The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-14
How Nicholson's Court
ship Was Begun
BY F. A. mitchell

street costume entered and passed he
eve over the books on the shelves. vi
coming to a set Of Dickens works sh'
began to appear interested scannins
the volumes more carefully. a Librarian
was passing. and the girl called her.
as this the only set Of Dickens work!
in the library she asked.
II believe it is. Yes: I'm quite SURE
we haven't any other. What volume dc
you want?'
"'Dombey 4 Son. 1t seems to bt
out
BEG pardon; here is 'Dombey &
Son." said Nicholson
"Oh. | wouldn't think Of deprivinG
you Of it - said the girl
Il have nearly finished it, but l shall
not be able to just now. beg You tc
take it,
Not on any account. so long as YOU
like reading it,"
well, then, | will complete it.
shall do so in few minutes"
Don't hurry. l shall not get away
from the library for some time"
She left the alcove and Nicholson pre-.
tended to resume his reading but in
stead he followed her with his eye as
she dawdled over the shelves. now
and again taking out book, turning
the pages for awhile, then passing on
|
to another. Nicholson noticed her
pose as she stood on one foot. the 9th.
er incased in a slender boot showing
beneath her skirt. the boa dropping on
her shoulders adding to the picture.
Nicholson wore tiny bunch of for
getmenots in his buttonhole. When he
had kept the book long enough to have
made pretense of finishing it he took
one of the flowers from his buttonhole
and placed it between the leaves OF
the book; then. going to where the
young lady was doing her literary
browsing. he handed il to her
Are YOU sure you have finished itT'
she asked
quite Sure-that is, for this time.
| shall doubtless read 1t again, or rath.
er parts that are favorites of mine"
II shall return it within week. |
am quick reader
DO you ever note parts Of books
that especially appeal to you:' he ask
ed, looking at the forgetmenot that
hung without the leaves.
itno,, .,bn ,,pI;n,I
directed also to the flower. Then
thanking him for his kindness in let
ting her have the book she had come
to the library for she bowed an adieu
and took it to the loan desk. where il
was duly stamped and handed back to
her.
few days later Nicholson went into
the library ut that hour in the after.
noon when young women 80 gadding.
He had not been there long when the
young lady who had wanted "Dombev
u Son entered. Nicholson retreated
into an alcove where he could be In
the shadow and look out at his charm.
er who was under the skylight In the
'cHteT VI tue library
Sometimes very big thing will fail
to move one, and sometimes very lit
tie thing will give one the emotion of
his life A very little thing at this
Juncture set Ncholson's heart beating
wildly. The girl wore a faded forget
menot in her corSagc.
Here were two persons of Opposite
sex who had met. converSed, the man
had offered IA token in his own dali
cate way. the girl had accepted it. and
1t would naturally be supposed that
this warranted Nicholson's presuming
that it involved an acquaintance.
Nevertheless he did not take adyan.
tage OF the situation He considered
that situation momentouS. Thus far
the moves on both sides had hoo,
worthy of "A pair of thoroughbrcds
Nicholson had no idea of making F.
raise move. Instead Of walking past
the young lady. looking at her and
giving her an opportunity to give him
nod of recognition. he got our of
the library by the front door wbfa
she was in the rear of the building
Altogether too much would denand
should he meet her face to face unon
what she might decide to do. II sha
DID not recognize him there would no a
fork III their paths which might neyor
bring them again together Ar a,v
rate. Nicholson decided not TO hazard
a rebuff
The next day he went to the library
found "Dombey & Son" in its nIaca
ON the shelves, took it out onenad :,
at the place where he had inserted tho
iorSetmenot and found visiting card
"hlch mad apparently been left there
Tor book mark. The name engraved
on 1t was Miss Ella Stanley. Michel
son took out Russia leather caso
put the card in it and walked out =.
the library like one who had acbiaro1
signal victory
1t must be admitted thar This i
very unsatisfactory place to eloSo =
story. Nevertheless it must no closoI
mere, Tor Nicholson, who told mo ~
story himself. did not proceed anv Pm
ther with it, He married the rirl M
wore his forgetmenot and who co.,
Iessly left her card in IFS nlaoo :,
Domoey < Son" But the onIv "a
oltlon he made to his narrative voa
tnat after their marriage no osi.a. -