Willmar tribune., 1905-12-20

lap. 1t was In Dad order. The string
was loosened and the enveloping paper
torn. The address was blurred. but he
could still make out family the in
scription IF. E. Lane and the name
of the apartment house. 1t was really
for him.
His fingers trembled with eagerness
as he slipped off the outside wrapper
and disclosed dainty tissue paper and
ribbons. 1t must surely be from girl,
he thought.
Inside was a creation of violet silk.
He eyed it obviously, but then his face
cleared. He had seen similar curios in
shop windows. It must be handker-
chief case.
But the name of the sender? He
took hold of the case gingerly and
shook it. He carefully turned it inside
out. No card appeared. 1t must have
slipped out on the way. He shifted
approximately. The case was strongly
scented with violets. 1t almost seemed
as if the fair donor herself was glorify-
ing his room with her presence.
Yet the question Of who had sent it
still remained unsolved. He knew whom
he wished had sent 1.-THE girl in the
fiat above She was the girl who,
when she came in from the Office Of an
evening, sat down at the piano and
ratified off a jolly twostep-that was
when things had gone well-or crept
in quietly and sang soothing lullabies-
that was when the days work had left
her wornout and blue. Lane sympa-
thized, for he had felt just that way
himself.
'B-r-r-r' rang the electric bell. Lane
frowned as he reached his hand back
for the button. Why need common
place realities in the shape Of the jan
1tor break in upon his day dream?
Then he Strengthened up suddenly.
The figure standing in the doorway
was not to be confused with the jan
itor. 1t was a girl with rebellious
brown curls wandering down to OBJ
struct a pair Of serious dark eyes. 1t
was the girl of the fat above.
The girl stood uncertainty moment
In the gathering dusk, then stepped
forward with sudden decision. II beg
your pardon for intruding on you,"
she said apologetically. II G1n't b.
lieve you can even see who am in
this semidarkness. Won't you let me
light up? am the girl from the fat
above" AS she spoke she turned to
the switch. In moment the room
flashed into blaze of light.
Lane still stared at her as If at a
vision, but the years of business train
ing came to his aid. wont you sit
down, Miss FaneY' he said courteous
ly. II can't rise-a little trife of a
sprained ankle"
Eyes, know" the girl interrupted
alphabetically. 'The janitor told me.
am so sorry" The man found her
pity very sweet.
Il don't want to trouble you," she
went on, 'sbut am looking for one Of
my Christmas presents which is lost,
strayed or stolen. 1t must have come,
for my cousin writes that it was mailed
some days ago."
1nstinctively Lane spread his hands
over the dainty tride lying In his lap.
Yes, the pillow hid it from view.
1T is handkerchief case made of
purple silk. As our names look some
thing alike, thought it might have
come to you by mistake" She looked
at him expectantly.
| Now, Lane had been mentally plan
ming how he might keep that handker.
chief case. He was thief in every.
thing but the deed. But he could not
answer those searching brown eyes
with lie. "Yes, l have it. thought
It was NINE" And he held it out weak
ly. Then sudden inspiration came to
him. Il wish you would let me keep
it." he said pleadingly. II will buy you
anything else in it's place that you like y
Miss Lanes color deepened. ::'Why?''
Ihe asked wonderingly.
Because" he said vehemently, 'it's
the only Christmas present shall have