Barton County democrat., 1903-01-02

estnetic. The big English trap horse,
the high-swung, stylish vehicle and
the faultiessly-g gowned young woman
on the box were three parts OF
harmonious whole, and more than
one pair of eyes looked, and turned
to look again.
Miss Margery drove daily In good
weather, but on this occasion the
outing had an objective other than
the spectacular. Wherefore, when the
housekeeping English horse had meas
ured the length of Main street he
was sent on across the railway track
and was finally brought to stand
before the office of the Wahaska iron
works.
Raymer was at his desk when the
trap drew up before mis- door. A mo-
ment later he was at the fore wheel,
bareheaded, and offering to help Miss
Margery down.
''No, thank you, I'll not come
down" she safd. Duke doesn't stand
well. Can / see Mr.. Edward Raymer
q moment?"
Raymer bowed and blushed a little.
lte knew her SO well, by eye intimacy,
at least, that he thought she must
know him. But he was a fair man.
fair to redness, as his hair and beard
attested, and he blushed easily.
'.That is my name. What can do
for you, Miss Grierson?"
"Oh, thank you," she rejoined, i'm
pulsively. ST was afraid I might have
to introduce myself. L"
The interruption was of Raymer's
making. One of his employees ap-
peared opportunely, and he sent the
man to the horses head with ges-
ture and once more held up his hands
to the perched one..
She let him lift her to the side
walk, and the ease with which he did
it gave her pleasant little thrill, of
the. sort that comes with the realiza-
tion of a thing hoped for. Next to
social triumphs, strength, strength in
man, was thing to be admired.
Raymer held the office door open
for her and placed chair at the desk
end.
Nov we can be comfortable at
shorter range" he said. ''Will you
pardon the interruption, and tell me
what can do for you?''
'Oh, it's only a little thing I
came to see you. about renting pew
in ST. Johns; that is our church, you
know"
Raymer did not know it, but he was
polite enough not to say so.
81 am quite at your service. Shall
show you a plan of the sittings?'
She protested that it wasn't at all
necessary. that any assignment he
chose to make would do. But he got
out the plan and busted it, and in the
putting, together of heads over it
many miles of the gap of unacquaint-
ance were swiftly and safely over
passed.
When the sittings were finally
chosen she found her purse.
TITS SO good of you to take the
time from your business to wait, son
me-" she said: 81 asked popl,a to
make out a check, but I don't know
whether it's for enough"
Raymer took the order to pay and
glanced at the amount.
sIt is twice ASH much as we get for
the. best locations" he demurred. /.
''Wait a moment and.I will write you
check for. the difference and give
you receipt"
, But at the word she was in a flut-
ter of protest.
s'Oh, please don't!" she pleaded.
| .If it is too much. put the difference
ina the missionary box, or in the
the rector's salary, as a little dona-
ton from poppa, you know"
| Thus the small matter of business
was concluded, and. Miss Grierson
rose to go.
ST am so glad I had the courage to
| come and see you this morning. We
have been dreadfully remiss in church
| matters, but I am going to try to
make up for it now that we are COM
| fortably settled in our own house.
I'm. sorry you couldn't come to us
last evening to help us christen Mere
side. Please tell your mother and
Miss Raymer that 1 hope we'll meet
some time. should so dearly love to
know them. Thank you, so much.
Good-by."
Raymer went out with her. put her
on the box and watched her. drive
away. His smile was meant to be
satirical, but it became openly APP
probative.
{. "She is shrewd little strategist.' IS
was his comment; "but, all the same.
she's a mighty pretty girl. I wonder
why mother and Gerty haven't called
on herr"
He carried the query home with
him in the evening, but when he had
/ given an account of Miss Grierson's
visit it seemed injudicious to put it
Mrs. Raymer's comment left some
thing to be desired, but her glance
across the table in Gertrude's diFec-
| ton was significant
"The regrets did that" she said.
and Gertrude nodded.
Having thus mined the Raymer out
works. Miss Grierson next turned hel