The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-24

the aisle Dobson smiled knowingly
into the face OF Frone as he turned
morosely away
The hours passed delightfully."-, The
girl lunched with her train companion.
and even the duh waiter seemed to
appreciate the beauty and dainty vi.
vaciousness OF her. The man at the
next table scanned his card, amused.
II was Dobson.
In the late afternoon the train
creaked wearily into the dingy station
at Williamsburg. Frone regretted the
arrival. To him II meant the end of
pretty adventure. He looked at the
girl reproachfully. She was too OBJ.
yiously pleased at her arrival to suit
the smitten drummer. Dobson noisily
dragged a suit case toward him. He
grinned at his rival
you may do me one favor before
we part" the girl was saying. II
shall probably receive an answer to
my telegram here, and you may call
for It, II you will"
II shall be-" Frone was about TO
add delighted" when he caught an.
other glimpse of the confident man
across the aisle, "T-I-er-w WE'LL" he
stammered.
The girl stared at him in surprise.
"Of course" she said, distinctly. Il
won't for the world ask Il If it is GO
ing TO Inconvenience you. ! thought
possibly"
That II would be Il pleasure to
me-" quickly added Frore. you were
right, It will" The travelling man was
his old CHEEKY self again; although
mentally be was wondering how he
could run errands and beat his rival
He was surprised that the girl should
ask this favor of him. He had told
her of his race and she knew what
the delay meant.
Leaving the girl at the corner OF
the station and in charge of his bag-
gage, he rushed hastily toward the
telegraph Office rs there a telegram
here for" he gasped; and then
well, I'll be blessed If haven't for
gotten to ask her name" With
curious mingllng of emotions-regret
at the further delay, and JOY in the
knowledge that he would shortly know
who she was, he returned to the cor
ner. There sat his grips-alone! She
was gone!
A carriage was just drawing away
from the spot. The window was
thrown quickly open. "Good-by-my
friend" aoated mockingly back to
him. A fluffy blonde head was drawn
hurriedly in-but not before 1t was
recognized by the betrayed traveller.
Cad" he murmured disgustedly.
Talk about Mr.. Easy Mary" Sudden
ly, and with blighting effect, the whole
scheme lay bare before him. She
was the representative of Meek &c
Metz, who would land the order and
all future business of the Square Deal
store for her house. DobsOn had only
been a pawn in the game, and Frone's
eyes had concentrated on him instead
Of the queen.
I'm not done yet" he growled, as a
passing cab drew to the curb in re.
sponse to his raised hand. The |
Square Deal store" he said, "and five |
dollars above fare if there's froth on |
your horses lips when we arrive" A
careless toss Of the cases, and they |
were off.
AS Frone breathlessly advanced |
toward the private Office of old Col. |
Dane, the owner and buyer of the
Square Deal store, Dobson was ma
king a leisurely exit. "A little late,
aren't you" he sneered, as the hurry
ing man passed him. Frons ignored |
him.
"Col. Dane is busy" explained the
office boy, and seated the objecting
drummer in the anteroom.
But must see him at once-I have
an engagement" protested Frone
The youth eyed him with small
favor well, yer don't see him at
once" he vociferated. "Dere's a lady
before yer. See? An she makes
more Of hit wild de boss dan youse
ever will" He seated himself grump-
ly in a chair and produced a capti-
rating romance bound in lurid covers.
Frone groaned Nothing but the
instinct of the fighting road
jter had kept him in the race after
t had been brought to him that his
lefeat was a foregone conclusion, and
low that he had leisure to think it
,ver, it occurred to him that an in
retreat was in order. He
rose, just as t'e door of the inner
,fIice opened and the fair one of the
rain made her appearance. She