The new age. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1902-190?, 1902-06-06
G. SHARPE
| AND A FLAT
BY DOUGLAS z. DOTY
Copyright. 1919,
BY Tie S. s Mcclure Company
BY DOUGLAS z. ooTY

EANcAatDA VI
Consolidated Gas company. sat in his
private office debating letters to his
stenographer.
Outside long line OF people waited
their turn to pay their gas bills AZ
small window in the wire partition. for
II was the irst 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. no,
to say unkempt, at times in his attire
from early TO late he toiled al his office
and his employees thought what
great pity 1t was that this man, who
Knew so little low to enjoy life, should
be the one to possess Aladdin's lamp.
As young chap-Ee was now abou,
thirty-eight or forty-he he'd had ais
unfortunate love affair. Then after
few black weeks he had set his teeth
and thrown himself heart and soul I'm.
to his business.
That's all, Miss Hagen" said Sharpe
as, with hands In his trousers pockets
~ fHNNN NhN hOOA vi HIS 1ne
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 ii himself. 1t was also Characters.
tic that he should open the front door
for slip Of a woman with n big bun
die in her arms
THANK your said a sweet, low
voice. Thank your said a pair OF big
violet eyes looking up into his face.
Pretty little thingr' was Gregory's
passing thought.
The girl readjusted the bundle and
in doing so dropped a familiar green
slip. Gregory knew by heart the print
ed matter on 1t. The statement was
terse, businesslike and rather grim,
III the inclosed bill Is not paid by the
list, we shall be obliged to cut of your
gas supply on that date"
The girl thanked him again as he
picked 1t up for her. wave of scarlet
slowly spreading over her face.
"Do they-do they-can you get an
extension Of time about paying IL you
promise to pay in a weekr' 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. Hint 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
fer simply nodding at frequent inter
walls.
The girls heart throbbed hopefully.
She had always regarded that cashier
as a most unapproachable individual.
In a moment Gregory was back.
"You may have another fortnight in
which to meet this BILL" he announced
kindly.
ooh, thank your cried the girl joy
fully. ut was so good of you to take
the trouble. And the cashler-please
tell him how grateful I am for doing
as you asked"
II WILL" said Gregory heartily. and
his mouth twtched suspiclously 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
"Aiiss Josephine Locke, sir"
"Yes. 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 appreciatively.
Two weeks later Fielder appeared
before his chief.
about that case you interested your
self in awhile ago. sir. Locke was the
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.
81 was fooled once before. Perhaps
I am again. Oh. these women" Then
aloud: Leave the papers with me-
Fielder. I'm just curious enough TO
order a special inquiry. II we've been
fooled, never again will | show any
lenlency."
II was half past 3 before he was
ready TO leave the office. He looked
rather gulltily at Fielder plunging into
his topcoat. Gregory meant TO con-
duct that investigation In person.
Nv the time he had reached the dingy
looking fathouse and had climbed four
Achts OF dark stairs Sharpe repented
OF his bargain. Cropping along mar
row hallway. he came to card STUCK
over a push button and Inscribed Mrs'
L. T. Locke" 49,