Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-09-20

left his hotel the next morning ne was
quite himself again.
His attitude toward the world was
the decently cheerful one of the man
who is earning Il 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
need arose.
He went down to the office alert and
vigorous. AS he strobe along be nod
ded and smiled at the people he net
on the street If the odium of his "a
Tiers crime vas to attach itself to
him il should be without his help. An
tioCh might count him callous if 1t
liked. but it must not think him weak.
His first official act was 70 go for
Kerr, who was unusually c%antanker'
Gus, and he gave that frigid gentleman
q scare which lasted him for the better
part Of 4 week, for Kerr. who had con-
WINGED himself overnight that Oakley
must resign, saw himself having full
swing with the Hucklebe-ry 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
it, 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 V harsh with Miss Walton, and
took exception to her spelling CT a
typewriter letter which lie was send
ing of to Cornish in London.
He also inspected every department
in the shops and was glad of an ex-
cuse he discovered to reprimand 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 a dark closet.
He felt that if excitement was what
was wanted he was the one to furnish
1t. He had been too easy.
Naturally the office force gave Il deep
sigh Of satisfaction when Oakley closed
his desk and announced that he was
going uptown and would not return.
Miss Walton contided to Kerr that she
just hoped he would never come back.
1t was Il little before 3 o'clock when
Dan presented himself at the Emorys'.
The maid who answered his ring ush-
cred him into the parlor with marked
reputation. She was a timid soul.
Then she swished from the ROOM. but
returned almost Immediately to say
that Miss Emory would be down in a
moment.
When Constance entered the room ha
advanced a little uncertainty. She eX-
tended her hand quite cordially. how
ever. There was no trace of enlbar-
rassment or constraint in her amer
AS he took her hand Dan said sim
ply, going straight to the purpose OF
his call:
Il have thought a good deal over
what | want to tell you. Miss Emory"
Miss Emory instantly took the alarm
and was on the defensive. She en-
veloped herself il 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
" very curious and unconventional.
There was Il thing she feared he
might want to tell her which she was
firmly determined not to hear.
Oakley drew forward a chair.
Wont 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 filled With ferns. ana res,2l
an elbow On the mantel. There Wa
an awkward pause. AT last he SAL
slowly:
1T seems I've been the subject O. Il
lot of talk during the last two days.
and l have been saddled with a matter
for which l am in no way ~respoAs.oic.
though it appears to reflect or me
quite as much as if | were"
Really. Mr.. Oakley began Coz
stance. seeming danger ahead. But
her visitor was in no mood to tempo
rize.
"One moment, please he said ha sti-
ly. You have heard the story fro1,
Mr.. Ryder"
II have heard it from others as
we'll"
"It has Influenced YOU
mo, l won't say that" dehantly.
She was not accustomed to being cate
chised.
"At least it has caused you to seri-
ously doubt the wisdom of an ac-
Quaintance." biurted Oakley.
You are very unfair" rising. with
latent anger.
You will greatly oblige me by sit
ting down again"
And Constance. astonished beyond
measure at his O of command. sank
back into her chair with n little smoth-
cred gasp Of surprise. No n had ever
ventured to speak to her like that be-
fore. 1t was a new experience.
"We've got to finish this. you know"
explained Dan. with one of his frank.