Democratic messenger., 1911-10-28
meal. She told him the place would

ness. only broken by h.s own foot.
falls on the marble iiohr The librarian
was at ber desk S,.ii writing on the
cards. He wondered II she would ever
get through and how she managed TO
stick to her work rather than throw
herself into an easy ciia'F IN an alcovc
aud bury herself IN n book
lie read all the afternoon. though the
place was not so secluded as in the
morning. more persons coming In TO
exchange books. when he went out
he said 10 the librarian that he would
leave the story with her again and
would return to read on the morrow
She told him he might take II away
with him. but he thanked her and said
that II II were allowable he would
rather do his reading In the library:
the book seemed to be Identified with
the spot.
I'm In love with Eleanor Trimble"
he said.
The girl looked up nt him with n
surprised or rather startled express
| sion.
"she's in many respects my beau
ideal OF n woman
Aren't you talking about the hero
ine OF the story" she said
why. yes. Didn't say Marcia Col
fax"
The girl smiled. Up to this moment
she had looked So serious. attended to
her duties In so automatical fashion.
that Treudwcll was not prepared for
| anything so human as q smile.
II see." he added. IL have made
the name written on the tiy leaf. To
morrow. II you can spare me a few
moments Of your valuable time,
would like you to tell me something
about her-that IL. II you know who
she H."
Il know all about her" she said.
"and will be happy TO inform you"
els She
Treadwcll was about to ask II she
vas young. but girl came in with Il
pile OF books TO return and he decided
to finish his question the next day.
In the morning he received some
mail with instructions. which served
only to delay his business matters
and promised an indefinite prolonging
of his stay In Il. He was not sorry.
lie was quite satisfied with the libra
ry. the story he was reading. his
double heroine and the librarian,
though the last was the only living
one of the three. He reached the H.
brary about IL. and. no one being
there. he asked the librarian to tell
him what she knew about Eleanor
| 1'rlmble.
"l've been thinking about my prom
ise' she replied. "and would RECON-
mend your waiting till you have fin
ished the story"
Treadwell was quite satisfied to do
so and. going to his alcove, buried
himself In his book.
One stormy afternoon when the ram
was keeping every one indoors Tread
well. sitting in his alcove. closed the
book he had been reading and took 1t
to the librarian.
1--WE got II into my head" he said.
that there Is some connection he
tween Eleanor Trimble and the her
oine of that story. At any rate. am
In love with the two. | don't know
wins include Miss Trlmble. but II
she IL a real living young woman YOU
will confer favor on me by Offering
her my hand and hearts
The girls install Sphinxlike express
sion broke with very pleasant smile.
while over her passed the faintest
blush.
"She Is and yet she ls not n real
living being" she said. 1T Is 3
o'clock and time TO lock up. Come
with me and will show you her pie
ture."
"IIer piclure.'
"Yes. ana her too"
els she single ar doubleT
"Neither She is triple"
Il give II up said Trendwell. Il
shall have to wait
Taking the girl under his umbrella.
he walked 10 4 cozy cottage where she
lived Ushering him into Il living room.
she pointed to the portrait or an oiu
woman hanging on the wall aud said:
Eleanor Irimble."
Trcadwells face fell. His dream
was shattered.
"Come across the hall" said the girl.
"and will show you the double.
The double was portrait also. but
Of woman about thirty-iiye. Tread
well WAS not comfortcd. You told
me that she also lived"
Colorlng. the girl said. Il am also
Eleanor Triinble."
A very different expression came
over the mans face. lie started 10
say something pleasant but the siiua
tion was embarrassing. lie had com
missioned Eleanor Trimble TO offer
herself his heart and hand. The girl re-
!ieved the embarrassment by coniinn
eng:
1tfr,lala