The Press., 1913-09-03

He smiled patiently ana brought the book to her. opening the r. ~"s. dis playing the pictures and drawing her attention in half hearted way to the excellence of the type and the new arrangement of the classified recipes.
 NI want one'' said Jane in a busi- nesslike way, drawing out her little purse. "How much is it?"
 HOne-fifty."
 He accepted the money and gave the book to Jane. thanking her in a tired voice.
 'Is this the last one you have?" she asked.
 "It's the first one." he smiled. i've got dozen more at thG express office. That one is my sample. You may keep 1t. I-I haven't sold another one in this village, and I've been here two days. l shan't need the sample. I'm through" ."
 '|You haven't been at it longY
 No. I'm a bookkeeper ill the mills at Townton. I've been sick for ten weeks, and the doctor suggested my taking up canvassing with the idea of keeping me out of doors all summer. I couldn't afford to be idle any longer. My job will be ready for me in October if Pm strong enough to take it again."
 T am sorry" said Jane. thoughtfully turning the leaves of the book. i've been thinking that these coOkbOoks would make splendid Christmas pres ents for women I know. do believe I'll take the whole dozen. and then 1 won't have to puzzle OTcr what to get my twelve cousins next Drccmber."
 Do you mean it?" asked the man in a relieved tone.
 books here some time this afternoon will pay you for them"
 '"Thank you. >I I don't know what to say. It seems too good to be true after such a run of bad luck. l will get the books here before sundOWn. You are very kind"
 Jane evaded his wistful glance and hurried back to the house. Once there she looked at her reflection in the kitchen glass. "Jane Wade. you're a goose e-goose-goose" she said deliber- ately. but little smile crinkled the corners of her lips.
 At 6 o'clock that night Paul Sherman gave the twelve coOkbooks into Jane's hands and went away with SIS tucked in his pocket, not knowing that it rep resented Jane's taxes for the year. James eyes, Janes smile. the touch of her hand. fingered with him and per haps had to do with his securing a job to drive a delivery wagon for the Sum- merville grocery the rest of the sum- mer.
 Often when he drove by James house she would be at the window or on the porch and would give him a smile and he would take off his hat to her in courtly way that did not at all coincide with his work. One after noon when he drove by he stopped and told her that he had made all his de- liveries. He wished his wagon was a buggy and he would take her to drive.
 At this she said there. were q horse and buggy in the stable that he was welcome to use any time he wanted to. He said Saturday afternoons in sum mer the store closed at noon and he would consider it a favor if she would let him drive her out the next Satur- day.
 She assented. and the next Satur- day he called. dressed ill a very diff ferent suit of clothes from what he delivered goods in. and they went to drive together. When they returned Jane asked him to tea the next even- ing Sunday. and this was the begin ming of q number of drives and Sunday evenings passed together that lasted for the whole summer.
 By this time it was noticed by the Dentons and others that Jane had taken up with the cookbook man, but none of them dared tease her about it. During the fall she was seen with him as much as ever. and the village was agog to know if there was anything in it, but Jane said nothing. and no one cared to ask the man in the case.
 It was December before he found courage to ask Jane to marry him. By this time he was back at the mill, grown brown and strong and hand some.
 "All due to you. my dear," he said with his arms around Jane. She had said Yes" You put new courage into me that day. was down and out. By the way. where are the twelve cOOkbooks. Jane?'
 Jane blushed guiltily and did not an- swer.
 ''I was wondering. because. you see, i've discovered that you haven't got cousin in the world nor any relation except Aunt Hester.'
 Whatever explanation Jane had to make was whispered so softly that no one save her sweetheart heard it. and it appeared to be entirely satisfactory to the "coOkbook man."