El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-10-19
AFTER HOURS
(By Leslie ThOmas.)

..Pranosterousi" muttered Mr.. Shell
ton irritably, staring through his ram
despatched office window into the
gloomy and deserted little thorough
fare without. When that mink comes
back
He broke off, growing inarticulate-
IL and frowned again over the half
sheet of note paper he held. 1t was COW
cred with calculations and seemed TO
be an estimate of domestic expenses
on a modest scale. Rent" house
keeping" insurance" and other items
were mentioned, including balance
for emergencies they totaled exact
II $1,000. This was the yearly income
of Mr.. Shelton. jr.
"Ridiculous." added the middle aged
can possibly marry"
He stamped backwards and for
wards for some time. breathing hard.
"Besides-my typist? one of the
firms employes!"
That, he told himself was the last
result of having a good looking girl
in the office. He had been mad to en-
gage her.
However, directly Miss Gainsford re-
turned they would have a quiet little
talk together; and no doubt she would
prove reasonable.
He was Inundated to recollect that
he had not for moment until that
morning, suspected the truth. Jim had
not confided in him; and, as for Miss
Gainsford, her demeanor was quite I'M
changed.
LAS for all this nonsense." Mr.. Shell
ton spluttered.
He crumpled up the paper and stop
ped in his promenade to throw it into
a basket in the corner Then he lifted
a foot and rammed it down savagely.
Ar impatient exclamation escaped him
as he found that his boot was firmly
wedged. Striving to withdraw it he
nearly toppled over. At the same mo-
ment the telephone bell tinkled per-
emptorily from the inner room.
Kicking and struggling. Mr.. Shelton
grew red faced and furious. 1t was an
absurd predicament but the fact re-
manned that he could not free his leg.
Once more the telephone bell sounded.
1t heralded obviously, the message
In half a minute Mr.. Shelton was
nearly raving. He tore wildly at the
wicker work. glazing round for a
knife. The exchange rang imperiously
for the third time.
Kneeling, after a last breathless eff
fort, Mr.. Shelton began to unite his
boot lace. It seemed the only way A
few moments later he battered awk.
wardly across, and disappeared.
"Hullo, hullo, Yes. Why didn't I an
swer before? Because II couldn't
| Who's ringing me? Yes, yes; I want
you. Is sir John there"
A long silence followed. Mr.. Shelton
fumed. At the same instant the house
keepers wife, a stolid, dull Drained
person, pushed open the door of the
outer office and peered round inquir
ingly. 1t was past her usual hour fol
what she called turning out" the
place.
Crossing the room she had just pick
ed up the paper basket when she heard
| Mr. Shelton's voice within.
Might as well take this an empt' it
ANYHOW" she murmured.
At sight of the boot she was only
momentarily surprised.
Thrown away, Good as new, too.
Wonder where the other 'un is? II
1
On the landing outside she paused {
moment. Some one was ascending the
stairs.
"Ah it's you. Miss Gainsford, I SCI
your folks inside 'aven't gone yet. She
pointed with a grimy thumb. We'll
I'll run an do a bit o. shoppin' before
| I start my cleanin'.
The woman moved on upstairs will
| her burden. Miss Gainsford stepped IL
and laid aside her macintosh and UNI
| brella.
Suddenly the inner door opened. anC
her employer appeared. His left foo
was attired merely in a dark coloreS
sock Miss Gainsford stared amazedly
With curt nod he hobbled towards
the window.
why, good gracious, where-wherei
that basket gone? Il beg your pardon
sir?' The waste paper basket! Hav'
| you moved it?"
| Mis- Gainsford shook her head slow
| ly.
did you want it particularly"
Want it? It's got my boot in it."
Miss Gainsford gasped. Indeed
| sir?'
| Yes Where is my boot?'
| II really can't tell you" his typ
| list gurgled. Unless she added, will
| difficulty unless Mrs. Peters carried |