The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-09-05

leIl MS motel the next morning he was
quite himself again.
His attitude toward the world was
the decently cheerful one OF the man
who is earning good salary and
whose personal cares are far from be-
ing numerous or pressing. He was
still capable of looking out for Cor
nish's interests, and his own, too, If the
heed arose
He went down TO the office alert and
vigorous. AS he strobe along he nod
ded and smiled at the people he met
on the street. II the odium Of his ia
Tiers crime was to attach Itself to
him It should be without his help. An
tloch might count him callous IL It
liked, but II must not think him weak.
His first official act was to go for
Kerr, who was unusually cantanker-
Gus, and he gave that frigid gentleman
Il scare which lasted him for the better
part Of a week. for Kerr. who had con-
WINGED himself overnight that Oakley
must resign, saw himself having full
swing with the Huckleberry and was
disposed to treat his superior with
airy indifference. He had objected to
hunting up an old order book Dan
wished 10 see on the score that he was
too busy. whereat, as Holt expressed
1t, the latter Jumped on him with
both feet" His second official act was
to serve formal notice on Branyon that
he was dismissed from the shops He
was even harsh with Miss Walton, and
took exception to her spelling Of a
typewriter letter Which he was send
ing off to Cornish in London.
He also inspected every department
IN the shops and was glad of an ex-
cuse he discovered to reprmand Joe
Stokes, who was stockkeeper In the
carpenters room, for the slovenly man.
ner in which the stock was handled.
Then he returned to the office and as
a matter of discipline kept Kerr busy
all the rest Of the morning hauling
dusty order books from dark closet.
He felt that il excitement was what
was wanted he was the one to furnish
It, He had been too easy.
Naturally the office force gave deep
sigh of satisfaction when Oakley closed
his desk and announced that lie was
going uptown and would not return
Miss Walton confded to Kerr that she
just hoped he would never come back.
1t was q little before o'clock when
Dan presented himself at the Emorys'
The maid who answered his ring ush-
cred him into the parlor with marked
trepidation she was tlmid soul
Then she swished from the room, but
returned almost Immediately to say
that Miss Emory would be down in n
moment.
When Constance entered the room he
advanced little uncertainty. She ex-
tended her hand quite cordially, how
ever. There was no trace of embar-
rassment or constraint in her manner
AS he took her hand Dan said sim
ply, going straight to the purpose Of
bis call:
Il have thought a good deal over
what l want to tell you, Miss Emory"
Miss Emory instantly took the alarm
and was on the defensive. She en-
veloped herself in that species of in
scrutable feminine reserve men find
SO difficult to penetrate. She could
not imagine what he had to tell her
that was SO pressing. He was certain
ly very curious and unconventional
There was one thing she feared he
might want to tell her which she was
firmly determined not to hear.
Oakley drew forward chair.
won't you sit down." he asked
gravely.
THANK you, yes" 1t was all so
formal they both smiled.
Dan stood with his back to the fire
place. now filed with ferns, and rested
an elbow on the mantel. There was
an awkward pause. At last he said
slowly:
at seems I've been the subject OF Il
lot of talk during the last two days,
and l have been saddled with matter
for which ! am in no way responsible.
though 1t appears to reflect on me
quite as much as IL | were"
Really, Mr.. Oakley began Con.
stance, seeming danger ahead. But
her visitor was in no mood to tempo
rize.
zone moment, please" he said hasti-
ly. You have heard the story from
Mr.. Ryder"
II have heard 1t from others as
we'll"
ut has influenced YOU
mo, won't say that" dehantly.
She was not accustomed 10 being cate
chised.
"At least 1t has caused you to seri-
ously doubt the wisdom of an &C
Quaintance,' blurted Oakley.
you are very unfair" rising, with
latent anger.
you will greatly ohllge me by sit
ting down again."
And Constance, astonished beyond
measure at his tone OF command, sank
back into her chair with little smoth-
cred gasp of surprise. No one had ever
ventured TO speak 10 her like that be-
fore. 1t was new experience.
"We've got to finish this. you know"
explained Dan. with one Of his frank.