Putnam patriot., 1910-04-01


 Matthew Golden rearranged the newspapers and periodicals on his counter into their customary order March issues of the Ladies' Own Pc riodical confronted him. There on the cover. eneircled by q wreath of sham rocks, was Margaret DeyliHs beauti- ful Irish faee-blue- black mist of hair. forgetmenot eyes fringed thickiy with black lashes. sauey nose and smiling red lips.
 The name of the artist was fantas- tically blurred into the background, yet it was clear enough for Matthew's jealous eyes to deeipher Boomers" His hands clinched savagely He knew Corners by sight-big. hulking, red headed artist from the top floor of the studio building around the corner. He had walked past twice with Margaret Deylin. Once there had been a little thin faced girl with them-some new friend of Margaret's whom Matthew did not know
 Just then the door opened, and he turned to confront Margaret herself. hewitehing in fur turban and coat of ehinehila. Her blue eyes did not lift above his firm chin: they rested there while she spoke:
 Good morning. Is the March num- Der of the Ladies Own Periodical out yet?"
 He placed a copy of the desired magazine on the counter before her and turned away that he might not see the look of startled pleasure in her eyes when she beheld her own beauty on the cover.
 I'll take all the copies you have," said Margaret crisply, opening her iingling silver purse How muchf" Even then her eyes were not lifted above his chin.
 .Forty-nine copies at 10 cents S4.90-thank you.'' The bell on the cash register changed noisily as Mat thew made change He laid the coins on the counter. Shall I send the magazines to you. madam? They are very heavy" His tone was very im- personal.
 If you please" said Miss Devlin haughtily. with one gloved hand on the knob of the door.
 The young man who worked for him came back from lunch the errand boy returned from the familiar number in Seventy-fifth street, and still Mat thew worked on relentlessly.
 The door opened, and a strange thrill down his spine told Matthew Golden that Margaret had returned. He heard her low pitched voice speaking to the clerk. The latter spoke:
 .I see we are all out of the Ladies' Own. Mir. Golden. When will we have some morev'
 Il shall not order any more."
 The store was empty, and he pushed his chair avay impatiently and locked the books into the safe. Then he reached down his hat and went out to dinner
 It was his luck that the only vacant seat in the restaurant should be op- posite Margaret's father, Tom Devlin. Mir De,Ain was as homely as his daughter was beautiful, and his plain features now lighted up into genial friendliness. Matthew, me dear boy" he said. with just a touch of the brogue I'm glad to see ye. Whats the matter. Ye haven't been wearing out the doormat at No. S42 this dogs age I've been looking for ye to come around and have game at cribbage with me-Maggie's heads so full of wedding clothes" MT. Devlin attack ed his salad. with twinkling eyes busy over the proper mixture of the dress ing
 Matthew's heart gave a frightened leap. one or two hard thumps and then apparently went out of business all together.
 When is the wedding?" he heard himself ask carelessly.
 "The 17th." returned MT. Devlin.
 This month";
 Sure
 .St. Patrieks day. then" murmured Matthew dazedly.
 Like to have ye come. Mat-9 o'clock at St. Francis. Maggie would have it so, though Corners wanted
  Father Fraley tie the knot"
 Matthew scraped back his chair and waved the proffered dessert aside. "l must be going along Good night, Mir. Devlin." he said heavily.
 Then ye won't be there on the 1TthY asked Devlin. with tinge Of disappointment In his tone.
 Can't Sons of St Patrick parade 1t on the l7th.' said Matthew. My congratulations to Miss Margaret"
 Devlin was speaking to the waiter. and Golden took his hat and went away into the brightly lighted streets He walked for hours up and down the hard pavements. seeing nothing save pair of .forgetmenot blue eyes and feeling nothing save a tearing pain at his heart
 Back in his little store now closed to customers. he leaned his head wea- rily against the desk and thought bit ter.y of what had led up to the ap- proaching wedding on ST. Patrieks day, but fortnight away.
 He and Margaret had been engaged Tor a year when she suddenly announc- ed that Corners was to use her as nsdel for a magazine cover design. Alter that announcement matters nov sd rapidly. Matthew forbade it. Mar garrett defied him. and without expia- nation on either side their trofh was broken.
 Six weeks had passed since that mis- sssbie night. and he had scarcely caught glimpse of her face, save at great distance. until that morning