The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-02-12
The Bachelors
Button
by Martha Gray Pilsbury.


OF an orercrowded city Through
this crowd Julie Clayton was ploJ.
ding her way to the Office where files
OF dreary papers awaitel her glance.
Life had become onotonous 10 her
or late. One point on which she
prided herself most was beginnin /,
to wear off its outer coat OF novelty
ana reveal nothing substantial in
the inner light She had always
hoasted OF being IA bachelor maiaen,
armed with heart or STEEL. which
no masculine eye. however beguil-
ing. could pierce or affect in the
least. Now these fancies We're be-
coming tiresume.
| On this particular day, as she was
hurrying to her daily trial. the law
yer's office, she met tie eyes of an
Indifferent masculine. whom she had
especially noticed for the past week.
The fact that made him so conspi-
cuous In her eyes was the saucy lit
tie bachelors button that rested ON
his coat lapel, whose face of blue
stared defiantly at her, All the
week this little flower had haunted
her vision and bothered her exceed
In gly. That the wearer should seem
10 different to her from the other
members of his sex provoked her
greatly.
Julie entered the office and was
coon at her dask worhing with a
furious haste to forget the hnprac-
ticability OF her former thoughts.
The arrival OF Mr.. Forbes the law
Yer, did not occasion her TO raise ser
eyes, and soon she heard distinct
voices conyersing in the room adj
Joining one she recognized as her
employer S, and the other as
strangers. but somehow the tones
gave her an uneasy thrill. for at
their sound the little blue flo er
came before her mind again.
Becoming absorbed in a legal
document, she was greatly startled
to hear voice at her side.
Pardon me for my interruption,
but have you the Welkes deed hera?"
Julie held her breath. There was
the stranger with the bachelors but
ton. that had caused her SO much
thought. Being naturally self-pos-
bessed. she soon collected herself to
answer:
Yes, | will look in the fiie.'.
Trembling, with too conscious fin
gers, she produced bulky docu-
inent.
II thing this must be the one you
desire
Thank you very much for your
trouble. Good morning."
In the latter part of the afternoon,
Mr.. Forbes informed her that he
lad engaged young lawyer to help
him in the office.
Richards. come here moment"
The stranger obeyed
This Is my new assistant. Mr..
Richards, Miss Clayton.
Julie met the new lawyer at fire.
luent intervals during the next
week. and on the following Monday, |
when she raised her head to respond |
o the usual greeting. she noticed |
hat the bachelors button had disap-
oeared.
He Immediately crossed the room |
Ind seated himself in a chair beside ,
Ter desk.
Il hope you will forgive me. but
| think you were wonder
ng at the disappearance of a little
hobby OF mine-the flower that /
isually wear. You see. have al
ways considered myself as enjoying
he happy state OF bachelorhood so
wore the flower as a symbol.
We'll. have resolved never to
that flower again, for TO
re honest. | am actually IN love.
lways imagined myself a man of
ense. but | must have changed. Now
o you understand why do not
year the flower?"
An interruption prevented further
and afterwards Julie
vas much yexed by a little voice
hat would set her to wondering who
he happy girl was and what she
ras like.
The next day Julie found herself
/ the flow OF conversation again.
But what is this divinity like in
ppearance she asked. after hear
lg much of her charming qualities.
She has light. wavy hair. and
yes er--well. something like yours"
G went on, hesitatingly.
Does she acknowledge your
,ve?"
NO. That's why I'm Respondent.
he Is utterly oblivions to my over
Tres. To be serious. feel that I
m wrong in caring for her as she
light not be content with my small
;lary and would scorn my affections
I told her"
NO decent girl would do that"
npulsively exclaimed Julie.
You really think. then. that my
Ise is fortunate?"
Yes" replied Julie.
Suppose a man In my circum-
ances proposed to you. world you
,cept him."
why. yes. If I contemplated that
ate" she carefully replied. .. /,
We'll. now. ! ask you II you VIII ,
cent. he murmured. drawing