Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-12-07

sAna uau brought him
q fortune.
At the office they could give him No
information whatever
Inc Office was on the same foor no
the department of porcelains oriental
goods and rare treasures from eve,-y
cline. Paul sat down in a c.rvaS
teakwood chair and gnawed his lin i'm
patiently. This hunting for Linda u,os
IKE searching for needle In a hav.
STACK LII he had some clew-if she
would only come into the range of his
vision now, her face glowing with tho
cold, her furs snuggled around bar
chin, her brown eyes sparkling. And
at tnat moment he heard her voice.
This vase, madam" said Lipda,s
voice sweetly, but, oh, so YEARLY
this vase dates back to the first Ming
period. Yes; 1t is quite perfect. Yes:
you wish to take it with your"
Paul looked around the corner of his
carved chair
There was Linda Bartram, his Linda
indeed, but not among the thronp Of
rich Christmas shoppers who freouent-
ed TINS particular store. She was
standing, slim and pale in a black
gown, the electric lights bringing out
the sheen Of her bronze hair. Her
eyes were not sparkling They were
sad and tired eyes. and there was a
tired droop to her lips.
1t was Christmas eve. and linda
Bartram, petted daughter of indulgent
parents. was saleswoman In a shop.
Paurs joy at finding Linda was dim
med by the discovery of his love under
such circumstances.
He saw Linda's customer denart
trailing rich furs after her, and he
saw the girl pause to rearrange some
porcelains on table, He approached
| her.
She looked at him without recogni.
ton. Her glance was very casual.
He was only another customer. and
this was Christmas eve, and she was.
oh, so much alone! 1t was so different
from every other Christmas Linda had
ever spent. She was proud, and she
had hidden herself from friends, and
she had not told Paul Of her troubles.
Her father had rejected him because
| ne was not as rich as she was. and
now, now she was poor, and she
would be ashamed to look into Paul's
face
! 30 Paul stood there, and she did not
recognize him, for there was a blur
before her eyes and a lump In her
throat. Her ears caught familiar
note in his voice, but she never guess.
ed his identity then.
| PLEASE show me some-some Can
ton ware" hazarded Paula tea set.
think"
| She led the way to table where
rich wares of blue and Witty blue
were spread out.
| Have you Christmas?" burst out
Paul, without looking at the Canton
ware
"A what?" she stammered.
"a Christmas. l want to buy a per-
fectly happy Christmas"
She laughed softly. ooh. you mean
Christmas present"
mo; | mean a Christmas, real
Christmas for two people who have
been parted for many years" he said
in low tone.
Then she looked up at him, and q
shocked look came into her eyes, and
her face seemed paler than before.
"Paul-Wakelyw she gasped
Linda" he said, strongly resisting
desire to take her hands in his own
| a hot he 1ba ~ h. &nI H.. H.,
to her then without making a pur.
chase, because a hoorwalker was
watching them rather suspiciously.
please sell me something" he sale
desperately.
"What shall | sell your" she asked
looking over the stock.
Something for our home, Linda
II cannot marry you, Paul"
$50 your love did not last?" he asked
coolly as he examined a Canton tea
pot.
1T did, but
Then why not?"
you don't understand, Paul. 70,
have not heard about our-our"-
II have been up to the house. hav,
seen Mrs. Smith, and she has told m,
all. She even lent me the brooch
you sent her so could trace you. O.
course you bought it here because 20,
were working here, so l am quite 6
detective after ALL" he f1attered him
self.
Il cannot marry you, Paul." insisted
the girl ooh, here comes Nj. Beebe.
The doorWalker was drawing near
II will take the entire set" said Pau
cOoIly. "Can you send it to me tonigh
at the Clarion hotel? The price
pleasep'
Linda and the fioorwalker watched
him with dazzling eyes as he brough
out the great roll of bills and de
pleted 1t by many crisp yellow back
paid into Linda's trembling hand. Tn
1oorwalker moved away. and Lind
| bar saIa L., tho hnnH and Gnn