The Press., 1922-05-25
laas.,'
The Show Place of
 the Town By LAURA R. MONTGOMERY

you 65k me LO &uFAuCS you pa uhGH the bank is open again. l may look green, stranger, but that's going too far. Run along and try the next town"
 Why, man, used to live here. Any of ths old neigllbOrs will tell you I'm all-"
 Daisy had lifted her head as the well=known voice fell upon her ears. She sat mOtionless moment, then Jumped up and pushed the parlOr door open more widely. The innkeep- CT had turned to his register, refusing to give his attention to the we'll dressed young man, who was regard ing him with an Otsd mixture of anger and amusement.
 "George," Queried the Sirl, then stepped back shyly as she remembered the years Sf silence that lay between them.
 The man crossed the dingy floor in a few rapid strides. How are your hs said. \ have had streak of bad luck. and this hotel man seems to think I'm q dead beat. intended to patron ize his hotel fOr a few days"
 Come up to our house." urged Daisy, noting with pitIful eyes that. despite the zero weather, he wore no OvercOat. His suit was of excellent material and cut, as were his shoes, but he looked chilled and hungry. Stay a few days with us until you get rested up, mother will be delighted to see you again. Have you been abroad all this time?"
 The mans face held an odd ex- preston as he silently accompanied her up the snOW-packed path. High piles of snow on either side intensified the impression of bitter cold and the snow creaked and crunched as they hurried along. You are sure your mother won't think I'm intruding?" he asked as the coEy brown cottage with it's steep roof, snOw-covered, lOOmed before him.
 Of course not; it's too cold to talk here" returned Daisy, wondering how he stood the cold without an OVercoat or gloves. Come right into the sit ting room; we have a big fire there"
 Mrs. DOrrance welcomed him as placidly as though she had seen him yesterday. "Sit up near the fre,' she smiled, we've got an extra good din ner today. I'm glad l made deep apple pies. 1 remember how you used to like them" she turned the dRmpers in the big glowing stove so that wave of heat streamed out at the be numbed couple, and hustled off to the Kitchen.
 Daisy, now that they were alone, was seized with an agony of shyness. What would he think of her for in terfering and dragging him off to her home? She glanced up from under her red-brOwn flashes only to meet fully his gaze which did not waver.
 ''This is mighty pleasant, Daisy, al though my homecoming is 8 trifie diff ferent than I had planned 1t. On the train fell asleep and the man who had shared my seat got off at Dixon and stole my overcoat and my bill fold. The bank Is closed as it's hOl- iday, and tomorrow is Sunday. That is why"
 Don't worry" interrupted Daisy, wishing to save him humiliation. ''you can get work here and we'll love to have you make us a visit. Perhaps father will need someone in the store"
 But" broke in George hastily.
 sDid you see much f1ghting?" inter- rupted Daisy. Evidently George had failed to make good after he had been mustered out and she felt the age-old urge to comfort the man " hom she had dreamed of through the years of her girlhoOd.
 Again the queer expression fitted over his bronzed face, but a quick flashing smile replaced this so swiftly that she fancied she had imagined it. "'relI me, Daisy, did you wait for meT
 The wave of crimson was not due to the ruddy stove, although the for gotten Hampers were sending out showers of grateful warmth.
 George, studying her ingenious blush, felt a sudden warmth in his heart This homecoming, although marred at first by his encounter with the sneak thief, was better than he had pictured it when on the long jour ney. His eyes travelled from the slim. ringless left hand and fell upon. the Old-fashiOned mantelshelf with it's sea shells, and a glass cross of dim black velvet covered with climb ing wax flowers with fragile white petals. That cross had stood there since he had been a small chap, and the sight Of 1t in its accustomed place brought a storm of old. happy mem Ories back to the man who had seen some of the finest show places on Ihe continent. "There is no place like home" he said at last. bringing his chair across the ingrain carpet SD that he was near enough. to pick up the ringIess hand. twill you marry me right aRay?'
 The tall clock in the corner licked on busily and the girl radiantIy i'm agined that the heavy tones were laughing. During the years of almost hopeless waiting she had thought the ticks were solemn, had fancied Ihn' inc palid moOn-faced clock Starer down at her pityingIy. Now she knew that it had waited with her for lh joy that had come just as she had be come resigned to the loss of her old sweetheart. ''Yes," she said just as she heard her fathers step in the Kitchen.
 And so someone cleaned you out Y. on the train" cried genial Tom Dor rance. Never mind; | can give you a temporary place in the store until you get turned, around. Guess Daisy will make me- added the father, who had come ito certain conclusions as he regarded his girls flushed face and radiant eyes.
 George looked embarrassed. "I tried to explain, but she. shut me off every time" He glanced over at her quiz. ideally. T: have plenty of money. Il mailed some drafts to the bank from Liverpool, but the bank is closed to- day. You see, plan to buy a house