The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1905-01-13
AT SANTINE'S
WITH CUPID
By MIRIAM MORRIS
Copynah., 1904, by A. S. Richardson

Hardey almost chuckled aloud as ne
recalled his mothers words: NO soou
will come of your starting in the busl-
ness as a common employee. Your Ia
ther should take you in as a MEMBER
of the firm"
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.. Harley 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 the people with whom he was
to work for the first few years n
over whom he would be placed in the
wears to come. AS for Tom himself,
he didn't give a rap where he started.
While he didn't inherit all Of his ia
TIERS sociological theories, he did take
q mighty pride in the business his IA
Their 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 a
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. I'll be very glad to help
buy q present for the old chap. Who
else is on the committee"
"Just Miss Pemberton. Having a
number would only make it more con-
fusing."
1T certainly would. And where will
l find Miss Pemberton?"
"In the circulation department. I
thought every one knew Miss Pember.
ton. She's such a perfect lady. If you
don't mind going to the circulation
room, l Wi: introduce you"
She was carrying a little box filled
with bills and coins, the result Of the
collection, and Tom followed her tc
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 figure clad in gray turned
from the desk, and a pair Of gray eyes
exactly the shade Of the dress were
raised to meet his. Tom murmuret
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
buns with celluloid decorations or
silver piece with impossible coloret
glass lining. Now he was wonderin,
whether in all the shops they coul,
find anything which was dclicat
enough to please her taste. While tni
was galloping through his mind a wei
modulated voice remarked:
"Your father has suggested that W,
take an hour or two off in the mornin,
before the shops are crowded. If con
venient, I'll meet you at McGrath {
Murray's at 9 o'clock tomorrow"
I'm sure that's the very best ar
rangement." He would have said tn,
same had she suggested their maxim,
a trip to Alaska to buy orchids.
She returned to her work, and b,
sauntered back to his own department
wishing that she would be cleve
enough to wear gray furs with tina
gray dress. He felt oddly pleased tn
next morning on entering the jewelry
store to find himself following in tn
wake of a futtering gray fox boa.
They looked at silverware, hollov
and fiat. They gravely discussed tn,
virtues Of candelabra and puddin,
dishes. Then she turned to him sud
denly.
i suppose we are expected to bu,
something in silver, but l really thinl
the bride and groom deserve bette,
treatment" Her eyes were twinkling
Il have known so many people to ge;
wedding gifts Of silver that cost NOR,
tnan the rugs on their floors. They
would really very much rather hay,
had rugs" ~
"All right" said Tom promptly, wv,
will get rugs"
NO. no." said the girl, laughing. 81
was not speaking literally, but the cir
he Is to marry seems sensible, and sht
says they are going to have q liv,ne
room instead of a parlor. l think she
means to make the home comfortahle
first and fancy afterward. Let's 90,
them something perfectly restful 70,
that living ROOM"
Just the thing" assented Tom
Where shall we go?"
ITO Santine's. They have such raa,
things, and I think his little bride
would simply hate mutations
Tom wanted to shake hands with
himself. 1t was just what a girl with
gray eyes and a gray frock should saw
To santine's they went. They wan.
oered from the Turkish room, with ito
heavy hangings, its queer, fore,gn
smells and its dim lights, to the lana.
nese room, with its gay colors ito
iacquers and its soft, lustrous si,ts
ana wound up in the room where +he
mission furniture was on orL:.. ."