Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-17
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Woman and Home
The Morning Story
EWES VEIL.
NY John Phillip Ortiz.

ctip-clop OF horscs hoolS on mo as
pha!t.
Life is dull enough. goodness
knows" complained John leaning back
in his chair and clcvating his heels
TO his desk
And n this critical moment romance
entered his Office IN the most unex-
pected manner
There floated through the window.
borne on the fresh breeze. something
soft and flmy and white. like bit OF
pure cloud drifting down from the sky.
John Gray did not see it, his eyes
were closed in dreamy restrospection.
and it was not until the wisp of white
drifted across his lips and clunG there
that he sat up with Il start.
"Jove' What is that he demanded.
pluckinG the thing from his face.
He looked at IL and recognized it rs
some dainty accessory to lady
toilet. delicious fragrance assailed
his senseS--a mingled odor OF fresh VIC
lets and roses. SO elusive was il that
he was still undetermined as to It's
origin when il occurred TO him to Ques-
Jon Burgess.
Burgess was his clerk. stenographer,
hookkeeper and general Office man. for
John Gray would employ no women
III his office.
He pressed the bell for Burgess and
that dappcr little man appeared at
the door like jack in the box.
John Gray held up the white chiffon
thing.
This IS q veil, is It not. Burgess7''
he demanded.
Burgess shifted nj the VEIL looked
virtuously scandalized and admitted
that II was
Where did IT come from ." demanded
his employer testify.
II am sure don't know, sir" re-
"Some--woman must have been in
my Office. was sitting in my chair
er-med!tating-and this veil hoated
across my face. Who put It there?'
Burgess couGhed discreetly
"Er-eHCuse me. sir. I'm not pre-
pared to say he admitted.
NO woman has been near the offices
this afternoon" asked John incredu-
lousy
No. sir. In fact. no one has been
in here since lunch"
Very we'll. YOU may go"
Burgess grinned wickedly.
Shall I-er-drop II in the waste
paper basket, Mir. Gray" he limo
Gently inquired
Mo- can do that myself" retorted
John CURLY, and the door gently closed
upon his factotum.
John Gray picked up the veil and held
ii over the paper basket. It clung to
his fingers and refused to he detached
breeze from the window until 1t was
closely wound about his hand.
oh, bother" he snapped as he
rmmsily tried TO remove the delicate
tissue. Then he saw initials EN-
nroidcred on the delicate hem
20 Y. e.
John Gray laughed aloud as he folded
up the veil and tucked IT away in the
breast pocket of his coat
II wonder who +. V. T. can be-" he
l,I Inv. ali
iul! How shall ever md this I'm
tnown Eve
lie was sun pondering this qucs-
ION while he waited for an uptown
nus Il was tempting evening to
de home on the roof OF motor bus.
one came along Just then, and he
found q vacant seat beside a dis
tractingly pretty girl.
John Gray caught one fceting
glimpse OF her profile, for her face was
upturned to the windows OF the build
ing where his office Was located lie
glanced up ana noted that Burgess was
IN the act OF closing one OF the win
dows
The girl faced about and John could
not look at her without positive rude
ness, so he stared straight ahead hop
inr that she would not leave the bus
!ntil he had reached his destination on
he drive.
All at once he hecame conscious that
The air was fragi'trl; wisil that odor OF
mingled roses sfftd e1iolets. Gould 1t be
from that Veil in his pocket?
He furtivcly thrust gloved hand
in the pockc, and. finding the veil in
tact withdrew his hand and quite un-
consciously The veil came with it,
on" cried a voice al his elbow
John looked down at her in polite in
CURRY
My veHr She explained hastily
Yours" repeated John incredu-
lousy. and his fingers frightened their
grasp Oh the chiffon. "imposs!blc,'
But 1t is ~ she insisted. gently. See
there are my initials. An hour or tive
the top OF bus, when 4 gust OF wind
took the Veil from my hat and swirlcl
II up II disappeared through an Of
nee window am sure it is mine"
am AFRAID IT IS, said John Gray
reluctantly giving II to nor Il though,
II was a cloud from heaven itself whcr
II drifted into my Office. ! am not 50
sure That Il isn't he added TO himself
FOR the look IN the grls eyes wa.
most disconcorting.
To John Gray's satisfaction the mys.
terious IL. y T." !!d not leave the bu.
until IL stopped 1t his signal Then
with little nod, enhanced by . rose
'hged smile, the gin tripped past hin
and down the steps to the street
When he reached the entrance 20 tn.
apartment house where he mad a suit,
of rooms in his sisters home. he wa
amazed 10 find That the girl had pre-
ceded him
She flushed with annoyance an,
turned away her head when she saw
MIN enter the elevator. and when lac
too, got out at tho hlth floor and mad
for apartment b she stopped short an,
glanced haughtly at min
This Is too much sir" she said
John paused with his latch key fl
hand.
"But-you see, i've mere" he said
heiplessly.
1T Is too absurd TO be true" sh
protested, looking as If she would CRY
Really John was beginning whc
the door OF the apartment opened AN
his sister. dressed tor tho street. ap
feared
John, John, you home soon?
cried Mrs. Remcf. and, catching sigh
of the Eirl. and you, Edith? wa
going 10 meet YOU az TMroclon-s COZ.