The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-05-24

1t was all he aa;l. but 1t sounded
like more to. Mollie. She knew it
meant more.
THAT is, we-my mother and I.
you know-are in great trouble"
"Of course, l understand" said the
drug clerk, instant sympathy in his
| tone.
What does he understand" thought
Mollie wildly.
Don't you know your physicians
telephone number?" he went on. "I'I
call him up right away"
1T isn't illness. 1t really isn't any
thing in your line of business. We are
just locked out"
Mollie blurted it out at last. She
heaved little sigh of relief and hur-
ried on.
Our landlord said you had big
bunch of keys and were very clever
about-about such things. And
hoped you'd help us, so l ventured to
wake you. 1t really is serious mats
ter, or | wouldn't have dreamed of dis.
turbing YOU"
There was a tremble in her voice
that convinced the drug clerk 1t was
the same tremble that won the land
lord. Moreover, she was young and
he was young. And he did hanpen to
possess good temper.
Il ought not to leave the ste
said. Trouble for me if get
Is it near?"
Just around the corner,
fastened to assure him.
Wait a minute, then, unit {
dressed, and I'll come with yor
1t seemed long time befo
emerged, jingling his bunch o
but he really made a hasty toll
gether they repaired to Mollie
and the clerk tried his best to
the door, but failed. Then Mol sug-
gested the freight elevator
You know there is sliding door
in our kitchen where we take the gro
ceries and things off the elevator.
Mary never locks 1t. have to do that
every night the last thing. So it is
sure to be open. And it's quite large
door. I'm sure could crawl through
1t"
Then she turned to the drug clerl.
deprecatingly.
I'm afraid I'm heavy and the rope:
are stiff. But do you suppose yo'
could pull me up on the elevator"
The janitor's wifes shawl had
slipped off by this time, and Mollie
looked so pretty that it would have
taken far more seasoned youth tina
the drug clerk to Withstand her, espe
cially when she plead.
I'm sure l can" he answered
valiantly. It's good plan.
But Mrs. Carton refused to See in it
anything but her daughters doom.
You'll be killed." she sobbed "And
then what will your father say?"
Molie and the clerk descended to
the basement, which, of course, was
dark, but fortunately the drug clerk
had a match. They found the elevator
after short search 1t wasn't large
elevator, but Mollie squeezed herself
in and sat like quarter-opened Jack
knife. her head humping the top of the
elevator and her elbows resting on her
knees. 1t wasn't comfortable. AS the
machine reached the first floor a voice
startled them both. 1t seemed to come
from above them.
Miss Carton" it said your door is
opep !lrs. Car59u, would like Won to
coye upstairs - ~
Wh hat sssmis'Sed %saal!ie and the
drug s1KSin the same n1'es.5 :.
, How dfd il happen?"
But the voice youchsafeo no ex-
PLANTATION.
1t was an easy matter to drop the
:. elevator the few feet it had assembled.
a Mollie scrambled out. She and the
. drug clerk ran upstairs. Mrs. Carton
met them at their door beaming. A
. tall. athletic-looking young fellow
;, stood beside her
" My dear" she said "let me present
= MIR. Moore, who has so kindly, Nigh
: say bravely, helped us out Of our di
= lemma."
;. But how" demanded Mollie, heed
; less of conventions. How in tn
:, world did he do it?"
:, Very simple, l assure you, Mis-
Carton said the deliverer.
/. 20, my dear, he ran most fearful
- risk" exclaimed her mother.
- i happened to be one of the bach
9 elors that keep house just across tn
hall from you," continued the deliver
: err. Il came home late and found Mrs
Carton sitting outside our doc Fl
= deepest distress. l naturally asked
could be of service. And then
And then, Mollie," interrupted NJ.
Carton, The went into his kitchen an,
opened his door in the elevator sns1
: opposite to ours, pried ours open viii
an umbrella, and swung across tbA
awful chasm right into our kitcteu
Wasn't that splendid!''
Mrs. Carton stopped, out of breath.
Jack Moore laughed.
For man with Yale field day %
two back of him it was nothing at all
he said.
But Mollie looked impressed.
The drug clerk saw it and knew ina
his brief moment was past. 1t had
been exciting while it lasted. Mis-
Carton was charming He had negey
come SO near to a girl of her class be
fore. But he was glad he knew
enough to realize that it was over.
Mrs. Carton and Mollie both begged
him to come in and have some sun
per. Mollie even said she'd do some
thing on the chatting dish for him. BIZ.
he declined. He said he had to gee