The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1904-12-23
AT SANTINE'S
WITH CUPID
CaeyisAa 1904. b. A. S. RiehAsdsoa


VIII come OF your starting in the busi-
ness as a common employee. Your IA
tier should take you In as n member
ef the flrm."
That was what she had said when,
fresh- from the trip abroad, which had
followed his last year at college, Tom
Hardey had started in his fathers
publishing house as a clerk in the stock
room. Mr.. Hardey had two objects in
view in making Tom start at the bot
tom Of the ladder. He wanted him to
know the business, and he wanted him
to know tho people with whom he was
to work for the first few years and
over whom he would be placed in the
years to come. AS for Tom himself,
he didn't give q rap where he started.
While he didn't inherit all Of his IA
TIERS sociological theories, he did take
a mighty pride In the business his IA
ther had built up, and he meant to do
his part In keeping the family name to
the fore In the business world. But he
had also a keen sense Of humor, and
that was why he chuckled when he
pictured the dismay Of his mother on
learning that he had been requested to
act on the committee selected to buy Il
wedding present for the bookkeeper.
One OF the stenographers had asked
Tom to act on the committee. She was
watching him now in some anxiety.
Certainly. III be very glaA-to help
buy a present for the -eid chap. who
else Is on the cemmittee:"
Just. Miss Pemberton. Having
Number would only make it moro con-.
fusing."
1T certainly would. And where will
nnd Miss PembertonT'
TN the circulation department.
thought every one knew Miss Pember-
ton. She's such perfect lady. II you
don't mind going to the circulation
room, will introduce you"
She was carrying a little box filled
with bills and coins, the result Of the
collection, and Tom followed her to
the other side Of the building.
Miss Pemberton, this is Mr.. Har-
dey, and he's been kind enough to say
he will help you buy the present.
A slender ngure clad in gray turned
from the desk, and pair of gray eyes
exactly the shade of the dress were
raised to meet his. Tom murmured
something about the kindness being
on the other side. He had been pic
turing a struggle over the present
This perfect lady," he imagined,
would select something in plush al
bun,S wftls-ccf3ufof6 DECORATIONS or a
silver piece with impossible colored
glass lining. Now he was wondering
whether in all the shops they could
hnd anything which was delicate
enough to please her taste. While this
was galloping through his mind a we'll
modulated voice remarked:
"Your father has suggested that we
take an hour or two off in the morning
before the shops are crowded. If con-
venient. I'll meet you at McGrath &
Murray's Mt 8 o'clock tomorrow"
"I'm sure that's the very best ar
same had she suggested their making
a trip to Alaska to buy orchids.
She returned to her work, and he
ssuntered back to his own department,
wishing that she would be clever
enough to wear gray furs with that
gray dress. He felt oddly pleased the
next morning on entering the jewelry
store to find himself following in the
wake Of huttering gray fox boa.
They looked at silverwarc, hollow
and nat. They gravely discussed the
virtues of candelabra and pudding
dishes. Then she turned to BIN sud
denly.
II suppose we are expected to buy
something in silver, but really think
the bride and groom deserve better
otrt1n fxui
"I have known so many people to get
wedding gifts Of silver that cost more
than the rugs OH their floors. They
would really very much rather have
had rugs"
"An right" said Tom promptly, 1--WE
will get rugs"
mo, no." said the girl, laughing. II
was not speaking literally, but the girl
he is to marry seems sensible and she
says they are going to have living
room instead Of a parlor. I think she
means to make the home comfortable
first and fancy afterward. Let's get
them something perfectly restful for
that living room"
Just the thing" assented Tom.
Where shall we go?"
ITO Santine's. They have such real
things. and / think his little bride
would simply hate limitations"
Tom wanted to shake hands with
himself. 1t was just what girl with
gray eyes and gray frock should say.
To Santine's they went They wan
dered from the Turkish room, with it's
heavy hangings, its queer, foreign
smells and its dim lights, to the Japa-
nese room, with It's gay colors. its
lacquers and its soft. Iustrous silks,
and wound up in the room where the
mission furniture was on exhibition.
They sat down in quiet corner to
discuss the matter. Tom leaned back
fuxuriousiy In great armchair, and