Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-10-29


and whom she guiltily permitted to
address her as Mrs Van Orden.'
paused. pencil suspended above his or
der book. rs if waiting for some fur
thcr instructions. She regarded him in
surprise.
That's ALL" she said ut last.
But Mr.. Van Ordcn'S initialS-fOr
the monogram, you know he prompt
ed Sinlingly.
Eloise gaspcd. Never once had it
occurred to her that in order to have
that fascinating monogram on the left
sleeve some initials would be required
The floor showed no, disposition to
open and swallow her IIp. and the clerk
sat watching her as if he might tap
his forehead significantly to his fellow
clerks once her back was turned anh
shake his head sadly. What should
she say? The possible man
"Oh. r. L. NJ" she flung out with
hystcrical relief us thought occurred
to her.
"T +. NJ" the clerk repeated. ey
ing her reproachfully.
"Right-er--they not for Mr. Van
Orden," she observed firmly. giving
him look for look.
Necktips and ScarfpinS were added
to her collection without difficulty. but
when it came to the purchase of Il
waiStcoat that lured her with its dash
and style the question of SIZE again
cropped up. by this time. however,
the clerk had learned to think of her
us the "eccentric Mrs. Van Orden" and
was prepared for the vagucn"S.i OF her
orders Not even when she dr@anily
selected Il pair of gray socks with dark
red clocks. to match the gray shirt,
and demanded them of Il size to match
No. 16 collar did he make any de
mur.
The time for leavin~ town had ar
rived and the contents of the carved
chest were carefully arranged for the
last time and then locked up with the
sweet scented bags of lavender.
ElOiSe sighed at the thought of icaV-
ing the things, for they had come to
have a sort of personality of their own.
They were beautiful in themselves, and,
besides, the one who was to wear thcm
should they ever be worn, would be for
her the king of the world.
She sometimes tried to picture him.
but his face elndcd her. Yet the face
of her dream often bore il startling
resemblance to Philip Hamilton, and
that gentleman himself WaS becoming
a more and more prominent fact in her
life
More than once she had surprised Il
strange, tense question i'll his cycS-a
speculative look that made her happy,
vet afraid She half wished that he
was not going to his cousins for the
summer, since that wGuld plac" them
in the same little colony for tie next
three months.
But in the weeks that followed. when
riding, golf and moonlit evenings on
the broad piaZZaS brought them con-
stantly together, her feelings under
went Il change and she WAS appalled,
at the dcSolation she felt when he ran
up to town for Il few days, as he did
now and then.
1t WAS on one of these occasions that
she found herself alone on the porch
one evening. Iltll Al bllSh sup Souil''SN
OH the gravel.
She rose as Philip Hamilton SpranS
up the steps and came toward her IN
the soft moonlight, the tumultuouS JOY
that she supposed hidden i'll her heart
shining in her eyes and dancing on her
lips.
lie looked down ut her for one mo-
tI "
her own wavcrcl and fell. Then, with
Il low. contentcd laugh. he drew her
to him, whispering, There are some
things, my darling, that one does not
need to ask"
1t was one rainy evening soon after
the return from their wedding trip
that EloiSe told her husband the story
of the troISSeau it had amused her to
provide-a tale that lie listened to with
Il gust of laughter.
"Oh, my: oh, N.Y. he groaned as she
held up the articles one after another.
"You certainly have good taste, though,
little girl" he added approvngly, land
| hope they'll fit
Then his face SObered, and he stared
at the monogram on shirt sleeve
tiXcdly for Il second and then looked
up ut her with puzzled eyes, while she
watched him furtively. wishing that
she could get that ridiculous. elrcmi-
nate bathIubc out of sight without his
catching II glimpse of it.
IT. l.. NJ" he said slowly. The words
sounded like water dropping on Il hot
stove and eyes took on il stecly light,
Il am waiting for you to explain he
said cOldly.
Eloise made little rush at him and
hid her face on his shoulder. Don't
you see?" she murmured. 'Why, you
silly boy, II. l.. NJ stands for The
Possible Man. and so, you see, it's your
monogram,
A great light broke over Philips face,
and as II penalty for the mOmcntary
clouding of his faith he wore the silk
lined bathrobc like Il martyr.
Timely Prompt.
A Baltimore man tells of Il dinner he
attended upon one occasion when a
clerical guest was requested to ask a
blessing
The reverend gentleman complied,