Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-03-09

he glanced at her again. and again
she colored. Did she think he was
trying to flirt with her?
Then he very promptly forgot her.
FOR he was called to the phone
Elizabeth Towne, with to him made
luate excuse, cancelled her engage
nent for a drive with him. She had
been diffident lately. Immediately he
dashed out of the Office, found a
florists shop, and sent flowers reck-
lessly, enclosing a note to the effect
that he wanted her to be at home to-
him that evening. He went back in
The rain to the office.
There, with his eyes on law book
and his mind on Elizabeth, the after
noon wore on, while Dora clicked at
her machine, and saw the November,
trench of cold rain from the window
She would get wet going home, for
she had brought neither umbrella
aor raincoat. Then it was that her
employer, always coEsiderate, took
the matter into his own hands, He.
came from the inner Office in his;
storm coat
Atwood" he said to his son, I've
phonedNto your mother that | have to
line with Brewster and talk business
tonight. Davis will take me there
and return for you with the machine;
Close early and take Miss Brooks
home on your way-it's bad weather -
Thus 1t was that in the storm and,
rain Dora was taken home in the
cozy shelter of the big motor car.
The young man sat beside her, and
she was shy. silent, angry at her.
mother who would, of course extllt In,
his homecoming as a sign of-whate
It was not sign of. She leaned for
ward little, her soft child cheek
outlined against the light. They had
almost reached the little cottage.
when the unexpected happened
Lay 1t to mere youth and nearness,
to his lonely feeling that Elizabeth
was not kind to him-anything, the
boy, for he was scarcely more, sud-,
denly stopped and kissed Dora'sl
cheek on the impulse She turned on
him like little tigress and gave him.
quick slap with her ungloved hand,
while he begged pardon most sim
cerely, having intended no insult. Of
course it was outrageous, and he
knew 1t and said So
How dare you! How dare you!"
she breathed, as the car stopped. She
refused his proffered help, but clam
bered out alone. How hate you'll"
she refused even his umbrella to
Bhelted her to her door. He flushed,
then, despite himself, laughed This,
Of course, was just the right way for
her to take a caddish trick. He
leaned back and the car went on Its
way.
Dora's mother, all excitement, met
her at the door. The lights were not
yet lit, and the interior was almost
dark, but Dora did not care-she was
too hurt and angry.
Mother" she said, in her direct
fashion, but quietly enough. 81 have
Just seen what you are up to. If you
are fixing things UP, and getting
things we can't afford-just to-get
Atwood Storms to come here, you
can stop right now! simply despise
him!"
She began to cry, the tears running
over and binding her to the presence
of Steve, who was standing just be-
hind her mother. Oh" the girl con-
tinued, I'm so ashamed of you for
thinking of such thing that could
die! And Steve must have heard OF
this-and you've spoiled things for
him and me"
No she hasn't-nothing could, Do
die! Don't you fear" Steve came
toward her and put his big arms over
her shoulder protectingly. Nothing
can come between me and YOU" he
said ungrammatically. but with feel
Ing, till you say so. If you amt
throwing me over for that whipper-
snapper, it's all right"
Here the mother came to her sense
and drew the little brothers who were
staring, all eyes. into the kitchen.
She consoled them there with red
| apple apiece, and went on with her
supper getting.
Well" she said, half aloud to her
| SELF I've given the girl her chance.
It's been hard work. must say-and
If she don't want it, it'll be easier on
us all. And Steve is all right
In the dim little tawdry, override
decked parlor Dora and Steve thought
only of each other-they did not care
what anybody thought about them.