, 1920-02-19

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finger.
Nov, I WONDER muttered Sam as,
after finishing his third ad, he took
the ring out and looked at it, II won
der will Mary ever wear this ring or
not?"
Sans excitement grew during that
night, and the morning of the day after
he had placed his final ad in
the outgoing mail tray his nerves
were ragged and he simply couldn't
sit still.
by all the rules Of advertising"
Sam told himself, chose ads ought
to do the trick. But will they? l
haven't heard a word from her. I
haven't seen a sign of her. Is that
a good or bad sign? What am 1 to
think about it?"
During the day Sam heard nothing
from Mary o caught n sight of
her. And as the day dragged to Its
dreary close his spirits sank. He felt
sure that directly after the receipt of
he third ad Mary would certainly
take pains to give him his answer as
soon as possible. But she wasn't do
ing so. There was absolutely no word
from her.
Sam dragged himself to his boarding
house after the days work with weary
steps. He was worn out. his nerves
were frazzled, he was greatly discour-
aged. He couldn't help feeling that
Mary was simply letting him down
easily, that her mind was made up to
refuse him, and that she was trying to
let him know that this was the case
before she should meet him and mere
ly nod at him, instead of smiling at
him.
The next day, the second after his
mailing of the final ad, Sam felt as
though the world had gone to pieces
about his shoulders as he slowly
walked to the office. 1t was all over
His dream had e%vaporated into thin
air. There vas little, very little, left
in life for him to live for.
1t was only desultory attempts at
working that Sam made during the
morning. He was too blue to do any
good work, anyhow, 81 shortly before
the noon hour he left his Office to
make c trip through the various de-
partments. He felt as though it
would take his mind off his trouble
to talk with other people.
Through h bargain basement and
silks and gloves on the first floor to
mems furnishings and cloaks and suits
on the second floor Sam made his
gloomy way. And then, in cloaks and
suits, he stopped suddenly. From the
other side of a rack of cloaks and suits
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the sound of voices. One of the voices
was that of the manager of the depart
ment, while the other voice was
Mary's.
Sam, after Il moment of hesitation,
Strengthened his shoulders. He might
as well get the cold nod from Mary
and get it over with now as later.
1t had to be don some time-nOw was
as good as any,. So Sam, looking very
dignified, but awkward, writhing with
despair, walked around the rack and
came face to face with Mary.
Mary didn't see him at first.
Good morning, Mary" he said, po-
litely, standing rigidly like a soldier at
salute.
Mary looked up surprised. Her big
blue ayes met his. And then-then
Sans heart leaped. His pulses tingled,
his brain whirled, Mary was actually
smiling at him-a lovely, unmistakable
smile.
"How are you. Sam? 2" she asked, and
smiled again.
"S-s-say, Mary" stammered Sam, as
soon as he was able to regain control
of himself, "step into my Office a min
ute, will you? It's right on this floor,
just a little way from here. I've got
something I want to show you"
"Why, yes" smiled Mary, 1--WE often
thought I'd like to look at your office
to see just what sort of a place 1t is
you work In"
Sam, hardly able to contain him
self, piloted her through the door, past
his secretary and into his private Of
fee. Then, after closing the door to
his secretary's room, he drew the en-
gagement ring from his pocket and
without a word placed 1t on Mary's
finger. Finally he caught Mary into
his arms and kissed her again and
again.
why, why" cried Mary at last, 81
ought to be provoked and angry and
all that-but I'm not! I'm glad, glad
I've cared for you so long. Sam, and 1
thought you'd never. never tell me
that you cared. too. I knew you cared,
but 1 thought you'd never tell me that
you did"
"Oh, sweetheart" cried Sam, I'm
so glad you smiled at me this morn
Ing"
He caught her in his arms again,
and as he did SO he glanced at the
outgoing mall tray on his desk. The
tray was full. Sam, gently releasing
Mary, hurriedly paved through the