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Show THE HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1922. SHORT STORIES OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE Mr. Fraser placed a Uttle rocking "And besides that," continued the little thinker, "it would be a heavy chair for Stanley, and seated himself blow to have to ask for any kind of in --bis office chair opposite. Yon see, Mr. Fraser, it's this way a Job when he baa been a driver tor 10 ? with Boas: he's been with your com": years,"' .Grandma was pany so long he wont understand "That's so, childbow to start in any other business. preoccupied with ber marmalade. And then It's not fair to turn a good between ."Grandma," Stanley pressed off for bis first offense." . tbe old lady and the stove and stood man -feel Well, I Stanley." Mr. Fraser ' began, with arms folded. "Grandma. like going over and consulting with looking tlndly on the cukrnt little chap, "you must admit It was a gross the chairman about this." would error, the worst accident we've had that "Very well dear, perhaps be better," and Grandma winked at on our cars In years.. The public won't for blunders like that" Billy, the cat wtio lay cozlly in his stand "Mr. Fraser, if yon worked hard tor the across can corner. go "I chimney street with you now, but some one 20 years, and never made one bad miswill have to see you safely home, for take till then, you wouldn't want to be turned down, would your I must attend to my cooking." "No, it Vould go hard. But what can Stanley put on his broad sailor bat we do? Ross is getting old and evihe hand, Grandma's and holding walked over to the beautiful home of dently rusting out" "IH tell you, Mr. Fraser, what to the chairman of the tram company. There was Just one way by which do," and Stanley folded his small, Ttu Stanley's confidence in himself could . boney hands enthusiastically! be shaken, and that was' by walking make Driver Ross over Into Conductor His legs Ross and let him go on "53" just the across the busy streetat the same.- . waited as he trembled badly The chairman of the tram company house door, but bis chin was firm and thought awhile and then said slowly high. "Mr. Fraser," be said when, the "I like your Idea, Stanley. I'll put it maid had brought him into that gen- before the company tonight" When "53" went again on the rails, tleman's office, "I have come to speak newly fitted and looking splendid, it with you about Driver Ross." "Yes, Stanley." said Mr. Fraser, "and was Conductor Ross who waved a joyI'm pleased to have you come. Now ous greeting to Stanley in his window nook. let's sit down and talk." in A Small Assistant Manager 8 Mt with his tbln Uttle STANLEY led up on the window nil not trill pressed shutters. half closed the green against against the bot sunlight He was watching a maimed electric car being aoross the repaired In the car-barn street Stanley's world was bounded by electrlo cars. For the last, fire of his eight years be bad studied them from the shutter chinks, had listened to their comings and goings, until be bad oome to know the difference In Bound between a car on wheels of cast. Iron and one on wheels of steel. And then car "78" became distinguishable from car "53" just by its own special clank and clatter; and he could name car "53" from car "618" in the same way, even when he stood away across the room, where Grandma Beverley's card table was surrounded by players, and where the lights were bright and the shutters closed tightly against the city night These were his pet cars, the ones which passed the window seat often-e- st Stanley was always unique. He was six years old before bis frail little frame decided It could move around an carry the weight of his well developed head. And even then there could such as bis little be no school-goin- g cousins enjoyed, for a dreaded fever might descend upon him. And there could be no romping with the little cousins for . they were strong and rough, and gave him terrible thumps and tumbles. So Stanley remained in bis window nook and studied the street cars. On cool Summer days, when the shutters were wide open, the chairman of the tram company, who lived in a beauti- -' sometimes ful house near the came over and spent a few minutes talking with Stanley, giving and receiving Information. And he it was who put upon the little chap the honorary title of "Assistant Manager of the Tram Company" a title by which Stanley loved to designate himself to any new visitors whom Grandma Beverley might entertain. The greatest day of all his life had been when the chief engineer took him car-bar- n, for a ride all around he city li the observation car. Stanley sat i" the front seat and conversed with the megaphone man and arrived home In such a state of excitement that Grandma Beverley rowed never agkin, until he became a grown man, should he ride on an electric car. His second great day was, when from the window seat be notice! car "53" being put on ths tracks for the evening run with the front light hanging crooked. And be had promptly taken down the receiver and informed the chief engineer of the error. For this act of first aid the chairman came over to Stanley's window and thanked him personally. And now bad come a day when Stanley in the window seat watched with unusual solicitude the maimed car which had been pulled into the carbarn. It was car "63," driven by Mr. Ross, his favorite driver, who so often waved to Stanley while passing his observation nook. An accident had happened to "53" and Driver Ross had been discharged from service. The news came to Stan By Monte Darrell Grandma Beverley: through Twenty years a faithful driver and now he's turned off to shift where he can In his old age," Grandma anley nounced. The accident happened away out of sight of the window nook. Of course, had it been near. Stanley m!ht have given advice and saved more from the ruins. He had noticed now beautifully "53" appeared that last morning on the rails when she came out of the barn, newly painted and newly fitted. How fine Driver Ross bad looked there by the wheel! But before noon the news came to Grandma Beverley that "53" was piled against a bouse with her machinery broken, A loose brick in tbe old street pavement had caused her to slide from, the rails so easily that the driver never noticed. And then a turn in the street came, and "53" did not respond to the brakes, but colled lgnomlniously into the wall of a house, much to the terror of passengers and residents, and most horrifying to Driv- er Ross. Stanley, who was an optimist as well as a reformer, began to weave a shimmering hope out of tbe general tangle. "63" could be put on the rails again as fine as new, but "twenty years a faithful driver turned off to shift where he can In his old age." What was the use of being Assistant Manager of the Tram Company and allowThe question ing such injustice? his mind was until forward pressed acute with solutions and the frail little legs nimble and active. "Grandma, what will become of Driver Ross (n bis old age?" Stanley stood before the old lady who was tending a kettle of steaming marmalade on the kitchen stove. "Dear me, hew ean I tell? Hell maybe have to go to another city and hunt a long time for even one day's work. The Tram Company won't take him on. No one will trust him without a recommendation. There's only for men that are old, tbe poor-houand down and out" "He cant go to any other place. Grannie, for his wife is sick all the time." "That's so, child." - se '"'. JOHN POWERS was a young lieved to be possessed of tbe necessary DR. physlcjan of an extremely qualifications, and it didn't take a w of . mind. great length of time for him to win practical While he graduated from medical col- her affection and promise of marriage. lege with many theories to be tried Mary Gardner was a most beautiful, out and tested, and possibly was attractive, vivacious1 young lady. She Avon's one and visionary in some of his professional was the daughter of ideas and hopes and dreams, he was only lawyer, had graduated from the was naturally extremely practical when It came to local high school, but home-lovin- g The docdomestic. and to the domestlo matters particularly when he atthis discovered tor early of wife. a choosing , a spell of The doctor deliberately resolved to tended her mother through of all the cookdid and Mary illness, be guided in his matrimonial venture a most and housework and proved ing entirely by practical considerations. And nurse. conscientious and efficient That is, he would choose a wife not at to dinner was invited he then later sentiaccording to the promptings of father and the Gardner home, Mary's real to the girl's ment but according that bis daughter and actual qualifications to fit Into his emphasized the fact chicken and noodles the had prepared" life as the wife of a young and strugand the light, fluffy biscuits. It was gling' physician. a wonderful meal, and If ever a womAnd among the particular qualificaan made the way to a man's stomach tions which he deemed to be absolutethe thorough fare to his heart, this ly necessary was the ability to cook was the case for Dr. Powers left the nutrlous and appetizing food. "Above Gardner home that night fully reall." said the doctor when he began solved to propose to Mary at his very his practice in the little town of Avon, ' first opportunity. "when I choose a wife she must be Mary accepted the doctor's proposal domestic. None of these modern girls for mo, more Interested In dancing not because it might be her "last and clothes than in a husband or a chance," or because of any practical considerations, but entirely for the home." reason that she had learnt '. t". love Dr. these principles Acting upon mid Powers soon met the girl whom he be the young hyiulai A-- -V The Doctors Choice cerely. Mary truly loved the doctor. The doctor, however, honestly believing that there was no such a thins) as love in the sentimental sense, chose to make Mary his wife solely because he believed her to be a most splendid girl possessed of all the practical qualifications necessary to a wife of a youn physician like himself. Preparations for the wedding rapidly progressed, and the event promised to be the one brilliant affair of tbe coming June. And then something happened something most unexpected. It was January, and a new domestlo science teacher came to the Avon She was . a dashing high school. brunette, Just out of the university. Imogene Locke was unquestionably a wonderfully attractive girt. She came to Avon with the best of., recommendations, and almost Immediately established a reputation as an excellent caterlst to the most fastidious tMias giving a demonstration tea to the public through her domestic science class. ' Dr. Powers soon heard of her extraordinary mastery of the art of and being of the practical cooking, turn of mind he was Immediately Interested. It was inevitable that he and Imogene Locke should meet And it was quite as inevitable that the girl would charm the man with her beauty, her vivacious ways, and her obvious knowledge of dietetics and the culinary art bewilThe doctor was completely dered. He was engaged to marry Mary Gardner, who was a practical type, girl, but of the while here was a girl, Imogene Locke, who possessed all of Mary's qualifiShe cations and a whole lot more. had made the domestic art a domestic jcience, and was an ideal help-mafor a young doctor. Then, in the face of the townspeople who knew that ha was engaged to te A Master Detective de- In a massive arm- chair In bis offloe. Wrinkles, the results of many years of oerebral contortlon, appeared upon his super- human forehead. "Tap, tap, tap." It came softly, almost timidly. Skull half rose from his chair; his eyes narrowed until they beeame tiny silts; he leaned tensely towards the source of the source of the sound, and listened. Tap, tap, tap." He nOddod with certainty as he murmured to himself: "Ah, someone must be tapping on the door." "You are Detective Skull?" queried a tremulous voice. "The Bame," verified that gentleman. so worried I'm "I about something," sobbed the ABARNUM ... SKULL, the great ... woman. "I . . . thought maybe you could help me." He placed a chair for her so that her face was in the light while he himself sat opposite her in the dark, which arrangement was according to article entitled, "Seating of Visitors," in the International Encyclopedia of Detecting. "I've come to see you about my husband," she said. We were the happiest nprnnns on earth until a month aeo. Since then, he seems to have fallen t enma .fnl tr.,hU TTa to be cheerful, he has a good appetite, but . . . She paused. "You may speak freely before me, madam," encouraged Skull. "Weil, almost every day John comes home looking as if he'd been in a his eyes fight his face all bruised, black, and his clothes bloody. I fear he has rude companions." .m. Priscilla Barranger walked up Pressed a doll to send to Pasadena. She looks like you." two ig Priscilla handled the newly dressed Southhad returned from a year-lon- g doll critically. She said, "Lucky little ern trip, she peered 'round a corner to girl who finds this in her Christmas see tho swinging sign of a tea room. stocking. What have you written It was there twelve months ago, in a there, Dell?" dim nook behind a young palm that She smiled indulgently as she read Priscilla had quarreled with Robert the card, quaintly penned. "This doll's Lang. Ard it had been such a foolish name is Priscilla. Her favorite color is pink, and she adores violets, loves quarrel! "I wonder where Robert is now," to dance and see people happy." Priscilla made a slight grimace. was rriscilla's wistful thought "Oh, I guess I won't go shopping after all. "Well, I'll see if I can find any more Ml go back home, but I'll see how my folks who want to be sure of their Christmas dolls. And tell Martha- I little' protegees are getting on." shall want her advice for my music She ascended the steps of an Dell." business house in a side room. Good-by- , It was early In December when street, and a young girl appeared propelling herself forward in a wheel- Priscilla made her way again to the chair. "Oh, Miss Barranger, how glad small workroom beyond the tapestry I am!" she cried. "Sister Martha Is curtain, where the occupant of the gave her a sparkling out now furnishing a bachelor apart- whoel-cha- lr ment And some of the people you glance of velcome. "Such a funny thing has happened!" gave our cards to last year have been to see us. I'm dressing dolls to send Bhe said, childishly. "I've got a mesaway for Christmas. Won't you come sage from Priscilla. From Pasadena, " But this Isn't Mrs. The cripple you know. into the wrlt'ns." wheeled her chair backward and held Privui.V ii4iit fcavc a quickened aid Uo Ustr oui'Uin. "I've Just ut street one Autumn AS Chest morn, days after she - wo'k-rooin?- l's i :'"''V. turn By Albert Fiske marry the daughter of Thomas Gard- ner, the enamored doctor pressed his suit for the hand of Imogene Locke, They were frequently seen together in the doctor's smart roaster, driving over the hills and even through the streets of Avon. It was apparent that the young domestic science teacher was quite as interested in the doctor a. be was in her, and everyone In Avon realized that the approaching wedding was actually farther off each day despite what the calenBar said about It Of course, Mary Gardner was not ig-norant of. the developments, but she carried herself as though she was un-disturbed, and evidently was playing the" game of "watchful waiting." Matters were becoming more and more serious, and had almost reached the breaking nolnt when Dr. Powers attended a meeting of the Board, of Education of which he was a member.Arriving late, Wesley Leggitt, the Avon dry goods merchant was talking "Ah, jump not ployed." "He's bookkeeper for the Dirge Cof- fln Company, at First and Last streets. He iOBSU't talk much about his WOrk, but I don't think he gets beat up there:" The detective took a small book from his vest pocket entitled, "How to Know When You Have Enough Evidence," consulted it and then said: "I have all the facta I need for the present" And taking out his , watch he remarked: "It is now 3 p. m. At the same time tomorrow the secret of your husband's 'conduct shall be bared." "Oh, thank you," murmured the young wife, "how can I ever repay you?" "Ten dollars now, and the other $40 tomorrow." The next morning the detective learned that the bookkeeper of the Dirge Coffin Company had been discharged for a month. The following day, at half past one in the afternoon, A. Barnuni Skull having just finished his luncheon of cornflakes, sat down to study the facts in the strange case of the bloody hus- band. Now, anything he disliked was to be disturbed In the midst of cne of n these studies. Nevertheless, it happened that someone knocked very loudly on his door. The detective was in none too genial a dark-brow- loudly ana emphatically. "I tell you gentlemen," he said, "I do not approve of a ly further appropriations for the domestic science department I shall veto tny resolution or motion to that effect" The doctor stepped into his seat al- most unnct!ced and ifctened intently. ou , re r,gm' Leltt' "poke up an" of the board, laughing. "These eating parties and midnight spreads with heavenly hash, angel's cake and devil's food, are enough to demoralize a'whole community. Why, already that young food specialist of ours has spent all of our approved a bill appropriation and has run-u- p at every store in town for eggs, cream, oysters, and lobsters ordered from the city market" "Y'er tellln' it, Jim," observed still another member, "and the doc here he oughter be able ter give a report as ter the increase of dyspepsy among other-memb- - tur er townspeople. ever oefoie. lie scared me when I saw him. I didn't know him. His head is all full of bumps, and there's blood all over his clothes. He could the prime characteristic of a man of hardly walk, and went to bed as soon his profession, and rushed out upon as he came in." his tormentor. He grasped the thin "Have no fear," comforted the detecyoung man by the lapels of his coat tive, "the mystery approaches solution. mood when he slid back his ten bolts, and shook him; he then beat him with I shall go with you and viBlt your husand you may imagine how he felt when the same thoroughness which he used band in the disguise of a doctor. Come. he was addressed by nothing more at- in solving mysteries, and threw him Away." tractive than a shallow-facyoung down the stairs. This done, he washed "It was five minutes to 3 when man who began to empty words from the blood from his knuckles, and was Skull entered the Egg house. The wife his mouth at an incredible rate. Skull then reay to piece together the led him to the bed on which her husdid not hear them all, but he detected threads of the thought-fabri- c which band lay. had the following: been so rudely torn. of contrast you know; and dress it like a little gentleman. I'll help you write a card. Mrs. Carmichael or her friend has a sprightly humor. We'll answer her In like spirit" Thus the small partner of bisque Priscilla, bore this account to Pasadena: "This is an old friend of Priscilla's. He was always a satisfactory dancing partner until, one day, he fell out of step; and Priscilla was left to (lance solo. This meeting-magive them both pleasure. His pedigree is that of a perfect little gentleman, and his name Is Robert" Priscilla was walking on Chestnut street again, late in the afternoon of the day before Christmas. The tall, uniformed officer In the renter of the street shot up a signaling hand and a . ' ei "Life of Napoleon best ever writtengolden opportunity once In every man's life cheap considering 5,000 pages limited offer never regret it $1 down hundreds sold Indorsed by professors." "No, I don't want any," protested Skull. The young man began anew: taxicab halted abruptly. Idly glancing into the near window, Priscilla found herself looking straight Into a familiar face familiar and yet strange, with sharp outlines and hollows and weary, deep-seyes. She stood staring as one who sees a vision; but, with a smile that transfigured his countenance, the man leaned forward. "I have just come from your home," he stated simply, without any formal greeting. "Will you step in?" Priscilla obeyed in a daze. A deep humility had fallen upon her; a sudden sympathy mado her gentle. "Have you been very ill, Robert?" she asked, tremulously. She back and dropped hands and muff limply in her tap. "It startled me to see you so close. Where have you come from. Tell me quickly were you iu TutiuUtmu, Robert?" et "I've sent for a doctor, dear," she said. "What the . . ." said the husband, leaving in mystery his true thoughts. As the disguised detective approached the man raised himself on his elbow. A. Barnum Skull looked at the remnants of a human being which he saw before him. One look was enough. she sobbed. He tore off his false beard, and ex"What!" exclaimed the detective, changed his derby for a tweed cap. tell you," the "happened again!" Then after a mo- "Madam," he said as he went out of firmly. ment's reflection, "What has happened the room, "I prescribe for your husupon which again?" band a change of employment Forty But the agent "John Just came, home worse than dollars, please." "Self-educatlo- a" "I don't want any, I detective repeated more A third volley ensued, Skull slammed the door. an hour he sat thinking. Then another disturbance. Skull a timid, feminine knock, towith the unmistakable sound of His sagacity told him that weeping. someone was In distress. It was Mrs. Egg. She was once more, or rather still, in tears. "Oh, Mr. Skull . . . It's happened again," For came heard gether The Doll's Dancing Partner beat at sight of the written slip. That odd, angular chlrography, with the heavy downward stroke, was startling-l- y familiar. She drew a long breath, and summoning her reserve forces of control, she read: "Priscilla arrived safe with a look in her eyes as if traveling might have She is dressed brought her wisdom. for the dance, as you say; but so charming a maid should not be alone. Where is her partner? I would suggest that you find a companion for Priscilla with an acceptable name and pedigree unless you think she prefers to dance solo." Priscilla read the note through twice, and then tossed her head airily. "Such nonsense!" she declared. "Of course, It's plainly another order. They want a doll a dancing partner, Pell! You shall select a dU dark, by way Doctor rowers struggiea to ms eeu ' "I I " "That's all right doc," Interrupted the last speaker, "Yer mean all right but she ain't the practical gal you air a'thinkln' she Is. Her dad, S111 Locke, the lumber king, jest 14 out her teachm' notlonB on u" ner country folks, and It might be all right if we jest had the bank account and tte cast iron stomachs. Money alnt nothin ter her, neither Is runnln' up bills, and I'm of the oplnon that she'd fit In better as head chef at the Hotel Castoff-Astorla- ." Dr. Powers had plenty of food for thought immediately following the board meeting. Facing the problem squarely, he called himself several kinds of a fool, and decided that be had better call on Mary Gardner and de- cently help her make plans for their coming wedding. And, too, as he made his way borne that night his heart spoke for the first time and told him that U Ud iove Mary Oaxdner, was not to be cr.v'nced. and pounds'! Skull's entire office, invigorously. cluding his disguise cabinet vibrated. He now lost that calmness which is By Claire Wesson at hasty conclusions, solution arrived at in less than 24 hours is seldom correct" Skull went to nls 5foot ghelf conBUted a vol- ume eMitied, "Questions to Ask Fe-male Clients." He came back in a few moments and said: "Tell me as accurately as possible where and how your husband is em- a .. By Parke Whitney N v Again that lightening smile. Priscilla shrank from the flash of it and a swift blush warmed her face. "Then it was you! That has been worrying me since well. I'm glad to have the question settled. And you were ill in danger all this time, and never let me know." Robert looked at her reflectively, his eyes apologetically responsive to her soft reproaches. "Like you, I wasn't quite sure. I'm all right now; only I think I'm hungry. Can't we have some tea, Priscilla?" Nodding gleefully, Priscilla gave an order. On the way, her companion told of his trip to the Pacific coast and his long Illness in the home of a cousin who had married and gone to Pasadena to live. "But you're Uure uowl" Tho hls- - per was frankly Jubilant "I'm so glad I We'll spend Christmas together," said the girl slipping a hand caressingly through hla arm. "Do you see where we're going, Robert?" The doorway of a tea room yawned before them. A moment later they were sitting back of a young palm treo, at the same table across which they hi ;d quarreled one year before. Wreaths and boughs of Christmas greens decorated the walls. Little red candles burned gaily on the tables. Robert looking across at Priscilla, thought he heard Joy bells ringing on every side. The girl's faco was radiant Their glance met locked, softened, remlnlscently. Their order glv en, the couple leaned nearer and talked softly across the table; and ths little palm tree shut them away from all the rest of the world. |