The daily Alaskan., 1911-11-24
sp the table anotber lnoet came-loud


 man. tan md good looking. muffied Co the ears in thick wsirm ulster. while fur cap thai rested bn bis dark bead vas whipped ca as Osrins opened the door Be did not carry a bag uor bundle. but Darina did not doubt that somewhere concealed about bis perscn was a capaclous potket that would hold innuinetatle samples of something sslable2probabiy subscription books. vGood morning" hii said pleasantly and in a very busilhesslike manner. "is Mss Charity Decker at homer
 "No,s she sald coltlly.
 aAh," he said In a disappointed tone. Then. unbnttoniug his coat, be thrust gloved hsnd into bn inner pocket ''I wonder 1T your- he was beginning when Darina interrupted him coolly.
 "we don't wish to buy dictionary thank you"
 Ills hand dropped e, his side, and he | flushed redly. Il bes your pardon'-- he wns beginning when Dnrina's voice, little sharper this time brought fire Go his brown eyes.
 "or a history of the world or rem iniscences of anybotIy," said Darina | heartlessly.
 'T'm not canvassing for books" he said grlmly.
 'Nor a patent mousetrap or carpet beater or fancy note paper continued Darina recklesSly. we've got fold ing sewing table that turns into chair
 Do I look as If l had a folding sewing table concealed about meY' he demanded scOrnfully, yet with smile back Of the glitter in his eyes.
 'yye've got bread mixer and pat ent washer and a freezer
 Pray spare me the inventory of your household goods" be said cut tingly. q may as well tell you as rapidly as I can that
 And we don't want to purchase any fruit trees or shrubs this yearT ended Darina breathlessly and rather frightened at her own lack of cour- tesy.
 "An of which Is very interesting. madam; but as matter of fact, NIT. Joseph Decker of GreenviIle asked me to stop here for his sister. Miss Charity, and drive her over to hls place. Therel That's why I'm hereT he calculated, in relieved tone.
 Darina's noury little hands flew ID to her reckoning cheeks. "Oh, l am so sorryl What have saidy" she fal- tered. My aunt went to Greenvile by train. She left about an hour ago in the station stage"
 ''Then l may as wea drive along, he said. replacing hls cap and turning away, his glance lingering iu a trou- bled way on Darini's sweet, tearfnl face. You mustn't disturb yourself over that. You see, was so slow about explaining who was that no wonder you thought was a canvass CT of some sort. I suppose you're both cred to death with them
 we are said Daifns fervently, and fin a few words she told him of Aunt Charity's last admonition and also of her experience that morning. "l think the brush man scattered my last atom of patience" she explained.
 "I don't wonder" be consoled her. "I believe the same fellow called at the parsonage the other day aud'-
 "The parsonager' echoed Dsrina. ssThen you must be MT. Fleck, the new minister at Greenville."
 'T am" he smiled. barring his head again. VI believe there Is some sort of donation party going on for me tonight, and my sister, who keeps house for me. advised me to keep out of the way. That Is how happened to call for Miss Decker.
 "It was very kind of you, Indeed, and I am ashamed of the reception ] gave you" said Darins Just as he was passing through the gate to enter the little cutter that awaited him Darina remembered tte red mark on the gate post. Perhaps Mir. Fleck could reas- sure her as to its meaning She recol- Iected hearing Miss Charity say that he had been missionary.
 Instantly she was in the gateway explaining her fears. The minister looked at the rude character closely, thought for a moment, and then smile broke over his face. Il was connected with mission In Syria for a year, and I learned something of the language. This merely says it is the house of avarice and merchants will do well to pass it by. lt is too bad that 1t Is not written In plain English so all your obnoxious agents might be discouraged"
 Darina watched him drive away over the sparkling crust of snow, con scious that her heart had thrilled strangely at the clear, compelling glance of his brown eyes. She went back to her baking quite cured of her i'll humor and hummiRg softly under her breath.
 The next day when Miss Charity re- turned home and had evolved from her voluminous vapplngs into very small thin old lady she related with