The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1912-05-16

John slammed the receiver In place.
but the noise did not drown litter
in the outer ONCE.
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 IL 1t 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
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 it.
Entirely at your service" he said
The girls face flushed at his tone
Il came to explain about that joke
we-T-played on you today. You
knew l wrote the slip? The rest
dared me to do It, They said I did
not dare because-you are always SO
so short with everyone. / had de-
MED you were that way. so had to
take the darei But I'm sorry now
did it. I ask your pardon"
John had a confused sense OF see
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 word
He must see her at once. and there
seemed bur one way to accomplish II.
Immediately after hurried dinner
and a painstaking grooming. he cali
ed up the elder John Benton.
This is Uncle John7 Can you give
me Miss Billings address?
"Yes, Miss Billing. the stenogra-
pher. of course. She is the only per-
son I know by that name Yes. II Is
something pertaining to the Office
work. and I must see her tonight II
possible. Yes. sir. there has been n
mistake made. / shall be very care
full not to make a similar one In the
future, you may be sure. Thank you
very much Good bye'"
II seemed TO take an Incredibly
long time 10 reach the quiet suburban
street He thought with sudden
pang OF the cold mornings Of winter
when she had endured the tedious
ride. And what sort OF ride had she
had tonight. -. s,s-1 ss.sz 2s4zesrs
There was n 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 food OF warm light.
looking at him questionlngly.
Mr.. Benton. VIII you come in,-
He stepped inside and closed the
door
Forgive me for troubling you. but
7 had 10 come, You bewiidered me
this afternoon when you came IN. and
then you were gone before ! could
speak Do you suppose ! could leave
II like that"
Benton looked at her intently. She
wore some sort OF soft. clinging blue
gown, and had n rose in her hair. She
had flung a bit OF needlework secn
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 would rather die than give you
unhappiness, What does that paltry
Joke natter I'm n 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. II must not let you
lose such opportunities"
II you care as I do. girl. nothing
else matters. suspect he win be
furious. and will probably turn me
down. But I can take care OF you.
dear. without his help. II only you
will let me,
Let's call him up now and tell him
Mt once"
Together they heard the elder Ben.
tons voice IN answer to their call.
you are rendering your resigna-
tion7 Rather sudden. Isn't IT. All.
this also includes Miss Billings'
That's rather sudden. too. believe.
"Um-weli. refuse to accept your
resignation. never In my life
thought so well OF your Judgment as
Y a.. stt. ...t,,.t. GOOD pluhts~