The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-27

put the man himself was only about
thirty. He had an olive skin touched
on the rather high cheek homes with
carmine. dark, piercing eyes, thick
curling black hair combed straight up
from his forehead in the old mode.
He was i'm truth so beautiful to see,
in spite of his old-fashioned pointed
cellar and stock. that you wondered
now he had ever lived like other peo-
lie whose eyes, mouth, ears, ard nose
are moro serviceable organs without
being in any degree ornamental.
Miss Meg had fallen in love with
the Man-on-the-Wall when she was
about thirteen INC she had never fail
len out again. He had secretly stood
to e ever since for all things that
a man and lover should he. He was.
in short. her ideal. And because Of
him she was living single this very
day.
Miss Meg. being of that apple bios
som type of prettiness which only
grows a. little paler and more fra
grant with advancing years, had had
a v and spurned him. His name
vas Joseph Jones and because of her
he had never married. He had. how
ever not let his disappointment utter
ly spoil his life. for he had grown
rich. He lived in a boarding house
and every Gay walked to his office past
Miss Mes's door. Sometimes she
glanced up as she sat sewing and
nodded to him while he lifted his hat
gravely. This exchange of greetings
always set her heart a-f1utter. for no
woman is ever Indifferent to a lover.
TIE very fact that he is a lover. sven
though she despises him, lends him
interest in her eyes. But after glanr-
ing at the matter-of-fact, most Or
binary. and husiness-like appearing
Joseph. Miss Meg would lift her eyes
to the Man-on-the-Wall and sigh.
IN her youth h had often fancied
that suddenly 'he might slip out Of his
frame into reality. Nature wisdom
had taught her that she need not ex.
pect nothing like this. Yet he had
dominated Miss Meg's simple life to
such an extent that she could not
marry. least of all a commonplace.
commonly named person like Joseph
Jones.
Her friends told her that she was
simply adding to the mistake she had
always made by not taking Joe when
he thought so much of her. Some of
her relatives. indeed. went so far as
to quarrel with her over the matter.
1t was absurd for her to live alone
i'm that old house when she might
have company. None Of these peopl :,
however. knew Miss Meg's real reason
for not marrying Joseph.
Neither did Joseph know. But he
suspected that some love stood be-
tween him and Miss Meg. And the
thought saddened him exceedingly.
Il must have in ALL" Miss Meg said
now, to- the Man-on-the-Wall. seven
teen silk patchwork quilts. And I
shall never use them in this world.
It's selfish to keep them. I suppose
l ought really to put one in the next
missionary barrel. But I can't bring
myself to do it. I've grown so at
tache.: to them, Ferdinand"-she call
ed the man on the wall Ferdinand
because l have pieced every one in
%our company.
The Man-on-the-Wall did not smile
or nod. Miss Meg sighed again. She
wished he could sometimes answer
back or at least act as II he listened.
AT that instant the doorbell rang a
startling peal. Miss Meg scraped her
work out of her lap. united her anron
and ok it off, patted her hair.
Strengthened her collar, and went all
a-flutter to the door.
There stood a most fashionable lit
tie lady, all done up in brown fur an .
velvet. who looked at Miss Meg with
a saucy pair of bright black
Il want to see Miss Merrithem,''
she began.
II am Miss Merrithew," Miss Meg
informed her.
~"Indeed!". There was a note of de-
light in the fresh voice. II am Miss