The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-05-13
q. SHARPE
AND A FLAT
BY DOUGLAS z. DOTY

Copyright, 1909,
BIZ the s. s. McCllli.e Cnrn11ntlai

a
small window in the wire partition, fol
it was the first of the month.
To the young clerks, who managed
to dress right smartly on ten or twelve
dollars a week, Sharpe was a constant
source of wonderment Careless. not
to say unhempt, at times in his attire,
from early to late he toiled at his office,
and his employees thought what a
great pity it was that this man, who
knew so little how to enjoy life. should
be the one to possess Aladdin's lamp.
AS young chap-he was now about
thirty-eight or forty-he had had his
unfortunate love affair. Then after
few black weeks he had set his teeth
and thrown himself heart and soul in
to his business
That's all, Miss Hagen" said Sharpe
as, with hands in his trousers pockets.
he paced the floor of his sanctum. The
sunlight streaming In through a tall
window beyond the cashier bothered
him every time he made the turn OF
his office. He might have called to a
dozen fellows to pull up the shade, but
1t was like the man to go and attend
to it himself. 1t was also characteris-
tic that he should open the front door
for slip Of a woman with a big bun.
die in her arms
'Thank your said a sweet, low
voice. Thank your said pair of big
violet eyes looking up into his face
"Pretty little thingp' was Gregory's
passing thought.
The girl readjusted the bundle and
In doing so dropped familiar green
slip. Gregory knew by heart the print
ed matter on it. The statement was
terse, businesslike and rather grim,
IF the inclosed bill is not paid by the
LIST, we shall be obliged to cut off your
gas supply on that date
The girl thanked him again as he
picked it up for her, wave of scarlet
slowly spreading over her face.
DO they-do they-can you get an
extension of time about paying if you
promise to pay in a week. p she asked
nervously.
WELL" said the president, 1--WE have
found that an extension of time gen.
orally makes matters worse. Let's
see your bill. HIN! I'll see the cash
Ter about this" he muttered and strobe
Off
The girls eyes followed him. He
looked less prosperous than many Of
the well groomed young fellows on
high stools behind the wire netting.
Perhaps he had something to do with
the mechanical department. She was
little surprised to note with what
alacrity the naughty looking cashier
left his place at the window and the
long line of waiting people. Gregory
seemed to do all the talking the cash
Ter simply nodding at frequent inter-
walls.
The girls heart throbbed hopefully.
She had always regarded that cashier
as most unapproachable Individual
In moment Gregory was back.
you may have another fortnight in
which to meet this BILL" he announced
kindly.
"Oh, thank your cried the girl joy
fully. 1T was so good of you to take
the trouble. And the cashier-please !
tell him how grateful | am for doing
as you asked"
Il will" said Gregory heartily, and
his mouth twitched suspiciously as he
bowed her out the door.
"Send Fielder to me-" he said on
reaching his room. The cashier ap-
peared on the instant
Eyes, sir"
'@That young lady | just spoke to
you about, Miss
Miss Josephine Locke. SIR
Eyes. Well, she wished me to thank
you for being SO kind as to grant her
two weeks extension of time"
Gregory shook with laughter, and
Fielder grinned approximately.
Two weeks later Fielder appeared /
before his chief.
'About that case you interested your
self in awhile ago, sir. Locke was the Z
name. Time was up yesterday, and
the bill isn't paid. I'm afraid it's the
same old story. That soft kind. with
big eyes and whining voice. are most
generally fakes" +
Gregory pondered.
II was fooled once before. Perhaps
! am again. Oh. these womenr' Then +
aloud: Leave the papers with me,
Fielder. I'm just curious enough to
order special inquiry. If we've been
fooled. never again will l show any
leniency."
1t was half past 5 before he was
ready to leave the office He looked
rather guiltily at Fielder plunging into
his topcoat. Gregory meant to con-
duct that investigation in person.
BY the time he had reached the dingy
looking fiathouse and had climbed four
fights of dark stairs Sharpe repented
of his bargain. Cropping along a mar
row hallway. he came to a card stuck
over a push button and inscribed Mrs.
L. T. Locke
1t was Miss Violet Eyes herself who
opened the door. She recognized the
caller in an instant
"Oh, it's your she faltered. nervous
ly twisting the knob of the half open
door. You've come to cut off the gas,
l suppose" And she slowly made way
for him to step in.
A little. white haired lady appeared.
Wont you step into the parlor?' she
said
Everything was so neat and the
crate fire so CHEEKY that at first Greg
DRY did not realize how barren and
poverty stricken the place was. The
liffIo old IaHu h IL; Ill
the only easy chair in the room, which
faced the little coal fire.
The best chair and the best outlook
the room afforded!
A sweet old gentlewoman, thought
Gregory. who has learned to keep up
under conditions thai
would have swamped most house
wives with less pride and fewer re-
sources.
Il suppose" murmured the old lady,
out her black silk apron
II suppose one should not indulge in
the luxury of a crate fire with the gas
bill unpaid, but" with a deprecatory
gesture, lit has been very cold, and
one loses ones &C rage so easily when
OIle can Keep warm.
1t was said quietly. with gentle digni.
", but the pathos of it,
madam" said Gregory in voice
that shook ii little, you are quite right.
Pray do not think l am criticising
you."
'You see,'' went on the lady, my
son has gone oct west. He had such
4 splendid chance! lie needed a little
money to get started. l let him have
t. He was to pay it back very soon.
We've been expecting him to write for
is every day for, oh. long. long time
Il almost forget how long! One loses
rack of the days somehow when one
s waiting and one doesn't hear. But
We heard today. He is coming home
@ 7 i, ~, 20,