The Meeker herald., 1911-09-23

there seemed familiar with the story
and joked about 1t.
''Is that straight" asked Daniel OF
his neighbOr.
"Of course" returned the other. grin.
ming.
iii take chance on II. them said
Daniel grimly. and presently the lamp
was sold to him for the sum Of $l.50.
As he walked out Of the shop with the
bundle under his arm a single word
foated out after him.
"Stung!'
But Daniel did not hear 1t aud walk.
of possessing something that was
wrapped in mystery. All his life hs
had dwelt among the most practical
people, and, the hard knocks he had
received as he made his way In the
new country had vanquished all the
pretty romantic fancies that atteno
every man. woman and child born ON
Erin's isle.
A block away the elevated trains rat,
tied and thundered along. All around
him was the busy hum of traffic. and.
unseeing, unhearing, Daniel Deiuvan
walked along In II dream of fairies and
friendly giants. who combined to has,
ten his wooing Of Nellie Burns and
bring 1t to happy termination.
At the florist shop he nwOke long
enough to buy pot of shamrock tied
up in green Grape paper, and from
thence he proceeded to cOnfection-
hn In Inv nf
candy tied with an emerald green rib
oon and adorned with shamrock leaves.
That finished the s..
The rest of the afternoon he spent
in accommodating some of the necessary
cleansing materials with which to
brighten the lamp of Aladdin. BE de-
cided to wait until he was with Nellie
Burns before he touched the verdigrls.
If there was anything in the story the
man had told-of course there wasn't
anything in 1t. but Daniel had heard
some mighty queer stories that bore a
grain Of truth-the most he hoped for
was stroke of good luck to attend bis
asking Of the question.
The next afternoon was half holi-
day for him. and he went up to Har-
lem. with his packages under either
arm. He had telephoned Nellie of his
coming, and she greeted him at the
door He thought she had never look
ed SO charming as she appeared In her
white dress with a green ribbon TWIST
ed around the heavy coil Of her black
hair.
"And whatever have you got in there;
Danny" she cried when she had ex-
claimed over the shamrock and the
box of candy.
ats Aiaddin's lamp" said Daniel
solemnly. slowly unfastening the string
and exposing the lamp. II suppose
you've heard all about this Aladdin
fellow, ehY
"Of course" laughed Nellie. examin-
ing the lamp with interest. "but that
ali happened hundreds of years ago. so
you can't joke me like that. Danny
Delavan. Sure, I won't believe your
old fairy stories"
"There might be something in it."
returned Daniel doggedly.
"Smells like OIL" shifted Nellie. with
her pretty nose at the aperture.
II mean something in the story. Tho
fellow said you had to rub. rub hard.
and the genius or whatever you call It
would come out and grant every wish.
DO you believe that. Danny" asked
Nellie seriously. her soft black eyes
meeting his for confused moment.
I'D like to believe It," said Daniel
promptly, with a wistful glance at the
lamp.
"Why7"
because I want to make some
wishes"
"They will come just MS true without
the lnmp," suggested Nellie skeptically.
"YOu needn't try to fool me. Danny
Delavan! You bought that lamp be-
cause 1t was green and because today
is my birthday as well as St. Patrick's.
and you know very well you don't be-
lieve that rubbing it will do the least
bit of good-so there!'
Daniel smiled sheepishly. at might
be something like that. Nellie. but l
was all carried away with the story
and so beset by hopes was fool
enough to buy the lamp. thought I'd
&c home and rub 1t and wish on 1t.
I'm fool"
"You are mott" fared Nellie. II like
you for having fancies like that. Dan
lei. I'll admit I have sneaking be-
lief In fairies myself. Now. let us rub
the lamp and make wishes. Who
knows what will happen"
She opened the box of paste he had
bought and found piece of flannel.
They sat together on the sofa while
Nellie solemnly rubbed the paste on
the coat of verdigris. The spot she
rubbed grew brighter and brighter.
"Now wish!'' she said suddenly.
Daniel grew red and nodded his head
affirmatively. Nellie was thoughtful
for moment and then bent seriously
to her task.
Nothing happened.
Suddenly Daniel snatched the lamp
from her hands and flung 1t aside.