Deming graphic., 1920-02-17
Natures
Benson
O0
By GEORGE RLMER COBB

paper unienb
II was the merest accident that Mar
Gus Blake became acquainted with
Nellie Powers. she preceded him leav-
Ing street car and he followed her.
A startled cry from her lips cnused
him to notice the fairest face he had
ever gazed upon.
"Oh," she cried in vivid distress
'T left my purse on the window ledge
of my seat. and II held all have In
the world"
She even started to pursue the car.
but Marcus checked her vain endeav-
or. Quick" he scid--where will 1
find you. II I recover the purseT
'T work at 232 and my name is Mel
lie Powers" came rapidly from the az
ltated lips, and Marcus dashed to the
curb and sprang into a taxi.
II wish to overtake that car ahead"
shot out Marcus, and within three
minutes the driver pulled up at
street crossing half block ahead OF
the car, said "Half 4 dollar" and
moment later Marcus was aboard OF
the car that had led him his Wild
chase. 1t held only one or two pas
sengers. Marcus traversed Its length.
He scanned the window ledges but
they held no purse.
Looking for somethlngr question
ed the conductor
"why, yes. A young lady passenger
you let of at Market street.
II remember her, pretty as pic
ture. Sat In the fourth seat from the
front"
"Yes. she placed her purse on the
window ledge and forgot It."
A smile Of enlightenment crossed
the conductors good natured face. u
fancy the purse is still aboard" he re-
marked. "rve had these cases be-
fore. You see, the window lets down
from the bottom and there Is a big
space at the sill to allow Its manipu-
lation. Instead OF placing her purse
on the sill, the young lady probably
let It drop down the window slide"
The conductor turned out true
prophet. The purse was recovered
Mt the cost OF an hours time. Marcus
was gratiHed to appear at 2S2, which
proved to be a millinery store, and re-
ceive the thanks Of Miss Powers.
"All my weeks pay and as much
more that l have saved Is In the
purse" she explained. II need 1t all
to pay the doctor bill Of my little
brother, who is just recovering from
long siege Of Illness" and although
the conversation was brief 1t resulted
In Blake ascertalning that Miss Pow
ers and her brother were all alone In
the world, and their living address
in two rooms, the kind-hearted land
lady of which, looked after little Les
ter, the sick boy.
Marcus lived In a suburb. Spring
had lust started in, and anxious to see
Miss Powers again Blake cast about
him next morning for something that
would please her invalid brother. The
result was that he stopped on his way
to work, and delighted little Lester by
bringing him baby rabbit. HIS re-
ward was the company of Miss Pow
ers all the way down town.
A new interest in life began to ma
terIallze for both the devoted younl
people. There was not a day wher
Blake did not carry into town some
reminder OF the country-the earl!
wood yiolets, the first fruit blossoms
md the like. Little Lester had bu
one ardent hope; to get out amid ma
ture, but the physician had told NELLIE
that he must be near at hand wher'
Le could come under medical care un
IN he was further convalescent.
One day Nellie introduced Blake L
an old gentleman who lived In TN
building and who dropped In occa
slonally to cheer up little Lester. IN
latter had quite a collection OF artl
cles Blake had donated, and from MI
Rosslter, who was placing a suburban
subdivision on the market, Marcus re
celyed a suggestion which he discus
sed with enthusiasm.
! "You have given me quite an idea
Mr.. Blake" he said, you are quit
in touch with nature, In fact direct
in the midst Of II. My office fronts
street with many passersby and Wit
a window big enough to display mlr
lature farm. I'll make 1t well wort
vour while to nx up that windo'
daily with the developing beauties Q
nature on a big scale, just as you hav
ON a small one for Lester here"
| Thenceforward every day Blak
brought In further reminders
the country. He kept pace wit
vegetation and added to the windo'
display from time to time. and intr'
| duced so many novelties that the az
| yertisement proved a profitable on
10 the energetic land man. Final
that show window had all the attr
] butes of a miniature rural spot, eve
] 10 a mimic waterfall, frogs, hshe
birds and at length Mr.. Rossiter en-
: ployed Blake permanently at a salai
\ nearly double the one he had bee
earning.
| "The doctor says l am well enouG
| - .,,a tn tha country now" gle