The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1914-12-18

e know SnuckS ABOUT the skirt business
1 They've got 10 take in a third party q
= keep it close corporation. 1t wa
; all between old Buck. Buck junior, an,
: old lady Buck. How can you tel
} whether the new member viii want ;
) woman ON the road, or not?"
A little steely light hardened tbs
, blue of Mrs. McChesney's eyes.
} We'll leave the firm of t. A. BucI
; out of this discussion. please
. "Oh, very WE'LL" Ed Meyers was
unabashed Let's talk about From
kin. He don't object, do you, Abei
It's just like this. He needs your
smart head. You need his money.
It'll mean a sure thing for you-a
share in a growing and substantial
business. When you get your road
men trained it'll mean that you won't
need to go out on the road yourself,
except for a little missionary trip
now and then, maybe. No more in
fernal early trains. no more bum hotel
grub, no more stuffy, hot hotel rooms,
no more naughty lady buyers-gosh. 1
wish had the chancei"
Emma McChesney sat very still.
Two scarlet spots glowed in her
cheeks. mo one appreciates your
| gift of oratory more than I do, Mr..
Meyers. Your flow of language,
coupled with your peculiar persuasive
powers, make combination statue
couldn't resist But I think it would
sort of rest me if Mr. Fromkin were
to say word, seeing that it's really
his funeral"
Abel Fromkin started nervously,
and put his dead cigarette to his
lips. 81 amt much of a talker," he
said, almost sheepishly. Meyers,
he's got it down fine. 1 tell you what.
I'll be in New York the 21st. We
can go over the books and papers
and the whole business. And / like |
you should know my wife. And I |
got a little girl Would you believe I
it, that child amt more as year
old. and says papa and mamma like
actress."
Sure" put in Ed Meyers, disre-
garding the more intimate family de-
tails. You two get together and fix
things up in shape; then you can
sign up and have it off your mind
so you can enjoy the festive Christ
mas season"
Emma McChesney had been gaz-
ing out of the window to where the
street lamps were reflected in the
Recovered pavements. Now she
spoke, still staring out upon the win
try street.
Christmas isn't a season. It's a
feeling. And l haven't got it.
oh, come now, Mrs. McChesney!"
objected Ed Meyers.
With a sudden, quick movement
Emma McChesney turned from the
window to the little dark man who
was watching her so intently. She
laced him squarely, as though utterly
Ed Meyers fattery and
1anter and cajolery. The little man
before her seemed to recognize the
of the moment. He leaned
Onward a bit attentively.
IF what has been said is true she
began, this ought to be a good thing
or me- If go into it, I'll go in heart,
oul, brain, and pocketbook. ! do
now the skirt business from thread
o tape and back again. I've managed :,
o save few thousand dollars. Only
woman could understand how I've
one it. I've scrimped on little things. c;
We denied myself necessities. I've G.
-orn silk blouses instead of linen ones V
} save laundry bills and taken a n
treet car or bus to save quarter or q
fly cents. I've always tried to look Il
ell dressed and immaculate II
'You!" exclaimed Ed Meyers. h,
Why, say, you're what l call swell W
lesser. Nothing fashy, understand, al
: loud, but the quiet, good stuff that lie
,ells ready money"
"M-m-m-yes. But it wasn't always e
ready. Anyway, always managed
mellow. The boys at college. Some 81
mes L wonder-well, that's another in
Dry. I've saved, and contrived, and VI
AIMED ahead for rainy day. There
We been two or three times when / mi
ought it had come. Sprinkled pretty at
avily, once or twice. But I've just de
rned up my coatcollar, tucked my lat
t under my skirt, and scooted for trJ
'e. And each time it has turned out 20
be just summer shower, with the his
n coming out bright and warm" me
Her frank, clear, honest, blue eyes shi
re plumbing the depths of the black col
IS. Those few thousand dollars 30
It you hold so lightly will mean col
to me. They've been my Tn
lone cellar. If" vol
through the writing room sounded a Z
monotonous voice with her
ote of inquiry in it. tur
Mrs. McChesneyi Mr.. Fraser! Mr.. knc
lwig! Please! Mrs. McChesney! Def
FTaseri Mr.. Lud-" ten
Here, boy!" Mrs. McChesney took :"
little yellow envelope from the Buc
Ter that the boy held out to her mol
quick glance rested on the written nes
DIS. She rose, her face colorless. truI
Not bad news?" The two men won
re simultaneously. %