The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1919-08-20
The Magnet
By R. RAY BAKER

wright. 1919. by the McCl
paper Syndicate.)

paper Syndicats.)
For three years Leah Wellington and
Grover Gary were true to each other,
which might be considered remark
able record.
BY this it is not meant that the pres
ent generation of men and women is
so ruled by fickleness that three years
Of being true is out of the ordinary, al
though you will find soured-On-the
world cynics who will assert that such
Is the case.
One of the extraordinary things
about the fealty of Leah and Grover
was that during the three-year period
in question they were in different cities
and yet did not exchange letter or
postcard. But the feature that really
justifies the use of the world remark
able" is the fact that the young lady
and young man concerned never had
formed an acquaintanceship-d not,
in fact. know each others names.
Leah was clerk in the magazine,
cigar, popcorn, candy, postcard counter
at the Union station in city of some
100000 souls in Illinois. Grover was
one of those hustling young men who
can convince you that not to take out
insurance on your life is rank treason
against the human race.
Grover arrived at the station one
evening, weary from a slow, humping
ride on local train that appeared to
scOrn the rails and insist on traversing
the ties between them. He had
crouch which he directed against the
railroad, the insurance business and
the world in general-until lie spied
Leah
Leah was not in a joyful mood. She
was obliged to work overtime because
the night clerk at the stand was sick
and she had to miss theater party
with four girl friends. She scowled as
she sold fat man package of gum.
but when she looked up from the cash
register and saw Grover wreaths of
smiles adorned her countenance.
There he is at last" breathed Leah
1.-THE handsome man I've dreamed about
so often. l always knew I'd meet him
some day."
"By George! That's the girl I've
been waiting all these years for
Grover told himself. Isn't she the
pretty thing?"
As matter of fact, neither of them
each possessed the normal amount of
attractiveness.
Grover at once approached the stand.
She smiled welcome at him, somewhat
timidly, for her experience with men
had been limited, as had his with girls.
He was far from being at ease, and
somehow he could not decide on what
to purchase from her. Naturally, when
stranger approaches place where
things are sold and stares at q clerk.
the clerk expects to sell something he
argued and still he could not think o.
thing he needed.
He looked over the magazines, finally
selecting one, but when he thrust a
hand into his pOcked he found that his
purse had vanished. She was rolling
up the magazine.
mo. don't want that after all he
faltered. Il have read it, come to think
of it,
She laC. it back. He ransacked his
brain for the name of some magazine
that he cid not see on the stand. 1t
was useless. The supply laid out be-
fore him apparently included every
publication in the world.
She was waiting and he was being
tossed helplessly on a stormy sea OF
distress. He tidgeted and perspired. Al
last, desperately, he blurted out:
1.-THE magazine l want is The Mag
net Have you the last issue?"
The smile left her face and disap
pointment crept into her eyes. She
wanted to please this stranger, to fur
nish him with the article he desired tC
purchase. She had failed.
mo, SIR" she answered, I'VE DOM
keep that magazine. In fact, l never
heard of it. and thought was an au
thcrity on periodicals."
He thanked her and trudged home
ward with curtain of gloom settled
over him. He had made a mess Of 1t
he ragged, and he went to sleep It
dream that he had met the girl thai
was meant for him, and that, just as hi
was about to lead her to the altar t.
make her his bride, witch descended
from the clouds and transformed hin
into donkey.
However, on thinking it over Grover
saw that his laundering had opened thu
gate of opportunity for further con
versations with the girl that fate ha(
selected to become his partner on thu
highway Of life. So at least three time.
a week he appeared at the station ant
asked If the magnet Magazine" ha(
appeared. Every time Leah was obliged
to confess that she had been unable t.
get track of it. If 1t had been possible
she would have obtained 1t for him. fo
she had made a search which included
all the agencies in town.
II Grover had used the same tactic!
in love that he used in selling insur
ance it would have been cOmparativel!
easy to win his hearts desire. Leal
was ready and waiting, for she was