The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-04-02

which she virtually was manager think
she knew her business? This was Ger.
talnly good reason for congratulation.
She must not be Silly. Confidence in
her ability at business might even help
to influence him toward refusing to
sell out. If she could but impress him
with the fact that she was able, might
1T not be possible that his confidence
In large future profits would weigh
powerfully?
To her surprise she heard chuckle
from the Judge and when she looked
at him discovered definite amusement
on his face.
And after you had gone last night,
he just raved about your eyes!" the old
man happily informed her.
my eyes!" She felt the blood
mounting to her cheeks and tried to
hide them with an industry which kept
her bent above her papers II he had
Iraved about her eyes then the impress
sion she had made on him was not en-
tirely commercial!
That's what he did! He said you
had the bluest eyes he'd ever Scent"
Now the Judge laughed heartily.
She flushed with sudden wrath.
Why, Judge, my eyes are gray!"
The judge himself was now sur
prised. He had believed them brown.
Are they?" He arose, went to her,
and, through his thick-lensed specta-
cles, peered at her face. why, SO
they are!" He walked away, non
plussed. well, what do you think of
that!'
Il think"
Perhaps he's color blind" the Judge
said hopefully. II guess have been"
Maybe that is it."
They were interrupted by Sam Hig-
gins. The foreman. it appeared, wished
to talk to Josie. Sam had way of al.
most shutting both his eyes and throw
ing back his head when he announced
things of this kind.
eyes," said Josie, with the indiffer-
ence of the business woman who has
long been Of authority, "I'll see him in
just few minutes
Sam whirled slowly, went to the door
and loudly delivered her message, as
if his voice must reach to the factory's
farthest end.
This focused the judges attention
upon something he had been consider
ing. He leaned above the desk and
spoke to Josie conf1dentially. Il
thought of something on the way over,
Josie. Nobody but us knows that the
young fellow is in town. He registered
at the Grand, you know, under the
name of Jackson. Maybe the people
in the plant are getting nervous"
Eyes, they are" she granted. There
have been SO many rumors of the sale.
I'm worried"
well, then, don't you think it might
around among the men Hitler"
She evidently agreed, for she vigor-
ously nodded and tapped bell. per
'haps it would be a good idea"
Noting that she had rung the bell,
the judge held up warning hand.
Don't do it that way. You leave it to
me. l won't have to tell more than
one or two Of them" He chuckled. "1'll
step in on my way out and tell You
what effect it has,
Eyes, do, judge"
"Are you ready for Higgins?"
YES; tell him to come in"
Going to the door, the Judge beck
oned to the man, who was waiting in
the shop beyond, and the gangling.
plainly heavy-minded and exceedingly
intense foreman entered.
"How do you feel today, Joe?" the
Judge asked kindly.
II don't feel very WELL" Higgins an.
swered gloomily and frowning.
The Judge looked at him. smiling,
not entirely with approval. you new
.er do, do you, Joe?" Higgins made no
answer: the Judge laughed and disap-
ipeared.
well, what is It, Higgins?" Josie in
iquired without delay, looking up at the
unpleasantly faced creature as If she
had no time to waste.
He came forward lurchingly. nerv-
ously twisting his cap in powerful
hands: but there was nothing of the
,suppliant about him; rather he seemed
almost to be inclined to threaten. II
want to ask you question. Miss Rich
ards"
Go right ahead"
/ 'Tll expect you to tell me the truth
now!"
She flashed an angry look at him.
.T'm not in the habit Of lying"
He gazed at her with lowered head
and frowning face. His words came
SLOWLY, as If he found 1t difficult to find
them; but he did not speak with hest
tation; indeed. there was that about
him which limited ct the labor union
orator.
I'm talking for every man n the
pIant.. he began. with rising voics, en-
dsavorins 70 - impreeaivs. We I'D
. nss1jne this mCfninG. and ~ want
~ h.r-~ ssrtS 8. sS,ss 1855 e sr.s.s.,