Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-04-01

ter to five, the squirrel coat aud
a diamond engagement ring At lunch j. WIZ
kie Smith large and opulent. At dinner,
young with red hair and snanoy cio'iI7s'
who looked like a Burne-JoneS knight
Another day. and Alice and Leslie were pend
ing down to the lower stock shelves, sorting
stock. with their backs to the counter, wneh
Alice nutIged Leslie They're right In back
of u.s." she whispered
Leslie looked around, cautiously. and saw
J. Wiikie Smith and the girl IN the squnEel
coat
81 can't lunch with you today honey" he
was saving There's SO many things to do
We'll take the 1880 train tomorrow. It's
special trairAjust catches the boat, so don't
be late" 't 49,
What time?" the girl whispered.
Twelve thirty Well meet at II, as usual"
"Here?"
"why notp It's only five minutes to the
station -
"Al right" -
"On second Thought" said j. wilkie. why
not meet at the station? After all The
voices faded away as the man and the sHl
moved off.
The whole counter knew what the girl In
the squirrel coat had been doing. Even ii
Leslie's curiosity had not commanded her 70
pass by the station, during her lunch time.
Alice and the others would have insisted Sne
was only off from IL to half-past. -
At 1905 she walked through the waiting
room. There was J. Wilkie, as large as life.
surrounded by porters and expensive luggage.
He didn't see her, of course, and If he had
it would have made no difference to MIN.
So many girls had said No to ]. Wilkie that
it was easy to forget one Of them.
There was sign Of the girl as yet, and
Leslie went into the lunch room and ate
sandwich. The clock pointed to 1910. when
she walked once more past the spot where
J. Wilkie Smith was waiting.
Without waiting till her lunch time was
over she went back to the store and reported
to Alice.
We'll, for Pete's sake!" Alice dragged her
to the other end Of the counter. Look over
there, beyond the knight, by the gloves"
L squirrel coat. She wore tweed travelling
suit under her fur. and a smart little suitcase
was at her feet She was looking at the big
clock, which said 1920.
Il beg your pardon" she said. but have
you seen anything Of tall gentleman with
a gray mustache? I was supposed to meet
him here. but was a little late, and I'm afraid
I've missed him."
IF were you," said Leslie, I'D wait right
here
She waited until 1 O'Clock and then they
saw her take her suitcase and 90.
At 4:30 the girl was back again. without the
travelling suit, without the suitcase. without
the bracelet
Can you tie that?" Alice observed, when
the young man came in While they watched
the girl threw herself into his arms and kissed
him. Il never saw them do that before"
"It's sort of NICE Leslie decided. a
When Steve from the sporting goods, met
her outside that evening. she looked at him
with eyes that were bright and liquid that
he began to think seriously of a diamond ring
he had seen In a window. u
A LII the girls who get married come back.
afterward. to see the girls who stay In
the store.
You look fine" Alice said to Leslie. "You
don't look married"
Il miss the old counter"
Il wouldn't. if could get hold of q man."
Alice returned. pretty soft" They we're both
lying and both telling the truth. There was .
little envy on both sides.
Look. Les Alice said suddenly. Across
the court. See them2 She's still wearing that
old fur coat. It must be six years old now.
who's the man with her?"
that's Redhead Don't you remember"
Leslie looked puzzled.
90 Don't you know, you always said be Locked
Like the knight?: ist.,,.. 81, .....:5..,s,er, mi
did II"