Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-06
=: Y
UP TO SPECIFICATIONS g OWEN o.Ir=z
OWEN OLIVER

"Yes," he agreed, you doP
1t was the first time that he had admitted that
l knew than he did about anything in the
business.
Then wait till you come back do so want to
have hand in that. Really, do. You must wait
and let me manage it'
Watt he cried DO ever wait for anythng?'
NO" agreed; "but this is really my business
had made the original suggestion, we'll worked
it out.
Then and do it," he said. "You shall
have free hand. I'll let you conduct the negotia-
tions. even"
"Oh!",I cried. s'How--how good of you! I--really
it is great compliment, Mr. Fireman.
He sat up straight and looked at me-
1T is an absolutely honest and well-deserved one,
Miss Mason" he said II consider you perfectly COM
petent to do that business Will your"
/ considered with my chin on my hand. wanted
to go America, and simply itched to have finger
in the deal with the Syndicate
"Oh, well!" said at last '1f it's a matter Of busi-
ness I'll come with pleasure viii you promise that
you will not let hear agword OF anything but
busness?'
What's the use of promsing?' he said, gloomily.
When my mother sees you---'
"She mustn't me-"
She'll come to meet you IL she has to be carried
bless her! I've cabled that I'm taking my wife"
Really" cried. ut is preposterous Do you
to say you thought I'd jump at your offer and
marry you the spot?"
"You always decide quickly" he muttered.
81 have But you seem to have assumed that
could only decide in one way. You didn't provide
for contingencies" 1t is pet maxim of his.
"oh, yes did! knew if you wouldn't someone
else would"
/ rose with all the dignity could command
Then you can take-someone else," said. per
haps you would like to have all the girls in and make
a choice?'
meant this for sarcasm, but he did not seem to
see it.
"You might send in the tall ones he said thought
fully, "f they're dark and have tolerable figures and
eyes!"
l moved toward the door.
"You can send for them yourself" said "Y give
you months notice. I'm not going to stay here to
take orders from Beatrice Webb"
"Umph! Why Miss Webb in particuar?"
"She is in accordance with specification" said
frigdly. "She is tal-taller than l. She has good
fgure-no merely toerabe. Her eyes are larger than
mine and darker. She is quite nice and quite nice-
looking, and think she will marry you. You see"-
looked at him artlessly-"she is very stupid"
Women ought to bel" he said cheerfully. "If she
up to specification in other respects think she
might do for me. But I'm afraid she wouldn't do
for my mother. There are one or two things men
toned about-about the lady that my mother would
notice directly"
He looked at me as if he expected me to ask ques--
tions felt it was undfgnifed to do so; but my
curiosity greater than my dignity.
"Yes?" l asked, sulkily.
"In the first place, said she was very fond of me.
My mother would be very particular about that"
May ask why you thought that should satisfy
her in that respect?"
"You wouldn't marry If you didn't"
"No; nor unless you were-but that doesn't matter.
What else did you say?"
81 said that was awfuly fond of-of her.
"Mr. Freeman"
my mother would be very particular about that
too" he asserted 'If pretended that liked Miss
What-y call-her the old lady would find out in
half minute"
Then" said, "what would be the use of taking
me?"
He jumped up from the table.
"And you call yourself quickl" he cried scornfully
simply stared at him.
"I-I-what do you mean?" asked. MY voice
sounded funny.
do you want me to tell you that I'm in love with
you?" he inquired.
Somehow had to laugh. don't know why.
"Yes' said, IT do"
Then, If it's any satisfaction to you, am. But
you knew 1t perfectly well all along. You've only
been blufhng me-"
turned back with my hand the doorknob and
looked at him.
81 did not" said. 81 thought it only busi-
ness, and-and your mother; and as for blufhns-
you said-you said"
"It was bluhing about Miss--Miss Gc-and-hang-herl
If that's what you mean"
'And your mother?"
NO That's true"
"And the-the modei2"
That's right"
"And--all the rest?'
"All the rest. Only II got fond Of you! and
was foolish enough to think that youwell 1T serves
me right I ought to have seen that you didn't
was a fool, and-thats all"
He turned round and dumped his head on his
hand. 1 opened the door, and shut 1t with bang,
onlv , stonned inside IJe gave a miserable sort OF