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

uluhtg - ANAA
for the sake OF business. We haven't
a man In on the road except you
but | knew you could be depended
upon" Frone's vacation was to have
begun the next day and he had
planned 10 go on a fishing trip with a
number of friends, none Of whom he
would ask to sacrifice one golden mo
ment in waiting for his return.
Frone wasted no time in dialogue
The time was too limited. Again, he
knew that in the offices of Meek g.
Metz a similar confab was taking
place between the lean. dyspeptic
Metz and the cunning Dobson, arch
rival for the crockery trade Of Frone's
especial district
"Good.by." he said, touching the
pudgy hand of his admiring peer. I'm
on now, or I'll get left at the post"
II took the young commercial man
but an instant to annex his travelling
cases and start them before him for
the train Frone girded for the fray
was on the way. From the window
OF his taxicab as he passed the offices
OF Meek 4 Metz he saw Dobson, a
conceited figure with padded shoul'
ders and a large checked suit, make
a hurried exit and hail a passing car
riage,
A chair car attached to a fast train
claimed the commercial gladiators
Dobson leered at his rival as they
entered They spoke. Frone smiled
in the face Of his SNUG opponent He
figured that should they finish the
race tied, his powers Of persuasion
would pull the order for his house.
Dobson, too, believed in himself.
The men were seated opposite each
other. Both produced magazines and,
oblivious to surroundings, interested
themselves in the contents.
Near the end of an interesting story
and with his mind again on things
mundane, Frone became vaguely
aware of a delicate perfume-a scent
that gradually drew his eyes from the
book to the occupant Of the chair be-
side him. One look into great, blue
eyes and the owner of them yelled
their limpid depths with long lashes
lightly brushing flushed cheeks. Frone
instinctively knew that his gaze had
been too ardent.
Cautiously he looked again. His
vis-a-vis was a daintily gowned, slen-
der girl with the face and form of
wood fairy. Frone, generally imper-
vious to feminine charms, fell thrall
to her witchery. Her fluffy yellow
hair was arranged neatly and the hat
adorning was a marvel of the milli-
ner's art. Frone felt that his model
woman was before him. And still!
How was he to become acquainted
with her? II she responded to a fir
tation she fell below his ideal-and
there was no other way.
The travelling man thumbed his
magazine absently. As he did SO his
eyes came in contact with those of his
forgotten rival.
There was a complacent leer on the
face of Dobson that brought an an
swering flush to his own. The Meek
Metz bagman's deductions were apt to
be wrong.
A dainty hand touched the arm of
the disturbed traveller. do you
know" asked sweet contralto voice,
whether we stop at any stations near
here so that l can send a telegram"
Frone, who knew the road like
book, turned eagerly to the girl with
the great eyes and answered joyously
The wonderful innocence Of the girl
was a material fact and assured him
that this was no palpable train at
tempt to become acquainted. Frone
knew of a town close by where one
who was fleet would have time to
send the message and begged to do
it for her
After maidenly hesitation his re-
quest was granted.
This sufficed for an introduction.
Once, Frone thought 1t was peculiar
that the girl had not sought informa-
tion from the porter but another
glance into the deep pools of her eyes
told him that the thought was un-
worthy. Across the aisle Dobson
stared at them, his own eyes cunning
Frone, in the interested moments
which followed, forgot him.
The good looking salesman for Sim
mons & Taer was delighted to find
that the maid was for the same des-
tination as himself. She was bright
and entertaining. They seemed to be
mutually pleased with each other
Il wanted to know you the moment
! saw you" confessed Frone frankly.
II thought you did" shyly an
swered the girl, "and that reminds me
that we do not know each others
names. AS Frone started to speak she
interrupted. Don't spoil it all" she
protested, petulantly. Let's just go
on as we are. We will never meet
again, anyway" she finished cheer
fully.
"Of course, If you don't want to
know my name" reproved Frone.
Il don't" frankly acknowledged the
girl; then to relieve the sting, names
are an impediment to romance. OF
course, IT, afterwards, we shall meet |
formally"
If" came dsmally from the trav
cling man.
Stranger things have happened |
said the girl hopefully. From acroe
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