Show MR TAYLOR EXPLAINS ISM by LOUISE olivier OLIVI OLIVER iR the jewelry department of the tig big store was just inside ono of the maw main entrances this kingdom was vats bided vided into special realms and over I 1 each principality reigned a princess in black dress white collar and cuffs never was royalty more becomingly adorned for max bluming Bluml ng floor mani man i agor ager knew what lie he was doing when lie he picked tho the prettiest girls in t the ho store for this point of vantage may marshall a tall blonde hadt had charge of the jet goods then and here the manager h had ad undeniably shown his ability as an artist therein was the cc unter counter for displaying jewels for 25 cent bead strings to two carat first water diamonds anil and right behind the racks of pearls and trays of rhinestones stood mary webster asi as wholesome sweet and fresh as a may alay morning mary alary was well she was just mary you looked at her and loved her good morning miss Web webster sterl somehow lie he had bad learned her riama narno although mary had no idea of bis big she nodded brightly however the man passed up tho the aisle aisla and disappeared evidently he had something to do with the store but he ha was waa not a salesman for his hours were different from tb the e others mary still smiling was suddenly unpleasantly aware that mr bluming was at the end of the aisle and that he was watching her it seems to me she said indignantly that I 1 cant breathe any more without that man seeing it lies hes always looking at me she shivered involuntarily one thing sure it if he stays around here talking like be did yesterday and inviting me to dinner I 1 am going to ask to bo be changed upstairs very good looking that young man was and he has nice eyes and teeth she smiled at the memory but was suddenly sobered by the appearance of the floor door manager just across the counter good morning miss mary alary did your mirror tell you how bow pretty you look today theres a little curl resting ever so lightly on your cheek that I 1 would like to kiss mary kept busily at her dusting where shall I 1 put these new brooches mr air bluming Bluml ng would you suggest a background of blue velvet in the case but he mistook the flush of annoyance for one of pleasure and disregarding her words went on blushing is a lost art miss mary its very bee becoming oming to you by the way arent you sorry you turned down my invitation last night but theres always another day and im not the kind that takes offense easily how about tonight 1 I ive another engagement lie ile regarded her steadily 1 I dont elleve believe you know another soul in tills this town lie ho said eald slowly deliberately you another engagement I 1 she flashed you know nothing about me I 1 may be engaged to be married for all you know mr bluming Bluml ng mr bluming was silent an instant and his smile disappeared then hey he laughed easily 1 I dont believe it but he be walked away and left mary in momentary peace that night after thinking things over mary decided to do something 1 I must do something to convince that manthai man that I 1 that there is somebody who cares tor for me and it cant do any harm I 1 can put it back at closing time every night so the next morning while arranging her wares mary took from its place in the tray a solitaire diamond of carat weight and slipped it onto the third finger of her left hand good morning miss webster mary hastily covered her hand and returned the greeting it was the man with the nice eyes mr bluming drew near mary hastily turned tho the stone into view well miss mary good morning another day gone ch well theres always one coming my motto the diamond caught his eye where did you get that he asked 1 I told you that I 1 perhaps I 1 was engaged well I 1 dont believe it hla his eyes glittered what it id say I 1 knew where you got it because I 1 saw you take it maybe you 11 think better now about dinner it the management knew he stopped mary waited white to the lips pa will you come no then n he be turned charlie go ask mr taylor to come bere here please ive sent for the store detective he explained its not too late yet mary was silent then down the aisle came the young man with the nice you sent gent tor for me to bluming yes and the floor manager explained marys crime to the store detective while mary alary stood as white and still as a statue of white marble mr air taylor laughed easily why you tell him the truth maryy mary there was no need of so much secrecy as all that I 1 just thought wed heep it as a surprise tb ats all miss webster has promised to be my wife be explained to the nonplused nonplus ed bluming Bluml ng and I 1 told her to pick oat the ring tha rho liked best beet today Is that satis fac baccary cary and noting a stet ly glitter in the young mans eyes mr bluming apolo gazed und t i copyright 1918 byth the mcclure N lind per syndicate lente 1 |