The Washington herald., 1914-01-24
Daily Short Storiy.
NOT ON THE MARKET.
ny JOANNA SINGLE
ccoprish,. isla,

tCopyTight. BILL
When Marcia had finished taking the
Junior partners dictation she arose quiet
ly and left the room without glance At
the dark young man who sat waiting his
friends convenience. ,Ridgewood looked
after her critically as the other man
whirled around to talk with him.
New girl. Blount? Haven't seen her
before" he remarked.
Been here a week. Miss Smith mar
ried Davis. our manager. you know" said
Blount. offering his friend a cigar.
Ridgewood lit II.
This one'll marry you. Be careful.
Blount she's too pretty"
shes well-bred--'' began Blount de-
fenslvely.
(which makes her more dangerous
laughed Ridgewood. "a common girl,
even with beauty wouldn't take your
fastidious eye What about Miss Morris
Why don't you marry and settle down!
It's great"
IF that's all you came In to say. I'm
busy retorted the younger man. You're
like all the rest of the married bunch
unable to mind your own business. and
wild to have all US happy singles trapped
because you are. Get out of here."
II won't" laughed Ridgewood: Il like
Il here. l like that beautiful girl. She's
a high-stepper. Her eyes are like brown
velvet-with fair hair. too. She'll marry
you. How about Lclah- Morris? Your
whole set Is waiting for the wedding.
Don't disappoint us-or marry out of your
class" Ridgeway rose, and walked over
to the ash-.rsy.
Ridge. get out OF here" commanded
Blount II want to work. You're mere
idle rich. You and Maude happen to get
along. but most marriages are plain
hades. I've noticed that when you settle
down you spend the rest Of your days set
tling up. financially. and a thousand
other ways. It's too much see-sawing.
I'm not on the marriage market. Get
that? My attentions to Miss Morris
mean nothing. She knows 1t, She
wouldn't have me II ! asked her. you old
matchmaker! Clear out. I'm busy to-
day.
Ridgewood rose. laughing.
'.Maude sent me 20 ask you to dinner
tonight-informaL You're to take out
Leiah Morris. But this new secretary
will marry you. II you don't watch out!
Wen expect you tonight?''
Blount accepted and saw his friend to
the outer door. As he re-entered his pri-
vate Office Marcia stood waiting for him.
Her face was deathly white and her voice
very quiet. Blount started to offer her
him.
Mr. Blount. the door was open. heard
your friend. 1t may be foolish for me to
notice Il. but let me assure you that you
are perfectly safe. i am here simply to
earn money because 1 need IL. i shall
keen my place. And I wouldn't marry
cu 4 you asked me: not that you're
IlsIF TO. Next time your friends wish to
dissu me. please close the door viii
yea gn this letter.
Something about her made it impos-
Il 20 ior Blount to say anything he wish
.- say. but as she went out. he called: !:
8 IS Way, kindly remember that /
d. 10 word OF you but in respect. That
r. sI'rply Ridgewood's idea of a joke. I
- 4 as badly as you do. Your manner
as Oeen perfect here. Let me assure
OF nat l also shall keep my place" He
bcw. and the girl gave him a queer IT.
tie ruile and passed out.
Ta1 weeks passed. and Marcia Way be-
came fixed in her place. No woman he
h,5 ever had in the Office had been so
So Isl lctory. And she was joy TO look
At Aiways pleasant, she kept the whole
oIlae at a distance nevertheless. Some
tliinE about her piqued Jesse Blount She
vas - sure of herself. so poised. SO beau
tifui And her voice rested him. He
found himself trying 10 make her talk.
Rage wood had come in few times. but
BluuELs manner made him fight shy OF
pors5nahties. Marcia never looked his
way.
IN January Ridgewood's wife came In
one day. elsborately cloaked. and on the
smallest pretext. to talk with Blount- But
she looked Marcia over from head to
foot N a guarded and well-mannered
fashion. Somehow Blount. chatting with
Hrs. Ridsewood, perceived that she came
ior 4 look at the girl He WAS furious.
but courteous outwardly, and took her
down to her motor. As he handed her in
sr- sid lightly:
She's beautiful. Jesse. l don't blame
-oJ. But Lelah has caste, and you've
dangled long enough. It's dangerous to
be with such a girl as that every day.
Are you going to marry herr?
You are very kind TO interest yourself