Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-12-07

| AhOhOSIdh Dc III udIh Tcu, vi
the tan in dark brown, etc.-when the
clerk. who had learned to know her
and whom she guiltily permitted to
address her as Mrs. Van Orden,''
paused, pencil suspended above his or
der book, as If waiting for some fur
Their instructions. She regarded him in
surprise.
| That's ALL" she said at last
"But Mr.. Van Orden's initials-for
the monogram, you know" he prompt
ed smilingly.
Eloise gasped. Never once had 1t
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 up, and the clerk
sat watching her as if he might tap
his forehead significantly to his fellow
clerks once her back was turned and
shake his head sadly. What should
she say? The possible man
"Oh, T. p. NJ" she flung out with
hysterical relief as thought occurred
| to her.
"T. p. NJ" the clerk repeated, ey-
Ing her reprOachfully.
"Right-er-they're not for Mr.. Van
| Orden," she observed firmly, giving
him look for look.
Neckties and scarfpins were added
to her collection without difficulty, but
when it came to the purchase of a
waistcoat that lured her with it's dash
| and style the question Of size again
cropped up. BY this time however,
the clerk had learned to think Of her
as the eccentric Mrs. Van Orden" and
was prepared for the vagueness Of her
orders. Not even when she dreamily
! selected pair of gray socks with dark
red clocks, to match the gray shirt
and demanded them Of a size to match
No. 16 collar did he make any de-
muir.
The time for leaving 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 leav-
, 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 them.
should they ever be worn, would be for
her the king of the world.
She sometimes tried to picture him,
but his face eluded her. Yet the face
of her dream often bore startling
resemblance to Philip Hamilton, and
that gentleman himself was becoming
q more and more prominent fact In her
life.
strange, tense question In his eyes-a
speculative look that made her happy,
yet afraid. She half wished that he
was not going to his cousins for the
summer, since that would place them
in the same little colony for the 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 a change, and she was appalled,
at the desolation she felt when he ran
up to town for 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, when brisk step sounded
on the gravel.
She rose as Philip Hamilton sprang
up the steps and came toward her in
the soft moonlight, the tumultuous Joy
that she supposed hidden In her heart
shining In her eyes and dancing on her
lips.
He looked down at her for one mo-
ment with eyes before whose mastery
her own wavered and fell. Then, with
a low, contented laugh, he drew her
to him, whispering, There are some
things, my darling, that one does not
need to ask"
It was one rainy evening soon after
the return from their wedding trip
that Eloise told her husband the story
Of the trousseau 1T had amused her to
PROVIDED tale that he listened to with
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 approvingly. land
l hope they'll fit!'
Then his face sobered. and he stared
at the monogram on shirt sleeve
fixedly for second and then looked
up at her with puzzled eyes, while she
watched him furtively, wishing that
she could get that ridiculous, effemi-
nate bathrobe out Of sight without his
catching Il glimpse Of 1t.
at. T.. NJ" he said slowly. The words
sounded like water dropping on hot
stove and eyes took on steely light.
II 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, IT. +. NJ stands for The
Possible Man., and SO. you see, it's your
monogram
| A great light broke over Philips face.
and as a penalty for the momentary
clouding Of his faith he wore the silk
lined bathrobe like martyr.