Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-04

again 10 lilac. ne On1e1 was clearly losing
his grip. Quite as clearly, there could be
ing modest disclaimer to we'll merited
words Of praise. Any other possibility
one chance in ten thousand
The General Manager swung at last in his
chair. "Sit down." he said shortly.
Lindauer sat, still with jaunty grace, but
eyes rowing to the desk, and second clam
my mist gathered under his collar.
Tossed high on the heaving billow of pa
pers, one thin sheet drew his fascinated gaze,
the big black letters jutting and frowning
like sullen, protruding rocks, Confidential
Report"
The Waist Buyer writhed uncontrollably,
His long-sighted, shifting eyes dropped war
lily to the typewriter lines, drank them IN
twitched with relief
Learn patient at Stony Void seven months;
reported discharged; leaves 6:35 Sunday p. NJ;
should arrive
Only some medical report-a Lindauer
heaved back heavily on the cushions,
mopped his brow for the third time, and
still waited, with respectful ease.
Not one chance in twenty thousand! But
why the deuce
The General Managers eyes were quietly
surveying him. give sent for you, Lin.
dauer-' the words of congratulation halted
strangely-3to inquire" Could it still be
but no-"about that assistant of yours,
said the General Manager.
@Ah-yes," Lindauer swung one patent
leather over the other with fully restored
jauntiness. "Miss Peake."
allow do you find herr" asked the Cen
eral Manager.
3Well, now," judicially, am glad you
mentioned her. l regret to say, Mr.. Highly,
I've been disappointed in Miss Peake. She
has little, may say almost no, gumption.
He brushed a fleck of dust from his coat.
Zone thing, Mr.. Highly, my assistant has
got to have gumption. Now, Miss Haw-
kins-' regretfully.
carefully together. "You forget. Miss
Hawkins did not leave us on account of
want of g,1mption." He faced his buyer di-
rectly. as she trustworthy?' he inquired
with great earnestness.
@Well, -er-I hardly like wouldn't
exactly care to say"
ooh, YOU wouldn't" The General Mana
ger studied him an instant refectively. @Cal
her in, he directed at last.
MISS PEAKE entered with head aloft,
~ her eyes a joyous challenge to the
Fates. But the shy little half-smile curving
HeI lips laced dI SlSllI Ol LuIuducI, dIiu SIlC
turned aside uncertainty.
aCome in, Miss Peake," said the General
Manager. Il think haven't met you since
you joined us; but I've seen signs of YOU
He placed chair. Gall | wish just now is
to ask you and Mr.. Lindauer to explain a
little matter that has come to my atten-
ton"
He reached back, and from beneath the
restless billow of papers on the desk drew
box containing a slightly crumpled black
charmeuse blouse, with Bulgarian embroid-
cry, size SO.
Miss Peake's cheeks blazed till her collar
must soon ignite, and the diamond locket
quivered but there was no quailing in her
eyes. She turned confidently to her chief.
lust word from him-how soon they would
all be smiling!
But the words when they came tramped
in funeral file. Il regret, indeed, Mr.. Highly
as you know, I've been most indulgent.
This is delicate situation; but | definitely
told Miss Peake only last Thursday-this is
a direct infringement of rules"
Miss Peake dropped for one dazed instant
against the door, then slowly Strengthened.
The General Managers eyes were steadily
urging, commanding, one might almost have
thought begging, her to speak. Her defense
was clear. Was it not marshaled downstairs
now, on thirty-nine neatly placed tables?
"TuSt nOmentir she paSDed That clutch