The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-08-07

leep IN MS trousers pockets, MS legs
wide apart, regarding the clerks with
patronizing air.
Have you heard the latest. fell
tows?" he asked, with the air of one
who is in possession of a secret, and
longs to have the pleasure of sharing
It with some one.
The clerks, however. were busy
and paid no attention to him.
Kitty is getting married." he an
bounced.
The effect was instantaneous. Nine
heads were raised simultaneously,
and seventeen eyes-Baxter had
glass one-looked at Puggles in evil
dent establishment.
Kitty" it should be explained,
was Miss Gregory, the pretty type
writer who, for several months, had
condescended to brighten the dull
city warehouse with her charming
presence. The period of her servi-
tude, however, had come to an abrupt
termination a month previously by
virtue of the fact that relative had
died, leaving her a legacy of $4,000.
AS has been said, Puggles' and
nouncement created quite stir; and
perhaps the flush that mounted to
the cheeks of Frank Reynolds, a
blond, good-looking young giant,
was a trife more pronounced than
any of the Others; but in the general
establishment no one noticed that.
Il thought that would make you
sit up" said the boy, with grin.
Look at Baxter; he's going to faint.
The news has been too much for him.
Baxter was we'll in with Kitty till
cut him out"
JONES'" said Baxter, in quiet. ear
nest tones, will you kindly hand me
that ruler? I've got writer's cramp,
and understand exercise is good for
it."
BY strategic movement Puggles
got between Baxter and the door,
where he stood grinning.
"I'll kill that boy some day." said
Baxter, resuming his seat.
He needs a Jolly good thrashing,"
said Jones. There's been no holding
him since he got into long trousers.
"Oh, hasn't there?" exclaimed
Puggles. Look here. Jones, you
needn't put your oar in. Every one
knows you tried to hang your hat up
with Kitty, but she told me she de-
clined to have anything to do with a
fellow who parted his hair with a
towel"
This allusion to Joness scanty
locks raised laugh, and had also
the effect of putting that gentleman
in rage. He made = rush at Pug
giles and caught him Just as he
reached the door. Lifting the boy,
he flung him on the counter-face
down, heels up.
Hold his feet, Gregson!" yelled
Jones.
Gregson. an alert, bright-eyed
youth, complied.
Now, hand me that ruler, Baxter"
cried Jones. I've got writer's cramp,
too
Baxter did as requested and Jones
applied the rod in orthodox fashion.
How do you feel now?" inquired
Jones when the operation was oysr.
Its a capital joke, isn't it,"
Puggles walked to his desk, in
sinuating that, given time and oppor-
tunity, his vengeance was sure.
Just then Wilson. who had gone
on with his work as If nothing un-
usual had taken place, looked I'D
from his desk.
Now, that we's got all the pre-
liminaries," he said. perhaps Pug
giles will tell us how or where he
got his information about Miss Greg
ory."
Who told you?" demanded Jones
impatiently.
My brother" responded the boy,
now feeling himself again. Hes
compositor on the Record, you know,
and he set up the announcement yes
terday for to-morrow's issue"
Who's the lucky MANI" asked
Baxter. unable to conceal his curl
osity.
Puggles looked across at him and
grinned.
AA SOuAdu The cldD
name" he said, but he recognized it
was Kitty through my talking
about her at home. Oh, it's, her, right
enough! I'm awfully sorry for you
fellows" said the boy, quite SER
iously.
That's very kind of you," re-
tuFned Wilson. Look out! Here's
the governor"
A moment later the occupants of
the counting-house were industry
personified. But it was with scarcely
an undivided attention that they an
Piled themselves to the columns of
figures.
When Miss Gregory had conde-
scended to brighten the dulr civ
warehouse with her presence. all oh
served with joy that the lady's Jeff
nand was unadorned with iewelrv
OF any description, and the general
Jealousy that arose in the matter of
paying her attentions must have been
nignly gratifying to the lady's van
lty. she accepted them all, but ap-
peared to favor no one in particular
For reasons of his own. however
frank Reynolds had cherished hone
-infnitesimal, perhaps, but still n
nope. He had gone on cherisbinp Il
until the news came that Miss creg-