Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-23
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lie walked fapluIy thru Tue Hstii"sA'
end paused at the elevator door. IL
was open, but the boy was not there
He had yielded to the temptation OF
some excitement in the street peyonu
and had deserted his post Having
gained the elevator the newcomer was
in no hurry. He sat down on the leath-
Uncovered seat and stretched out MS
legs and put his hands into his pockets
and whistled. He was still whistllh2
when the elevator boy hurried back. lis
was a black boy, and wnen he saw the
stranger in the car the whites OF mis-
big eyes glistened.
"Goodness!" he said. Il didn't see
nobody come in. l was JUS at de DO
for a minute, an 1 can't see how you
slipped by me. Dab was some little
'citment out dab, sir. an l run to see
what it was. Might O. been fire In de
buildin,' you know, sir"
Guess there's no harm DONE" said
the stranger. eff had been in hurry
l would have climbed the stairs. And
as I'm not the agent of the building
reckon your being away from your post
of duty will remain carefully con-
cealed but none the less guilty secret"
The stranger spoke with slight
6rawl, as If the effort wearied him, but
his voice was pleasant and so was his
smile.
The black boy smiled. too, with a
generous display of strong, white
teeth.
Coin up sir?" he asked.
THAT depends little upon you,
said the stranger
Whereat the boy laughed and seized
the starting rope.
What flo, sir?"
1T depends a little on what floor the
offices of the Aurora Monthly can be
found"
"Top flo. sir"
Don't carry me by" said the stran-
ger, with mild gravity; II always dis
like walking back"
The black boy chuckied audibly as
the car swiftly rose, and when he
stopped at the top floor and I'M
latched the iron gate, he half turned
and said: This is as fab as go, sir
Glad you've told me-" the stranger
said as he stepped into the big hall
with its many doors, some ajar, some
closed and each bearing the words
Aurora Monthly" and gilt number.
There was a board hanging from one
of the pillars that displayed direc-
tory of the offices. and the stranger
studied this. There were numbers for
the circulation rooms, and the adver-
Using rooms, and the managers room.
and the library, and the waiting room.
and finally the editorial rooms. And
hn "a cyS s.f 1,n ~. t,f
department was the legend, Present
card in waiting room.''
The stranger mechanically felt in his
pockets. He had no card. But there
was letter in an inner pocket from
the Aurora editor asking Mr.. John
Denslow to call at the office Wednes-
day morning. 1t was Wednesday
morning, and he was John Denslow. He
knew little or nothing about the ETH
quette of ma gazine offices. but it struck
him that If the editor wanted to see
him he would be justified in going to
him direct, and not via the waiting
room.
He strolled past the row of doors and
presently came to mo. H." 1t was a
little ajar and q streak of sunshine
from the window within fell across the
tesselated floor of the hall
The stranger raped at mo. IT,
Then he raped again. There was
faint rustic from the room
Come in, George" said a pleasant
voice.
The stranger gently pushed the door
open and stepped within.
1t isn't George" he began and then
Cf0nDn6 IL "a mo mi TO n
John, but he checked himself and hur-
rlealy completed the operation of re-
moving his hat
nice looking young woman was
sitting by big office table near the
great window. There We're many pa
pers and few books scattered about
her and she had a pencil in her slender
fingers. She had half turned irons her
work and was looking at him. Her eyes
We're big and dark and lustrous, ana
the man at the door thought her pro-
lille, as 1T stood out against the sun
light beyond, was remarkably fine.
Excuse me for interrupting YOU" he
said and his voice quite lost its little
1rawl, 'but / wish to see the editor. In
fact, am here at his suggestion"
Come in" said the young woman
and motioned him to chair. excuse
me for moment" And she bent again
to her work.
John Denslow looked about the hand
somely furnished room, with its book
cases, and it's pictures and it's general
air of comfort. And then his gaze eau
-iously drifted to the young woman.
Her head was bent over her work, and
I very pretty head it was. She must be
capable young woman with head
ike THAT. There was no doubt about
her being busy young woman. An
open typewriter stood at the corner of
The table, and telephone instrument
was at her elbow with silver call be-
side it.
Presently she touched the bell. Then
She laid the letter she had just sealed
n a wire basket at the side of the desk
and looked up at John.
You say you have an appoint
nent?"
Yes. With Colonel Bannister."
Colonel Bannister is in Europe. What
s your name, please?"
John Denslow"
The girl had drawn a calendar tablet |
.oWards her, but at the strangers |
words she pushed it back.
Will you kindly take seat by the
able, Mr.. Denslow?'
AS John arose and came forward he |
1oted that the girls big eyes We're fas-
ened on him with somewhat curious
expression. She seemed to be study
ng his appearance.