The Washington herald., 1907-12-26

be out on strike all winter. was prom
ised that my floors should be shenacked
first"
eyes. but" began Bert
81 want no answers" said the girl with
a stamp Of her tiny foot Il am to have
an exhibition day after tomorrow, and
the floors must be done by then; Go you
hear?"
Yes, ms'am." said Bert meekiy
Then pick up your pail and brush and
come along" was the quiet command.
IF I had not smelled the paint in the
hall, you would have spent the day here.
when I reed you so much more Come
on. please"
She turned to lead the way as though
there was no argument TO be made. and
Bert. grinning over the righteousness of
the affair, followed after lie saw with
pleasure that the other apartment was
only across the hall from his own. II
was much smaller place. and it did not
take Bert long to paint the floors. The
girl stood in the doorway experimenting
the work. and Bert was sorry when at
last he rose from his knees and an
nounced the completion OF the job.
You viii still have time to finish the
other apartment" said the girl severely.
Next time do as you are told and you
viii have less trouble You know very
well that the agent told you 10 do this
apartment first. He promised me that he
would"
He'll promise anything" began Bert
gTimly. but the tiny foot stamped a warn
ing. The girl did not care 10 argue the
point with workman and she dismissed
him with nod.
Come in tomorrow and give It a sec
ond coat" she commanded Wait mo
ment.' she added as Bert turned TO 30.
Buy yourself good cigar" she finished
as she handed him coin.
Bert dropped the dime IN his pocket
with murmured word Of thanks and
backed out OF the door. Once on the
other side, HIS embarrassment died down.
and he paused long enough to ascertain
from the card on the door that 1t was
Dorothy Remsen who occupied the apart
ment That she was a china decorator
he already knew. and vaguely he remem-
bered having heard of her skill.
He was tired when he sought his home
that night, but the thought that he
would see the girl again on the morrow
gave him a feeling that the day had been
well spent. He carefully slipped the dime
IN locket which he wore on his watch
fob and smiled as he thought Of his
tip"
He painted the studio floors the first
thing next morning and then turned his
attention 10 his own apartment. Il was
late In the afternoon when he had fin
ished and was cleaning UP. There. came
ring at the door and he opened ii to
confront young woman who radlated
confusion and penitence
1 have come TO apologize" she said,
blushing redly. L stopped In 10 thank
the agent for sending me a painter, and
he did not know that my floors had been
done Then he recalled that you were
painting your own place and explained
my error"
It's very natural one" he said with
laugh. II you were half as desperate
as my mother l should not blame you
for kidnapping me with a full knowledge
Of the facts. l am only glad that I have
been Of service to YOU"
You don't know how greatly you have
aided me-" she cried. I can never repay
your kindness. 1 am so sorry that I was
abrupt yesterday. VIII you pardon me?"
The long. slender hand was clasped in
Bert's own, and he smiled down into the
brown eyes that dropped shyly before his
gaze
Dorothy slipped back into her own
apartment, and Bert. closing his door.
drew the dime she had given him from
his lOcket
The jobs going to cost you more than
that, little woman" he said as he smiled
70 himself IT'S going TO cost you your
heart and hand-and they are worth mil
lions Of dimes"
Copyright. 1907. by NJ. NJ. Cunningham