Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-02-09
The Man From
Latham's
BY CLARISSA MACkIE

she returned from WISH 10 OnlCdgo.
The very day you left, dear. White
holland for all the lower rooms. You
said the others could be turned and
used another year. | am expecting
them to be delivered any day now
Il hope they will send a man TO
! hang them" remarked Miss Ruth as
she walked complacently around the
| fine old house where they lived to-
gether. There was a strange look on
the elder Miss Oilers face, a mix
turs Of pride, contentment guilt
aud apprehension Occasionally she
brushed her snowy hair back with
thin, nervous hand,
ruth |" suddenly screamed Sally,
| pulling at her sisters left hand
"What Is the matterf' demanded
Ruth with n conscious smile.
"Where-did you get this ringT
asked Sally in mufiied tone.
Judge Bronson placed it there, my
dear said Ruth proudly, as they both
admired the splendid diamond cluster
ring.
and you are going 10 marry himf'
"Certainly-in the spring OF course
you viii live with us, Sally, dear
Perhaps" said Sally seriously, but
she kissed her sister and wished her
happiness with fervor prompted by
the deep love they bore for each other.
As Ruth went upstairs to put away
her things Sally sat in the parl0r win
| dow and looked out at the well-kept
grounds with the flower gardens
where they had worked together.
Judge Bronson had been an old sweet
heart Of Ruins, bat lovers quarrel
had separated them and he had mar
rled another girl and lost her. Lately
ne had renewed his courtship Of the
elder Miss Diller.
ut will be lonely hare," thought
up 10 prepare the evening meal Il
wonder II there will be any pleasant
surprises for me-"
The next morning Judge Bronson
came with his big automobile and car
ried Miss Ruth away for the day
Sally smilingly refused to 20 with
them. 81 am expecting the man from
Latham's," she explained
Sally was crying-a lonely little fig
ure In gray house frock, with a
mist of brown hair lightly busted with
white. Even Sally was losing her
youth! Then the doorbell rang
sharply
Sally opened the door to find that
the man from Latham's had at last
arrived He had covered delivery
ear in the driveway and was bringing
roll of window shades up to the
porch
Good morning One more package
OF shades he called as he returned
10 the car.
Sally left the door open and went
sun wns shining, plants were blooming
and whore goldfish and canaries lived
happily in the pleasant environment
A glance mt the mirror showed traces
of tears. she wiped them carefully
away and dabbed a BIT of powder on
her pretty nose
Here | am said the pleasant voice
OF the man from Lathnm's, "all ready
to begin work.
You might start in the front ROOM"
said Sally, coming out into the big
hall, where he waited, surrounded by
rolls OF snowy window shades Have
You a stepladdcr?'
Everything ready" said the man
hrlskly. with sharp side glance at
salty that made her uneasy. She won
dered If he knew she was alone and
she was glad that the silver was locked
up in the hidden cupboard.
She stood in the doorway and
watched him narrowly, and then with
growing interest He looked different
from any other workman she had ever
observed Ills clothes were handsome
and we'll cut like Judge Bronson's
He removed his coat and hung II over
a chair, revealing a spotesS white
negligee shirt, with handsome silk
scarf, and as he lifted his hand To
adjust the ladder she glimpscd a
platinum watch ON his wrist.
What manner of workman was thisG
lie worked faster ana more etli-
cieutIy than anyone she had ever seen
and soon an the lower shades were
hung and found TO ht perfectly and
To run mp aud down with remarkable
Smoothue~s.
Don't you ever do anything except
hang window shodeS?' she inquired
ms they returned to the parIor so that
ne could get his coat and hat.
ii wish had nothing else TO do"
hc laughed. and his laugh made her
sit ny. with a strained look on her
tcar.sniued face
Have YOU ever been here before
for Iutham'sT" she asked.
"No-not ror Latham's--for my
SELF"
"Noursclf2 who are your" There
was a sharp note in her voice almost
Of fear yet there was a sivery thread
~ hope IN H.
II am Latham's Bought cut the
big place several years ago, am the
big chief there but lately we've had
a strike among our workmen and