The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-04

1OT SICK WOulen' - MRS. ELIZABETH H.
THOMPSON, Box los, Lillydale, NY
$4,000 forfeit If original of dbOUS letter pS0Ving
gsnuinsHeSS cannot be produced
excursion up the sound Sunday, an
we both being lonesome an alone, 1t
seemed-but l know it's impertinent."
She looked at him thoughtfully, her
face coloring a little. But he was only
face was open and honest, though just
now very red and embarrassed. She
nodded, little doubtfully.
Il don't know but 1 might" she
conceded. Il know what tits not to
be acquainted with anybody in the
city. It's awful lonesome. I-yes, /
guess I'll be willing"
May had gone half a block before
she missed her basket. When she
returned she found it on the counter
The assistant had retreated to the
back room. BY this time the shops and
great stores were closed, and the side
walks were crowded with hurrying pc
destrians. May and her basket were
thrust to right and left by impatient
home-seekers pushing by. So when
she reached home she was not sur
prised to find the customary slip Of
pasteboard among her packages.
ticket, but a few peneiled lines which
read:
IF it's good day Sunday I'm COM
ing for you to go on an excursion. /
know where you live and will be there
at 8. Your friend, William Saunders"
In the tumult of anticipation which
filled her mind, May did not even
think of the grocer's assistant until
she passed the store the next morning.
Then she turned and went in. The
grocer came forward, but she shook
her head.
II don't want anything, Mr.. Brow
err" she said, "only just to see your
boy a minute"
"Oh. him." nodding toward the
back room, from whence came the
sound of hammering HAS he been
making some mistakes with your Or
der? Just step to the door there"
May did so, and found the assistant
bending over box. He looked up
expectantiy.
81 just stopped in to say I can't go
Sunday" she said hurriedly. II made
q mistake. live got another en-
gagement. I'm real sorry"
The assistant smiled reassuringly, in
spite Of the keen disappointment on
his face.
AAe'N GA AA6bNs iC dECidIcus WITH
an affectation of carelessness. Don't
you bother about IL a bit. l amt real
ly felt that you would go with me
any of the time. 1t was too good to
be true"
I'm real sorry" May repeated as
she turned away.
Sunday morning she was ready long
before the hour appointed. But 8
o'clock went by and the unknown had
not appeared. And so passed 9 and
10. BY sunset her first keen disap-
pointment was lost in anxiety for her
friend. Something dreadful had hap
pened TO him. He was sick, or per-
haps had met with an accident.
Wednesday she bought more GRO
ceries' and in the basket were two
tickets and box of candy. She won
dered how the candy could have been
dropped into the basket without her
knowledge; but as she opened the box
ana began to nibble at its contents the
predominating feeling was gladness
Her friend was all right, and this was
his apology, yet she could not helm
feeling little hurt at the omission OF
any explanation.
AS she approached the grocery the
next morning. she saw the assistant
standing in the doorway. evidently
AA1A dHGts LOT ne STEM
ped down upon the sidewalk to inter-
cept her.
IL just want to say good-by." he
apologized I'm going back to the
farm Friday"
why what for?" with real regret
In her voice.
Because it's nicer there an SO
much better chance for a stupid fellow
like me TO get on. I'm not sharp
enough for a city and don't like II.
I've just been sort of-of stayin' on"
We'll, I'm sorry" frankly. Il
haven't many friends here, and you
being from the country has made II
seem like we were acquainted, even
II we haven't talked much"
Is that so?" his face suddenly
beaming. Il didn't s'pose you ever
thought Of me except when was tyin'
up your bundles. IL" He hosi-
tated and looked embarrassed, then
added deprecatingly, Would you be
mad II I asked you 10 go on a trolley
ride this evening? / know IT'S sort OF
impertinet, but there's going to be
music In the park tonight. an we
could ride up an stay an hour or 30,
an then ride back. Maybe We won't
see each other again. an both being
from the country, you know, an
an"
He was beginning % founder hope
lesaly. and She emboidenod BY his
embarrassment. smiled upon him with
friendly elf-posHeHaion.
Yes. ] understand" she said. and
viii be very giad 10 80 with you. We
VIII have a nice time. I'm sure. !
live at"
n know" BE- Interrupted rnily
i've been by there lots ~ times. nm
come Tor You early, 10 We can have
a long evening"
VERY we'll. ] wlii De- ready"
a was q great evening for them