Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-05
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Sddie's Finnce's Family
Nv ELEANOR T. SPERRY


bali but to Sadie Conlklin, floating along
on the arm of her escort, that was n
matter of no moment at all--or almost
no moment. True, she had had to don
pumps which represented a months,
pinching economy, and the rubbers, trus
to their name, would not improve tho
shoes they protected. But at any rate,
here she was at the very doors OF the
brilliantly lighted music hall inside
ton she had ever attended.
Her eyes were starlike and her usu-
ally too-palo cheeks were flushed from
the excitement as Jim Hays, conductor
on the Allegheny avenue day run,
glanced down at her to see how she was
Going to strike the other boys. Some
little locker she wasl
lie pressed to his side the hand be-
meath his arm with Here we are,
grille Those lights make noise like a
good time to meV'
sadie, with a breathles you betr'
gave his arm an answering squeeze.
"And who Is this Jim Hays, and has
he a wife, and how many children has
he?" her father had asked Immediately
when she had told OF her Invitation to
the trolleymen's ball.
And Sadie, vino, In her happiness at
receiving attentions from n well-setup
Young fellow making a salary sufficient
for him to settle down whenever hs
wished, had never considered the poss-
bility Of bis being already married, had
aside, although her cheeks were color
less. "Oh, / know him well, daddy,
and he's straight as a string, And any
way, he'll be up here "Wednesday night
to. see me and let you give him the
once.over."
'.Hnpg Mr.. Conklin had greeted Jim
the following Wednesday. "Gladter.
nneetcha. Terrible weather, amt TT
These times 10 awful hard on the
married men, fuel and all, amt they?,
"You said I'll" returned the other with
"WRy, how do you known Mr.. Conk-
lin ayidly seized the opening. You amt
Jim srimmed cheerfully. "1 know. all
right" he returned. "Here. have a smoke.
got some things to talk over with Sadie
abount the big ball" So saying. quite
definitely he passed into the other room.
And now already tho trolleymen's ball
had passed into its intermisslon. On the
stairs sat Jim and Sadie, and, their ice
cream disposed Of. discussed the glories
Of the dance. Suddenly Jim casually
passed his arm about her waist. The
girl, remembering her fathers homely
admonition, There's bait too valunble
to waste on any fish whatsoever, Sadie"
moved restlessly, whereupon the arm
withdrew. .......
"'Smatterr" qucried Jim. Aren't you
interested to hear about me buying most
of Bill Pettigrew's furniture from his
widow today and agreeing to pay her
eight bucks week pretty near forevea
A wave Of happiness surged over
Sadie. 1t sounded as II he meant-and
yet he had not actually said anything
"0f course I'm interested, silly! she
Lots" acknowledged modest Jim.
"But now about that arm business" And
this time she let 1t stay.
The days following passed like a
beautiful dream. tingling with suspense
though they were, for still Jim did not
dips into fiction and frequent attendance
at the pictures had led her to believe
were the never-failing preliminary to
an engagement.
Then the unexpected happened. Sadie
had been adding up her book just before
8 o'clock one night when some one ap-
peared at her counter and she looked UP
to see surprised, Dalpably embarrassed
and evidently ill-pleased Jim before her.
Didn't know this was your counter"
he muttered. We'll. gimme three pair
black ribbed cotton women's stockings,
size nine: two pair babies cocks, size
two and a half, and say-wheres the
kids shoe department? I'll be back In a
sec"
When he returned, Sadie handed him
married man, after All And he had
kissed her She pressed her hand to her
lips. then drew 1t angrily away. Sud-
denly the unbidder tears rained down
upon the parcel she was holding out.
For heavens sake, girl! Whatever Is
the matter?" He leaned toward her over
the counter. Then a light broke upon
him. Say, I believe you thought I was
a married man! Well, in a way am.
Sisters Gown with the flu, and her huR.
band, too. I've been nurse, cook, and
general errand boy when Off work. Did
you really think I was no good?
"Not-not that, Jlm-but, we'll, you
know you never really said a word, Jim.
A. regular-regular proposal. and I was
afraid"
Jim was looking very sheepish. Jaw,
Sadie. IT'S Just, you know, that I'm no
hand at talking" He looked eagerly
around In the confusion of closing hour
they were as good as alone. "Every
time You let me so much as touch your
little finger tips. dear. was saying,
Tn going to marry her-I'm going to
marry herp"
Then. as the gong rang out it's signal.
Jim Strengthened, "Sadie, girl-thNt fur
niture, you know-I gotter move 1t nome |
Where's quick What say we go fiat hunt
Ing Saturday,"
And Sadie, radantly smiling. ZOO
happy to speak, Just nodded.
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