Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-02-07


AS II AR Giles failure and suicide
could make any other difference TO NE
than To feel more tendelly toward her.
If nothing had happened or IL Phyllis
had not hidden away after it was
over we should have been married by
this time instead of my following up
the only ciew l ever could get--that
she had come 10 New York and was
baking cakes for the Woman's Elk
change. I've bought plum cakes from
every exchange in the city, | believe.
until the women look on me with sus-
picion." He sat for long time in
silence, and then he arose and bundled
the cakes into their boxes.
The last purchase he wrapped care
fully and replaced in Its box. Then he
got into his ovcrcoat, picked up his
hat and with the cake under his arm
he sought the street. Presently he
was once more standing before the
counter in the Woman's Exchange.
The tea tables were empty now, and
there was no one around save the
stern visaged woman who had waited
upon him earlier In the afternoon.
Twill you kindly break your rule and
tell me the name OF the young lady
who made this cake:' lie asked with
the keenest anxiety in his deep voice.
TT is impossible" said the woman
primly.
would you forward a letter to her
if should write one?' pleaded Billy.
Certainly notr' And her shocked
expression was the first glimmer of
humor that Billy had seen in the dull
fabric OF this wea2isome chase after
the girl he loved.
"Will you call her on the telephone
and allow me TO talk with herr per-
sisted Billy. Really, madam. you viii!
be making two people very happyw
81 could not do that either. | am
very sorry, sir, but it seems to me If
Miss Giles really wanted to see you
she would not withhold her address"
The woman flushed with vexation at
the slip she had made In thus revealing
the name Billy had been longing TO
hear.
1T is Phyllis, Them he cried tri-
umphantly. II knew that cake. No
body in the world can make plum
cake like Phyllis" he explained with
enthusiasm. ''The moment tasted 1t
| knew"
The harsh face softened little. Her
cakes are different from the Others"
she said lukewarmly. "She said once
that she could make cakes better than
anything else ia the world, and 50 she
thought that was the thing she ought
to do to gain livelihood"
"Bless her hearth muttered Billy I'M
der his breath, knowing well that If he
had his own way that Phyllis dainty
| fingers should never bake a cake In
the world unless it was for some es-
pecial treat like st. Valentines day.
do you know what day tomorrow
will be-" he demanded suddenly.
| The woman stared. valentines
day, of course" she said, busying her.
self with the wares In the glass case.
"Well, that's the day when separat-
ed sweethearts are reunited. you
know" blurted Billy sheepishly.
Seems to me If could help any one
along In that way I'd do it,
1T isn't part of sthe business" said
the woman impatiently Really sir,
I'd like to help you out, but | simply
cannot divulge the names of our mem
bers."
Every well, madam" cried Billy
grimly. "Ill find her without your
help, and when l do you'll lose the
best cake maker In your membership"
The door closed noisily behind his
Indignantly retreating form, and the
woman stared after him for a brief
| moment. Il wonder" she muttered
softly-"I wonder if 1t would have done
any harm to have told him; he had
good face and he seemed SO much in
earnest, and, just as he said, tomorrow
is Valentines day.
In the street Billy paused for mo-
ment and looked up and down. Sud
denly little black gowned form
emerged from the crowd and paused
| for an instant before the door of the
exchange and then laid tentative
hand on the knob.
Billy Delwin was beside her in an
| instant.
"Phyllisv he cried sharply. I've
got you now, and you can't lose me
| again.
| She uttered a little frightened cry
and turned white face up to his.
''Oh, Billy, Blly!' she gasped. Where
did you come fromT
81 just came out of this exchange,
where the hearts of the attendants are
| harder than the little red hearts on
| your Valentine plum cake, for they
would not divulge your address.
though / begged almost on my knees.
But I've got you now, Phyllis Giles!
Don't you dare enter that ogre's den
again.
He drew her trembling form close
to him, and they stood in the shadow
Of the doorway, her slight form lean
| ing against him.
"How did you know. Billy? How
did you find me out;" asked Phyllis
| after little silence.
Billy told her Of his quest for the
cakes, of the slight cIew he had fol-
lowed and Of his purchase that night
Of the Valentine plum cake, which he
recognized as her handiwork.
Darling" he whispered after it had
been told, tomorrow is st. yalen-
| tines day You have baked this cake,
| and on it you have asked the question.
VIII you be my yafentineg Now.
bought that cake and take it upon my
self to answer that question / will be
your valentine under one condition"
what IS that:" asked Phyllis.
"That you win admit that you're not