The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
inns STRAATAGEM
BY Emile L. Anterior.

idea, and he didn't want me to risk my lie
unnecessarily. Say, I.nearly fell down! And
when told him how much made in gooS
season, he broke the point off his penciA he
was SO astonished. Why he says, that's
about double what bookkeeper makes!' I
asked him what he pulled out of his trade.
and he said that forty his limit
The conversation with the reporter showed
Jim relative values as applies to himself and
Pearley, then he went to see Mary.
He found Mr.. Pearley before land Mary
introduced them in her grandest manner:
IN proud to make you acquainted with
my friend Mr.. Pearley." And then to Mr..
Pearley, "This is our old family friend, Jim
Hollis, told you about"
Jim sat out the evening somehow, his mind
apparently working double. He heard dimly
the hippant conversation led by Mr. PearIey
and at times tried to join in the topics which
seemed to entertain Mary. But all the while
he was thinking how he could outaank this
''saffron-colored counter jumper" as he
dubbed Peariey. 1t not until he rose
to leave that the inspiration came him.
He recalled his chat with the newspaper re-
porter and spoke firmly, so firmly that Mary
looked a bit astonished, then dorried.
Il want to see you about something most
particular tomorrow, Mary. Meet me at
Grey's drug store by the soda fountain Don't
fail me-"
In a vague way Mary realized that Mr..
Pearley would have called for her; that this
was another evidence Of Jims lack of good
manners, but she held her peace. Something
in Jims expression and a sudden memory
of his patient years of waiting made it I'M
possible for her to refuse his request
The next morning Jim took Mary to the
| Empire department store. He made no ex-
plantations, but led her upstrairs to a point
where they could see the expert handlers OF
, money change and dispatch the cash carriers.
And beyond these stood Pearley. He had
his coat off and paper pinned around his
cuffs. His handkerchief was tucked about his
collar, and a woman with a hard face was
''slanging him. as Jim put it. When she
left young person with pale. pompadoured
hair and an indolent manner took up the
cry: "Say, Mr.. Pearley, you're a gem! I
guess you must be dabbling in love from the
bulls you make. This is the third Identical
| time you've brought me up here this morn
ing. Now, say, if Mr.. Moses hears of this
out you'll go!'
Mr.. Pearley did not answer, but wiped the
perspiration from his strained and worried
brow with one hand while he drove his pen
with the other. Mary was silent and fairly
jumped when Jim said; ..Say Mary, meet me
at our docks after supper tonight. We have
Spanish bark to rig, and I'll be through
about 8. You'll come, won't your"
Mary nodded her head and looked back at
At 1870 she was at the appointed place. A
full rugged ship lay at the dock, its hull dark
! in shadow, but its shrouds and rigging thrown
| into bold relief by searchlight. And there
| on the crosstrees, balancing himself with dex-
! ferrous grace, was Jim. He shouting
! orders at the top of his voice. And then Mary
| saw the we'll dressed and much revered M.
| Hogan point his cane at Jim and call out:
"Say, Hollis, have you got that nainsai
| hayard wove right in that block? 1t looks
| twisted from here
"All right, Mr.. Hogan" shouted Jim, '.J
/ did it myself
That's the boy for my money" said Mr..
Hogan as he moved away.
| And I think" said Mary refectively to
herself, raising her straight little eyebrows
and pursuing out her cherry red lips-"I think
| he's the boy for mine too He can't wear a
necktie right, blu. he don't let any woman
jaw him And when Jim offered her his
| arm as they walked away half an hour later
she said timidly, Jimmie, you're my steady
still, amt your" And if the policeman
| hadn't turned his head the other way he
would have seen Jim kiss her.