Middletown transcript., 1921-10-03
, CUPID
By annette z. HILLS.

knowledge, she had never gaZeu De-
fore.
"Any mail for me today? he in
ouired. and now his lips smiled, too.
did you really expect any" 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, a fellow gets sort OF
homesick after he has been away from
home for weeks. Do you live In this
town."
eyes" she answered. II got kind
Of lonesome staying at home, so l
thought I'd try this Indicating the
ofice)."
.rhen you're not married?" and ne
laughed as If that were question ne
wanted to have settled. "And I'm
not, either" he added. DO you know,
this is the first time l could ever get
up my courage to speak to YOU"
The color came into Ruth's cheek
and she turned away.
"Don't go, please" he said. DO you
ever have any dances down hereT
"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
l, when don't even know your name
OF anything about your
"Why-" he begain, and then hesi-
tated. "Call up the salesman Tor
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 a hasty Goodbye
boarded it for the adjoining city
where his headquarters were.
Ruth sat Imply down in her chair
Surely here was an adventure-tne
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., ano
spied John, the son of the owner
deep in a newspaper. ION, John'
she called, "who was that salesman
who was just in here?"
"What's that" he asked, sleepily
salesman Oh, don't know. he mas
been coming here several weeks
l think. Why"
She went over and stood in front
Of the counter. "Now, John, never
asked any favor Of you before, but
| l wish you would do me just one, and
never tell"
Il might, If it wasn't too much
work." he guardedly replied.
mo work at ALL" she responded
hastily. "When you go to the cit!
next time, 90 to Hotel Clifford, anc
find out all about him. Remember
all about him-because I want to
know"
John grinned broadly, but wouldn1
promise, so she went back to work.
A week passed, and she knew JONI
had been to the city, but she woult
not say any more to him.
John, on his first visit to the city
after Ruth's talk with him, had strollet
into the office Of the Hotel Cliff
ford. where he was we'll acquainted
His visit was not very long, and whe1
he emerged onto the sidewalk, nj:
expression was one Of intense sur
prise. He decided that unless Rutl
questioned him, he would keep his owl
counsel, considering that by far tn
best course to pursue.
The days went by, and the weeks
also, but he came no more. One da!
John drifted into the postofice, ant
leaned against the stamp window.
Ruth" he said casually, that sales
man was all right"
"Was he?" she asked quietly.
"sure, I found out all about him."
Ruth made no reply, but went OF
stamping letters. you don't seem 81
interested as you did"
| She shrugged her shoulders, ant
kept her back to him.
"Oh well, II you don't want to know
YOU don't have to-" And John re
turned to his work.
After he was gone, Ruth sat dow
at her desk, and took out the lette
which had come two days before. 1
was mailed from Chicago. 1t read:
Dear Miss K:
"Owing to a hasty change Of plan
the firm called me home, and the maj
whose place I was taking. went bacl
to his old Job. I wanted 80 much t.
see you, but didn't have the nerve, o
the time, before returning. You di'
not answer my card, and DO 80 wan
you to answer this, that I shall hav'
to disclose my identity. Aut surel'
you were just little interested II
me. when I was just an unknown
salesman-I could stake my life OF
that.
II am the son Of Abbot, Of the firm
of Abbot Packing Co., and was jus
giving the regular salesman a much
needed vacation. On my numerou
trips to your town, have discovere'
a very good inn, and the thing I mos
want to do, at present. Is to take al
extended visit at that same inn. Thi
would make an ideal setting for mutua
acquaintance. Shall I come?
yours, from the first time say
you"
0iancing at the clock, she saw
was closing time. and hastily putin
on her coat and hat, she went dow
the street to the telegraph Office
The operator stared at her, as sh
took down the address and the mes
sage. which said simply, "Come. o. K.