Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1923-11-08
In the
MarmaIade
By JOHN PALMER
20. 1898. Western Newspaper Union.)

ii ~
IN girl In the grocers shop an
thought she was nice girl, but b
was timid young man. and had col
| fined their conversation for the mos
part to remarks about the weather
He did not notice her any more tina
usual when he bought the jar O
marmalade.
He took 1t home. He was "baching,
for In his five years of clerical lif,
he had grown to, hate the boarding
house only little less than the cheaI
restaurant. He cooked in the little
apartment he had furnished, and he
was desperately lonely. And she was
a nice girl-the girl in the grocer's
shop.
He had often wished he could get
up courage enough to ask her to come
out some evening.
Romance had always passed him
by, and he was Just the age that
Graves romance. II looked as though
he was never going to get any.
1t was Scotch marmalade. When
Ransom took off the cover, to his sur
prise, he saw written inside the name:
Bessie McClintock,
- Gates street,
aberdeen"
He looked hard at the writing.
What was it for? Who was Bessie
Was she the girl who
had packed It?
1t was quite bold thing almost a
forward thing TO have done. Because,
unless Ransom was very much mis-
taken, Bessie McClintock had written
Ter name and address there with the |
deliberate idea of entering into cor
dependence with the young man who
tie the marmalade.
For several moments Ransom faced
The temptation was moth
lg less than to write to Bessie Nc
'lintock in Aberdeen.
Everybody knows what happens
hen you are tempted. You Yield.
ansom made several good resolu-
ons, and then he took a pen and
aper and wrote to Bessie.
A lovers letter? No, indeed. A very
'rmal, slightly stilted, but quite
iendly letter. He told her he was !
nelly. He added that he wished she
ere living in Jonesville, so that he |
uld take her to the movies.
When he had posted it he sat back
bitter anguish. 1t was a most dis 1
editable thing and a very brazen :
ing for shy young man TO do. =
Besides, he knew very well that If n
ere was any girl whom he wanted TO
re to the movies" It was the pretty S,
In the grocers shop. And his con- IL
ence misgave him. He never dared OF
Ike any remark. even about the @
ather, to the girl in the grocer's te
ID after that, although once or ~ ~
&c she seemed inclined to break "
ice.
men happened the miracle. Three B.
eks to the dot after Ransom had
lied his letter he got an answer
n Bessie. She had emigrated to
United States. And she was living In
-Jonesville. At a certain address
Oh she gave him. Cold shivers ran In
md down his spine.
or she had appointed a certain 20
and had suggested that on that ~.
they should go to the movies" we
would be awfully glad to meet the
Pr,
lie added that she was lonely.
'nsom went into the grocer's shop sal
dayEbut he dared not raise his ln ne
to the girl there. All that dream la n
ended, that desperate dream of dat
day suddenly saying, 'T'm lone NOT
VIII you come to the movies with I
1872
went out Of the shop, conscious
the girl was looking at him 25-4
gely. X.
the appointed hour he called at n
ADDRESS given by Bessie McClin-
A girl opened the door. It was MOI
dark. He heard a voice saving.
am so glad to meet you, Mr. In
,m." T,
h-then happened the second Id
le- For this girl was-the girl Id
the grocer's shop, Elsi'
in dream Ransom was con %:
Of walking with her to the W. W.
es," Of sitting beside her. The on
'ul knowledge seemed to para CIR
9th of them. Trr
Is so strange, our meeting this of S;
faltered Ransom. sued
!, Isn't I'll" said Bessie. Tent
a month later Ronsonn 49,, of /,
ute boldly. ""' say Idah
you really love me, darling?" o WoI1
olutely," said Bessie. "Only- Car,
Ring, / must make a confession taine,
rote that address on the label closul
Mr.. Johnson's store and put 1. Be
aside for you. You see II Pearl
lonely" as p