Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-01-02

I THANK you,' she answered, moving
to the other side of the seat do you
know, think it was really clever of
me to recognize you so promptly. 1t
has been ten years since l saw you.
and time makes great changes, doesn't
itT'
"Yes," l assented and looked at her
with wondering eyes. A problem, deep
and inexplicable, forced itself upon
me. "How about recognition on my
part?"
There was prompt relief. however.
''Of course you," she continued, with
all those photographs Tom has
''Why, l would have known you any
where! interrupted boldly.
There was nothing entangling in the
conversation thus far, and l am sure
there was nothing In it to my credit
in the role Of the visiting young gen.
tleman. She was waiting for me to
join her in the trap, but was too OBJ
fuse to see it. and verbal invitation
was necessary.
When the die was cast and, trapped,
I sat down by her side it was with a
reckless, Intoxicating feeling. There
was the delicious consciousness of sit
ting by beautiful girl-a stranger
who, by her manner, opened to me, as
to an intimate friend. an innocent,
winsome nature. cared not how the
affair might end, only that might en-
Joy it to the full for brief length of
time. We drove through the main
streets of the town; our destination
was evidently suburban home. 1t
was not long before l learned that l
was playing the part Of young Mr..
Gibson, who had been college mate
Of her brother. AS to his present oc-
cupation was rather hazy.
She pointed out all the recent i'm
provements Of Ethelburg and direct
cd my attention to a number Of her
friends whom we passed. During a
period Of ten years it is quite natural
for one to forget great deal, so that
my ignorance and lapse of memory
were not startling. 1t amused her and
made her more charming through her
feeling Of superiority in that particu-
lar.
AS we approached the outskirts Of
town l was suddenly seized with a
sense Of my perilous situation. A cool
wave sutfused me. l could not dare to
appear at her home. l felt an impulse
to jump and run, which of itself I'M
nerved me. I was desperate, and the
girl was talking volubly of her friends,
her home and herself.
My hand wandered to my pocket in
search Of handkerchief, and it was
that small act that saved me. There
was an important letter that l intend
ed mailing at once upon my arrival at
Ethelburg.
II beg pardon" l said, with a show
Of great surprise, 'but shall have to
return to the postofice" glowed
with inward triumph.
"Indeedr' she answered. "And, do
you know, l have been thinking for
some time that I neglected to go by
my dressmaker's. So We'll return and
perform our missions and then come
back. The weather is pleasant for
driving, at any rate" she continued
agreeably,> don't you Think"
The observation was one In which l
heartily acquiesced, for it was a rich,
balmy spring day and formed quite a
contrast to the cool days from which
had just come. At the moment there
was an additional inspiration in our
turning toward town, for in it lay the
hope Of escape.
We made an agreement to meet at
the postoftice within fifteen minutes,
and sprang lightly from the trap,
travelling bag in hand. l recall vivid
~ the conflict of emotions that welled
within me. They were deep and ear
nest and now seem all the more anus
ing because of their genuineness. I
was dizzy with delight to be free
again, and at the same time was
possessed with a mean. skulking sense
Of treachery. l stole through a side
door and skunk away to back street,
finally drifting into restaurant, which
proved to be little more respectable
than its outward appearance indicated;
That was my refuge for an hour. l
chatted with the proprietor and his
wife and incidentally made a good bill
through a secret sense of obligation. l
longed to slip aboard train and quit
the town forever. Had there been one
to leave at that hour of the day l
would undoubtedly have been pas
senger, but there was none until 4 in
the afternoon, and there were several
hours before me.
felt the Importance Of selling some
goods and later made bold to venture
forth for my sample case at the de.
pot. The first store I entered offered
a bonanza Of luck. l thought the old
gentleman would never close bis order
But knew it was all right; that the