The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-11
THE CLOCK MAN coNFS

The editor sat saVagely correcting
proofs. The Office boy, who had been at
his favorite pastime OF press feeding In
the printing-room, came grimily to the
door Of the sanetum
There's woman wants to see you,
Mr.. Van Brunt," he piped.
She can't" said Van Brunt grimly.
Even while the words fell and osfore
the office boy withdrew, the woman
entered determinedly.
"Can't?" she cried. angrily. Sure
well see about that
Van Brunt loked up IN evaporation.
At the door stood a raw-boned. red-faced
Irish woman. Her eyes snapped and hfr
bosom heaved tumultuously. The ej;.g-
felt ehills creeping up his spine. The
woman held up her whip arm dramatic
ally.
"'l have tracked you sirrahr' she pro-
claimed in a rich brogue. m. NJ. never
forgets."
The-the devili" gasped Van Brunt
as the situation dawned upon his le
WildeFed senses. He saw il now. mad
irish authoress with a snake whip and 81
lust for revenge! He calculated RAPIDLY
the distance from the open window to the
street while the perspiration oozed in
drops to his forehead. The woman
watched him Indignantly.
"Will ye pay me now" she asked. "or
shall lay this across your shoulders. We
palaverin' dead beat?" At the word "this'
she drew the leather through her brawny
fingers. suggestively.
III humor her" thought Van Rrunt
In despair. Aloud he said, apprehensively;
"Oh, no, don't let's have a fuss. Let's
see-what do ! owe you? I've forgotten"
True for ye," said the woman. SAT-
eastlcally, 'ye have forgotten As TO how
much | dunno. But me names Mabel
MeGinnis, and / wrote A Hated Woojns.'
Whatever else We may have done is no
odds TO me, barrin' your buyin' that.
There's your letter that We sent me I'm
your own hand. Come to your desk, man."
she added, graciously, 'if We mean to
pay, I'll not touch ye."
Van Brunt cautiously edged toward his
chair and picked up the letter. II was
sun In Its envelope and he drew il forth
gingerly.
Dear Madam" it read. and then his
dszed eyes followed 1t line for line until
they rested upon the underscored words.
You Darling" st the very end. His
head spun.
Where'-he began, angrily. and then
PICKED up the envelope. The a1dress-S09
Madison avenue-in the office bows writ
ing, stared him in the face His absolute
astonishment left him open mouthed and
gaping.
'You-you live at Mrs. Kingsbury's?"
he gasped.
Well" said Mrs. McGinnis, modest;v.
Il does the washing there"
Here she isi' piped the office bov.
shrilly, and wild with excitement. He
stood in the doorway painting, but yitA
the flush OF pride upon his checks. Re
hind him huddled the employees of the
printing house. Two blue-coated police
men, with drawn clubs, stood beside him.
i am obliged to you gentlemen" Van
Brunt said suavely, 'but your services
will not be required. There has been-a-
a slight mistake. and I suppose this need
not appear on your report?''
Il think not, SIR" answered the taller
policeman deferentially. "Thankee sir.
Twill be TO your very good health"
TO your very good health" repeated
the short policeman, as they withdrew in
a dignihed manner.
And, Johnny" continued the editor
turning TO the wondering urchin. you're
good boy; very good boy; but shan't
need you again to-day. Take that and go
to the baseball game"
When his protestation of thanks and
the Gathering Of his feet had died away.
the editor drew forth his check book. He
held his pen poised in thought for a mo-
ment and then turned quickly to the wo-
man.
Il was going to write you a check for
So he said. with the consciousness OF
victory in his voice, but If you'll tell me
whether Miss Kingsbury sent you here
I'll make il a hundred"
Sure" said Mabel McG.nnls. grimly.
she said that If you wouldn't pay me
atter seeing that letter I'd better take the
whip 10 ye. sir"
quite right" said Van Brunt, tersely,
ana once more master 10 his own Office,
and on second thought I'll Jus; make this
a hundred. should like 10 keep this let
ter, though"