The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-08-14

Z
81 am delighted, Robert"
Yes, he wants to meet you"
"Meet-me-?" she questioned, her
eyes wide open in astonishment
THAT wasn't just what he said" ex-
planned Bobbe consulting a slip Of
paper. Present my compliments to
Miss Birdsall and ask her of she will
come up to the Office this afternoon 80
that | may thank her in person" he
repeated glibly.
Miss Birdsall gasped
They're the boss ORDERS" observed
Bobbie, with finality.
We'll, he isn't my boss" expostulat.
ed Miss Birdsall Indignantly.
when the boss wants thing, he
always gets it."
Miss Birdsall reflected. Mr.. Mac
Dougall was very irascible and very
old gentleman If those we're his
wishes why should she hesitate to
crafty an old mans whim?
'I'll ask my boss, Bobbie." she agreed
with faint smile.
"All right" and Bobbie departed
promptly.
That afternoon she mentioned the
matter to the manager.
"Old MacDougall," he mused. 81
didn't know he was back; he's been in
Florida all winter. Certainly, go right
over, Miss Birdsall.
AS Miss Birdsall was ushered into
the sumptuous private Office of Mac
Dougall & Son, she ragged inwardly at
finding herself In such a position.
Young MacDougall came cordially
forward, indicated chair and seated
himself comfortably near her.
Your father" began Miss Birdsall
stifly.
The young man, usually at his ease,
grew red and embarrassed
Miss Birdsall, owe you an explana-
ton. l trust you will hear me to the
end"
Miss Birdsall moved uneasily.
You see," he went on, Il couldn't
explain the matter to you down there,
with an Office full of gaping clerks, but
each time I've seen you I've thought
what awfully good friends we might
become If we wre acquainted"
"Mr. MacDougall," interrupted Miss
Birdsall, rising, this is simply prepos-
terous.'
please hear me to the end" he
urged
Miss Birdsall sat down.
I'VE don't know each others friends
and there seemed to be no way in
which l could do the thing in the con
ventional manner till the Heaven-sent
tea episode" he continued more cheer
fully. That young rascal, Bobbie,
probably alluded to me as the old
man. and you naturally took 1t to be
my father"
| Louise Birdsall bit her lips in vexa-
ton. Other words of Bobbie's REQUIRED
to her "He always gets what he
wants" She would show him that the
old Birdsall spirit still survived, even
If she had been forced to earn her own
living.
"Mr MacDougall," she said, looking
him squarely in the eyes, 81 have few
friends but these few value more
than anything on earth. A friendship
to me is something sacred, not to be
based merely upon a good time. There
are some things in this world that
money cannot buy"
The young man flushed hotly. TITS
40 more than l deserve, Miss Birdsall
but I'm not the selfish brute I'm paint
ed. I'm lonely miserably lonely. |
have money, a house-not a home
and a vast following of fawning crea-
lures who are pleased to term them
selves my friends; 1t was you, and the
tea, I suppose, that made me realize
how little have" he finished lamely.
They were quiet for a moment; the
clickety-click of busy typewriters in
the Office beyond came family through
the closed door. Young MacDougall
sat, chin in hand, looking off into
space. Miss Birdsall watched the hurt
look upon the strong, handsome fea-
lures, she thought of the big house,
and then 1t came to her how lonely her
own little home would be were it not
for the mother always there to wei
come her at night and to encourage
her when she left in the morning.
II am sorry"
Don't" he begged without turning,
I've been a perfect fool, only l hoped
you would understand"
She touched his coat sleeve softly,
4 do understand"
Copyright 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndcate)
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