Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1917-06-21
Mr.. ANNEsLEy's NAP
BY JOAN BU0BY.


homer
Bout four-maybe half-pastg"
"You look It'll"
"Just how?"
"Seedy. You need Sleep"
II know it," he groaned. II wish to
thunder the governor was at home. I'd
sleep all day. But here I've to go to
that blame store and be tormented for
ten hours"
ITS your own fault. You should
have come home earlier"
ut wasn't my fault. took Myrtle
to the dance and she wouldn't think
of leaving. I was nearly dead"
"Look here, BERTHE. You've got to
pull yourself together. Peggy Brice Is
coming today and I'm counting on you.
In the first place, can't you meet her
at three and come home early?"
II might manage it, sis; but I'll have
to have some sleep somehow. Three,
did you say?"
"Three-five at the Pennsylvania sta
ton. No use describing her. Just
pick out the prettiest girl you see."
"I'll find her"
So Bert went to the store and called
Johnny Stebbs, who had two rows OF
brass buttons down the front Of his
dlminutive jacket.
Johnny it's up to you whether get
a nap or not. Two good solid hours!
So If any of those people come, drum
mers, you know, tell them I'm dead.
and don't let them view the remains,
either. If they insist, send them to
Barlowe or Martin"
"Yes, sir"
"Here's a dollar. Now you stay by
that outside door and don't let anyone
in"
In two minutes Bert was snoring.
But the anteroom was very warm,
and Johnny was very tired.
And then-as fairies come when
folks are asleep-she came!
She was pretty and little and taste
fully dressed, and she carried a
satchel. She asked for Mr.. Annesley's
Office and was directed politely. She
opened the door Of the anteroom with
its two rows of highbacked seats fac
ing each other and to her surprise
found only small boy asleep.
On the door opposite was the word
"Private." She opened the door. A
snore greeted her. Turning she saw
the leather couch on which lay man
asleep. She had intruded unwittingly
and started to tiptoe out.
But her bag knocked against a
chair. Mr.. Annesley sat up instantly,
seeing someone in the room he sprang
to his feet.
"Who did that?"
The girl was backing frightened into
q corner. "I-I'm afraid I did"
"This is a - Of a place where
fellow can't have two minutes peace
without someone butting in and half
killing him besides Who let you INF"
mo one. just came"
"Where's Johnny? I told him to
keep everybody out"
''The little boy? Oh, he was tired,
too. He was asleep, poor little fellow!
I'm so sorry l upset that chair. 1t
was stupid and awkward of me-"
But Bert did not notice her hating
confusion, for he was having bad
time on his own account.
II beg your pardon, most humbly,"
he said getting redder by the minute.
II thought you were selling some
thing, you see. VIII you please for
give me?"
"It's all right" she laughed merrily,
having recovered her own equilibrium.
"Tve had enough fun out of 1t to more
than make up for the other. And now,
Mr.. Annesley, If you'll kindly tell me
how to get to your house I'll be very
much obliged. I'm Peggy Brice. I
came earlier than I intended, and
haven't an idea how to 60. Your store
being so near to the station, thought
I'd come in and inquire"
And then! And this Is really what
the story Is all about, but it only
takes a minute to tell it, although it
affected the lives of two people for
all time. The very thing Peggy was
blushing about, little card, had in
some manner slipped to the floor. She
stopped, and Bert stopped at the
same time, but he got it. And 1t was
his own picture!
She looked wretched and ready to
cry. And he looked at her long, long
time in very odd way. And his heart
seemed to 60 along with the look and
to stay, for he never had eyes for an
other girl after that.
And Johnny, whimpering and scared
to death because he had slept at the
switch and wrecked the peace Of his
employer, nearly fell dead when Mr..
Annesley, going out with pretty girl,
gave him another dollar.
Copyright, 1917, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)