Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-01-18

ual customer. But still there was tho
chance, and Paul was persistent. It
was p%ersistency that had brought him
q fortune.
At the office they could give him no
information whatever.
The Office was on the same floor as
the department Of porcelains, oriental
goods and rare treasures from every
cline. Paul sat down in n carved
lockwood chair and gnawed his lip i'm
patiently. This hunting for Linda was
like searching for u needle In u hay
stack. If he had some clew-if she
would only come into the range of his
vision now, her face glowing with the
cold, her furs snugglcd around her
chin, her brown eyes sparkling. And
at that moment he heard her voice.
This vase, madam said Linda's
voice sweetly, but, oh, so YEARLY
'this vase dates back to the first Ming
period. Yes; it is quite perfect. Yes;
you wish to take it with you?"
Paul looked around the corner of his
carved chair.
There was Linda Bartram, his Linda
indeed, but not among the throng Of
rich Christmas shoppers who frequent
ed this 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 a salcswoman in a shop.
Paul's JOY at finding Linda was dim
med by the discovery Of his love under
such circumstances.
He saw Linda's customer depart,
trailing rich furs after her, and he
saw the girl pause to rearrange some
~porcelains on a 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,
OA, ~ AtS SlACllCs L L w as So ulllCIcIlI
from every other Christmas Linda had
ever spent. She "a proud, and she
had hidden herself from friends, and
she had not told Paul of her troubles.
Her father had rejected him because
he was not as rich as she was, and
now, now she was poor, and she
would be ashamed to look into Paul's
face.
So 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 a familiar
note in his voice, but she never guess.
ed his identity then.
please show me e-s Cam
ton ware" hazarded Paula tea set.
I think"
She led the way to a table where
rich wares Of blue and Witty blue
were spread out.
Have you a Christmas?' burst out
Paul, without looking at the Canton
ware.
"A-a what she stammered.
~ Christmas. l want to buy a per
fectly happy Christmas"
She laughed softly. ooh. you mean
Il Christmas present."
NO: I mean a Christmas. a real
Christmas fer two people who have
been parted for many years." he said
in a low tone.
Then she looked up at him, and a
shocked look came into her Y and
her face seemed paler than before.
"Paul-Wakely..' she gasped.
"Linda!' he said, strongly resisting
Il desire to take her hands in his own
He knew that he should not be talking
to her then without making q pur-
chase, because a foorwalker was
watching them rather suspiciously.
please sell me something." he said
desperately.
What shall l sell your she asked,
looking I've the stock.
something for our home, Linda"
II cannot marry you, Paul.
$50 your love did not last?n he asked
coolly as he examined a Canton tea
pot.
ut did, but
Then why not?"
You don't understand, Paul. You
have not heard about our-Our''-
81 have been up to the house. have
seen Mrs. Smith. and she has told me
all. She even lent me tile brooch
you sent her SO l could race YOU. OF
course sou bought it here because you
were working here, so l am quite a
detective after ALL" he fattered him.
self.
Il cannot marry you, Paul. insisted
the girl. "Oh. here comes Mr.. Becbc.'
The floorwalker was drawing near.
II will take the entire set said Pan
coolly. Can you send it to me tonight
at the Clarion hotel? The price
please"'
Linda and the floorwalker watched
him with dazzling eyes as he brougl,
out the great roll Of bills and de.
pleted it by many crisp yellow backs
paid into Linda's trembling hand. The
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