Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-11-04
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When Alzora Dunn had shaken the
dust of Brattleville from her feet
literally, for 1t was hot, dry summer
and departed for Chicago, Gus Mitch
ell Of course had been at the railroad
station to see her of.
Brattleville boosted only 100 inhabit-
ants and the cellnloid collar was still
regarded with favor In Its society cir
cles. Around his celluloid collar Gus
wore a narrow black string tie with
crumpled ends and there was photo
graph button Of Alzora in the lapel Of
his cont. He also had abalone shell
cuff links. In spite Of this he had a
good, square jaw. and a look in his
eyes that a woman could trust. He
had a. heroic smile on his face as he
crushed Alzora's fingers Mt parting.
you're sure, Zory?" he asked, a
trife tremulously. There isn't any
hope for met You don't carer"
For an instant Alzora Dunn, her yell
low hair shining In the sun, her pretty,
frivolous face pink with the excitement
of her departure, felt sudden qualm.
Ever since she could remember Gus
had tagged around after her. OF
course she liked him-but marry him,
neveri
OF late she had felt that she was
born to shine In higher circles. The
letters Of girl friend who had gone to
Chicago and was clerk in the store
where a position now awaited Alzora
had caused her to look at Brattleyille
With scornful eyes. She shuddered to
think that she might still be stupidity
measuring ribbons in Gus Mltchells
fathers general store had it not been
for Carries letters.
When Alzora spoke to Gus at parting
1t was as from great height, bending
down to one in lowly rut, one for
whom she had friendly, plying re-
gard.
.'No, Gus she said. Il like you and
all that-but don't love you'll"
The train whlstleds long as 1t spun
across the bridge AS Gus Mitchell
stood watching 1t with lump in his
throat he thought of Alzora at picnics,
at parties, In his buggy, Laughing up
at him. He had felt she cared for him
and 1t came hard.
Alzora rarely thought Of Gus the first
few weeks In Chicago. The newness,
the excitement, the rush dominated her
a.xt.n1,, rnd ,,pdorpaotb 49,, az, 49,.
rent of expectation. Hadn't girl at
the white goods counter upstairs mar
ried only the previous week a travelling
man who made $1,000 year. There
were six In Alzora's family and never
had her fathers income exceeded 5000.
Only two and $1,000 each to spend !!
Not that Alzora was distinctly mer-
cenary, but such things were like fairy
tales to her.
1t was not long before the hoorwalk-
er in her department began finding that
the best vantage point for him was
near Alzora's counter. At first 1t made
her nervous, for the girls stood rather
in awe Of him. Then her coquetry as
serted itself when she found nine times
out Of ten that II she looked up he
was looking at her.
Gee. Hatton's struck, isn't her,
Carrie said to her at last Never no
ticed girl before-too stuck-up for us
He can't keep his eyes of you'll"
Alzora blushed. Hatton was very
tall and stir, Alike clothier's dummy,
and wore marvellous collars and won.
derful neckties. No one would ever
connect the idea of abalone shell cuff
links with him. One knew by instinct
that he wore links Of plain gold. He
had beautiful pink finger nails. He
looked like the heroes In the paper
novels Alzora had read as school
girl, and when 1t came about that be
got introduced and called upon her she
was very happy.
She remembered Gus only as belong.
ing to some far-off hazy existence that
made her shuddes to recall, because