Live Oak daily Democrat. (Live Oak, Fla.) 190?-190?, 1906-09-01
The Girl and
the Davenport
By FANNIE HEAsLIP LEA
Copyright, 1908. By E. c. PARCELS


IN aisle OF shadow between old ma
hogany sidebOards and dusty armoires
and laid her gray gloyed hand upon
one end Of a quaint davenport on
whose other end reposed the hand of
Van Holden
This davenport" she said to the
shopkeeper, lis the one you reserved
for me. Is Il nOtT'
"Pardcn me-" said Van Holden firm
U-the davenport was genuine mahog-
any and OF a good shape-'I have Just
bought H."
The shOpkeeper, a little creole with
yoluble eyes and a fierce mustache.
booked from one TO the other.
~AIais oui." he murmured politely.
1T II vair good davenport
You promised yesterday afternoon"
she said with icy dignity, Ito reserve
Il Cor me. l must have IL. l wish II
Upholstered In the green rep you show
% me. and l want 1t by Thursday
morning"
pardon me- Van Holden began
again.
she ignored his existence and drew a
card from her case OF snakeskin-
Here Is my address" she said.
scribbllng something thereon, land
wiIl give you a check on delivery Of
the davenport Eighty dollars / think
Tou saidY'
Van HOlden's sense Of humor. as
sisted by the pleasing picture OF pale
hair and gray eyes In cool pale face
against a background Of eobwebbed
walls. began 20 rise.
Il was to have had 1t for fifty" he
suggested plalntively.
Il viii give you eighty for 1t" she
said 90 the shopkeeper. And her face
was nOticeably less pale.
1t ees vair good davenport" said
the shOpkeeper. twisting his fierce
mustache. Il pay hun'erd dollar TO it.
bat take eighty. Vas. take eighty"
oh. you dor said Van Holden sar-
eastically. What about the fifty I'm
giving your l suppose you take that
toOf Now. see here, my man" Ee
sBoofhed out the check between his
hRgers.
II you have paid for it, said the
lady icily. Il shall Of course not take
g. had not understood
Pray DO not consider me In the
matter" said Van Holden, with equal
Prumptness. Il shall not take 1t now"
lie thrust the check into his vest pock-
q a. the shOpkeeper's dirty fingers
closed elawlike over the lady's card.
~CphOlster In green rep? Varnish?
Ne. I lose $40. yes -but-you take it
Keep my word"
~No." said the lady; Il shall not take
a. Ny card" She slipped it back in
- the case. II do not care for the
davenport" She walked 90 the door.
bsading her skirts away from con-
tamination. and turned into the hot.
naTow street. a slender figure in a
Eray gown and q gray hat with pale
rv~rs on the wide brim.
NsR Holden lit a cigarette In the in
tsFval % regarding the shOpkeeper with
q pierclng interest. "Overreached
soarsclf that time. Mr.. Montague" he
feinarkei pleasantly.
Desc Yankees" said Mr. Montague
muFoaely.
4 dare say" said Van Holden. He
wsikcd to the front Of the shop, the
eFeolc &C bis heels. and a humorous
smile twttehed the corners Of his mouth
That was q dirty trick OF yours. And
A. a. 49, -. uaaHntS oapd nm tho
chair looked AZ. don't care to deal
sith yen In future"
MF Montague shrugged his shoulders
All lifted mp his eyes. Van Holden
tarned on bis heel and walked leisurely
dswn the street. his annoyance lost in
sense q amusement
Dose Yankees be echoed to him
seif Then his meditation took The
teFm ~ manifest approval "She would
h1Fe hsen a picture on that davenport
afisF n Was done ia green. with he1
eslsrins lack % cOloring. rather. Hell
,. Borden. Anything doing? Come
ever aud have :,inch at the COSmopoli
taas
Ehat's where I'm going now" said
hsrsirR -Yoa sre Just the man want
Us taxing the girls 10 lunch to
seF Molly has girl visiting her, yor
knoN YEAH Just round out the party
ahi make us happy foursome. Oh
essar Oh. And see here. Van-wha
tiea mat deaf you made in cotton
Yesterday"
fhe1 sauntered down the street. deeI
~ Discussion until Borden stopped
sasiaruly -Iove. I've got to 90 owe
- somr blamed store and meet thos,