The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-02-16
CUPID
sy ANNsrrE 9. HILLa

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
quired, and now his lips smiled, too.
did you really expect anyY' she
seriously answered. thinking he might
be like the rest, who came across from
the store to Jolly" her.
Il surely would like some" he re
piled. "Say, fellow gets sort of
homesick after he has been away from
home for weeks. DO you live in this
town.
"Yes,' she answered. Il got kind
Of lonesome staying at home, SO l
thought I'D try this Indicating the
office)."
Then you're not marriedf" and he
laughed as IL that were a 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 cheek.
and she turned away.
"Don't 20, please" he said DO you
ever have any dances down herer
"Why yes" she said slowly
Couldn't you let me know when
there is going to be one, and I'll
come down"
"Oh," she exclaimed. "How could
L 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-the
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., and
spied John, the son Of the owner.
deep in a newspaper. "Oh, John,"
she called, "who was that salesman
who was just in here?"
"what's thatr he asked, sleepily.
Salesman? Oh, don't know. He has
been coming here several weeks
| think. Whyf"
She went over and stood in front
of the counter. "Now. John. never
asked any favor of you before, but
| wish you would do me just one. and
never tell"
81 might, If it wasn't too much
work." he guardedly replied.
"No work at ALI" she responded,
hastily. "When you go to the city
next time. go TO Hotel Clifford, and
find out all about him. Remember
all about him-because l 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,
az .er Ruth's talk with him, had strolled
into the Office of the Hotel Cliff
ford, where he was we'll 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 him, he would keep his own
counsel, considering that by far the
best course to pursue.
The days went by, and the weeks
also. but he came no more. One day
John drifted into the postoffice, and
leaned against the stamp window.
Ruth" he said casually, that sales
man was all right"
"Was he?" she asked quietly.
''Sure, found out all about him."
Ruth made no reply, but went on
stamping letters. 'You don't seem SO
Interested as you did"
She shrugged her shoulders, and
kept her back to him.
"Oh well, If you don't want to know.
you don't have to-" And John re-
turned to his work.
After he was gone, Ruth sat down
at her desk, and 1ook out the letter
which had come two days before. 1t |
was mailed from Chicago. 1t read:
Dear Miss X:
"Owing to a hasty change of plans
the firm called me home, and the man
whose place ! was taking, went back
to his old job. | wanted so much to
see you, but didn't have the nerve. or
the time. before returning. You did
not answer my card, and do so want
you to answer this, that ! shall have
to disclose my identity. Nut surely
you were just little interested in
me, when / was just an unknown
could stake my life on
that.
II am the son Of Abbot. of the firm
Of Abbot Packing Co., and was just
giving the regular salesman a much
needed vacation. On my numerous
rims TO yOuY town. | have discovered