The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-13
How He Came to Suicide
IOriglnal.l

We're thinking of marrying has opened
an art store. That girl ought to have
had n fortune. She is just fitted to be
the head of a gentleman's house."
Walter Talbot. who was brushing his
hair before mirror, struggling to get
the part straight and in place to suit
him, turned and looked at his friend
inquiringly. He admitted that Miss
Peachblow was an old flame of his. and
had 1t not been for her poverty he
might have married her 1t had not
been necessary that he should be de-
prived of his love on this account, for
he had Inherited some means and was
doing very well In his profession. lie
had gone so far as to become engaw ed
to her, but on thinking the matter over
had concluded that in this commercial
age there was nothing practical in
mating with a poor woman. SO he had
broken the engagement He had not
since met any one. rich or poor. whom
he had cared to marry and had remain
ed a bachelor.
where is her shop?" he asked. re-
suming his toilet
The location was given. and Talbot
thought that he would go into the store
and see how his old fame would look
behind the counter 1t was several
years since he had seen her. and she
might feel embarrassed at meeting
him. AS for Talbot, his equanimity
was not easily disturbed The next
nftnrnnnn No "a,
he chose a different route from his
usual one and stopped at shop which
bore a sign Maria Peachblow." See
Ing his former tiancee engaged with a
customer. he waited near the door,
Miss Peachblow turned her eyes to-
ward him. She did not start She did
not blush. She simply cast her eyes
again upon a picture she was trying
to sell.
Talbot was sure she had recognized
him and was surprised that she gave
no evidence of the fact. For the first
time in the presence Of woman he
felt uncomfortable. II she persisted
in treating him as a stranger his visit
would not be a pleasant one He
wished he had not come. 1t wouldn't
do for him to back out now, so he
leaned on n counter and sucked the
head Of his walking stick nervously.
The customer, lady. was in no hurry
to choose, and 1t was half an hour aft
er Talbot entered the shop before Miss
Peachblow made sale, took the lady
address and promised to send the pic
ture the next day. Then as the Gus
toner went out Miss Peachblow ad-
vanced with that stereotyped look on
her face by which salespeople ask
without the trouble of speaking, What
can do for you?"
Talbot stood trying to smile, but a
forced smile, especially when one is
badly disgruntled. results in something
| not unlike a grimace. Conscious of
this, Talbot flushed. The lady noticed
neither of these conditions She sim
ply said:
will you look at some pictures?'
"Yes-no-th thank you-if YOU have
anything that you think will please
me-
Miss Peachblow turned and led the
way to large portfolios in racks and
opening them, said:
Here are some fine engravings
These are water colors can especially
recommend. In this one you will fine
some photographs of celebrated pic
lures"
Talbot took hold of one of the port
folios, and his hand trembled. This by
no means tended to restore his equa
nimity. He wanted to break through
the invisible mask, shield or whatever
it was that she held between them
Had he come with any definite purpose
he could easily have stated it, but HI
had not. He had broken his engage
ment through selfish motives, and fo
the first time he began to realize how
selfish they We're. He had come to tn,
girl he had Tilted with motives of id,
curiosity, and he began to feel that h,
had been fool to step in where al
} angel would have feared to tread.
If Miss Peachblow had shown an,
relish in her revenge, the spell by whicl
Mr.. Talbot was held at arms lengtl
would have been broken. She did not
She treated him as she would hav
treated any other customer.
Il think this will do" said Talbot
selecting a landscape, "and this"
, battle piece. I'm hang them together.
THE landscape is soothing, the battl
piece exciting. They will make goo
contrast. Will you have them framed?
Certainly; frame them
81 will show you some samples"
'ENeyer mind the samples. woul
prefer to leave the framing to you
taste''
But the prices vary. We hay
frames at prices from 20 cents to $
a foot. think you had better instruc
me in this
/, Put on a suitable frame, no matte
, what the COST
, Every well, will do my best an
, send them. Let me see This is MOI
day. Will Thursday do?"
Eyes, Thursday. Any day
Meanwhile Miss Peachblow was lool
ing for an order book, and, finding on
took up pencil.