The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-09-10

"Miss Ella Grey. She works at the
soda fountain around the corner"
Without any more inquisitivenessI de-
cided to buy soda-fOr the day was
hot.
AS entered the small confectionery
store and approached the soda foun-
tain tho girl re-folded square, white
sheet of paper and slipped it into the
envelope. Laying the letter down, she
inquired as to my wants. AS supped
the soda informally conversed with
her. Her knowledge of general mat
ters surprised me, for, brought up in
such an out-of-the.way town she was
conversant on those questions of gen.
eral interest to the educated, cultured,
and refined.
Being enabled to enjoy the society of
the girl in grey was pleased to learn
that my trip to Wayside had been pro-
longed to thirty days. Before the thirty
days had expired was again notified
that l was to assume charge of the
firms real-estate Office at " ayside.
Miss Grey and became very good
friends. Without betraying too much
interest soon learned that each week
she received a plain, white envelope
containing a single sheet of paper.
One day while very busy she suggested
that call at the postoffice for her mail.
L did so and the weekly letter was
handed to me. Thus 1 learned that it
came from u prison far away. Grad
ually learned the story. In her school.
days she had formed liking for Ted
Manners. In after years Manners had
fell in love with another girl who
elOped with travelling man. As re-
suit Manners left his native city to
roam hither aud thither. Finally he
became involved in trouble aud was
sent to prison. The years few by and
one day Ella chanced to hear where
Ted was. With the peculiar love of
girl she began to correspond with the
boy. The correspondence resulted in
an engagement. This much l learned
at the time. A few months afterwards
l returned to the city to silently watch
the fate of the girl whose winning
ways, high mindedness, and loyalty to
a prisoner, had impressed me SO
deeply.
On various occasions for couple of
years spent few weeks at Wayside.
Thus learned that Elias regular let
ter never failed to come. During each
visit to the town saw and talked with
her, and thru curiosity l casually in
quired If grey was favorite color of
hers as she always dressed in grey.
Perhaps it was Observation-Disclosures but
she said: "He wears grey uniform
then she blushed. turned my head
moment then resumed the conversation.
AS we talked l wondered who he was;
he whom this slip of girl seemed so
devoted to. Surely" thought /, she
must Le a man even tho q prisoner
to hold the affection of her," That
evening l left Wayside and never vis-
tied the town again.
1t was several years after the FORE
going chapter when chanced to visit
a western city. Having transacted my
business I found that the train was
to take would not leave for several
hours. 10 while away time began
to stroll about the city. Finally l
stopped before cottage gate. There,
seated on the porch, was young
couple. The man knew not, but the
slender form of the girL dressed in
grey, seemed familiar. She arose,
came toward the gate, recognized me,
and invited me to spend the evening
with them. She introduced me to her
companion, fine looking young man.
with CHEEKY; "My prisoner, Mr.. x"
; l understood Briefly, the dark hours
had passed and now they were united,
happy couple. "And you still wear
grey" 1 ventured. "Why, yes," said
she; "you see it reminds us of the bitter
past, enables us to be thankful for the
blessings of providence and"-she hes
. itated momeut, then laughingly con-
tinued: "Its cheaperl' AS bade them
good-by and walked away mentally
thought: MAY Heaven bless the loyal
girls, who contribute more lasting BEN
efits to humanity than whole armies;
: bless them even tho they always wear
grey, brown, or black-because It's
cheaper" ERID.