South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-17
Luck In A Picture Frame
By D. G. Roberts

Minna Hanway stood back of the
silverware counter in Strong's de-
partment store. II was $3.50 o'clock
and she sighed YEARLY as she pushed
a grayfng wisp Of hair of her fore
head. II is tiresOme standing from
nine till six when one is over so. The
day had been a slack one in the sill
verware, and as no more customers
were liable 10 come after this hour
Minna Hanway opened the show
case and arranged the picture
frames and trays in neat rows ready
for the morning.
Elsie and Margie, gossiping at the
other end OF the counter. looked up
and smiled, then went on with their
conversation. They didn't offer 10
help. They liked Minna Hanway
we'll enough and admired her as a
good saleswoman, but somehow they
never felt at ease with her. he gave
the impression that she preferred to
be alone with her own thoughts
rather than joining their chatter;
they used 10 say that she probably
had seen better days" This was
because she always wore at her
throat a very handsome cameo set
round with pearls, real ones. too"
said Margie.
I'm looking for something for a
wedding present, but I haven't an
idea what TO get" The deep. pleas
ant voice startled Minna Hanway;
there was something poignant and
familiar in its tone But the tall
young man before her was
stranger.
Something in picture frames. per-
haps?" she suggested. Now here is
IA very pretty one at $1,000, this one.
a little larger, is $12.75." And all the
while she was showing them she
studied him. The deep-set hazel
eyes and straight black brows she
knew well. and the rapid smile, but
the firm, straight mouth with its
white teeth and the decisive chin
were strange TO her.
You know" he was saying. II
hate getting wedding presents.
never know what people want. But
a man never ought 20 do things like
that anyway. it's woman's job"
IF I could help you?" Minna Han
way said, gently.
II say, would you" he exclaimed.
boyishly That's fine. Now which
of these do you really think a girl
would like? It's for my chum's
fiance, you see, and I want to please
her"
Then" said Minna Hanway. ju-
dicially, I would certainly take this
one. It is the new style of etching
that IS so popular now and is deli
cate and lovely for a young bride.
I'm sure she would just love it,
You really think so ?" he said.
"Well that settles il. think I'd take
your opinion on almost anything.
I'll just take it along with me please.
and here's the money"
As AIinna Hanway sent off the
frame 10 be wrapped she was con-
scious of a feeling of disappointment.
She had hoped that he would ask
to have il sent. and then she would
have found out his name and known
whether the pleasant deep voice that
had stirred her had any connection
with that other she had once known.
Meanwhile the young man was star
ing at her fixedly.
II can't help looking at you" he
said. apologetically, as his eyes met
hers. because you have the most
wonderful resemblance TO a picture
hanging over my desk at home of
some one who was very dear 10 me
Of my mother, in fact It's wonder
full. even to the cameo at your
throat. / never saw such a likeness
in my life"
Where is your mother?" asked
Minna Hanway in a low voice.
That's what I don't wnOw," said
the young man. For four years,
ever since father died, I've been
hunting all over this country and
Europe for her and I can't find
trace. but somehow I don't believe
she's dead. You see, when I was