Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1911-05-06

ing. He was expected back within a
short time, and. as Dick was anxious
to set the men to working on the new
styles. he awaited Bobs arrival with
no small interest. Being at the head
OF the firm, his greatest desire was to
make this year the greatest in the
history of the clothing business.
He was busily engaged looking over
his mail that morning and had nearly
finished, when he heard a rap on his
door. At his request. the door was
opened. admitting a messenger boy
He handed Dick a telegram and left
the office.
Dick glanced at the telegram and
found It to be from Bob. He hastily
tore open the envelope and read the
following message addressed TO him
personally:
will be back Thursday. Married.
Everything o X. Bob"
Dick, after reading the message, sat
back in his chair and had a hearty
laugh over the news He rang the
bell for the stenographer.
Dorothy Wilcox entered the private
Office. She was a pretty girl about %
years of age and she came from a
highly respected family.
Miss Wilcox, have just received
telegram Il contains the best piece
of news | have heard for long time.
Bob Patterson is coming back next
Thursday. He will be accompanied
by his wife"
To Dicks surprise Dorothy let the
shorthand book fall from her hand
Her face grew almost as white az her
shirtwaist
The news had almost stunned her
for she and Bob had secretly become
engaged and were to have been mar
ried in August. She loved him and
had always believed that he loved her
but now, while he was in Europe. he
had met another girl and married her.
Could she bear the shock?
II was hard for her, but she was de-
She took the shorthand book which
Dick had picked up and. taking a seat
at the desk, made ready for dictation.
The next few days passed quickly
and before Dick knew 1t it was Thurs
day. The train upon which Bob was
10 arrive was an hour late and did not
pull in until 1880 in the afternoon.
Dick had requested all the employees
to be at the station at the arrival OF
the bride and groom and give them N
warm reception.
He had appointed Miss Wilcox. not
knowing of her relations to Robert. to
act as head of the reception commit
tee at the gate. She did not wish to do
this, but Dick was one of those men
who is always kind TO his employees.
but when he said thing he wanted Z
done Therefore. dreading it even as
she did, Dorothy decided to obey her
employer and do his bidding.
About / o'clock the employees OF
the firm began to assemble at the sta
ton. They kept on coming until. at
1870, they were all there. The car
riage arrived, decorated for the occa-
sion. A large sign was fastened on
the back, reading. Just married" and
several strings of shoes were. dragging
after 1t.
The employees formed in two lines.
from the gate to the carriage. One
OF the lines was headed by Miss VIII
cox and the other by the floor walker.
Thus arranged, they awaited the ar
rival Of Mr.. and Mrs. Patterson.
They did not have to wait long.
The train soon pulled in. Now was
Dorothy's test Would she break
down? She felt as II she could not
stand a moment longer. Her heart
was nearly broken; it beat wildly
within her. But-she would at least
hold out until Bob was driven away
in the carriage. With this decision.
she waited silently.
Presently, Bob was seen approach
| ing the gate. He was alone. Where
was his wife? Everyone was puzzled
J When he came to the gate, he was
surprised at seeing everyone waiting
Tor him What did IL mean Why this
celebration? He was quickly asked
where his wife was and he was taken
unawares. His wife2 Where had the
news originated? He asked for an ex
PLANTATION and was told of the tele
gram which Dick had received. He
soon solved the problem. A friend II
Europe. wishing to play joke OF
him, had sent that telegram. He wal
not married It was all a joke.
"Dick." he said. there is no Mrs
Patterson-at present-but there sooI
will be one" and to the surprise o
! all. he walked over to Dorothy and
taking her by the arm. led he
through the two lines OF employees
and into the carriage He directed tn,
, driver 10 the parsons home. and In
side OF an hour. Dorothy, who. a shor
lime before had believed her hear
10 be broken. was being held tight.
n hor husbands arms. the happies
woman In the world.