Rock Island Argus., 1913-06-18
The Daily Story

wall and transacted business aftel
the manner of Il toe dancer. He jump
ed from ticker 10 phone, from desk Il
door. with the trained agility Of har
lequin.
In the midst of this growing and i'm
portant stress the broker became sud
denly aware of high rolled fringe o:
golden hair under Il nodding canopy OF
velvet and ostrich tips, an imitation
sealskin sack and a string OF bead:
as large as hickory nuts. ending neal
the floor with silver heart. Their,
was self possessed young lady con
nected with these accessories. ant
Pitcher was there TO construe her.
Lady from the stenographers' agen
cy TO see about the position" sale
Pitcher.
Maxwell turned half around, will
his hands full of papers and ticke
tape.
what position?' he asked with 4
frown.
Position of stenographer." sait
Pitcher You told me yesterday Il
call them up and have one sent ovei
this morning"
"You are losing your mind, Pitcher
said Maxwell. why should l hav,
given you any such instructions? Mis-,
Leslie has given perfect satisfaction
during the year she has been here. Th,
place is hers as long as she chooses I,
retain 1t. There's no place open here
madam. Countermand that order with
the agency, Pitcher. and don't brini
any more of 'em In here" x
The silver heart left the office, swing
ing and banging itself independently
against the Office furniture as it indig
nantly departed. Pitcher seized a mo
ment to remark to the bookkeeper thai
the "old man. seemed to get more alb
sentminded and forgetful every day
of the world. ..--.s,.. ..
The rush and pace OF business grew
fiercer and faster. On the floor they
were pounding half dozen stocks In
which Maxwelrs customers were
heavy investors. Orders to buy and
sell were coming and going as swift
as the flight of swallows. Some of his
own holdings were imperiled. and the
man was working like some high gear
ed, delicate, strong machine-strung to
full tension. going at full speed. ac
curate. never hesitating. with the prop
er word and decision and act ready
and prompt as clockwork. Stocks and
bonds. loans and mortgages, margins
and securiies-here was a world OF
finance, and there was no room in IL
for the human world or the world OF
nature. -h.'.,.t,.--t ..rA.
When the luncheon hour drew near
there came a slight lull in the uproar.
Maxwell stood by his desk with his
hands full of kilograms and memoran.
daS with n fountain pen over his right
ear and his hair hanging in disorderIy
strings over his forehead. His window
was open. for the beloved janitress
Spring had turned on little warmth
through the waking registers OF the
earth.
And through the window came
wandering-perhaps lost-odor. del
icate. sweet odor of lilac that fixed
the broker for a moment immovabIe,
for this odOr belonged TO Miss Leslie.
| 1t was her own. and hers only.
The odor brought her vivldly. almost
| tangibly. before him. The world OF
| finance dwinded suddenly to q speck.
/ And she was in the next room twenty
steps away.
by George. I'll do It now" said
| Maxwell, half aloud. "I'Il ask her
now. l wonder didn't do it long
| ago"
He dashed into the inner office with
| the haste of n short trying to cover.
| He charged upon the desk of the
| stenographer.
| She looked up at him with a smile.
| A soft pink crept over her cheek. and
| her eyes were kind and frank. Max.
! well leaned one elbow on her desk.
! He still cIutched flottering papers with
both hands, and the pen was above
! his ear.
Miss Leslie" he began hurriedly,
| Il have but moment to spare. 1
want TO say something In that moment.
! Will you he my wife? | haven't had
| time to make love To you IN the ordi.
nary way. but I really do love you.
! Talk quick. please. Those fellows are
clubbing the stufIing ont of Union Pa.
cific."
"Oh. what are you talking about: e.
! exclaimed the young lady. She rose 10
her feet and Gazed upon him. round
! eyed.
! Don't you .understand:" said Max.
well restively. Il want you to marry
me. love you. Miss Leslie. wanted
to tell you. and | snatched a minute
when things had slnckened up a bit.
They're calling me for the phone now.
Tell 'em to wait minute. Pitcher.
! Won't you. Miss I.eslIe:r
The stenograpber acted very queerly.
! At first she seemed overcome with
amazement. then tears flowed from
her wondering eyes. md then she
smiled sunnily through them. and one
OF her arms slid tenderly about the
brokers' neck.
Il knaSy now" she said softly. "Its
this old business that has driven every
thing else ont Of your head for the
time. | was frightened Mt first. Don't
yon remember. Harvey? We were
married last evening Mt O'Clock 10
fha I ittip Church rouud tho (.nrno- u