The San Francisco call., 1904-07-24

every paper in 1t is Shiny with some
dirty trick, some bad secret, some
mean action. It's pity that 1 hadn't
time to go through 'em all; it would
have been interesting; but under
bundle of women's letters, which that
old fox keeps for no good reason, III
bet, 1 lit on a paper that made my
heart go humping like a cart over
cobbles.
Yes, there it was, just as Obermuller
had vowed it was. with Tausig's
cramped little signature followed by
Heffelhnger's, Dixon's and Vein
stocks; a scheme to crush the business
life out of men by the cleverest, up-to-
date trust deviltry; a thing that our
Uncle Sammy just won't stand for.
And neither will Nancy Olden. Miss
Monahan
She grabbed that precious paper with
a grasp of delight and closed the desk.
But she bungled a bit there. for Ma
son lifted his head and blinked dazedly
at her for a moment, recognized her
and shook his head
"No-work to-day" he said.
''No-I know. I'll just look over
what we've done. Mr. Mason" she an
swered cheerfully.
His poor head went down again with
a bob. and she caught up the type
written sheets of Obermuller's play
She waited minute longer; half be-
cause she wanted to make sure Mason
was asleep again before She tore the
sheets across and crammed them down
into the waste basket; half because she
pitied the old fellow and was sorry to
take advantage of his condition. But
she knew a cure for this last sorry-a
way she'd help him later; and when
she danced out into the hall she was
the very happiest burglar in a world
chock full of opportunities.
oh. she was in such a twitter as she
did it, All that old delight in doing
somebody else up. vague somebody
whose meannesses she didn't know.
was as nothing TO the joy of doing
Tausig up. She was dancing on a vol
Oh. but such volcano. Maggie! 1t
atoned for a year of days when there
was nothing doing; no excitement. no
risk. nothing to keep a girl interested
and alive.
And, Maggie. darlin', it was Won
derful volcano, that one. that last one.
for it worked both ways. 1t paid up
for what haven't done this past year
and what I'll never do again in the
years to come. 1t made up to me for
miss. 1t was a reward of demerit for
not being respectable, and preventive
of further sins. Oh, it was such vol
cano as never was. 1t was a drink and
a blue ribbon in one. 1t was a bang
up end and bully beginning. 1t was
1t was. Tausig coming in as 1 was
going out. Suddenly 1 realized that,
but 1 was in such mad whrl of ex-
citement that I almost ran over the lit
tie fellow before 1 could stop myself
''Phew. What a whirlwind you are,"
he cried. Where are you going?"
"Oh. good morning, Mr.. Tausig," ]
said sweetly. Il never dreamed youc
be down so early in the morning"
'SVhat're you doing. with the paper p
he demanded suspiciously.
My eye followed his. I could have
beaten Nancy Olden in that minute fol
not having sense enough to hide thai
precious agreement, instead of carry
ing it rolled up in her hand.
Just taking it home to go over it,
said carelessly, trying to pass him.
But he barred my way
where's Mason?" he asked.
Poor Mason!" 1 said. "He's-he'.
asleep
Drunk AGAIN."
1 nodded. How to get away.
That settles his hash. Out he goe.
to-day. 1t seems to me your,
I. in a deuce of a hurry" he added, as
tried to get out again. Come in;
want to talk something over with you
Not this morning" I said saucily.
wanted to cry. I've got an engage
ment to lunch, and want to go owe
this stuff for Mason before one"
HIM! An engagement. Who with
now?"
My chin shot up in the air. H
laughed, that cold, noiseless littl
laugh of his.
But suppose 1 want you to come t
lunch with me?"
"Oh. thank you, Mr.. Tausig Blu
how could 1 break my engagement
with"
with Braun?'
How did you guess it?" I laughed
There's no keeping anything from
you.
He was immensely satisfied with hi
little self. Il know him-that old ras
CAL" he said slowly. Il say, Olden
just do break that enga agement witt
Braun
'I oughtn't-realIy."
But do-eh? Finish your work her
and We'll go off together, us two. a
1920 and leave him cooling his heel