The Washington herald., 1910-12-25

late Sunday confronted him, Daylight resolved 10
speak, Office or no Office. And, as was his nature
he went simply ana directly TO the point. She had
finished her work with him and was gathering her
note pad and pencils together 10 depart when he
said
"0h, one thing more, Miss Mason, and hope you
won't mind my being frank and straight out You've
struck me right along q sensible minded girl and
don't think you'll take offence at what I'm going 10
say. N0a know how long SO we been in the Office
It's years. now, several Of them, anyway-and YOU
know I've always been straight and aboveboard with
YOU. I've never what you call-presumed Because
you were IN my Office I've tried 10 be more careful
than Tiff you wasn't in my Ofice-you under
stand. But just the same i. don't make me anv the
less human. I'm lonely sort Of Il fellow-dont take
that as bid Tor kindness What mean by il is 10
try and tell you just how much those two rides witt
you have meant. And now hope you won't mind my
just asking why you haven't been out riding the last
two Sundays"
He came TO n stop and waited, feeling very warm
and awkward the perspiraton starting in tiny beads
ON his forehead. She did not speak Immediately and
he stepped across the room and raised the window
higher.
I have been riding" she answered, 'in other dlrec
tons"
But Why He failed somehow TO complete the
question Go ahead and be frank with me" he urged
Just as frank as am with YOU Why didn't YOU ride
IN the Piedmont hills: ! hunted for you everywhere"
And that is just why She smiled and looked him
straight IN the eyes for moment then dropped her
own. Surely you understand, Mr.. Harnish."
lie shook bis head glumly
Il do and don't amt used to city ways by
long shot There's things one mustn't do, which
don't mind as long l don't want to do them"
But when you do;' she asked quickly.
Then l do them" His lips had drawn firmly with
TINS affirmation Of viii, but the next instant he
amending the statement That is, / mostly do. But
what gets me is the things you mustn't do when
they re not wrong and they won't hurt anybody
this riding for instance"
She played nevously with a pencil for a time as
If debating her reply, while he waited patiently
~ e. B-s nor avh fhav call
the right thing / leave ii To YOU. You know the
world You are Mr. Haruish, the mlionnare"-
Gambler" be broke ia harshy.
She nodded acceptance of j. term and went on
And I'm a stenOgrapher il your Ofhce'-
you're thousand times letter than me"-he at
tempted 10 interp0late, but in turn interrupted
1t isn't a question Of such things. It's simple
and fairly common situation that must be considered
! work for you. And it isn't what you or l might
think, but what other persons viii think. And you
don't need 10 be told any more than that You know
yourself"
Her cool, matter of fact speech belied her-or SO
Daylight thought looking her perturbed feminine
ness at the rounded lines Of her figure. the breast
that deeply rose and FELL and at the color that
now excited in her cheeks.
I'm sorry l frightened you out of your favorte
stamping grounds" he said rather almlessy.
You didn't brighten me-, she retorted with touch
Of fire I'm not a silly seminary girl. I've taken
care of myself for long time now and I've done it
without being frightened. We were together two
SUNDAYS and I'm sure l wasn't frightened of Rob or
YOU 1t isn't that / have no fears of taking care of
myself but the world Insists taking care of one as
well. That's the trouble It's what the world would
have to say about and my employer meeting regll
larry and riding in the hills Sundays It's funny
but it's so could ride with Of the clerks without
remark but with you-no."
But the world don't know and don't need 10
know" he cried.
Which makes it worse, in a way, feeling guilty of
nothing and yet sneakng around back roads with all
the feeling of doing something wrong. 1t would be
finer and drawer for me publicly
40 so to lunch with on a week day" DAYLIGHT
said, divning the drift of her uncompeted argu-
ment."
She nodded.
Il didn't have that quite in mind but it will do
I'd prefer doing the brazen thing and having every
body know it, TO doing the furtive thing and being
found out. Not that I'm asking to be invited to
lunch" she added with a smile 'but I'm sure Won
understand my position"
Then why not ride open and aboyeboard with me
in the hills p he urged
She shook her head with what he Imagined was
Just the fantest hint Of regret and he went suddenly
and almost maddeningly hungry for her.
Look here, Miss Mason l know YOU don't like this
talking over Of things in the Office Neither do I
It's part OF the whole thing, guess; a man amt sun
posed to talk anything but business with his stenor
rapher. VIII you ride with me next Sunday and we
can talk 1t over thoroughly then and reach some sort
of conclusion. Out in the hills is the place where
you can talk something besides business guess
you've seen enough Of me to know Pm pretty square
Ill do honor ana respect you, and-and all that and