The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-05-23


egram here, and you may call for it.
If you will"
Il shall be-" Prone was about to
add delighted" when he caught an
other glimpse of the confident man
across the aisle. "I-I-er-well." he
stammered.
The girl stared at him in surprise.
OF course" she said, distinctly. II
won't for the world ask 1t If 1t Is go
Ing to Inconvenience you. I thought
possibly"
THAT 1t would be a pleasure to
me-. quickly added Prone. "You are
right, it will"
Leaving the girl at the corner Of the
station and in charge of his baggage.
he rushed hastily toward the tele-
graph Office. els there q telegram
here for" he gasped; and then
We'll. I'll be blessed If haven't for
gotten to ask her name" With curl
GUS mingling Of emotions-regret at
the further delay, and Joy in the
knowledge that he would shortly know
who she was, he returned to the cor
ner. There sat his grips-alone! She
was gone!
Cad" he murmured disgustedly.
Talk about Mr.. Easy Mark" Sudden
ly, and with blighting effect, the whole
scheme lay bare before him.
I'm not done yet" he growled, as a
passing cab drew to the curb in re-
Spouse to his raised hand. "The
Square Deal Store" he said, "and IS
above fare If there's froth on your
horses lips when we arrive"
AS Prone breathlessly advanced to-
ward the private Office of old Col.
Dane, the owner and buyer of the
Square Deal Store, Dobson was max
ing a leisurely exit. "A little late,
aren't your" he sneered. as the hurry
ing man passed him. Prone ignored
him.
"Col Dane is busy" explained the
Office boy. and seated the Directing
drummer In the ante-room.
But must see him at once-I have
an engagement" protested Prone.
The youth eyed him with small ia
vor: well, yer don't see him at
once" he vociferated. "Dere's a lady
before yer. Seer"
Prone groaned. Nothing but the
natural instinct of the fighting roadster
had kept him in the race after it had
been brought to him that his defeat
was q foregone conclusion. and now
that he had leisure to think it over, it
occurred to him that an inconspicuous
retreat was in order. He arose. just as
the door of the inner office opened
and the fair one of the train made
her appearance. She beamed at Prone
with a touch of mischief in her eyes.
nodded slightly. and was gone. Prone
sighed.
Gimme yer card" growled the wait
ing boy, and plodded into the august
presence. He returned with a scant
phrase to the effect that Prone could
enter.
Take a chair" greeted Col. Dane.
He was an impressive figure, with a
gray imperial dotting a strong chin.
and q wealth of long white hair sweep
ing broad shoulders.
. Keen eyes surveyed Prone. "You
are aware, of course" began the
merchant, "that the order for which
you have come was to have been
given to the first man who reached
me, either from your firm, or the
house of Meek & Metz"
YES, sir" murmured Prone, his
arguments failing before the strong
personality Of the man. From beneath
bushy brows the old colonel surveyed
him.
We'll" came crisply. do you know
that the Meek-Metz man has been
here?"
II thought" began Prone.
"You thought" interrupted Dane.
"that polite attentions to strange
women would land our trade, pre-
sumo" The old man spoke caustical-
~.
IL"
"And so you allowed Dobson to
reach us frst?"
"Dobson?" INTERCEPTED Prone, his
thoughts on the girl.
Eyes, Dobson," growled the mer-
chant. eff the woman In the case
wasn't my daughter, and If she hadn't
interceded with an indulgent old
father who denies her nothing-even
business secrets-your cake would be
dough, young man. AS 1t is, want you
to understand that | don't approve OF
your actions at all. By rights you
should have forfeited our business"
There was a belying twinkle in the
old mans eyes. However" he con.
tinued, IT can't stop to talk crockery
now-too busy" He snapped open
his watch. BE here at six" he growL
ed, settling back to his papers. You
dine with US, you know. Umm-Dor.
othy insists"
niYon an the Draw