The Afro-American advance., 1900-10-06
A PRECIOUS TRUST
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THE firm of Twist g. Taffeta was
progressive-consequently consid-
crate. So, 1t being July, viii Merrivell
rot off at one o'clock on Saturdays
So did Iona Wray, who was in the mail
order department, and who frequent
Iy 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 a toy bal
loon. To be sure, Iona was a pretty
girl. She possessed not only beauty,
but distinction. 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 conscientious In doing the work in
trusted to her that viii Merrivell for
got 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 IL is quite unlikely that he
would have been confided with n pre-
cious trust. And If he had not been
selected for the honor conferred upon
him he and Iona might never have pro-
ceeded beyond the boundaries where
the courtesies of casual acquaintance
cease. Indeed, she did not feel suffi-
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 down to Merrivell that morning
for six yards of lavender broadcloth to
be sent to a lady living in Arizona.
"Hot day" remarked Merrivell. at
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 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 cour-
age 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 alteration. Bobby
had stretched a string across the side
walk. Merrivell, running for the train,
had fallen over IL and skinned his shins.
Observing the culprit. he had promptly
grabbed him and given him chastise-
ment brief but effective. Confound i'll
How was he to know that the little red
headed wretch was the brother Of this
charming girl? He would fall over
strings all the way from Melrose to
State streets, IL only
81 beg your pardon, madam!"
His hat was in his hand and he was
bowing profoundly TO a lady with
whom he had almost collided when he
had turned so abruptly in his impetu-
Gus walk.
do not mention itl" cried the lady,
who was young and pale and of almost
tragic appearance. She was handso
too, but evidently grief was responsible
for the wild expression of her large black
eyes and the piteous trembling Of her
lips. She wore deep mourning. She
was apparently foreigner. But you
will help me. sir? lam in desperation.
Two hours from now / take train 10
the west. came down here to make
arrangements for leaving. At my ho-
tel I forgot some important papers.
must return at once and secure them
In the meantime may beg OF you
to undertake the care of my darling
Snowflower2 II Is a precious trust
and one which would not confde 20
every stranger. Is this asking too
much. sir?"
Merrivell. the susceptible. Merrivell
the gallant, bowed still more courte-
ously. II am honored." he assured her,
"highly honoredl Consider me at your
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 cared
for this child of a strangerl She would
appreciate all the lovely depths OF his
sympathy She would be ineredulous
Of the statements Of that red-headed
Bobbyi 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 where he sat caring
.oT the child Of . lonely young widowl
He would smile sadly in answer. and
khs would realize that IL was only his
sense of ehivalry which kept him from
her side. And all the way out she
So deep was be in the delicious dream
he did not perceive the return Of the
blAek-eysd stranger unttl she waa close
beside him
You are 20 kindl shah aow feel
peffeefly safe about my little darling.
tahsli soon be back"
Tssn abe disappeared. and Merrivell
found hmsaif staring down upon the
PC. covered basket abe had thruzt In
tis hsn4- Halo! What kind Of . game