Mexico Missouri message., 1912-05-02


in the outer Office.
Fool!-why hadn't he thought
about the first of April! And she had
been willing to make him ridiculous
before them all, knowing that they
already disliked him, even If It were
for reasons which he could not con-
| troll
BY sheer determination he ground
out the busy afternoon.
AS the clerks wer leaving, he heard
a tap at his door, and called: Come"
Edith Billings slipped In and closed
the door after her.
Are you busy, Mr.. Benton"
Her hesitation was appealing, but
John refused to be affected by II.
Entirely at your service" he said.
The girls face flushed at his tone.
'T came to explain about that Joke
we-I-played on you today. You
knew wrote the slip? The rest
dared me to do It. They said | did
not dare kerause-you are always so
so short with everyone. had de
MED you were that way, so had to
take the cnrel But I'm sorry now
did II, ask your pardon"
John had a confused senBs OF bee
ing her eyes filled with tears before
the door closed quickly behind her
In an instant he sprang up, but she
was not in sight when he reached the
street.
The young man made his home
ward Journey mechanically.
She had defended him before the
others' She had wept because she
thought he was offended And he
had let her go away without a word.
He must see her at once. and there
seemed but one way to accomplish IT,,
Immediately after a hurried dinner
and a painstaking grooming, he call
ed up the elder John Benton.
This is Uncle John? Can you give
NE Miss billings address?
Eyes, Miss Billing. the stenogra-
pher of course. She ia the only per
son know by that name. Yes, II Is
something pertaining to the Office
work, and I must see her tonight If
possible. Yes, sir. there has been a
mistake made. shall be very care
full not to make a similar one In the
! future, you may be surel Thank you
very much. Good bye!"
It seemed to take an incredibly
| long time to reach the quiet suburban
street. He thought with a sudden
| pang of the cold mornings of winter
when she had endured the tedious
ride And what sort Of ride had she
had tonight?
There was a light in the cottage
which bore the number he was seek
ing. He rang the bell impatiently.
He heard steps cross the room with
| in and the door opened.
Ste stood in a flood of warm light,
looking at him questioningly.
'Mr. Benton! Will you come in?"
He stepped inside and closed the
door.
Forgive me for troubling you, but
! I had to come! You bewldered me
this afternoon when you came in, and
then you were gone before I could
speak. Do you suppose / could leave
1t like that"
Benton looked at her intently. She
Nore some sort of soft, clinging blue
gown. and had a rose in her hair. She
had flung a bit of needlework upon
her chair on her way to the door. Her
eyes looked heavy, with dark circles
The sight made him desperate.
Edith" he said. don't you know
that I would rather die than give you
unhappiness? What does that paltry
joke matter? LIN a fool, whether II
Is the first of April or not, for I've
wanted you more than anything else
on earth and haven't dared ask you!"
The smile he had dreamed of dawn.
ed in her eyes.
But your uncle" she remonstrat.
ed, remembering. 81 must not let you
lose such opportunities"
'If you care as I do, girl, nothing
else matters. I suspect he will be
furious, and will probably turn me
down. But I can take care of you
dear, without his help, if only you
will let me!
Lets call him up now and tell him
at once"
Together they heard the elder Ben
tons voice in answer to their call.
you are rendering your resigna
ton? Rather sudden. isn't it? All
this also includes Miss Billings
That's rather sudden, too, believe
"Um-well, | refuse to accept you,
resignation. never in my li&
thought so well of your judgment al
do this minute" Good night"