The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-02-16

young lady Is Miss Eva Bedford
reckon you've heard of the Bedfords.
She's seventeen and one of the Bed
fords Of Bedford county. We've eloped
from home to get married and we
want to see New York. We got in this
afternoon. Somebody got my pocket
book on the ferryboat and | had only
cents in change outside Of it. I'll
get some work somewhere tomorrow
and We'll get married"
"But, I say, old man." said Pilkins
in confidential low tones, "you can't
keep the lady out here in the cold all
night. Now, as for hotels
II told YOU" said the youth with a
broader smile, that I didn't have but
cents. Besides, If l had thousand.
we'd have to wait here until morning.
You can understand that, Of course.
I'm much obliged. but l can't take any
of your money. Miss Bedford and l
| have lived an outdoor life and we don't
mind a little cold. I'll get work Of
some kind tomorrow. We've got a
paper bag Of cakes and chocolates and
| we'll get along all right
Listen" said the millionaire. i'm
pressively "My name is PiIkins and
I'm worth several million dollars. /
happen to have in my pockets about
$500 or 5000 in cash. Don't you think
you are drawing it rather fine when
you decline to accept as much Of II
as will make you and the young lady
comfortable at least for the night?"
II can't say, sir, that I do think sc"
said Clayton Of Roanoke county. I've
ferently. But I'm nightly obliged to
you, just the same"
"Then you force me to say good
night" said the millionaire.
Twice that day had his money been
scorned by simple ones to whom his
dollars had appeared as but tin tobac-
co tags. He was no worshiper of the
actual minted coin or stamped paper,
but he had always believed in its al
most unlimited power to purchase.
Pilkins walked away rapidly and
then turned abruptly and returned to
the bench where the young couple sat
He took off his hat and began to
speak The girl looked at him with
the same sprightly, glowing interest
that she had been giving to the lights
and statuary and sky reaching build
ings that made the old square seem so
far away from Bedford county.
"Mr-er-R Roanoke" said Pilkins, 81
admire your-your indepen-your idiocy
so much that I'm going to appeal to
your chivalry. l believe that's what
you southerners call it when you keep
a lady sitting outdoors on a bench on
cold night just to keep your old,
out of date pride going. Now, I've
friend-a lady-whom l have known
all my life-who lives few blocks
from herewith her parents and sis
ters and aunts and ali that kind of in
dorsement, Of course. am sure this
lady would be happy and pleased to
put up-that is, to have Miss-er-Bed-
ford give her the pleasure OF having
her as a guest for the night Don't
YOU think. Mr.. Ronoake of-er-Vir-
ginia, that you could unbend your pref
udices that far?'
Clayton of Roanoke rose and held
out his hand.
"Old man." he said, Miss Bedford
will be much pleased to accept the hos
pitality of the lady you refer to-
Pilkins conducted them to the crum
bly red brick house of the Won der
RuysIings. His card brought Alice
wondering.
"Of course l will take her in,' said
Alice. Haven't those southern girls
a thoroughbred air? Of course she
will stay here. You will look after
Mr.. Clayton. of course"
Twill II" said PillSins delightedly.
"Oh. yes, I'll look after him! AS
citizen of New York and therefore
mart owner Of its public parks I'm 60
inp TO extend to him the hospitality OF
Madison square tonight. Hes going
TO sit there on a bench till morning
There's no use arguing with him.
Isn't it wonderful? I'm glad youli
look after the little lady, Alice. l tell
Won those Babes in the Wood made
my-that is-er-made Wall street anu
the Bank Of England look like penny
arcades."
Miss Won der Ruysling whisked MISS
Bedford of Bedford county up to rest
rul regions upstairs When she came
down she nut an