Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-22

I'll ueSk III the Dig counting room.
'Five-thirty, Miss Leeds"
Yes Mr.. Halpin. 1 have reached
the last line"
"The others have gone"
He pushed his papers back carefully
and closed his desk. The girl put the
cover on the typewriter and took her
hat and coat from their hooks on the
wall.
She was rather tall and slender with
dark hair and eyes, a girl of perhaps
four and twenty.
The man glanced at her as she ad-
5usted her hat There was a grace in
her movements that other girls seem
ed to lack. She looked up and caught
his gaze.
"a long day, Miss Leeds"
"A busy day. Mr.. Halpin."
He had put on his coat and was hold
ing his hat in his hand.
Suddenly his expression changed.
Isn't there smoke in the room?" he
abruptly asked. He ran to the big reg
lister outside the railing. Then he flung
open the outer door. Robert, Robert !"
he cried. There was the sound Of run
ming footsteps
"Mt. Halpin," came a shrill voice,
"Mr. Halpin! There's a fire in the
basement! It's too much for me. Call
the engines quick"
Halpin looked back.
Call the fire department, Miss
Leeds" he said, and hurried out.
The girl stepped to the phone.
1.-THE fire exchange" she called. Her
voice was clear and steady. "Is this
the fire exchanged This is Condit &
Co., Water street. Our building is on
fire. Yes, Condit & Co., Water street"
She hung up the receiver and turned
around. Halpin had come back. The
smoke was growing dense.
1--WE must bundle up the more vaIu-
cble books and papers," he cried. 1.-THE
fire looks dangerous"
They worked fast. Halpin knew
what he wanted saved and the girl
needed few directions. They heard the
engines rumbling up the street, the
Gathering hoofs, the hoarse cries. A
little later a leather coated fireman
entered the room where the two were
Under control" he said. 1--WE got
here just in time. Lucky somebody was
IN the building. It's Manager Halpin,
isn't it? I'm Battalion Chief Rumsey.
There's Just a question or two 1 want
answered"
Halpin went aside with him, and the
girl put back in their cases the papers
she had gathered together.
Never mind that" said Halpln,
coming back We'll leave everything
until tomorrow. Robert will find an
extra Waterman to help him. The dam
age is much less than feared. Come"
There was something almost gentle in
his voice. Perhaps" he added, 'I'd
better call q carriage. You must be
very tired"
NO. she answered. 81 prefer to
walk home. always enjoy the walk"
He hesitated.
"NIay I walk with you?"
She looked at him with little start
''Why, yes" she answered, 81 would
be pleased to have YOU"
They turned from the narrow street
into the wider thoroughfare
Il feel under obligations to you, Miss
Leeds" said Halpin. 81 couldn't have
asked for better help. You were as
cool and steady as-as a man. 1 sup
posed that on occasions Of emergency
like that wOmankind either ran away
or went into Mysteries"
"You do not know us very WELL" said
the girl.
That's true" He paused. ~ hav-
emit had the chances that most men
have Mine was a rough bringing-up.
I never knew my mother and I've
knocked about in all sorts of places
No doubt I've got wrong notions re
garding women. You make me think so,
anyway. I know this is blunt talk, but
I'm not proficient in any other sort.
can't play the courtier. DONE know
bow"
They walked on In silence.