The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-01-09

HIS BLESSED DAMOZEL
By iZoLA FORESTER.

Creston discovered the little book
ON the lower left land shelf in the
back of the shop. He had been hunt
ing q secondhand copy of "Vieux
Paris" and here on top of the dusty
calf-bound folios lay the fragile, fra
grant volume.
1t was fragrant. He lifted 1t eau
tiously to his face. The soft hand
some indefinable scent that stole along
the nerves and stirred old dreams.
Creston half closed his eyes and
thought of wide desert reaches and a
little purple silhouette of moving
camels splashed up against the golden
sky.
He stood a moment, crushing it
irresolutely in his hand, rolling the
velvety leather. feeling the exquisite
texture OF the paper, running his eyes
over the old familiar lines.
1.-THE Blessed Damozel leaned out.
From the gold bar of heaven"
How under the light Of Manhattan's
sky had Rosetti's ethereal Lady Of the
deep blue found her way on those
huge dusty architectural tones in
fuckers bookshop?
"Er-Tucker, you might put this in
with the rest" Creston remarked quite
casually, when he had finished his
selections.
Old Tucker glanced sideleng from
the book he was enjoying.
"That one, Mr.. CrestonT' he asked.
sitting up suddenly.
This little book Of Rosetu seleo-
TONS"
Not for SALE" returned Tucker.
1.-THE book does not belong to me-"
Creston looked at the inne. blank
leaf. It bore name, Wanda
Philips" It sang In his brain as he
went out.
Every time he came back to the
SHOP he found the little boz In its
place on top Of Nuremberg etchinss
and old Munich studies. And each
time he held II, he would look at the
name and turn the pages over with
q curious thrill Of expectancy.
How long will you wait for her to
come hack7" he asked one day.
Tucker glanced up sharply as II
someone had broken a lock on q very
private drawer in his life.
she may come any day." he told
him gruff1y. 1T stays there until she
does"
II would be willing to return it to
her II you know where she HvesT
Tucker considered the request,
stroking his white beard thoughtfully.
Suddenly the old fellow tilted his
head to one side and chuckled.
"She left In a tiff, Mr. Creston.
She had been dropping In here of and
on for a year, picking up one book
after another. One day found that
volume OF Rosetti and it seemed to be-
long to her. The day shs left 1t, she
came to sell me back two or three
books, and I would not take them"
you've wasted time waiting for her
to come back. Tell me where she
lives, and 1 will take the book back
Let me take the book with me now"
take it." said Tucker, slowly.
Creston went down Lexington ave-
nue. straight towards his own home
square But It is a curious square.
One short block makes all the differ
ence In IT'S caste environment. Cres-
ton occupied a very comfortable bach
elor suite on its south side. The old
studio building was east of Third
avenue.
He was bending over the narrow
line Of name plates at the press
buttons when he caught the scent
and turned. She was slipping her key
into the lock Of the door. splender
girl with q mass Of wind blown red
dish hair. and an eager. ivory white
face. 1t was his Blessed Damozel with
New York snow flakes on her little
fur toque, and even in the narrow
marble vestibule he knew that faint
fragrance that had chung about the
little book. He drew it from his coat
pocket and held it out to her.
"Oh. where did you get it," Just
the least emphasis on the pronoun.
Mr.. Tucker was certain you had
been Ill or you would have come for
It,"
HE sent you with it," He liked
the little ring of challenge in the tone
Of this Il thought had lost 1t some-
where else"
Il tried to buy it from the old man,
but he would not sell Of course" he
stumbled on recklessly. You see 1t
Is a very rare little book. I wanted
to copy one or two bits from 1t If
might. l would return 1t SOON.
She held 1t out to him quickly.
IF you are friend of Mr.. fuckers,
I don't mind"
II am a friend" said Creston, grave
ly. -and more, am your neighbor.
live Just over In Gramercy park"
You might mail It," she suggested
II don't want to mail It."
Tucker hardly seemed to notice
either of them the next day He sat
buried behind newly discovered
treasure while they talked.
THE book is up in my den, Tucker.
and SO Is she. We were married yes
terday."
Everyone Knew Il.