The Red Cloud chief., 1913-10-09

MRS. D|LL'S SHOP
BY JOHN IRENT.

~ SSV'TN lNSN''
II was the most fascinating little
shop In the world, tucked away be-
tween two big shops on the avenue.
and crammed from floor to ceiling
with treasures from every country
under the sun. One came out OF the |
sunlight into scented gloom Of ming
led spice and sandalwood. altar Of
cient Chinese treasures. Soft lights
glowed from little hooks curtained by
precious hangings where one could
drink . cup Of tea that was tea--and
uibble at Japanese rice cakes.
Mrs. Dill made heaps Of money. SO
people said. while at the same time
she INDUCED her hobby for collection.
Dear as was this hobby to the soul Of
Patricia Dill. 1t was whispered that
there was not one article in the shop
that she would not part with for
,price-provided the price was high
enough.
Usually Mrs. Dill waited upon the
shop herself. emerging from tiny
Oriental retreat In the rear, where a
"
oddly among the Persian rugs and al
Turing divans that surrounded the
walls.
Mrs. Dill was prowling around the
world in search Of more treasures to
add to her shelves and she had In
trusted her shop to the care OF
friend. That was why Alice Fenwick
sat at the roll top desk In the Oriental
room to come gracefully forward
when an important customer demand
ed more expert attention than could
be offered by the beady-eyed Japan
csc clerk.
Today 1t was all golden sunshine
and blue sky outside while within the
little shop It was cool and dark and
quite sunless. 1t was very delightful
to be surrounded by these treasures
Of strange countries and to move leis-
urely to and fro on soft carpets. or to
sip tea prepared by soft-footed Hago-
but how Alice did long for the open
country and the free wind against her
pale cheeks! 1t was bad enough to
spend nine months Of the year within
the walls Of the kindergarten where
she taught but her mothers recent
death made 1t imperative that Alice
work through the vacation period and
when Mrs. Dill's offer had been made.
Alice had accepted It thankfully and
entered upon her duties with much en-.
thusiasm.
Butt was very lonely without her
mother in the little fat and the mem.
ory Of other days crowded heavily up
on the idle hours in the shop; there
had been O time when she had dream.
ed Of love and q home Of her own but
those dream castles had crashed to
earth with Raymond Borden's depart
ure for the far east True, they had
disagreed over something that seem
ed trifiing enough now but then 1t had
been great enough to make q change
in both lives. Alice had put away her
half-completed trouseau and taken up
kindergartening and Raymond had &C
cepted an offer to go to Shanghai az
resident representative Of New York
importer.
1T is surprising what difference
nve years makes In ones life." sighed
Alice on this particular morning. She
was in the private room. looking very
charming in her soft gown OF white
with Jet necklace at her throat. She
was very fair and slender and the
golden hair grew in the most alluring
way about her forehead and neck.
The little chime OF bells pealed In
the outer shop and Alice knew thai
q customer had entered. Hago hat
gone out to deliver some parcels and
Alice went out to meet the customer
He was a tall man, so tall that ht
stopped a little to avoid the swing
ing lanterns overhead. When he saw
Alice he removed his straw hat ant
spoke in a pleasant. rather deep voice
II was advised to see Mrs. Dill" HI
said; II am looking for duplicate o
Mr.. Dunham's ivory vase. He hal
told me that Mrs. Dill had an exact du
plicate."
why, yes" hesitated Alice for th'
ivory vase was one OF the Treasures
locked away in the safe in the retreat
would you like to look at it,"
III you please. have been author
lied to buy It, II possible" said tn
stranger.
When Alice went away down tn
dim vista Of the shop he looked afte
her in a puzzled way but the plac
was rather dark and he was nea,
sighted and one makes so many mis-
takes In identities and he had been de
ceived SO many times by pale. fail
haired women who looked like
But she was returning now with tn
small vase OF delicately carved ivor
lying snugly In Its silk.lined lacque
box.
Alice laid the box on teakwood Il
BILE and lighted the softly tinted Lar
tern overhead, drawing 1t down by 81
YER chains until It hung low over tn
lacquer box.
Her face was in shadow above tn