The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-04-28

shortly after nightfall the aforesaid in
Inmates. led by Thomas. might have
been discovered stealthily making
their way toward the village from the
vicinity of Squire Martins barn.
William arose calder than usual
next morning after q restless night,
and leaving his breakfast nntasted,
started to the shop. As he neared it.
he 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."
$50 are you," she retorted, blushing
a rosy red.
At the point of inqufring If her fire
burned properly, he checked himself
as he thought of the embarrassment
it would cause. He could think Of
nothing else to say. and after staring
at her stupidity for moment, unlock
ed his door and went inside, reappear-
ing broom in hand.
A milk wagon drove by, the occu-
pant Of which was known to them
both. With Good morning. friends"
he pulled up his horse.
"Celebrat tin, 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. Entwfning the
two little signs and joining them low
ingly 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
bit faded and the evergreen showed
evidence of hard usage. but the pur
pose for which they were intended
was still easily discernable.
With a scream Marcia darted into
her shop and closed the door. WILL
lam paused long enough to bestow a
scathing glance upon the milkman,
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 1t, William.
| No mt IN live
out mates in this world. You ought
to have done it years ago, but you
were always too modest She was q
handsome girl, and by ginger. she's
a good-looking woman"
The previous days rush of bust
ness, which bid fair to continue, was
effectually checked when 1t 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 q 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 Ill.
Once or twice he surreptitiously
placed his ear to the partition, but he
could hear nothing.
He looked out at the old hitchins
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 II
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 q
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 Cd
portunity had gone.
Usually he kept the shop open until
O'Clock. but at Z he decided to close
and 60 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
a ponderous knock. There was no re-
ply, and he knocked louder and more
boldly than before.
"Who Is thereY' came from the in
side.
| 1T is I. William Underwood. Open
the door,"
The door opened slightly. what
do you want, WilliamW
Her voice seemed to tremble. Per.
haps she had been crying. He pushed
| the door open and stepped inside