The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-03
THE MZSDElZEANORS or NANCY
Copyright, 1909, doubleday, Page = ca.

that he had had the forethought to tele-
phone to third street for a cab, in
stead of ordering one around the corner:
A young woman couldn't be expected to
know anything about the telephone num- |
bers of cab stables, even When.she heard |
them called. Occasionally a, mental pic- !
ture Of a equity old gentleman in hotel
room arose and smote the old gentleman s
son with horror, but the awesome vision
died away in glow of rose pink and red
gold. Ones readiness to pay the piper de-
ponds upon the quality Of the dance.
TITS terrible grind on Dick" said
Dicks chum, with fine relish. Nancy
looked pathetic. When Nancy drifts into
gentle pathos, men who know her will
reach for life-preservers, but Ormsby did
not know her. - - -.
my sympathy is all for myself she
said. "Of course this is all very charm
ing" she added, with a glance that neu
tralized the chill into which her first re-
mark had cast Ormsby and raised his
temperature to fever heat "but-but 1t
really is embarrassing and" she blushed.
Bobby always says that the blush is more
fatal than the pathos. i g.. q
She looked at Orn1sby doubtfully. Then
with little outburst Of friendly conf
dence, leaned toward him. Its worse
than embarrassing she said; "it's tragic!
My mother has gone out for dinner, and
she told both maids they might go and
stay until o'clock" ~.
Ormsby arose to the occasion. He
believed he had evolved a glitter
ing idea without assistance. Bobby
would have known better. Orrns-
by's guardian angel clutched
at his shoulder, but Ormsby shook him
opinion clamored in his ears. but could
not daunt him.
Il wish" he began, then paused to
| take breath, and went on with a rush:
| Il wish you would let me take you
to dinner. I haven't had mine and I'd
governorD It's such forlorn work din
ing alone I'd be SO awfully pleased if you
would go with me-
1t was out. He looked at her appre-
hensively. The pink gown and hood and
the stunning fur cloak that had slipped
from her shoulders all seemed appallingly
Philistine and conventional.
! Nancy was surprised. Any one could
have seen that. She was also shocked-not
discouragingly shocked, however The
shading was mastery. She looked at him
with her pretty head a trifle tipped to one
side. Evidently tradition and inclination
We're struggling within her. If Ormsby
could have remembered prayer he would
have said it. He did start in on one.
from her shoulders ~iao-ubeenao ct ct ct
but he didn't know the rest Of it, and,
anyway, it didn't seem to fit the case.
I'm afraid said the Vision, doubtfully
<Nancy's manner is always" most doubtful
when her decision is most firmly made),
I'm afraid it would. be very improper"
Ii only a, fear, not a conviction barred
the way, Ormsby was ready to fight for
his hearts desire.
| "Oh, no; it" he began hotly but
Nancy interrupted him.
1T isn't at all the thing to dine without
a chaperon, at a restaurant. Some one
know would surely be there, and these
things"-she glanced down at the pink
gown and the gorgeous cloak-"are rather
conspicuous"
While there was hesitancy there was
hope. Ormsby plunged into the breach.
But l know very, very quiet little
place, near here. You'd never meet any
Of your friends there. It's CHASTITY re.
spectacle, and nobody there would notice
anything. one WORE" The last two state.
ments did not tally. The soul of respect
ability Is criticism; but the Vision ap.
parently didn't notice, the flaw in the
argument.
IF you are quite sure-'' she began
positive" swore Ormsby, and his guar
dian angel spread his wings and fled
weeping.
AS the young couple were leaving the
apartment, the telephone bell rang furi
ously. Ormsby went back to the draw.
lnSroom, closing the door into the hal
carefully behind him Intuition is won
derful and valuable thing -..-.r.'
: When he took up the receiver, a sri,
spread across his countenance and bad,
fair to meet at the back of his head,
oh! That you, Dick?" he said, II
honeyed tones, carefully lowered
What? Oh. yes, she came down here
Dldnt get your telegram. Yes; it wa
you feel. Yes; I was at home Lucky
wasn't lt?-merest accident.
You thought there might have beer
some mistake about the telegram? Chanc,
she might have come here? So clever O
- you, dear boy. If I had your brain, Rol
ms rs "ouldnt write poetry with it.
"Offended? Oh, not seriously. She.
you. Don't kill a horse dear boy. sh,
and I are just going out to dinner.
"F1e' fie, Richard! Such langwidge1 S,
long, old man.
He rang off. -
"A business matter" he explained t,
the vision when he joined her. .
they started once more Again the tele
phone rang viciously. -
THAT" said Ormsby, with an air O
conviction, lis the governor"
8 AREN'T you going baclx?" asked Nancy
NO; Watkins can attend to it," sail
Ormsby, calmly. -
He breathed an inward prayer that TIL
: old gentleman might not convict him O
murder by expiring in fit of apoplecti
rage, and hurried the, vision down to tn
sixty third street cab. Later, he paid tn
piper. --.-.... - 80 - ~ =.
The governor left no check.
Rollins does not speak. -
But Ormsby swears that the dance wa
Well worth the price Z -
a.