Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1913-11-21

he explained. Il Just ran down from
Grafton because-well, sort of want
ed to square myself, Miss Lacey. You
got mad at me last trip, and / didn't
have chance to put myself right
then. You know in business we don't
think anything of an invitation to din
ner or lunch Or"
Maybelle's roses were deepening,
and she looked disturbed
Please, Mr. Mccall, don't speak Of
it, had forgotten" she protested.
But / know what you thought
that / was too familiar, too fresh"
His frankness was embarrassing.
We'll, I'll apologize and tell you
wouldn't offend you fer the world.
1t bothered me-the way you took me
up When l got as near as Grafton"
A long pause followed, and Miss
Lacey took the opportunity to change
the subject. They chatted awhile. and
he turned to go. Then. with his hand
on the door, he looked back.
I'D like to know you've really for
given me-" he said wtEsfully. Now,
if you'll take dinner with me at the
motel tonight
"Mr. MCCALL No, no, indeed"
Maybe1le was half laughing in spite
of her dignity; but she continued to
shake her head; and her caller walked
away with an air of detection.
Three months later Porter Mccall
came in again. He was on his reg
ular trip this time.
\; So
nounced the little storekeeper 1t
was early spring then, and she wore
becoming frills of white lace and a
knot of violet ribbon. Her glance was
quite friendly I've got the quarter
dozen yet. Folks seem to be sur
prised at my having them; and one
old lady said was too high-priced.
So they're on the shelf yet / guess
I'll keep them till Christmas and give
them away.
He sat down and stayed over an
hour. He seemed to have something
on his mind, and finally he spoke seri-
ously.
you won't see me again in Wollas-
ton for while; / don't know how
long. Seems to me it's time was
on that social list Of yours I've
known you some time now, and I've
thought of you a lot. Miss Lacey.
if 1 should invite you to dinner
now"
She raised warning hand.
"Oh, if you're not incorrigible!" she
exclaimed. why do you persist in
offering me dinner, Mr.. McCal1?"
I'll tell you. l like you, Miss
Lacey, and 1 want to get you away
from the store-from business; some
place where we can get better ac-
quainted. Dinaer's lonesome affair
for me. I fancied you sitting there
opposite me, and I thought-well,
| maybe you'd rather go to a show?
I'd like to entertain you somehow be-
fore go: It's my last chance"
| What do you mean?"
| Her voice had sharpened, and she
| lifted her head in startled way.
"Why. it's just this way" he an
swered. "I'm going to give up trav-
cling, and take charge of the Clover
bloom branch in Boston. So this 10
my last trip"
Miss Lacey opened box mechan-
ically, and fumbled with the contents.
She looked across the counter, started
to speak. and hesitated. The man in
the chair sighed deeply as he watched
her
81 understand. You don't like me.
You won't 60"
| She leaned toward him and her
| eyes met his, dark and misty.
TT isn't that" she said softly. eMr.
Mccall. Wollaston is a small place;
and am in position where 1 must
observe its least social law. / cannot
dine with you at the hotel; but
but" she appeared charmingly con-
| fused, and he sprang from his chair
| and came eagerly to the counter-"if
you are going to be here tomorrow
Sunday would like" her smile
was bewilderingly encouraging-'I
would like to have you take dinner
with me, at my home"
"At your home!" He seemed amaz-
ingly overjoyed. why. a real home
dinner-and with you. Say, it'll beat
the feasts Of Lucullus!"
What else he would have said then
was checked by the appearance of q
customer-but Sunday was close at
hand.
The next week Wollaston learned
that Maybelle Lacey was ready to sell
out. Bidders we're forthcoming, for
the little shop had been prosperous
"And she's going away-going to
marry stranger!" remarked femi
nine Wollaston. why, he never
called to see her but once. The idea
Of taking such sudden notion after
all these years."
Indifferent to the various conjec
lures and criticisms, the retired shop
keeper made her preparations happily
Her wedding day was only two weeks
away. A sparkling ring graced her
left hand Her fance's nearest rela.
tives had sent her affectionate mes
sages. Her trousseau was nearly com
pleted; it included three silk petit
coats, one black, one white, and one
green, all bearing the valuable Glover
bloom label
In Boston, Porter Mccall was tell
ing his friends that he was going tc
marry woman who could cook eft
for king" and then he gave then
all invitations to DINER in the neal
future.
Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
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