Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1921-10-29
CUPID
BY ANNETTE e. HILLS.

Copyright, 1891. Western Newspaper Union
She laid down her embroidery as q
head appeared above the slide at the
postoffice window. Crossing the inter-
vening space between her chair and the
window. she encountered a pair OF
smiling eyes, into which, to her
knowledge, she had never gazed be-
fore.
ANY mail for me today?" he In
ouired, and now his lips smiled. too.
ibid you really expect anyY she
seriously answered, thinking he might
be like the rest, who came across from
the store to Jolly" her.
II surely would like some." he re-
| Piled "Say, fellow gets sort OF
| homesick after he has neen away from
home for weeks. Do you live ln this
town."
Yes" she answered. Il got kind
of lonesome staying at home, 80
thought I'd try this Indicating the
| office)."
.-lhen you're not married2' and he
laughed as If that were question he
wanted to have settled. And I'm
not, either" he added. do you know,
this is the first time could ever get
up my courage to speak to you."
The color came into Ruth's check,
and she turned away.
Don't go, please" he said. do you
ever have any dances down hereY'
"Why yes," she said slowly
Couldn't you let me know when
there Is going to be one, and III
come down."
"Oh," she exclaimed. How could
|, when | don't even know your name.
or anything about your"
"Why--" he begain, and then hesi-
tated. Call up the salesman for
the Abbot Packing company at Hotel
Clifford. I'll surely be there" Glanc-
ing out Of the window, he saw the car
coming, and with hasty Goodbye
boarded 1t for the adjoining city,
where his headquarters were.
Ruth sat Imply down In her chair
| Surely here was an adventure-ths
| first real one she had met with since
working in the office.
She glanced across the store (the
| post office was in the corner OF the
largest grocery store In town., ana
spied John, the son Of the owner,
| deep in newspaper. "Oh, John"
she called, 'who was that salesman
who was just in here?"
whats that?' he asked, sleepiiy.
salesman? Oh, don't know. he mas
| been coming here several weeks
think. Why?'
She went over and stood in front
OF the counter. "Now. John, l never
asked any favor of you before, but
| | wish you would do me just one. ana
never tell.'
II might, If 1t wasn't too much
work." he guardedly replied.
mo work at ALL" she responded,
| hastily. "When you 60 to the city
next time, go to Hotel Clifford, and
| find out all about him. Remember
| all about him--because / want to
| know"
John grinned broadly, but wouldn't
promise, so she went back to work.
A week passed, and she knew John
had been to the city, but she would
not say any more to him.
John, on his first visit to the city,
after Ruth's talk with him, had strolled
| into the office of the Hotel Chr
! ford. where he was well acquainted.
| His visit was not very long, and when
| he emerged onto the sidewalk. his
expression was one of intense sur
| prise. He decided that unless Ruth
questioned Fin, he would keep his own
/ counsel, considering that by far the
best course to pursue.
The days vent by, and the weeks
| also, but he came no more one day
John drifted into the postofiice, ana
leaned against the stamp window
Ruth" he said casually, "that sales
man was all right"
s.Was he?" she asked quietly.
"Sure, found out all about him"
Ruth made no reply, but went on
stamping letters. "You don't seem 80
interested as you did,"
She shrugged her shoulders, and
kept her back to him.
"Oh well, IL you don't want to know,
Won don't have to-" And John re-
turned to his work.
After he was gone, Ruth. sal GOWN
AT her desk, and took out the letter
which had come two days before. 1t
was mailed from Chicago. 1t read:
Dear Miss X:
Sowing to a hasty change Of plans
the firm called me home, and the man
| whose place | was taking. went back
to his old job l wanted so much TO
see YOU, BIT. didn't have the nerve, or
the time, before returning. You dio
moi answer my card, and do SO want
you to answer this, that shall nave
TO disclose my identity. hut surely
Won were Just little interested 10
me. when | was just an unknown
salesman-I could stake my life on
that.
~ am the son of Abbot, of the firm
of Abbot Packing Co., and was just
giving the regular salesman much-
needed vacation. On my numerous
| IA .ad