The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-15


 staff were marching in body to the railroad station Whatever their grievances was, the dc- mestlc rebels had dealt staggering blow to ths Palatios management, by abandoning that cara vansary on the of a public holiday followed by day of rest. The management faced the situa- aon with outward calm, reassuring their guests, but the likelihood of being deprived of domestic staff until Monday was not comforting inwzrdly Under the circumstances at breakfast on Sasurd.v the guests rose superior to their appetites but q picnic lunch of light weight and little variety wouid not down hungry protest The worst of it vas n the Palatio was practically Ocean Park there was no other gastronomic refuge. Miss Melee declared she was famished, and therein Mir. Schmerber saw his opportunity He vowed she should not suffer the misfortune of merely nominal dinner. Fla approached the management, and as the organizes of the World Wide Store Shoppers Free Lunch to customers holding checks above S1.5o offered ia bring order out of domestic chaos. His offer wss gladly accepted. Thereupon Mr. Schmerber dis played his executive ability. From among the guests he found cooks and started the fires in ths kitchen he drilled corps of waiters and if there were slight element of revenge in assigning tho real estate man and the prominent young dentist to the departments of vegetable peeling and dish washing respectively, cannot too severely re- proach MT. Schmerber. The result was that about four.thirty pleasant odors aoatcd upwards Co ths windows of Miss McFees apartment and st six punctually MT. Schmerber himself served her witb the first course; in fact. he waited upon her with such discrimination in the matter of the best cufs that the old lady who had previously laughed xi his jests was inclined to wax sarcastic When Miss Melee arose from the table there was approval h her eyes and gratitude in her voice.
 ."Oh, Mir Schmerber," she exclaimed enthusias- tcaly, whatever would have happened to us fl you had not been here!"
 As she turned to leave the room he judged hs might follow without invitation. On the piazza he suggested short stroll to which she assented A domestic crisis had at last brought them to- getter. He anxious to discover the cause oi her apparent aversion to him, which, however, she saved him the difficulty of first mentioning
 'Mr. Schmerber," she said, after few conven- tona preiminaries, "I feel I have been terribly mean to you; but I will never believe again what they say of you in the business"
 "Who they" he asked with interest
 "Oh, can't you guess%
 "Marx and Blumenstein!"
 Miss Melee nodded.
 N And what do they say about mel" he requested. As she aid not reply he obliged to repeat his question.
 "But I don't like to tell you," she responded. sIt's not at all nice" -.as But shall regard it as favor if you do," he persisted "Of you are not responsible for what old Marx says about me-
 As they turned at the end of the board walk along the ocean front, she glanced toward him and then looked down.
 Well" she hesitated perhaps ought to tell you since l have treated you badly. MT. Marx says you just a holy terror to the employees at the World Wide Store, that you cut down salaries, and work everyone overtime"
 MT. Schmerber halted abruptly and stared with surprise at Miss Melee. Then he laughed outright in which she presently lightly joined.
 That's a good joke" he exclaimed; "thats the best joke on me for urging our manager, Mir Gartenmeyer, to adopt union hours and rates of pay But surely you don't believe itr he asked, seriously.
 "Oh, not now," she responded with emphasis.
 "Then it doesn't matter a cent" he added, draw ing his arm through hers. and leading her down to the seashore. After this it became clear that Mir. Schmerbes had risen to the foremost position in Miss McFees estimation. For him there began excellent time in which he combined the good of the house vith supreme personal interest If Dr. Brown suggested tennis, Miss Melee already engaged to Mir Schmerber; if MT. Thomas proposed fishing ezs petition. she intimated preference for one whc knew how to cook fish as well as catch them. Al the evening hops everyone was on the waiting list ( but MT. Schmcrber.
 In this pleasing situation MT. Schmerber was ssd denly reminded of business by a telegram. He had overstayed his leave. What did it mean1 Thes followed another. Marx and Blumenstein were about to inaugurate sale of fail wraps on . scais hitherto unprecedented. He must return at once ts organize counterstroke. By wire he asked fos another days leave the plea of urgent business and received it. What that business signifed car be inferred from the coincidence that when his bag gage was brought down next morning Miss McFees was already in the express wagon.
 When MT. Schmerber entered the office he found the general manager nervously pacing the floor.
 "Oh, here you at last" he greeted. What the mischief has happened%
 MT. Schmerber smiled reassuringly.
 Its all right, MT. Cartenmeyer," he said "Misa Melee has sent in her resignation to Marx and Blumenstens and accepted permanent engage with us." E
 "Aye!" calculated the general manager.
 "Yes-I er-tl is-weil, she has consented ts become Mrs."-
 "What?" interrupted the general manager beam ing. "Schmerber congratulate you, both for your Y. self and the house. Shake, man, shakel"