The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-12-13
Bonhornnle's
Compliments

1t was annoying In business hours,
very annoying, yes. Msieur Bonhomme
could stand 1t no longer.
True, he did not do much business
after five o'clock. But what had that
to do with It? These young men did
not mean business, no Their time
was their own. Bah, even Marie. his
own beautiful, peachbloom Marie, had
had enough. And enough is as good
as feast; her manner said so. Her
tongue? More things than tongues
can speak!
Msieu rose suddenly from his ink
splattered desk and paced slowly up
and down the dimly lighted aisle Of
his old furniture store.
eyes, 1t will end, now-tonight {" he
muttered. IL cannot stand it longer.
These young men, young fools, will
pack them home, where they belong.
My daughter is my daughter, not a
plaything Her time, my time, is valu-
able"
Before dust-coated mirror in tall
mahogany wardrobe he paused a mo-
ment. shaking his fist at the full-fea-
tured reflection with It's curling gray
hair and subdued fioridity of counte-
nance.
"And you, msieur. must pack them
home; you have been too long about
itr'
His big brown eyes blazed omi-
nously.
L1~k In n
clumsy tapestry frame screening the
little living rooms behind, and a girl,
tall and darkly handsome, little past
twenty, perhaps. with humorous and
clever expression, beamed on him out
Of liquid wells of blue. "Father," she
repeated, "Mr. MORRISON is coming.
He--he-I think he Is coming here
again"
''Thank you, Marie, thank YOU
stammered M'sieur, his broad, clean
shaven face pinking distinctly. "Er
and tiff am not seen. suppose
that will not be In the way. my
dearY'
"Oh, no, father. mol" she laughed,
'but make yourself heard up in the
gallery. Walk about a little. tumble
something. yes. Then I can say,
Hush, Mr.. MORRISON; someone Is TAX
ing stock up there Ha hal' She
laughed nervous little laugh.
y my dear" whispered her father I'M
Excessively, 'of course you know that
/ do not-er-desire to listen. The
sweet things these young men say are
not for ears like mine. All, 1 doubt
not that / have heard them once or
twice already, yes"
This time low, musical laugh rip
pied through the long oblong hall, and
echoed from the galleries above.
mon ami" she murmured archly,
"the sweet things these young men
say, now. are perhaps just little diff
ferent from the things young men
said-oh, some twenty years ago, when
the little mother heard you speak
them, heyf And so, perhaps you
might desire"
"My DEAR" Bonhomme interrupted
with smile. II hear footsteps
Never fear, 1 will walk about In the
gallery. or will cough maybe. But
,1tam busy this afternoon, and cannot
leave the store for. the convenience
Of these young--visitors, ahem! And
It Is possible that might hear some
leetle snatch--eh7 Take care, take
care, ma'amsellel"
Ting, ting.
"Ah. your visitor"
Ma'amselle hurried forward with a
laugh.
Click The big swing doors opened
Wide and a well-set-up, muscular
young man met her with smile that
only half explained the meaning of his
presence. "Your father Is out, I sup
poser he whispered, glancing up the
aisle.
1rsieur, fat and breathless had
taken advantage of the greetings to
tlptoe up the spiral stairway. "Huh
your father is outT he wheezed
wrathfully. Listen to faint heart
and" But he did not hear the fair
lady's reply.
Bah! At gallery No. he stopped
for q moment and viewed with regret
the many Undiscovered tables near the
door. If madame were only here
Hushl He could hear, but could not
see. his daughter and Mr.. MORRISON
now,
They had seated themselves on a
+ r0ee-co1ored divan on the aisle, behind
row Of wnrdrobes. The young. man
chose the spot with much persuasion
N'sieur heard him: "Huh. l will 60
higher up, young man, higher up
where can get blrd's-eye view," he
painted. Whewi Asthma and climb
Ine do not ngree, and gallery No.
was % high up. It contained the bed
ding, al the soft goods and Msieur
collapsed on a pile Of cushions.
Oh, ID, Ia he was too high up to
hear even q snatch Of conversation
bit he could see. And the young man
was bending 80 close to Ma'amselle
Eis speech, his actions, betrayed the
feverish anxiety Of his mind, and
Iro'amsello had turned her crimson
face away. Suddenly Mr.. MORRISON
oelked her hand. She drew It away
11~v, f1or Tho nuvcholocfc01 mo-