The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-06-10

u the parlor Of a stuffy, four-room
-. Miss Josephine Barton looked
- the newspaper attentively, her
...s coming to a pause halfway down
he column.
Apartments New, up-to-date, all
..oderp conveniences, moderate rent"
~ murmured. Expressly designed
spr people of refined tastes and limited
.eans. References required IL am
..ne to look at Them" she finished
9TH sudden decision. ut sounds as II
kK would be just the place for auntie
md me-"
On Thirty-eighth street, west. In a
s.econd- Aoor-front" Of shabby,
nminently respectable boarding house,
Major Hilton smoothed across his
knees a copy Of the same paper, and
3rsad the same advertisement.
"By George. I'll do It'll" he exlaimed
aloud. "And II they're what they pre-
tand to be, I'll send for the little moth
- and-begin to livel"
Ten days later, before the door Of a
mall apartment house far uptown
food two furniture vans-a red and a
yellow one.
Above the sidewalk. in the twin bay
windows Of the second floor, Miss Jo-
sephine Barton and Major Hilton
looked out upon q world In which
nothing was familiar save their re-
spective goods being unloaded below.
"Mm-m-sOmeone has taken that
other suite so soon," unused the lady;
| snow there are no more to let. Wasn't
] fortunate"
by George!" grumbled the major in
the other window, cycling his neigh
boris goods. "S'pose those belong to
the lucky dog who took that south
suite-and only two hours ahead of
me, according to the janitor. Well, IL
| can't have that I'm mighty glad to
ret this" he added, as he turned away
from the window.
Down on the sidewalk an oak cos
tuner and a lady's standing wOrkbas-
ket stood side by side. A minute after
they were flanked by two suitcases,
twins In color, shape and size. Two
minutes later a man from the red van
swung the costumer across mis- shout
der and caught up one Of the suit
cases. As had been his custom through
out the afternoon he directed his steps
toward number three. the south suite.
Thus 1t happened that at six o'clock
that night, after the men had gone,
Miss Barton confronted, In the middle
Of her bedroom floor. an unfamiliar.
unlovely thing Of oak and prongs.
"Ohw she exclaimed, dropping Imply
back into the nearest chair. "Why.
that isn't minel'
Across the hall. the major In his bay
window. was cutting the cords around
a paper-covered object that stood per-
haps two feet tall before him.
why, what don't remember-this
can't-well, by Jove!" he finished. as
the wrapping fell away and disclosed
I lady's workbasket, dainty In white
enamel and gold. "Well, by Jove!"
In the south suite Miss Barton rose
to her feet.
#, 1T must belong In number four, "
She murmured, circling around the
costumer as IL looking for an ad-
vantage0us point o. view. what an
ugly thing !-still. I fancy It Is con-
venient. IL ought to take it home.
suppose" she added. looking furtive-
~ at the door.
.Humphv" calculated the major
across the hall. his eyes on the basket.
Rather neat-thatl Mm-m; looks
honey, and as II buttons were sewed
on. Belongs to that lucky beggar In
the south suite. l suppose. Seems to
me he's got-well. when little mother
comes, I'll look honey. and my buttons
will be sewed.
And he caught up the basket and
started for the hall door. The next
moment he came face to face with his
own image In the mirror Of the hat
rack.
"Great Scott |" he cried. dropping
the basket. where's that suitcase!
can't 90 looking this way!"
"I'll just change my stock" decided
Miss Barton In suite three, az she
picked up a tan leather suitcase and
snapped the spring.
"Oh" she gasped. "Oh-oh-h!"
by Jove!" exploded the major
across the hall. swell. by Jove!"
Before Miss Barton's Mortified eyes
lay mans vest, two neckties, nest
of collars, and an immaculate. glisten-
Ing shirt.front; before the majors lay
dun Of lace and linen. glimpse OF
pink and pale blue. and on top. as II
hastily thrust there, pair Of black
Kid slippers.
"Oh!" suffered Miss Barton, and
closed the bag with snap. Not 20
the major. For z moment he gazed
10 blank stupefaction: then he slowly
rsached out his hand, picked up one
Of the slippers, laid It across his palm,
and raised his hand to the level Of his
eyes.
Hmm; and that's neat, too" he
aid softly; then a whimsical twinkle
came into his eyes. "Not even the
little mother will bring-like that" he
whispered.
The distant click Of q door brought
me major suddenly to himself. ana
Y oent crimson food to neck and brow.
IN marvelOusly short time he had
hung wide his door and was striding
INTO the hall, lady's workbasket and
hn suitcase clutched in his hands.
The major and Miss Barton met exact