The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-08-01

"Penny-Penny Mulligani" whis-
pered Miss Cabin of the notion coun-
ter.
The young girl with two long, thick
braids of red hair leaned down from
the bundle counter overhead.
"Well?" she replied crisply.
Have you seen the new floor
walker?"
Nowhere is MIR. Freer?"
Transferred to the upholstery. It's
a shame, too. He certainly is gen
tleman!" Miss Cabin patted the
blond puffs of her elaborate couture
and sighed audibly. HE certainly is
a gentleman" she repeated
He is" returned Penny. She
turned back to her iabors OF wrap
ping parcels.
You certainly are swift Penny"
murmured the stout bundle girl.
IT'S a dull day." said Penny, yawn.
ing.
Ever since she had run away from
her home In the middle West to be-
come an actress, Penelope had been
on the lookout for people from home.
True she had written back to her
uncle and aunt, telling them that she
was earning her living and when she
said that she was acting" how could
that unsophisticated couple suspect
that the part she was playing was the
very practical one Of bundle counter
girl in a department store.
She had given her name as Penny
Mulligan, when In fact she bore the
charming title of Penelope Marston
Arthur Preston had asked her &c
marry him and had been haughtily
dismissed by the stage-struck girl. i
cannot marry any one, Arthur" she
said, condescendingly. Il have Q
career before me, you know"
"Poohi" the practical Arthur had
said-he was real estate agent and
very live and up-to-date In his native
town-"pooh, honey, you can't act!'
II will show you'll" Penny had said
wrathfully.
"Penny-Penny Mulliganl" shrilled
Miss Cabin during another Iull in the
business of this rainy day.
What is it," asked Penny languid
ly as she leaned over the railing.
There he Isl"
Whom do you mean" Penny was
not interested, but she stroye to be
polite.
The new fioorwalker. He's stand
ing there by the perfumery-his back
is this way. He's lovely looking!"
Penny looked and saw a tall, mas
sively built young man CARRIED in the
conventional black of the store stand
ing with his hands loosely clasped
behind his back. He looked-oh, sc
much like Arthur Preston, but OF
course that was absurd!
Yes. isn't he?" she managed to say
carelessly In response to Miss Cabins
last remark.
Later she happened to glance down
ward, and her blue eyes met the calm
cool gaze of the new tloorwalker. HIS
glance paSsed from her face to that
of the other bundle girl, and then he
passed on his leisurely way down the
store. 1t was Arthur Preston.
When she had an opportunity she
asked Miss Cabin the name OF the
new foorWalker.
The most romantic name you eve1
heard, Penny! Miss Clark from the
office told me-his name is Claude
Reston."
Penny darted back to her work
conscious that Miss Cabin was hold
ing an animated conversation with
Mr.. Claude Reston.
How dare he come here under an
assumed name?" fumed Penny.
She snapped the string yiciously
hands and fell plump upon the sleek
black head of the new floorwalker.
Miss Cabin shrieked becomingly as
Mr.. Reston gracefully disentanglec
himself from the shower.
"Alnt you afraid you'll get fired
Penny" gasped the fat girl.
81 don't care" flared Penny reck
lessly. I'm going to leave anyway
tonight"
Some one was coming up the steer
little stair of the bundle counter A
runled black head, a pair of black
eyes, pair of broad shoulders, big
hand holding forth the ragged bun
die of false hair
Here, Penelope" he said coolly
please don't do that again."
Penny was speechless with indigna
ton, as she took the package from
him and their hands touched. lie
disappeared at once, and Penny pro
ceeded to wrap the bundle carefully
1t required elaborate care, for great
tears were yelling in her blue eyes
The tears splashed upon the package
and she thrust it violently toward the
tube.
To Penny's horror 1t leaped ovel
the rail and descended almost at the
feet of the new aoorwalker!
"Geek" giggled the fat girl.
Penny was frozen with mortitca
ton, as once more Mr.. Reston climbed
the stairs and handed tho package tc
the girl
I'm be waiting for you at siS
O'Clock, Penelope" he whispered soft
ly IF we hurry we can take the
train tomorrow morning and prom
Used your Aunt Susan that If she
would make the wedding preparations
I'd bring the bride You wouldn't
want to disappoint Aunt Susan, woulo