The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-07-23

Yes" / Interrupted: 1T was a blue
straw with a wreath OF lilac. Did she
like III"
He looked confused for a second.
then:
Like il? Rather" he answered.
And II is becoming? | asked.
why. OF course, You tried II on.
didn't you? he replied.
Yes" | said smiling; but what
suits one person may not suit anoth-
err"
NO" he replied th~oughtfully. 81
suppose not"
He put his hand 10 his breast peck
ct. hesita,ed a moment. and then pro
duced = round leather case.
Il bought this today" he said. Il
wonder wonder II you'd care to-
Il love looking at jewelry." | ex-
claimed. I've none OF my W 10
speak OF. except a little pear brooch
that a my mothers. But. do you
know. | fatten my nose against the
jewelers. windows. and more than
once I've mentally bought myself a
tiara"
This is quite a simple little thing
ne said. opening the case, but 1t took
my fancy >
IL was the sweetest little gold
bangle with a fo~ur-leaved shamrock
in green enamel with a diamond cen
tire. Al the same time. il certainly
did strike me as a little strange that
he should show ii me | didn't think
his wife would have altogether liked
II. il she had known.
Looking up. l noticed a comfortable,
matronly body opposite watching US
with a broad smile. Evidently she re-
garded us as engaged. felt myself
turn scarlet.
She is a very lucky person." !
said. with a sigh.
Who" he asked.
Your wife" l answered. You
seem to be always buying her things"
Again | noticed that funny look on
his face-half pleased. half confused.
It's only-only recently he said.
Then he changed the subject rather
abruptly by inquiring how | liked New
York. whether I had lived here long.
how / liked my occupation, etc.
And somehow | found myself telling
him about my old life-how had been
left an orphan and had found myself.
while still in my teens. with nothing
but a few dollars and a natural taste
for millinery between me and the
poorhouse.
Afterward ! blushed TO think that |
should have bored an all but complete
stranger with such details.
Only he didn't appear bored-if that
was any excuse. Once be said. Poor
child!" under his breath. And then
the conductor called out Twenty
l.L4-l Cr-.,fff All 80 ,nw-as ~ u
rate. to announcement We were al
Twenty-third Street.
Il meant 10 have got out al Four.
teenth Street" / said. How stupid
of me-"
1T was all my fault" he said
though | couldn't see how. You must
let me put you right"
So he put me in a southbound car,
a7d got in with me. and at Fourteenth
.eet he bade me good-by. / inspect
ed the various hats ! saw in the mil
linery stores. though | don't remember
anything ! saw in them.
I didn't tell any one about my little
adventure. except Miss Walker. She
is our best saleswoman. and my par
ticular chum. All she said was:
what a pity he's married."
said:
Why"
She only laughed.
The very next Thursday he came
and bought another hat.
was attending to some one at the
!, time, but he said he'd wait until l.
that Is. the young lady who'd served
him before-was disengaged. For
tunately he hadn't TO wait very long
, This time IL was a black leghorn Will
cherries he bought. But tried OF
nearly a dozen before he finally de
cided on il. In fact. he took doubl,
the time he did on the first occasion
At last. when he had paid the bill. h
4 seemed TO hesitate. put his hand II
his breast pocket and withdrew IL
then took out an envelope.
0 Il See" he said-"I see there is
notice in the window which a y 20.
close at two on Saturdays"
Yes" | replied. with a note OF In
= ~terrogation in my voice.
Il was wondering" he stammel
n ed, whether you would care for thes
tickets-for yourself and a friend
for a matinee at the Lyceum, II
afraid I shan't be able 10 use ther
myself. and 1t seems a pity TO vast
e them"
v 1T would be a thousand pities.
I agreed. "And my friend Mis-
Walker and | would be delighted b.
yond words: but was he sure he coul
v not use them? Didn't Mrs. -
" wouldn't his wife want"
is "She-she's away" he answered
II mean she-she's not at home,"
b. To cut II short. W. went. AboJ
half way through the Performance
ID who should turn up and take posse
n sion OF an empty chair on my le'
he but my "blue-straw man"
err Well" said Miss Walker as "
drove OF in a cab into which he ha
Ut put us. I've had a gorgeous tim
a thanks to you. But it's 10 be hope
al Il won't come TO his wife's ears, {
Id therell be a rumpusl"
Miss Walker has. | regret to sa.
or a rather vulgar way OF expressin
herself at times. All the same.
or quite agreed with her In my hear
as which. OF course. accounted for n
strenuous denial Of the least shade
q. OF improperly in the matter.
Id The following week he bought v
a another hat-a crinoline straw triI
IN med with hydrangea blooms.