The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-25
zone Opera Cloak; $3.50"
BY Frances Croft

aside the man who demanded her ticket, she
ran up the gangplank, and her feet had
scarcely left it when it was Withdrawn. No
Nicholas was in sight She approached the
steward and asked him where Mr.. Purdy s
stateroom was He replied that no sueh ner-s
son was booked
Then Lillian gave a gasp. She ran to the
END OF the steamer nearest the dock only
70 lind that the vessel had begun to move.
ohe uttered cry which attracted the atten-t
lion or a youngish man sitting on the piles
a. the corner of the pier hanging his heels
tie Jumped up and whistled, for he realized !
tne lull enormity Of the situation Sh,, was
eons' ana ne was to be left behind The
eah "onio separate them, besides a sea of
tnlsuhaerstandings. His bluff had worked
beyond his expectations
lie ran to the Steamers r+.r+;,,
iouhu STOUT, commercial looking man in F..
state Of great excitement barssin;n -,
"her Vi small tug to take him tn the ouf
gong steamer. Nicholas Joined forces with
nih. common object-to catch tho s+a.noor
pound them together 1lN-
nc .rhihs was all arranged in faw
minutes. They quickly got alon,c,aa 90
hailed the steamer gnu
mere was already great excitement .hooua
me hesapa woman in a dirty bron,n
so"n PINK opera cloak and blue bat w.,
begging Historically to be taken hacl, ~ 49,
me captain saw peace for him when he
perceived the tug. The steamer stopped and
Lllan was transferred to meet her shameless
lo'er and the justly Indignant costumar
she began to unhraid the former when the
commercial man interjectcd:
| Easy now. easy. What about nv so5o
wrap, not to mention the dress? 7 see Won
nave damaged the cloak SO we can't take II
PACK. NOW, how do 1 know you can paw for
iais on demand! Her cheeks burned as she
faltered,s Il can't
-"eii' then, l will have you arrested for
siahu larceny! cried the irate Mr. Schenck.
Put Nlcholas now interrupted angrily.
| wife?'' - ~ NY
Your wife? She is Miss Fairweather, and
we nave her name on our books,
My wife. We were starting for Eurona
To-Day but were both detained as YOU see. y
despair and rage and thankfulness mingled
IN poor Lilian's mind. But she acknowledged
TO herself that Nicholas had taken the only
way out of the difficulty and caught at the
profered suggestion.
Miss Macy took my dress to fix it and
kept it until knew I should miss the
steamer And she burst into tears
NOW, sir, do you understand and will you
accept my check for $3.50? 1 will send it to-
morrow. You know me, I think Nicholas
Purdy OF the firm of Purdy Bros
fes, Sir. l thank you, sir, and I beg the
lazy PARDON 1 did not know she was Mrs
Purdy."
well, that's settled Here are our two
cabs You go in one, my wife and 1 in the
other -
With the look of loving and obedient wife
Lillian staggered into the cab Once inside.
her expression underwent an astonishing
change.
Inere We're several moments Of silence,
while the storm gathered fury and broke
''Scoundrel! Liar. To harrow NV feelings
| for week. to get me down like this and then
to find it was all bluff! 1 might have known
you would not have spirit enough to do it,
Il like you when you're mad. But if I
were you, Lii, I wouldn't take on so in tha:
thing. High tragedy and it don't agree By
the way, the cloaks mine. I might strip it
from you and expose you to the public gaze in
the other enormity'
"Oh you are too bad! I suppose you think
you have bought me with your s250!'
Il wish | could. were it thousand times
that amount. I mean your heart my dear,
and I know money can't buy that"
Silence for few moments.
you'll acknowledge, Lillian, the situation
was awkward. Didn't do the only thing
could do?'' 1865 -
"oh, oh, oh, dear!' sobbng. "It's all been
too MUCH
That's right, little girl. lean your head
| against me. That's where it ought to have
been long ago, if only had had the right sort
of spunk." ~. z..-... ...---z-. -+-s
What do you call the exhibition you are
giving me, them ii
We'll, little girl. don't see what else I
can do. When fair words for five years will
not win girl and yet man finds that she
does care for him little, he is going to get
her the way he can. You have shown me that
the only way is to take possession. as the
savages do
Ten minutes later the cab drew up in front
Of the clearinghouse where Miss Lillian Fair
weather occupied q four floor back room
''Goodby, savage" Then to herself as she
mounted the stairs: at is not so bad to be
taken possession of. 1 do like a masterful
man. ---.-