felt jubilant. This was an op-
portunity. Now, when Iona Wray
arrived, she would see With what gen
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 incredulous
of the statements of that red-headed
Bobby. She might even think Bobby
deserved corporal reproval. And,
when she passed through the gates
|. alore what lingering glance would
y she not send back to him where he
sat caring for the child of a lonely
young widow. He would smile sadly
In answer, and she would realize that
It 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
dream he did not perceive the return
of the black-eyed stranger until she