Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-12-25

I'll tell you-this trips unofficial
he explained. II Just ran down from
Grafton ,because-well, l sort Of want
ed to square myself, Miss Lacey. You
got mad at me last trip. and didn't
have a 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
1t. / had forgotten she protested.
"But / know what you thought
that l wal too familiar, too fresh"
His frankness was embarrassing.
We'll. I'll apologize and tell you l
wouldn't offend you for the world.
1t bothered me-the way you took me
up. When / 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 wistfully. Now.
If you'll take dinner with me at the
hotel tonight"
"Mr. Mccall! No, no. indeed"
Maybelle 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.
Nothing wanted in your line" an
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 n
old lady said l was too high-priced.
So they're IN the shelf yet. I guess
I'll keep them till Christmas and give
them away.
He sat down and stayed owe 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 a 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 I should invite you to dinner
now"
She raised a warning hand.
"Oh. II you're not incorrigible!" she
exclaimed. why do you persist in
offering me a dinner, Mr.. McCall?"
I'll tell you. l like you, Miss
Lacey, and I want to get you away
from the store0from business; some
place where we can get better &C
quainted. Dinners a lonesome affair
for me. 1 fancied you sitting there
opposite me, and l thought-well.
maybe you'd rather go to a show!
I'd like to entertain you somehow be-
fore l go. It's my last chance"
What do you mean?"
Her voice had sharpened. and she
lifted her head in a 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 ia
my last trip"
Miss Lacey opened a 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 CO."
She leaned toward him and he1
eyes met his, dark and misty.
1T isn't that she said softly. "Mr.
Mccall, Wollaston is a small place:
and l am in a position where / must
observe its least social law. I cannot
dine with you at the hotel: but
but" she appeared charmingly con
fused, and he sprang from his chan
and came eagerly to the counter-"h
you are going to be here tomorrow
Sunday would like her smile
was bewilderingiy encouraging-1
would like to have you take Dime,
with me. at my home"
eat your home!" He seemed amaz
ingly overjoyed. why, a real home
dinner-and with you. Say. itr1 beat
the feasts Of Lucuilus!"
What else he would have said ther
was checked by the appearance of 4
customer-but Sunday was close a
hand.
The next week Wollaston iearnet
that Maybelle Lacey was ready to sci
OUT Bidders were forthcoming, fol
the little shop had been prosperous.
"And she's going away-going K
marry a stranger" remarked femi
nine Wollaston. "Why, he neve,
called to see her but once The ides
Of taking such a sudden notion afte'
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 week,
away. A sparkling ring graced he
left hand. Her fiance's nearest reia
tives had sent her affectionate mes
sages. Her trousseau was nearly com