The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-10
/ SMITHS EMPORIUM

nol eHdt meant 10 Duy loT llttle f1eI :
bort. have got him everything 7
wanted to but that and the child
really needs It." She craned for
ward and scrutinized the shops
on either hand. "Why, there's
Just the sort of place I want" she e&-
claimed, and they've got the very
Kind OF hat in the window! It's quite
large and respectable place, too.
Haven't we time to stop the cab Just
for minute?"
Mrs. Penberton consulted her watch,
and opined that there was time. The
driver was accordinly called to halt,
and Mona descended with frou-frou
OF petticoats Characteristic of her. Mrs.
Pemberton elected to remain in the
hanson, but begged her friend not TO
delay over long.
The shop. in comparison to the mean
er,buildings on either side Of It, was a
veritable palace. 1t was lofty, and high
upon the level OF the ground floor It
bore the words Smiths Emporium" In
letters of huge size Higher up again
the same words were repeated In oven
larger letters, designed to be illu-
minated in different colored lights by
night. The vast plate-g glass windows
were ovcrstocked with all the usual
adjuncts OF a prosperous drnpery and
clother's business.
ly as she swept across the threshold
OF the particular department which she
needed and, addressing herself to the
bland young man behind the counter,
requested to be shown a straw hat
suitable for little boy. When he had
departed in search of the article. she
gazed about her idly. taking mental
survey of the goods exposed for sale
and of the general character of the
shop. Seconded very second
class she murmured to herself mot
at all the sort OF shop where I should
deal in a general way. But no doubt
prosperous and making plenty OF
money"
Suddenly she rose from her chair,
and gave a Mortified gasp. for. in a
mirror that faced her. and which re-
Elected the further part of the shop,
she had caught sight of familiar
fignre--a man clad In sober frock coat
and without hat: a man who. from
his appearance, and from the respect
with which he was addressed by the
busy employees. was evidently a person
of Importance in the establishment
and the figure Of this man was the
very counterpart of that OF her hus-
band! OF course, 1t could not be he
such an idea was too absurd for words
but what an astonishing resemblance
it was. Mona turned. In order to OBJ
tain a closer view. He was too busy
to notice her. and also he was at the
far end OF the shop. She could satisfy
her curiosity without fear.
| But. as she gazed, the look Of con-
sternation returned to her face with
redoubled intensity. The shopman was
her husband-there could be no doubt
of 1t. She recognized the very clothes
! that he had been wearing when he
| left Glentham that morning. He al
| ways Travelled to town in a frock coat,
but there could be no mistaking the
! fancy waistcoat which he had donn.d
for the first time that day.
| What did it mean? What could it
mean? Mona started in Mortified fas-
cination. glued to the spot She could
her husband. even had he turned and
recognized her. Her desire was to
rush from the shop. but for the mo-
ment her limbs were incapable OF
| movement.
81 think you Will find this very
suitable article, madam" The suave
young man had returned, his arms
laden with straw hats and he was at
tempting to call Mona's attention to
one Of these. For all she knew, he
might have been speaking to her for
| the last ten minutes without succeed :
ing in eliciting reply.
who is that-that gentleman stand
ing over there?" Mona leaned over tho
counter and pointed vaguely in the
direction of her husband.
The bland youth looked at her with
mild surprise, then his eyes turned In
! the direction which she had Indicated
4 to him. That gentleman. madam.
he replied. then he smiled-"that is Mr.
Drydesdale, the proprietor. DO yor
wishSto speak to hlm?"
NO; oh. no. painted Mona. and