Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-09-22
By LITTELL McCLUNG

borhood town on business for the
cloak mandatory by which ! had
been employed for two years. The
first thing ! did on my return to the
factory that morning was to step
over 10 the mail rack to see II any
letters had come for me in my alb
sence. There were several and took
them over to my desk and opened
them hurriedly for l was anxious to
begin work on the report of my trip,
which had been decidedly successful.
None of the missives was important,
and l was just about to relegate them
to corner of my desk for future
perusal when my glance fell on
small square envelope which ! had
overlooked in my hurry The hand
writing was a woman's and with a
quick jerk / tore open the flap. This
is what / read:
"Mr and Mrs. Oscar Cramp request
the pleasure of Mr.. James Hanson at
a dance to be given in honor of their
daughter, Miss Ethel Cramp, at the
Hotel Bedford, Wednesday evening at
nine o'clock"
II this simple invitation had been a
gift check for 81 900. 1t would not have
opened my eyes wider
Mr. Cramp was the president of the
mandatory. His wife was the social
arbiter of the town. Why should they
invite me to the dance in honor of
their daughter?
There must be some mistake, yet
a second look at the invitation told
me there was no mistake on their part
at least Butt could not go. I want
would be impossible. | was racking
my brain for some excuse when Mr..
Cramp himself came through the
room. AS he entered his office, he
turned. saw me, and motioned to me
to follow him. In moment. / was
in his private office.
Hanson, you're coming to the
dance tonight, aren't your" he asked.
why, no sir, Pm-Tm afraid
can't" | suffered. THAT is. under
the circumstances, l think I'd bet
ter"
! "Bosh!" he cut in. "of course you're
coming. Miss Dorothy Walker is to
be there-you wouldn't mind seeing
her, would your"
Mention of Dorothy Walker threw
an Illuminating light on the subject.
This drove me to speak the truth
II
"but the fact is haven't clothes suit
able to wear. l haven't a dress suit
to my name. You can understand now
why I've hesitated"
Good for you, Hanson" he said;
that's nothing to be ashamed Of.
Why I never owned a dress suit till |
was forty years old. Put on your hat
and go down to Solomon's. He'll fit
you out like the best OF them. You'll
look fine, and nobodyll be the wiser
Go now and come back and tell me
how you make out"
"How did you succeed?" he asked.
"Splendidly," l declared. "He gave
me perfect fit and I'll try to forget
that the suits rented and enjoy my
self as much as possible"
With the self-assurance evening
clothes give to a man. presented my
self at the Bedford shortly after nine
o'clock. The big ballroom was all
a-glitter with lights and decorations
After l had become accustomed to
the beauty of the scene that contin.
ually shifted before my gaze l began
to look for Dorothy Walker.
Finally. spied her in small
group. My heart bounded; then a
jealous chill ran through me. She
was with Braxton, our assistant cash
Ter. Braxtoh was rather a surly indi-
vidual. who several times had snubbed
me at the factory. Naturally, my re-
gard was not of high degree.
20, Mr.. Hanson. I'm awfully glad to
see you!" she exclaimed, extending
her hand. You know Mr.. Braxton.
don't your,
Eyes, | know Mr. Braxton. Good
evening, sir" / said, cheerfully.
Good evening" snapped Braxton.
and he turned his head to salute some
one who was passing.
/ confined my attention to Miss
Walker without further ado.
please give me dance, won't
YOU" asked.
why didn't you let me know you
were coming?" asked my fair partner.
II just got back to town today"
explained in the maze of the dance.
Then under the intoxication of the
moment, | said: Would YOU have
gone with me If | had asked you
several days ago."
1t was rash question. but for an
swer she smiled up at me.
who knows?" she parted. but,
then maybe there1l be another dance
this winter"
That was enough for me. knew
at that instant that the insolent Brax-
ton didn't have an advantage over
me so I took courage to request an
other dance.
AS left her at her seat I saw Brax-
ton cycling me curiously. though he