The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-06-08

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IN@#a&7>~ -. He was as rough
~ WIZ as burr, but he
had the heart of boy.
He came 10 Cleveland 70 be near
the concern that was making the pat
terms for an improvement IN mining
machinery Of his own designing. lie
secured an office room in one of the
big skyscrapers and passed much tir-e
over his drawings.
The day he took possession Of his
Office he stopped al the news ana
cigar stand in the lobby and bought
paper.
Good mornin', sir" said the
weGZeu-faced boy who stood behind
the counter. He was a lame boy,
Jim Grigsby noticed. IF you've got
any typewritin' or shorthand TO do go
to Miss Merriam, ninth floor"
Friend of yours" inquired jim
Grigsby.
Friend of everybody's," replied
the lame boy.
Good Endorsement" said jim
Grigsby.
A .ew days later he had some spec
ifca.:ons to typewrite. Ordinarily
he would have gone 20 a man and had
the work done. He wasn't used 20
women, but he went down TO Miss
Merriam's Office with his manuscript.
She was a neat little woman with
remarkably fine gray eyes. She
wasn't particularly young, thirty at
least, Jim concluded. and she was
strictly businesslike. She looked the
work over, told him when it would be
done, and as be tnrned to so she
named the price.
In advance?" asked Jim as he
fumbled in a pocket
"Oh, no, not in advance" she
said, but | find it better to have a
clear understanding of the price before
the work is begun" The price she
named seemed extremely reasonable
and Jim Grigsby went away well
pleased with her manlike directness.
Perhaps IL wasn't strange that he
had more work for her in a couple Of
days. In fact, scarcely day passed
thereafter that he didn't find occasion
10 make use of her nimble fingers.
She was a remarkable type of woman
kind. he assured himself He knew
very little about women, and had no
wish 20 know more-until he met
Jane Merriam. And yet their ac-
quaintance remained a purely business
one. Jim Grigsby, bold as brass in
the presence Cf his own sex. anatural
leader Of men, was timid and shy in
his dealings with this neat fairy with
the clear gray eyes and the flying
white fingers. He softened his voice
when he spoke 10 her, he took infinite
pains 10 smooth down his somewhat
wiry locks when he sought her door
One afternoon he had detained Der
longer than the usual hour OF quit
ting, and when the work was finished
he dashed up stairs with il, locked mis-
door quickly and caught one Of the
elevators going down. He meant 10
ride down with her, perhaps walk
with her 20 the door. Sure enough
she stepped on board al her floor. II
was a little late, and they were the
only passengers on the car.
Jim looked around at his fellow
Traveller with cautious yet deter
mined air. He meant 10 speak 20 her.
Ee would mention the weather, and
that might lead 10 something else.
She opened her lirs, and then
And then there was jerk, grind.
inc crash, a shriek from the boy,
something fell heavily on the roof Of
the car. the lights weat out, they
we're falling, falling-then with hor.
rid Jerk they stopped The cir was
fall Of dust. They we're in almost
total darkness.
IS the car Aoor seemed to slip from
uu3sr them the woman felt a strong
arm pass quickly about her waist, aud
with q natural desire 90 grasp some
thing belpful she caught and held fast
% the mans firm shoulder. When
the car stopped be slowly Withdrew
bis arm.
Ave you al riyht?' he gently
asked.
"Ye-. she answered. "wha. has
haprcned:'
1--WE seem 90 have fallen and stuck
between floors" ne answered. "Sit
down on the Leat and don't worry.
THEY'LL soon ge. as out.
1; was short winter day. and al
ready dark outside. II vas still darker
d. 'hc car.
Where 10 the boy?' she asked.
I'm trying to locate him." be aD-
svcrel. I'm afraid hes hurt. Here
lie is