Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-04

He scrambled to his feet. looking
very much ashamed of himself.
Valeria watched him climb into the
shining wagon at the gate. and when
it had disappeared in a cloud of dust
she turned and looked at the carpet
For what had the spice man been seek
ing? Save for additional traces Of
sand on the carpet she could see moth
ing. Her housewifely soul detained
against the untidy floor. but she did
not brush the sand away.
At tea time Aunt Susanna rustled
home from her society meeting. She
united her bonnet strings with impa-
tent fingers as VaIeria brought in the
teapot.
Il heard all about the new spice
man. VaIeria." she said breeZily. Hes
from Comcomupus way. and he's dis
tant relation of yours too. His mother
was own cousin to your mother. He
amt never married. He's always lived
on the home place and farned 1t till
last year his mother died. and he's
been looking to buy a good business.
He
What is his uame?" asked Valeria,
quietly slipping her tea.
Mrs. Bird hesitated with spoon pois-
ed above the sugar basin. Her little
dark eyes fell before VaIeria's inquir-
ing gaze.
John Smith-John James Smith
and it's very good name. too" said
Aunt Susanna defantly.
Valeria said nothing.
The next time the spice man called
Valeria was alone. When he had set
the small packages on the table he
said:
Il guess you think ought to explain
what ! was looking for that day when
you found me on the floor | was
wondering if there was a stripe of
pink that had some cloth in it-pink
with little white stars on it." He
paused and flushed slightly.
Valeria nodded. There is a piece
like that. used to have a dress like
that when | was fourteen years old.
All this carpet is made out of my
clothes"
Mr.. Smiths face was eager and glow
ing now. Il met you once years ago.
You was wearing it. ! never forgot
your face. l was driving a young colt.
and you was scared when the colt
shield. and you ran to the side Of the
road and dropped a basket of eggs.
and
And you got down and picked up
the whole eggs and gave me so cents
I've got the so cents now" exclaimed
Valeria animatedly. Like an instanta-
neous photograph she saw the tall.
handsome young man who had come
N hnr -
whose appearance had taken her girl
ish fancy and had forever after re-
manned her ideal. And in her dreams
she had named him "Montfort."
why did you keep the 80 cents.
Miss Valeria?' asked the spice man
curiously.
81 thought your name was Mont
fort" said Valeria impulsively.
He laughed heartily. Its just plain
John James Smith" he said, with a
Certain sturdy pride in his tone.
''Now. l wonder if you wouldn't just
give me a little piece of that pink
calico. want it for something" he
added slowly.
Valeria flushed and then knelt down
on the floor and sought the pink stripe
with the white stars. Recklessly she
pulled it out. and the spice mans
pocket knife severed a generous SAM
pie. which he slowed carefully away
in his pocket.
"Shall ! come every week q he ask
ed. pausing in the doorway.
Yes. do" said Valeria. with a flush.
When Aunt Susanna came home
Valera was sitting with idle hands
beside the window.
For the lands sake: Somebody has
tracked fresh mud all over your floor.
Valery. This carpet won't last no
while If you amt more careful
Valeria Bird looked down at the THU
pink stripe at her feet. Il don't care
she said. with a dreamy smile.
For the land began Aunt Su
sauna again; then she looked at Va
leria and did not finish the sentence