North Park union., 1905-11-10


anu Dookkeeper and accountant, was
hardly up to connoisseur's standard
OF beauty, but she was pleasant-very
Pheasant. Hitherto the book work had
oeen done by men. Old Armstrong,
VINO mad been superintendent Of that
department until his hair had nearly
grown white at 1t, came near revolving
when he was introduced to the bright.
naired young woman whom had come
to help him toll. She was a good
worker-for while. Armstrong said
she could keep books. and that 1t was
the only time he ever saw a woman
who could. She often came into the
ONCE about quitting time, and we had
congenial little chats together. She
was pretty well posted on the theater.
and knew all sorts of odd little places
about town where one could get a
dainty supper and not be bothered by
too many eyes. She kindly offered
to lead me to cozy cafe of the sort
one evening. and l telephoned out to
my wife, Mercedes. that business en-
gagements would prevent my return
ing homo till somewhat later than
usual. The walters seemed to know
Flossie, and she addressed them by
their first names. After supper we
strolled up Broadway, and as Flossie
had no particular engagement for the
evening We went to the theater.
She was capital company and thor.
oughly enjoyed her quaint witticisms.
Some overly educated folk might have
denominated them slang, but never
objected to young people expressing
themselves naturally; we get old sooa
enough. l offered to see Flossie home,
but she said 1t was quite a way out.
and II I would kindly call a cab she
would arrive right side up at her
''roosting place" She was very ef-
fusive In thanking me for her pleasant
evening.
1never found out exactly when Mer.
cedes took hand at the cards. but
when the time came for her to play
| knew 1t.
One day | dropped into the office
and found Flossie and Mercedes en-.
gagged in conversation-that Is, Flos-
sic was sitting on my desk, dangling
her feet below, and talking in her
usual friendly, good-natured way. Mer
cedes was sitting quietly in my cn2ir
listening as II Interested. She arose
when ] entered and bowed courteous
ly to me. If an earthquake should oc-
cur l don't believe Mercedes would
forget her manners. Flossie, who was
chewing gum, nodded familiarly to me
and went on with her talk. AS l
escorted Mercedes to the street, at
the conclusion of her visit, asked
her what she thought of Miss Carter.
She's a charming girl" she said.
1--WE invited her out TO little Party
we're going to have Thursday evening.
Will you be too busy TO join us?'
never could fathom those serene
brown eyes when they looked me
square in the face, as they always
did. 1t occurred to me that the SAFE
thing to say was that business. un-
fortunately, would prevent my coming
home that evening.
When went back into the Office
asked Flossie If she had accepted Mer-
cedes' invitation.
Sure thing" replied the yonng lady,
"you don't suppose I'd pass up snap
like that. Are you in?'
Somehow Flossie's little manner
isms didn't seem quite as captivating
that day as usual, which attributed
to my own indsposition. When
Thursday came she notified old Arm
strong that he would have to worry
along without her that afternoon. as
she had IAN invite to a blowout at
the boss's, and it will keep me hus-
fling to get my tresses kinked in
time"
spent the evening in the ONCE.
wondering what was happening out
home. | arrived home about 2 a. M.
and found Mercedes awaiting me In
the drawing room. She was attired
in the loveliest costume had ever
seen and her transparent face ana