The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1919-08-28
THE CUPID CLOCK
BY AGNES @. eRooAN.

mated her from the moment that she
had first seen II In the jewelers. win
dow-a cleverly fashioned bit Of mech
anlsm, the face Of the Cupid whose
arm enclrcled II worthy the study Of
an artist.
Nan had many fancles about tie
little clock. She liked to picture II In
the center Of her plain mantelplece,
where the alarm clock now stood
The clock was expensive, Nan
thought when she stepped into the
small store to price II. An Interested
young man noted the wlstful note In
her voice MS she questioned him as 20
the possibility OF the clock being
promptly sold.
"You see" she added, 81 want to buy
II myself little later"
The young man understood the sig
nlficance OF "a little later"
1--WE issue charge accounts" he sug.
gestcd.
Nan blushed. "rd rather wait" she
answered frankly, until ! have the
cash price"
The man gazing unaware into Mans
clear eyes was pretty certain that the
clock would be In stock for some time.
"Thcy go to the bigger places as u
rule for that sort Of thing" he told
Nan.
She pointed out that no bigger place
could possibly Offer clock with that
particular Cupld's expression.
"IIe seems to he laughing right ut
one she said.
The young man had noted the chnl-
longing smile.
"The little fellow seems cocksure Of
himself" he said. and he also smiled
at Nan.
when she was gone he removed the
clock from the show window and
placed II IN deep drawer.
Nan. entering the store breathlessly
next evening wanted to know n II
had been sold.
The young man eagerly reassured
her.
III customers don't see lt," he OK.
plnlned, another clock will do as well.
I am keeping II for you"
Nan was grateful. her eyes iold him
80. And the proprietor OF the small
shop stood, after she had departed,
watching her trim figure out OF sight
down the street.
"Snw little clock In your window"
a collector OF curlos began. when the
young man brlskly interrupted.
"Sold." he said.
II was radiant Nan who came glow
Ing IN out of dismal shower 10 place
her complete savings ON the shop coun'
ter.
81 want my clock" she triumphantly
depanded.
The proprietor was as pleased over
the sale as herself.
"Y0u had better bring II In during
the next few days" he admonlshed
her. "to let me see how II Is running.
We like to keep them regulated at
first"
Nan obedlently brought the clock In.
II was keeping good time with Cupid
stlll silently jubilant
The young man himself was not so
Jubllant II would be an unreasonable
thing to ask his fair customer TO re-
turn again with so well.behayed
clock, also suggestion TO see her
again would be under the clrcum'
stances unwarrantable.
The wlstful note which had been IN
Mans voice us she asked the price OF
the clock was In the young mans us
he bade her goodby,
Fool" he told himself "Why didn't
you ofrer TO carry the thing home TO
herf'
Nan laughed at the Cupid on her no
longer unudorned mantel.
"You dear !" she said, "you make me
believe every time look at you that
something delightful Is going TO hap
pen. You're hypnotizlng me, SO that !
start out singing In my heart every
day"
but II Nan started out singing she
returned at evening wearily and with
an unaccOuntable disappointment
where the song had been.
She had not passed the shop once
though she had often wished to do So
Common sense asked her why she
should go out OF her way and TO what
purpose? And Nan could only bow to
common sense and take the short and
prudent way hOmeward.
On certain evening OF depression
Nan saw as she glanced at the clock
that It's hands were still at the hour
when she had left in the morning-the
hour also TO which the roguish Cupid
polnted-and the hands refused to be
moved.
Her depression vanished inexpll' |
cably as she wrapped the clock, paus-
ing 10 look appraisingiy In the mirros.
The jewelry shop was still open when
she reached II. the young proprietor |
gazed up at her entrance wlde-eyed.
He seemed to have difficulty In speak
ing.
IL was not expecting to see YOU"
he explained.
Silently Nan handed over the clock.
Then all at once, in fear Of losing her
a,,afn narhans mr. I'm aaSnarafa pOnfi-