The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-01-13
MISS COURTNEY'S
ASSISTANCE

|
| uous in the most remote corner of the
department store elevator, listened to
the menotonous chant of the elevator
boy as he stopped his craft with jerk
| at each successive floor.
Second floor. Boots and shoes. crock
cry. upholstery goods. Going upr'
There was swish Of skirts. Several
cnattering women crowded off. and
several more crowded on. The door
banged, and the elevator crawled spas
medically upward.
Third floor! Linens. draperies, wall
paper. Going upr
Graham crowded farther into his cor
| ner and experienced that sense of help
lessness that falls to the lot of every
man who invades the domains of de-
partment store
Fourth floor! Rugs, carpets. furni-
turer'
Graham pushed his way out as gen
thy as possible and heaved sigh of re-
lief, AS he did so he bumped against
young woman who was about to board
the elevator.
Miss Courtney he cried in surprise.
"Mr. Graham said she.
"Going up!' said the elevator boy
pointedly and banged the door.
you don't mean you're here all
alone?" she asked.
''It is my misfortune to be in that
condition." he laughed. "You couldn't
I'm convinced I need a pilot for this
cruise"
Miss Courtney smiled knowingly.
Il can't leave you to such a fate,
poor, helpless man that you are" she
said. What are you looking for?' she
ended briskly
INITIAL reply
The truth of the matter was that
Graham had come merely to purchase
new rug for his den, but the chance
of chat with Miss Courtney was
something too tempting to let slip. Ora
ham suddenly decided to go much far
Their than the rug.
Isn't there a furnished suit or some
thing of the sort up here?' he asked
She nodded.
swell, that will probably give me
some ideas" said he. Between you
and me, I'm after furnishings for a suit
this morning"
ing smile.
Exactly" said he calmly. "You see,
I want to surprise her"
''And you were beginning to think
your surprise might prove more COM
plete than satisfactory she asked
gayly.
Graham laughed. II was indeed"
said he ''In fact, if l hadn't found you
l think l should have taken the next
elevator down and fed"
"You must trust implicitly to my Sc
lection" she explained.
crest assured | WILL" he said hearth
ly.
They found the Furnished suit and
inspected it from the spOtless range
in the kitchen to the point curtains in
the parlor. Miss Courtney offered many
suggestions, and every suggestion Ora
ham hailed with enthusiasm.
ohoc
ture for room after room they picked
out. and floor after floor of the depart
ment store they invaded. They argued
about rugs and draperies and screens.
and Graham drew up checks with sur
prising prodigality.
Shortly after noon the purchasing
was finished. The fittings for the new
domicile had ali been selected, even to
the wrought iron lanterns that were to
adOrn the hall.
Lets 60 back to the furnished suit
and rest bit before we leave" Ora
ham suggested
"Done!' Miss Courtney cried. "And
you shall tell me all about her."
The furnished suit was quite de-
serted. fortunately. They chose the oil
minutive library as the quietest place
to talk and settled themselves comfort
ably in the big leather chairs.
'Now tell me all about her." Miss
Courtney commanded
Graham smiled quietly.
''It seems almost like proclamation to
put so halting tongue as mine to such
q task" said he, ''but she is all that is
good and sweet and clever"
He paused. go on" she demanded,
''and tell me what she looks like"
Graham rose and, taking Miss Court
ney's hand, gently drew her from the
chair. He led her to a little mirror
hung above the fireplace.
Look There she is.' he said simply.
Miss Courtney gasped
"WQl1 0f alp