The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-12-02

That's very nice Of you to want
me, but am going to marry the pres.
ident of the Omega Company"
turned sick with despair at these
words SO gently said. and pang of
jealousy. tinged with wonder. shot
through me. Surely she can't be in
love with that red-faced brute we
fought with in the Omega Office" l
thought. Luella saw my distress as
tried to rise and fly from the place.
Don't 60" she said gently. What
are you going to do with your mem"
The free companions are to be dis
banded" l said, recovering myself
with a gulp.
And you. Mr.. Dudley?"
This question struck me little
blank. I had really not thought Of
what I was going to do.
Its another case of an occupation
gone" l said rather ruefully. With
the breakup of the plots and the close
of the Omega deal l am at the end of
my employments."
With this view of the question be-
fore me. fell into a panic of regrets
and began to blush furiously at my
folly in imagining for an instant that
Luella could think of me for hus-
band. .r
NO" said Luella thoughtfully. You
are just at the beginning" b..
The tone, even more than the words,
braced my nerves. and once more
there glowed within me generous
courage of the future. - o.. .s--
You are right. / thank you." said
feelingly: Il have faith in the oppor.
tunities." So us %
And 1 have faith said Luella.
Then she stopped.
In the man, hope ventured.
Luella did not answer. but she gave
me look that meant more than
words. l was a trife bewildered.
wondering where ] stood in the eyes
of this capricious young woman, but
my speculations were cut short by the
coming Of Mrs. Knapp.
There was no reservation in her
greeting. AS we talked over the
events of the month. l found nothing
left OF the silent opposition with which
she had watched my growing friend
ship with the daughter of the house
At last she cried:
"Oh, ] had almost forgotten. Mr..
Knapp wishes to see you in his room
before you CO."
Il am at his service" l said, and
went at once to the den Of the Wolf.
"Ah, Wilton, ! find you're not vii
ton," he growled amiably. The loss
of his brother had not affected his
spirits.
Quite true" said
You needn't explain" he said. 1.-The
women folks say it's all right, though
I don't quite understand it myself"
Il can tell you the story" I said.
Il don't want to hear it," he growled.
I've tried you. and that's enough for
me-
l murmured my appreciation and
thanks for his good opinion.
The Wolf waved his hand as a dis
posal of all Acknowledgements, and
growled again:
Have you any engagements that
would keep you from taking the place
of president of the Omega Company"
fell back on the chair. speeches..
''There'll be a good salary" he con-
tinued. We'll. of course, you needn't
be in a hurry to accept. Take a day
to think over it if you like"
The Wolf actually smiled.
"Oh. l don't need any time" 1
gasped. Ill take it now
We'll, you'll have to wait till the d.
rectOrs meet" he said.
l gave him my hearty thanks for the
unlooked-for favor.
To tell you the truth" he said, lit
was the doing of the women folks"
My heart gave leap at the an
nouncement, for it carried a great
deal more with than Doddridge Knapp
knew.
Il am a thousand times obliged te
yUu-and the ladies" said.
We'll, I wasn't unwilling" he sale
inGulgently. In fact. intended to dc
something handsome for you. But
there's one condition l must make"
! looked my inquiry.
You must not speculate. You
haven't got the head for It"
Thank you," ! said. I'll keep out |
except under your ORDERS"
Right" he said. You've the best |
head for carrying out orders l ever
found"
The King of the Street waved me
good night. and l went back to the
parlOr. .....
Luella was sitting where I had left |
her. and no one else was about. She
was looking demurely down and did
not glance up till l was beside her.
Il have won a double prize" said
Il am the president of Omega"
And l stopped and kissed her.
THE END.
lkoaL, G. 10 @1I