The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1920-04-01
BROWN BUTTONS
BY MILDRED WHITE.

Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper union)
Rhoda sat listening as Mrs. Hanil-
ton talked, and rebellion arose within
her. Was IL for this. the visit had
been urged upon her? That she might
be led into IA marriage with the ex-
acting son Of her mothers dearest
friend. John Hamilton's virtues had
been sung into Rhoda's ears as long
as she could remember: John Hamil-
ton, the spoiled and adored OF his
had anticipated long this stay In the
city. She had thought then only OF
the companiOnship Of her mothers
girlhoOd friend. and Of the joyful
glimpses into big world. which she
might give her. Then, Aunt Gym.
thia." as the girl had been taught to
call her hostess-spoled ii all.
Il am going 10 be perfectly frank.
Rhoda," she said. ITO have my friends
daughter for my own daughter-in-law,
is the secret wish OF my heart.
Cynthia Hamilton regarded hei
guest perpleNedly.
1T cannot be possible" Mrs. Ham
iltOn was asking, that you are al
ready promised to another. Rhoda?
But" she quickly added, your moth
er would have told me OF your en-
gagement."
''Not exactly engaged Aunt Gym
thia," she calmly replied, "but there is
man whom | intend TO maTy-the
man who has my heart" Which will
he true. Rhoda told her conscience.
when the time comes.
"YOur mother made no reference TO
possible admlrer," Aunt Cynthia
said sharply.
II don't think" Rhoda replied, that
mother knows him
Not" Aunt Cynthia reproached--"a
clandestine affair."" Rhoda shook her
head.
''He doesn't live in our town." she
explained confusedly. Mrs. Hamilton
sighed i'm relief and smiled.
1--WE all have those fancies, my
dear" she said induigently. when
I see this lover | will consider you
seriously. For the present let us drop
the subject. I have an errand for you
TO do. Would you mind going down
town? You can ride directly to the
store door. | have some buttons to
be matched. brown buttons, for my
new suit. The tailor must have them
tonight.
Rhoda seized upon this escape, but
when she stood in the aisle OF the
great department store sample but
ton in the palm of her gloved hand.
Rhoda's cheeks were still flushed from
her encounter and two dimpes
popped out in her cheeks.
"Rhoda Blair" she said mentally,
"that was an awful position to put
yourself into. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
not a man on your horizon"
Just then Rhoda, dimples and all,
bumped into man who sent the
brown button rolling down the floor
The young man nimbly pursuing the
button brought it back with bow
to it's owner. And Rhoda perceiving
him to be hatless, took the nice young
man to be 81 floor usher and asked
to be directed to the button depart.
ment." With a stare and n quick. pleas
ing smile, the young man offered to
escort her there and with a protect
ing arm against the shopping throng
led the way TO an elevator. AS a
store usher, however. he was strange
ly remiss, for as the two issued
through a labyrinth of ways, no but
ton department was in evidence. 1t
was necessary for the obliging young
man again to seek the elevator and a
search of the floors below. His gaze
as he did so. was admiringly, though
politely bent upon Rhoda's pretty
face. And when at last the button de-
partment was found the particularly
desired button. was not among its
number; the nice young man promptly
offered to have 1t hunted out in stock,
and delivered surely, that evening. 1t
was with evident regret that he bowed
his fair customer through the door
way, while Rhoda riding back to Aunt
Cynthia's, experienced a pleasing
sense of coming adventure. The ad-
venture arrived that evening. An ex-
ceedingly nice looking young man.
ushered by the maid into the presence
OF John Hamilton and his mother.
asked. flushing boyishly, to see Miss
Blair" While Rhoda, entering ut
that moment, was in time for Mrs.
Hamilton's reproachful remark. you
did not tell me-" she said. that the
friend of whom you spoke lived in our
city"
Impulsively. though perplexedly. the
friend himself. saved Rhoda reply.
81 am Jack Warren of Warren &
Sons department store" he said per
NIT me to introduce myself"
John Hamilton arising. bowed testify
and left the room. while his mother
with an aStonished murmured re-
Spouse quickly followed.
II came" the nice man told Rhoda,