Smyrna times., 1910-12-28
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Press n
Association o
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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. encirclcd by Il wreath Of sham
rocks, was Margaret Devlins beauti-
full Irish face-blue-black mist of hair.
forgetmenot eyes fringed thhkly with
black lashes. saucy 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 decipher Corners"
His hands clinched savagely. He knew
Corners by sight-big. huIking, red
headed artist from the top floor of the
studio building around the corner. He
had walked past twice with Margaret
Devlin. Once there had been ii little
tEin faced girl with them-some new
friend of Margarets whom Matthew
did not know.
Just then the door opened. and he
turned Y confront Margaret herself,
hewitchfng in fur turbar and coat of
chinchilla. Her blue eyes did not lift
above his firm chin; they rested there
while she spoke:
"EOo1 l. tI,c Nforot, ....,,
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 ioCk Of startled pleasure in
her eyes v hen she beheld her own
beauty on the cover.
III take all the copies you have"
said Margaret crisply. opening her
| iingiing silver purse How much?"
Even then her eyes were not lifted
above his chin.
'FOrty-nine copies at 10 cents
| $4.90-thank YOU" The bell on the
cash register changed noisily as Mat
thew made change. He laid the coins
|
magazines to you. madam? They are
very heavy" His tone was very i'm
! personal.
IF you please" said Miss Devlin
haughtily. with one gloved hand on
the knob of the door
The young NAN who worked for him
came back from lunch. the errand boy
| POT 60 I,o,.
in Seventy street. and still Mat
thew worked on relentlessly.
The door opened, and 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:
81 see we are all out of the Ladies'
Own. Mr. Golden. When will we have
some more?'
Il shall not order any more"
The store was empty. and he pushed
his chair away impatiently and locked
the books into the safe. Then he
reached down his hat and went out to
| dinner.
1t was his luck that the only vacant
seat in the restaurant should be op-
posite Margaret's father, Tom Devlin.
Mr.. Devlin was as hOmely as his
daughter was beautiful. and his plain
features now lighted up into genial
friendIiness. Matthew. me dear boy.
he said. with just a touch of the
brogue, I'm glad to see ye. What's
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 a game at cribbage
with me-Maggie's heads so full OF
wedding clothes" Mr.. 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 ther
apparently went out of business al
together.
when is the wedding?" he heart
himself ask carelessly.
THE 18th" returned Mr.. Devlin.
This month";?
"s1.c."
st. Patrick's day. then" murmureC
Matthew dazedly.
Like TO have We come. Mat!
o'clock at st. Francis. Maggie would
have it so. though Conners wanted
Just to step into the rector and le
Father Fraley tie the knot
Matthew scraped back his chair anC
waved the proffered dessert aside. :"
must be going along. Good night. Mr.
Devlin," he said heavily.
"Then ye won't be there on the
17th?" asked Devlin. with a tinge o.
disappointment in his tone.
"Can't. Sons of st. Patrick parade
at 0 on the 17th." said Matthew. IN.
congratulations to Miss Margaret"
Devlin was speaking to the waiter
and Golden took his hat and wen
away into the brightly lighted streets
n He walked for hours up and down tn
! y hard pavements. seeing nothing saw
pair Of forgetmenot blue eyes ant
feeling nothing save tearing pain a
hfa heart