Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-16

dering If she were up. Then he made
his way to the dressing room and after
shaving started back to his section.
Just as he passed her berth he heard
his name called In anxious tones.
"Dick, oh. Dickp'
He stopped.
"Dick." urged the voice. "come clos
er, I've got something dreadful to tell
your
His heart thumped as he sided up to
the curtains Her lips must have
touch his ear almost. for be felt her
breath on his cheek.
"Dick, my pumps are gone"
Though her tone was tragic. he could
hardly restrain laugh.
Nonsense" he replied through the
slight aperture in the curtains. II guess
they're under the berth where the por
, ter put them after polishing them"
mo. they're not" she declared 1.-THE
porter gave them to me a moment ago.
and ! was just admlring them when
they both slid out Of the window! Oh
what shall do%
Try as he might, Dick couldn't keep
back chnckle.
"Well, I've certainly won that bet
Christiner' he said with conviction.
THAT bet?" she repeated incredu.
lousy. What on earth are you talk
ing about"
you know well enough" be rejoined
II said you'd 60 stocking footed into
Washington before l proposed again.
An impatient rustic behind the cur.
tains followed this sally. g.
This is no occasion for clever re-
marks. Dick" she observed coldly
Maybe you don't realise 1t. but I'm In
very embarrassing predicament !
can't get out Of the berth without any
shoes lt
There was silence for second. Then
her tone was softer.
you help me"
''Sure! might lend you a pair of
mine," he suggested. the smile still
lurking on his lips. They're not SO
abnormaily large"
"Don't be absurd" she protested
think of something PRACTICABLE you
can. There's no time to lose-we're
going into Washington now!'
"Don't get nervous, Christine" he
cautioned. serious now. 1T Is early
yet, and you can remain In the berth
for an hour or so. When we get into
the station. I'll go out and buy you an
other pair of shoes"
"Will your
Certainly"
ooh. Dick. could kiss you for it!''
"Don't get flirtatious again" he said
sharply "Just tell me the size Of your
slippers"
'"Three." she answered.
'"The last?"
"Double A."
"All right" he commented. Jotting
down the numbers, IF you'll keep calm
for half an hour I'll return with some
thing or other in the line of boots!"
Then he hurried out. for already the
train was in the station. In less than
ten minutes he was talking to clerk
In ladies' shoe shop on Pennsylvania
avenue.
II want the neatest. daintiest pair of
pumps you've got In the house." he
declared. "Size three. last double A."
"What color?" asked the salesman
For second Dick was stumped
Then he remembered that the lost
pumps he had been fortunate, enough
to get glimpse Of were brown. a
light. delicate brown
Brown" he said. "Prettiest shade of
brown you've got. I'll leave 1t to you"
The salesman smiled. "All right" he
replied. 1--WE got something that will
suit you. Pm sure"
"Dont reckon he's been married
more than a week." the man thought
as he pulled box off the shelves and
opened It
Dick surveyed the pumps. Neat,
stylish and pretty they surely were. If
. he was any judge.
I'll take Them" he said"
In another ten minutes he thrust q
bundle between the curtains of the
berth that he hoped still contained
Christine
"Here they are" he volunteered.
He heard her tear open the package
and toss the paper aside.
'Oh, Dick, they are simply beauties"
she cried. MY. but you are a dearw
A few minutes later they left the
Pullman together
"Dick," she asked sweeuy as he
helped her down from the platform
what can ever do to repay your
The chance, he thought was now
and he seized it.
"By letting me buy your shoes al
ways, little girl" he pleaded quietly.
"All right. l will. Dick" she whis-