The Spectator., 1914-12-18
By NINA WILCOX PUTNAM
(copvsighs ty Bobbs-Msrrill co.l

him shufHed MT. Jones, at whom the children stared and pointed. Down back alley they plunged then. man and bear, and emerging upon a wide slat- ternly avenue. pushed back slated swinging door. and entered a saloon.
 There were shining mirrors within, and polished woods, with fine bar, all arrayed with glasses and bottles in decorative and tempting array. Here was group of men in post-midnight mood, hilarious and ready to part with small change. Sam made Mir. Jones dance for them, turn somersaults. sit in an armchair and hold a pipe be- tween his teeth. kiss him, be dead. and perform many other intellectual feats beyond the common requirement of bears. The fruit of this effort was only sixty-one cents.
 Then Sam strolled away, ever toward the river, in northerly direc- ton that would ultimately lead toward the open country. And all the while Iris filled his heart and mind. as, in- deed, she had done almost every mo- ment since his angry parting from her.
 It came to pass. that, being occupied with the thought of @ red-haired girl, such as bore locks of a similar color arrested his eye more frequently and with more personal interest than did any other type; and so 1t followed in a natural sequence, that when he caught sight of Titan head (elab- orately puffed. and curled, to be sure, and quite unlike Iris cleaning braids) behind the confusion of feminine ar ticles of apparel in the window of 8 tiny notion shop, he fancied a resem- blance, and stopped to stare. And equally inevitable was 1t that she should feel that stare through the win dow glass and over the mass of articles therein displayed. as people have a way of feeling a stare; and looking up, she smiled upon the handsome gentle man whose gaze was riveted upon her. | She was no more like unto Iris than the cinnamon pink to the ascension lily; nor was she at all pretty. But Sam obeyed sudden impulse and en-
  | Jones.
 Together they stood before the little counter upon which were piled coarse stockings, underwear with cheap lace trimming, unsubstantial neckwear, boxes of ruching. gingham aprons and nothing. but smiling. What should he l ask for? It was awkward. decidedly | Yet here he was. and somehow or other the situation must be managed Very vaguely he uttered what seemed to him an inanity.
 Fl would like some buttonholes, he stammered, and then blushed furi. ously at having said such nonsense. But the young lady seemed in no. wise disconcerted by the extraordinary request.
 White or black?" she inquired calmly.
 "Eh?" said Hill incredulously.
 q said. did you wish white or black buttonholes? she smiled.
 "But-but. great Scott! You don't mean to say you actually have 'emr gasped Sam.
 "Of course. This is notion shop; didn't you read the sign?" l Motion shop! should say 1t was How the deuce can hole have a color? Is that one of the notions?' said he.
 "I thought you didn't really want them." said the girl. but we do keeI 'em-embroidered on strips, you know of black or white stuff-and you sew 'em in!"
 "Oh!" said the enlightened male would you really not mind if l don't have any. though? l don't really need them. You see. you smiled. so just ."
 "So l guessed" said the girl. but it ain't any use. I'm engaged"
 "Ah!" said Hill. suddenly relieved of the absurd situation which he had brought upon himself Then he added gallantly: You don't expect me to be ! surprised. do you? He is such very lucky fellow!"
 He is a rover." she said plaintively I
 "A what?" Queried Hill politely.
 "A wanderer on the face of the earth" she elucidated. He is in the lunch-wagon business, and not havin a regular stand, it takes him to dis tant parts a lot. You seem to be the sort that travels. too." she added, you an the bear. Amt he the cute little l felleri"
 | Hill gave a huge sigh. and looked al her sentimentally.
 | "I wish you would say as much tc me-" he told her sweetly. and then felt almost as much of an ass as he looked But the lady spurned him with the air of tragedy queen. You shouldn't ought to say such things." said she loftily. No matter what chances offer, am ever true to Mir. Lovejoy."
 | MT. Lovejoy takes a great risk in being away so much" he added; some