The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-09-10

{ their way toward the village from the
vicinity OF Squire Martins harm.
william arose earlier than usual
next morning after restless night
and leaving his breakfast untasted,
started to the shop. AS he neared it,
ne discovered that Marcia was al.
ready sweeping her portion Of the
walk evidently intent on getting it
/ done before people were astir gener.
ally. She did not perceive his ap-
proach until he stood beside her, then
looking up at him she said demurely:
Good morning, William"
Good morning. You are out early
this morning"
So are you" she retorted, blushing
rosy red.
| AT the point Of inquiring IL her fire
burned properly, he checked himself
| as ne thought of the embarrassment
It would cause. He could think of
nothing else to say, and after staring
at her stupidity for a moment, unlock
ed his door and went inside, reappear.
ing broom in hand. 5-..,s
A milk wagon drove by, the occu-
pant Of which was known to them
both. With Good morning, friends"
he pulled up his horse. " 49,. +
"Celebratin', see," he observed, and
a grin overspread his face as he point
ed up to the front of the building.
Both looked in the direction indi-
Gated.
The change the night had brought
was marvellous indeed. Entwining the
two little signs and joining them low
lngly together were garlands Of ever
greens and orange blossoms, while In
the center, suspended between them,
was what remained of Ruth Martins
wedding bell. True, the flowers were
a bit faded and the evergreen showed
evidence of hard usage, but the pur-
pose for which they were intended
was still easily discernable.
| With scream Marcia darted into
her shop and closed the door. Will
lam paused long enough to bestow a
scathing glance upon the milkman
then stalked into his own establish
ment.
Among Williams early customers
was Judge Bradford, and as one of
his oldest friends, the judge felt privi-
| legged to speak.
I'm glad you've done it, William.
Nature never intended us to live with.
out mates in this world. You ought
to have done it years ago, but you
were always too modest She was a
handsome girl, and by ginger, she's
a goOd-looking woman"
The previous days rush of bust
ness, which bid fair to continue, was
etfectually checked when it began
raining heavily early in the day, and
customers were few and far between.
To William the day was intolerably
long. and altogether a miserable one.
The little shop next door had remain
ed closed since the unfortunate episode
of the morning, and though a number
came, they turned away again, unable
to gain admittance. AS the day wore
on he found himself growing more and
more anxious Perhaps she was i'll.
Once or twice he surreptitiously
placed his ear to the partition, but he
| could hear nothing.
He looked out at the old hitching
rail, forlorn and deserted, and for the.
first time the realization came to him
how lonely his life had become.
He thought Of the big house on the
hill, Of which he was the only occu-
pant Then he fell to wondering if
she was lonely, too. He recalled her
as she stood before him that morning.
The judge was right; she was hand
some yet. She was good as she was
beautiful, too; and the village had no
| right to poke fun at her. They
wouldn't do it if she had some one to
| protect her.
Next he did what for him was
most unusual thing. Going to the rear
Of the shop he gazed long and soberly
into the mirror. He turned sadly
away. 1t was too late now; his op.
portunity had gone.
Usually he kept the shop open until
| o'clock, but at Z he decided to close
| and go home. AS he closed the shut
ter he looked anxiously at the adjoin-
ing door. He looked up and, raising
his umbrella, started across the green.
Nearly across, he hesitated stopped,
then turned and marched resolutely
back Straight up to the little, old
fashioned building he went, and on the
door over which hung the sign of
Marcia. Goodwin, Milliner," he gave
ponderous knock. There was no re.
ply, and he knocked louder and more
boldly than before.
"Who is there" came from the in.
side.
1T is l, William Underwood. Open
the door,"
The door opened slightly. what
do you want, William?"
Her voice seemed to tremble. Per
haps she had been crying. He pushed
the door open and stepped inside
Il want you," he answered, with
the assurance of a cavalier
When, as the result of an interview