The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1902-08-15
g. SHARPE
AND A FLAT
BY DOUGLAS z. DOTY
Copyright, 1903,
BY the S. S. Mcclure Company

]
stenographer.
Outside long line of people waited
their turn to pay their gas bills at
small window in the wire partition. for
1t was the first of the month.
To the young clerks who managed
to dress right smartly on ten or twelve
dollars week, Sharpe was a constant
source of wonderment. Careless, not
to say unkempt 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 a young chap-he was now about
thirty-eight or forty-he had had his
unfortunate love affair. Then after a
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
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 characters
tic that he should open the front door
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 thing"' 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 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" she asked
nervouSly.
well" said the president, eve 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 a 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. sAnd the cashier-please
tell him how grateful l am for doing
as you asked"
Il will" said Gregory heartily. and
his mouth twitched suspiciously as be
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 l just spoke to
you about, Miss
"Miss 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 approximately.
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
l am again. Oh, these womenw Then
| aloud. 81 cave the DaDerS with me
Fielder. I'm just curious enough tC
order a special inquiry. If we've beer
fooled. never again will | show any
leniency."
1t was half past 8 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 foul
fights of dark stairs Sharpe repentec
of his bargain. Cropping along mar
row hallway. he came to a card stucl
over push button and inscribed Mrs
L. T. Locke"
1t was Miss Violet Eyes herself whC
opened the door. She recognized thu
caller in an instant.
'Oh, it's your she faltered, nervous
~ twisting the knob of the half opel
door. You've come to cut off the gas
suppose" And she. slowly made wa.
for him to step in.
A little, white haired lady appeared
.KyN