The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1918-08-08
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4 BY Il. w. THOMAS. -


VAhnAAAAhAAAW
AS the Empire State express rum
bled out of the Utica station a travel
ing man for the Buffalo Flat Ware
company lay back in his seat and o
dered If that train had ever carried
anyone so happy as himself. For the
twentieth time he took out the dainty
missive of Dora Hildebrand, unfolded
the heliotrope sheet, and read the de-
licious words: "Of course I love you,
you great goose. Why didn't you ask
me before I left Buffalo? I shall count
the minutes until the twenty-frst."
But the Flat Ware Man counted the
seconds as the glung-lung-a-lung of
car wheels told them off and brought
him nearer to Dora. Only a month
since she had gone home, but a busy
month for him, spent largely in schem-
ing to get the house to send him to
New York.
The train began to slow down. "A
guard called, "Albany!. Albany" Two
young men, n in a brown derby and
the other wearing a very light fedora,
entered and took places in the seat
ahead Of Wentworth.
snow, I'll show you that picture,
Charley" said the Fedora, as the train
rolled on again. He took out a pho
tograph and handed it to the other,
who held it before him in such a posi-
ton that the Flat Ware Man could not
miss seeing it.
"By Jove! A sumner" exclaimed
the Brown Derby. "What eyesl Say,
old man, you're in luck"
If the Flat Ware Man could not helm
seeing the picture at first, he could not
help bending forward now close to the
others backs and glazing at it between
their shoulders. Well, there was no
getting away from the horrid fact. The
face was that of Dora Hildebrqnd.
Yes, she's a mighty pretty girl,
Charley, and as clever and good as she
is pretty. And what's better than all,
she loves me. Think of it. Loves me,
a Hollow Ware drummer. Old man,
I'll bet I'm the happiest salesman, or
any other man, on this or any other
train"
The Flat Ware Man dived into his
pocket, brought out Dora's letter and
read it for the twenty-irst time.
II wonder if it is the family of Hill
debrands that my people know in New
York" said the Brown Derby. The
Flat Ware Man stopped arguing with
himself, and was oil attention for the
new evidence. II never knew the fam
lily myself, but I've heard my mother
and sisters speak of them. I think the
girls were quite chummy there once.
Seems to M they lived somewhere in
Central Park West"
"That settles it." The words burst
aloud from the Flat Ware Man, and
when the others looked around they
saw him regarding the bell rope and
humming in bad imitation Of a pre-
occupied a The. Brown Derby
winked at the Hollow Ware Man, and
the latter remarked:
"By the way, old chap, be ready any
time to help me out as best man. The
wedding may be very sudden. I have
the governors consent. Don't fail me
now"
When New York was reached, he fol-
lowed the Hollow Ware Man and the
Brown Derby out of the car and along
the platform of the Grand Central de-
pot into the shouting crowd Of cab
men outside. Bidding his friend good
by, the Hollow Ware Man said, eyes"
to one of the cabmen, and the Flat
Ware Man a SO close that he heard
him give the very number in Central
Park West that was the home of Dora.
In a moment he, too, was in a cab and
spinning uptown after the other, deter
mined to end tho terrible suspense be-
fore going to his hotel. Both cabs
reached the Hildebrand dwelling Mt
the same time, and the two fares sprang
up the steps together, the Hollow
Ware Man just enough ahead to ring
the bell. They bowed and stood wait
ing for the door to open.
"N1iss Hildebrand," said the Flat
Ware Man, handing a card to the cap
and aproned maid.
"N1iss Hildebrand," said the other,
presenting his card, and both were
shown into the drawing room.
In a minute there was a rustling of
skirts, and the Flat Ware Man saw the
; face of his dreams between the por-
there's and heard Its owner cry "Jack!"
= and throw herself into the arms of the
, Hollow Ware Man.
. For a moment his power Of speech
was gone, and not until the lovers had
discontinued themselves did he manage
to say:
swell, this is the coolest deal I ever
got. Heavens, Dora! Can't you see
I'm almost mad! What does it mean? %
"You are Mr. Sellers, I believer"