The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1918-12-13

Ia Irlenu OF ulScreuOn.
Hark Loud footsteps sounded on
the thing outside. Mr.. Moorson
jumped to his feet. Ma'amselle also,
and evidently at the young mans ur-
gent solicitation, she threw open the
mirrored door Of the most convenient
wardrobe and pushed him In.
"Ha!" Msieur noted that wardrobe
well-one, two, three. four, five-tivel
in the mahogany row. "Ah ha! !
will go down again to gallery number
one" he muttered, vague disappoint-
ment discernible In his tones. II did
not hear one leetle word"
The swing doors bumped, and
Msieur popped his head over the pol
ished rail of gallery number one just
as another young man, tall, bottle
shouldered blonde with vibrant voice
| full of round, benignant notes, clasped
ma'amselle's small white hand.
Marie" he cried-M'sieur could
hear every word-'T am so glad to see,
you; and you are alone? All, that is
fortunate. for have secret to tell
you tonight. Marie, II love you,
dear. No. no; do not forbid me.
must tell you"
"Sh--oh. Mr.. Corson." she STAN
mered. glancing swiftly upward, Il
I-please do not tell me any--any Sc
crets tonight, please-I-"
Marie, my Marie" he insisted, lay
ing large, bony hand on her small,
trembling one. zone kiss, dear just
one" he pleaded, his strong arm steal
ing around her slender waist.
"No. no, Mr.. Corson, mol"
Bang! The full-blown decorated
globe of an antiquated lamp splintered
on the gallery floor and glittered in
frosty powder on crimson mat.
"Who-who-was that?" demanded
Mr.. Corson, catching his breathe and
quickly withdrawing his arm. "What? ?
you father bu-breaking stock-I-I
thought that he was out!"
"Hush--hush y
Again footsteps sounded on the til
ing outside and Msieur began to de-
scend the spiral stairway behind.
Mr.. Corson jumped to his feet !:
"Hide me. Marie, hide me! Some
ones coming both ways. II would
rather not be SEEM"
"Quick, then, in here!" she breathed,
throwing open the door of fine ward
robe just opposite the fifth mahogany
piece. Click
"f1a!" M'sieur saw Mr.. Corson's
coattails disappear. Zone, two, three,
four" he counted carefully, and as
he passed up the aisle to. meet the
portly newcomer shaking hands with
Ma'amselle at the door, he turned two
keys, in the mahogany and mission
rows, and dropped them In his pocket.
"Ha, Mister Barron, good after.
noon, good afternoonl You are well,
yes? And Mrs. Barron? All, that Is
good! Something-er-this after.
noon, perhapsY
Mr.. Barron was M'sieur's best Gus.
toner. Purchasing agent for a much
larger furniture store, when his firm
ran out of any particular piece desired
at once, Bonhomme, If he could sup.
ply, always got the order.
"Ah, good afternoon, M'sieur, good
afternoon responded Mr.. Barron
loudly. Eyes, sir, / want two ward.
robes, in hurry. Send them out in
our wagon; It's at your door now. A
mahogany one for-er--take note OF
theml ReadyT He glanced at the
notebook in his hand-"Mr. james
MORRISON, 81 Cookson avenue. You
know the gentleman's SON, I think
I've seen him here
"Ha, hal" M'sieur chuckled.
Mr.. Barron looked curiously over
his spectacles. "Eh? end one for Mr.
Arthur Corson, Is Marion terrace
Perhaps you know young Corson, also
Fla, hal"
TIA, ha r. echoed M'sieur.
"And want both in model A, Bon.
hommie, remember. All, you have a
row of each, I see. Well, don't fail me-
Get 'em home at once. My men are al
your service. Good day, I'm Off. Busy
as bees down our way"
"Good day, sir, good day." smilingly
AVA oicuI OoWcu- HIS pdtrOu Out, anu
signalled the men to come in. They
were big strong fellows both of them
But when the wardrobes were loaded
and roped. they came back to the
store.
"Yes7" queried Bonhomme with
arching brows.
"A drink Of water, If you please
|. sirf"
Certainly" mumbled M'sieur, turn
Ing his face away. ooh, Marie, som
water SOM water, up front here! All
and the keys, forgot the keys" he
| muttered when the men followed
| ma'amselle away, land these men car
deliver them with the goods, yes.'
He hurried to his desk and drew on,
two business cards. with Bon
,omme's compliments" he wrote or
| zach. and placed them with the little
gilded keys in their respective en-
velopes.
One of the men tucked the packets
carefully away In his pockets. Eyes
SIR" he promised. "I'll see that the
| right parties gets 'em. You bet will