The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-11-26
Natures
Benson
40
(Cepyright, 1919. by the Western News
- < paper Union.)
By, GEORGE ELMER COBB


Sne even started TO pursue the car,
but Marcus checked her vain endeav-
or. "Quick," he said-where will I
6nd you, If I recover the purse"
n work at 232 and my name is Mel
lie Powers" came rapidly from the ag-
itated lips, and Marcus dashed to the
curb and sprang into taxi.
II wish to, overtake that car ahead"
shot out Marcus, and within three
minutes the driver pulled up at a
street crossing half block ahead of
the car, said "Half a dollar" and a
moment later Marcus was aboard Of
the car that had led him his wild
chase. It held only one or two pas
sengers. Marcus traversed its length.
He scanned the window lodges but
they held no purse.
Looking for something" question
ed the conductor.
""Why, yes. A young lady passenger
You let of at Market street.
II remember her, pretty as a pic
ture. Sat In the fourth seat from the
front" ,.ranr
Eyes. she placed her purse on the
window ledge and forgot it."
A smile Of enlightenment crossed
the conductors good natured face. II
fancy the purse Is still aboard" he re-
marked. 1--WE had these cases be-
fore. You see, the window lets down
from the bottom and there is big
space at the sill to allow its manipu-
lation. Instead Of placing her purse
on the sill, the young lady probably
let 1t drop down the window Slide"
The conductor turned out true
prophet. The purse was recovered
at the cost of an hours time. Marcus
was gratified to appear at 232, which
proved to be a millinery store, and re-
ceive the thanks Of Miss Powers.
AL my weeks pay and as much
more that I have saved is in the
purse" she explained. II need it all
to pay the doctor bill Of my little
brother, who is just recovering from
a long siege OF Illness" and although
the conversation was brief it resulted
In Blake ascertaining that Miss Pow
ers and her brother were all alone in
the world, and their living address
in two rooms, the 5kind-hearted land
lady Of which, looked after little Les
ter, the sick boy.
Marcus lived In suburb. Spring
had Just started in, and anxious to see
Miss Powers again Blake cast about
him next morning for something that
would please her invalid brother. The
result was that he stopped on his way
to work, and delighted little Lester by
bringing him a baby rabbit. His re-
ward was the company of Miss Pow
ers all the way down town.
A new interest in life began to ma
terialize for both the devoted young
people. There was not day when
Blake did not carry into town some
reminder of the country-the early
wood violets, the first fruit blossoms
and the like. Little Lester had but
one ardent hope; to get out amid ma
ture, but the physician had told Nellie
that he must be near at hand where
he could come under medical care un-
til he was further convalescent.
One day Nellie introduced Blake to
an old gentleman who lived In the
building and who dropped in occa-
sionally to cheer'up little Lester. The
latter had quite a collection Of arti-
cles Blake had donated, and from Mr..
Rossiter, who was placing suburban
subdivision on the market, Marcus re-
ceived suggestion which he discus
sed with enthusiasm.
"You have given me quite an idea,
Mr.. Blake" he said, "you are quite
in touch with nature, In fact directly
in the midst, of it. My office fronts
street with many passersby and with
q window big enough to display min
iature farm. I'll make it well worth
YOUR while to fix up that window
daily with the developing beauties Of
nature on big SCALE just as you have
on q small one for Lester here"
Thenceforward every day Blake
brought in further reminders OF
the country. He kept pace with
vegetation and added to the window
display from time to time. and intro
duced so many novelties that the ad-
vertisement proved a profitable one
to the energetic land man. Finally
that show window had all the attri-
butes of a miniature rural spot, even
to a mimic waterfall, frogs, fishes.
birds, and at length Mr.. Rossiter en-
ployed Blake permanently at salary
nearly double the one he had been
earning. " f
1.-THE doctor says I am we'll enough
to 20 out in the country now" glee-
fully announced Lester one day.
"You shall do so soon," said Blake.
"There's q special room my mother
has fixed up for YOU"
"But what about Nellie7' inquired
the little fellow.
"Oh! she is to come also-to stay,
Lester" replied Blake, and Nellie
flushed with happiness as Marcus
glanced at her tenderly, for the eve
ming previous he had asked her to
share his pretty country home and his
loye, Ky...,Ss ~.