The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-03-27


that her Aunt Hester was spending 6
few days In Roselea. Aunt Hester
shared Mrs. Denton's prejudice against
agents. only In milder degree.
"That dinner must smell good to q
hungry man." thought Jane, and then
with one Of the impulses that marked
her warm heart, she few down the
garden path to the beach gate The
man was still there, in the same att.
tude. At his feet was thick volume
bound in white oilcloth.
"Oh, l am SO glad that you have not
gone away" piped Jane over the fence
The man lifted his head and looked
at her with faint interest. His face
was pale and haggard, and his eyes
were dull. Jane hastily decided that II
he were well fed and sunburned he
would be remarkably handsome. His
dark hair was lightly fiecked with gray
about the temples.
did you speak to me?' he asked.
rising to his feet.
YES" said Jane, a little breathless-
~. "You see, heard some one was
selling cookbooks. and I wanted one,
| and was afraid you had gone past.
happened to see you sitting here
He smiled patiently and brought the
book to her, opening the pages, 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.
II want one" said Jane in a bust
nesslike way, drawing out her little
purse. How much 10 it?"
"One-fifty."
He accepted the money and gave
the book to Jane, thanking her In a
tired voice.
us this the last one you have?" she
asked.
IT'S the first one" he smiled. "I've
got a dozen more at the express ONCE.
That one IL my sample You may keep
It. IL haven't sold another one in this
village. and I've been here two days.
shan't need the sample. I'm through"
You haven't been at It long?
NO. I'm b0okkeeper In 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.
couldn't afford to be idle any longer.
My job will be ready for me in October
Y I'm strong enough to take 1t again."
Il am sorry" said Jane, thoughtfully
turning the leaves OF the book. 1--WE
been thinking that these cOOkbooks
would make splendid Christmas pres
ents for women l know. l do believe
I'll take the whole dozen. and then Il
won't have to puzzle over what to get
my twelve cousins next December"
do you mean it?' asked the man in
relieved tone.
"Of course. II you will bring the
books here some time this afternoon
Will pay you for. them"
Thank you. don't know what to
say. 1t seems too good to be true after
such run of bad luck. l will get the
books here before shutdown. You are
very kind"
Jane eyaded 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 goose goose!' she said deliber-
ately. but a little smile crinkled the
corners of her lips.
At Q o'clock that night Paul Sherman
gave the twelve cookbooks into James
hands and went away with $1S tucked |
10 his pocket, not knowing that It rep
James taxes for the year.
lanes eyes, James smile, the touch of |
her hand. fingered with him and per-
laps had to do with his securing q Job
% drive delivery wagon for the SUM-
nerville grocery the rest Of the sum-
ner.
Often when he drove by James
louse she would be at the window or
IN the porch and would give him a
mile and he would take on his hat to
Ter In courtly way that did not at
III coincide with his work. One after
loon when he drove by he stopped and
old her that he had made oil his de-
iveries. He wished his wagon was a
'uggy and he would take her to drive.
At this she said there were a horse
md buggy in the stable that he was
Welcome to use any time he wanted to.
lie said Saturday afternoons In sum-
ner the store closed at noon and he
you'd consider It a favor If she would
ct him drive her out the next Satur-
ay.
She assented. and the next Satur-
ay he called, dressed in a very diff
erent suit Of clothes from what he !,
elivered goods In. and they went to
rive together When they returned
ane asked him to tea the next even !,
" Sunday, and this was the begin.
Ing Of q number OF drives and Sunday \
venings passed together that lasted
,r the whole summer.
By this time It was noticed by the
'entons and others that Jane had
ken up with the cookbook man. but
one OF them dared tease her about It.
'uring the fall she was seen with him
much as ever, and the village was
cog to know II there was anything
It. but Jane said nothing, and no )
1e cared to ask the man In the case.
1t was December before he found h
'urage to ask Jane to marry him. BY :