Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-09-09

building, he was thinking for the most
part how strange it was that he, who
had come gaily up the road Of life.
heart whole and fancy free, until he
had reached his thirtieth milestone,
should all at once be beset by the
most chimerfcal hopes, the most fu-
tile desires, the most glorious Of cha
otic imaginings.
1t was lunacy, he told himself
stark, staring lunacy-that he should
go on his way with a bounding heart
and a feeling Of the most senseless
exhilaration, just because he had pass
ed a girlish figure on the sidewalk,
met the Indifferent glance Of violet
black-lashed eyes, looking forth from
beneath a white brow, or caught the
faint, elusive perfume of her demure
garments. And the worst Of it was
that he could not bring himself to be
indignant with himself for being such
a fool!
You like to be foolr' he told him
self angrily, you're hugging your fol-
ly! And much good it will do you!
You've not got enough sense, Jack Be
renson, to last crazy man till break
fast timer
With which final shot he was apt to
break away from his vigil, return
sternly to his desk and plunge into
work untl-until he began to wonder
If she might have returned to her chair
in the window, or by any chance be
going out. Though whether out or in.
there had seemed slight chance of
making her acquaintance before Fate,
in the guise of a treacherous street
crossing. had placed belonging Of
hers in his possession.
But when he had sailed forth with
his prize his courage almost failed
him. And when the elevator man let
him off at the eighth floor, as hidden.
it was an insane desire to make his i'm
mediate escape by way of the stair
case that overwhelmed him. But he
pulled himself together and went to-
ward the suite of doctors offices,
which he knew occupied that parucu
lar angle of the big building. Some of
the physicians whose names were in
scribed on the tablet in the corridor
were friends of his.
Hope 1 don't run into Norton, or
Schriener, or MacIntyre," he said.
Hope I don't"
But he did-all three of them. They
and few Of their professional asso-
ciates had met in the reception room
oHf
vention in a body. , 1t seemed to poor
Berenson, standing helplessly ins the
doorway with his package in his hand,
that the place was packed with eyes
curious. inquisitive. mocking eyes!
But few voices called out pleasant
ly enough, Aallo-how dye do, Be
rensonT' And MacIntyre came for
ward with a smile that made his ugly
countenance quite charming.
"Your-the young lady" stammer-
ed Jack. He held out the package
much as though it were a letter of in
PRODUCTION. "She lost this, and"
"Oh, 1 see!v The doctor turned hast
lily. Miss Meredith he called.
A girl-the girl-came from an ad-
joining room. She looked lovelier than
ever without her hat and coat. Her
soft, green gown fitted her as its
sheath fits a flower. And the pretty.
bewildered look in her eyes made
them look more than ever like violet
stars.
Berenson knew then how a man felt
who performs a deed Of daring In the
cannOn's mouth.
~ was behind you this noon," he be-
gan, "and when you lost th1s''--
'Oh, thank your she interrupted,
comprehending at once. and taking the
offered bundle. you were very kind
to bring it to mer'
"Vera." MacIptire said. 'let me In
troduce to you Mr.. Berenson. You
have often heard Alice mention him.
am sure. Jack-this Is Miss Meredith,
my wife's sdsterr' And then as they
bowed he went by way Of explanation.
Vera has been looking after callers
at the Offices here during the last six
months. She would work-you know
what girls arer'
Jack didn't know. but he mentally
decided to remain ignorant NO longer.