The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-25
The E;0iser,l,ie Story
Madenoiseile Llsette.

(By Ella Randall Pearce-)
WHEN am not here" directed Nine
iateau, loftiiy, .you may leave the
MOVERS with .Aue Lisette."
me new delixefyr~s1fan Tor Hallock 4
20, norists.. bowed, civily enough, but
mis- eyes foved around the luxurious
interior Of the little shop in a way that
vas slisss's 3 ST. ss Also eu amased 5s
the. pretentiouS sveneer Of both the shop
and its mistress
Nine F1ateau-um! More like Fla
nerty.a Il the teuth were known" he
was saying to himself. Gee! the way
Ioiks spend, money! in places like this!
tables every days
For. early every day. the imposing
plack and gold delivery vehicle Of Hal
lock 4 Co. stopped before the door of
the white and silver millinery shop of
NINE. Plateau. and the natural bloom
of roses. carnations and other products
OF the garden and greenhouse We'd with
the arthicial posies that glowed behind
the plate glass doors Of the showcases.
Tom Boyd was not accustomed to
ar1stocratic surroundings. He felt big
and clumsy and somehow uncomfort-
able in The scented atmosphere OF Nine.
FIateau's shop. Deep piled, pale gray
carpet yielded to hfs steps; mirrored
panels reflected the many rose shaded
n8nts; delicately upholstered chairs
were drawn before silk hung recesses:
q rear stairway. hanked by classic flg-
ures in marble. curved upward toward
mysterious tapestry curtained regions.
And, while Tom stood awed by the pink
ana white and silver splerdor, a vision
appeared at the stairway's head and
or1fted gracefully toward him.
,onsb Mes v = young figure: but the fash
set at naught by the fashionable We
neer that overlaid the youthful person
OF this now arrival. A silken gown
made In an extreme style draped the
tail slight form. A wonderful auburn
couture crowned the small head Her
immobile face suggested the pink and
white wax lady that graced the front
window. With slow. automatic steps
she approached. and her voice sounded
sweetly chilly:
You may leave the boxes here.
Boy! Tom giggled in his throat, and
bowed civilly again. So this was Mile.
Lisette! She certainly looked as IL she
rad been made to order for the won
oerful pink and white and silver shop.
He fingered. 10th to go. Such magnifi-
cent. regally poised youth fascinated
him. She reminded him of p fairy
princess in a book
Do-oo you want me to help you un-
mo: it is nothing. I will attend to
them myself. replied the fairy prin-
Tom backed away and shut the lace
paneled door softly. Gee! What nerve
Tor youngster"' he commented Mile.
Lasette could give lessons in deport-
ment to the four hundred.
The next morning Tom Boyd ap-
Yes: there she was. trailing her silken
draperfes over the pale gray carpet;
but. beyondsa pEecisely given order for
the morrow, there were no words spok-
en-. 1t waHsA week later before Mile
Lisette seemed to be conscious of the
man from Hallock & Co.
You're new sos this route. aren't
'ou?" she said graciously, as II she
had just realized that fact.
'Yes'm. I'm the new boy Tom
trimmed and as his companion looked
'ery blue and veryIsoft. They did not
'eem to belong to- her, they were 80
lunan! They made Tom feel sud-
lenly embroidered.
Say. Mam-selle. do you like it
lere?"
d.. TT Is beautifl e Whs sy not w'den-
II don't know" Tom glanced help |
essiy around. 1T strikes me as sorter |
lnreal@like show. you know. I'd |
:hoke il had to stay in here all day." !
He often thought of Mile. Lisette |
fter that. He could see her bowling |
md smiling to the naughty patrons Of |
he little shop, and trying on hats-all |
lay long trying on hats and walking
70 and down the velvety gray paths, |
md posing beside the flower decorated I
ables.
Sometimes when he made his early |
morning calls, he fancied that her |
,lue eyes wore a more friendly express !
ion; but il he tried to begin a con-
'ersation she Discouraged him with |
mile.
Boyd" said atsEemployer, late one |
fternoon. heres q wreath to be de-
lvered in Pine street; an order left |
y a settlement worker, for a child.s ;
uneral Oar wagons never go down
mere; Dut it's on your way home" Fl
Sure: I'll take it along" agreed |
'om
He was hungry, SO he went home |
irst to dinner, and started out to de-
liver the wreath in the early evening.
he house was tall, plain tenement |
yelling In humble street. At the
irst door Tom stopped to inquire his
vay.
I'm looking for" he began; then
'aused with eyes and mouth open. A |!
Dung girl had responded to his
hooking, and she was gazing at him
nth eyes that were very blue and very
oft. He saw a tumbled mass Of |
uburn hair and a smile that widened |
he stared. simple dress of check
d lawn and a ruffled white apron
ompleted his bewilderment
Yes; it's me. Mr. Boyd" announced
voice cheerily,
Mr.. Boyd! Tom drew up his broad
houlders Importantly. what are
GU doing down here? Oh. 1 see Poor
stle chap-Miss Weatherby was
wfully fond Of him. and he was the
ct OF the house. Upstairs two flights.
md stop on your way out. will you?
We been telling ma about you; and
ne wonders il you're related to the
'oyds Of Barnegat'
That am said Tom, promptly He
pent the next hour in q daxe. With a
ordial mtddle-aged woman he was dis
ussing his rural relatives, and all the
ime his gaze was set on the girlisf.
figure OF Mlle IisofAa NJ