The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1900-07-07


like more to Mollie. She knew 1t
meant more.
THAT is, we-my mother and /,
y0u know-are ia great trouble"
of course, l understand" said the
hug clerk, instant sympathy in his
-one.
What does he understand" thought
Mollie wildly.
Don't you know your physicians
telephone NUMBER" he went on. "Ill
call him up right away"
1T isn't Illness. 1t really isn't any
thing in you line of business. We are
just locked out"
Mollie blurted it out at last. She
heaved a little sigh of relief and hur-
ried on.
Our landlord said you had a big
bunch of keys and were very clever
about-about such things. And |
hoped you'd help us, so I ventured to
wake you. 1t really is a serious mat
ter, or l 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 happen to
possess a good temper.
81 ought not to leave the store he
said. Trouble for me If | get caught.
Is it near?"
Just around the corner" Mollie
Mastered to assure him.
Wait a minute, then, until | get
dressed, and III come with you"
1t seemed a long time before he
emerged, jingling his bunch of keys,
but he really made a hasty toilet. To-
gether they repaired to Mollie's fiat,
and the clerk tried his best to unlock
the door, but failed. Then Mollie sug-
gested the freight elevator.
you know there is a sliding door
in our kitchen where we take the gro
ceries and things off the elevator.
Mary never locks it. | have to do that
every night the last thing. So 1t Is
sure to be open. And it's quite a large
door. I'm sure | could crawl through
it,"
Then she turned to the drug clerk
deprecatingly.
I'm afraid I'm heavy and the ropes
are stiff. But do you suppose you
could pull me up on the elevator?'
The janitor's wife's shawl had
slipped off by this time. and Mollie
looked so pretty that it would have
taken a far more seasoned youth than
the drug clerk to Withstand her, espe-
cially when she plead.
I'm sure | can." he answered
~valiantly. Its a good plan"
But Mrs. Carton refused to see In 1t
anything but her daughters doom.
You'll be killed" she sobbed. And
then what will your father say?"
Mollie 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 a short search. 1t wasn't a large
elevator, but Mollie squeezed herself
in and sat like a Quarter-opened jack
knife, her head humping the top Of the
elevator and her elbows resting on hel
knees. 1t wasn't comfortable. AS thu
machine reached the first floor a voice
startled them both. 1t seemed to com
from above them.
Miss Carton" it said, your door i
open. Mrs. Carton, would like you t.
come upstairs"
What" exclaimed Mollie INT tn,
drug clerk in the same breath.
How did it happen?"
But the voice vouchsafed no ex
PLANTATION.
1t was an easy matter to drop tn
, elevator the few feet it had ascended
j.. Mollie scrambled out. She and tn
drug clerk ran upstairs. Mrs. Cartol
: met them at their door beaming. !
tall, athletic-looking young fellow
stood beside her.
!. My dear" she said, "let me presen
Mr.. 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 a most fearfu
= risk" exclaimed her mother.
:. Il happened to be one Of the bach
= elors that keep house just across tn
= hall from you," continued the deliver
= er. Il came home late and found Mr.
Carton sitting outside our door /
deepest distress. | naturally asked
. / could be of service. And then
: And then, Mollie," interrupted Mr.
Carton, he went into his kitchen an
t opened his door in the elevator sha
opposite to ours, pried ours open viii
an umbrella, and swung cross tn;
awful chasm right into u kitche.
g Wasn't that splendid"
g Mrs. Carton stopped, out of breath.
Jack Moore laughed.
n For a man with a Yale field day
e two back of him it was nothing at all
he said.
y But Mollie looked impressed.
y The drug clerk saw it and knew tn
y his brief moment was past. 1t hs
been exciting while it lasted. Mi
d Carton was charming. He had new
come so neal to a girl of her class b
1t fore. But he was glad he kne
enough to realize that it was over.
g Mrs. Carton and Mollie both beggt
e him to come in and have some su
If per. Mollie even said she'd do som
le thing on the chatting dish for him. B
n he declined. He said he had to 6
er back to the store.
at AS he bathed his smarting han