The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-01-24
The Euenine Story
Not ON tho Marlket.
(By Joanna Single.l


When Marcia had finished taking
the Junior partners dictation she
arose quietly and left the room with
out a glance at the dark young man
who sat waiting his friends conven-
fence. Ridgewood looked after her
critically as tho other man whirled
around to talk with him.
New girl. Blount? Haven't seen
her before he remarked.
Been here a week. Miss Smith
married Davis, our manager, you
know said Blount, Offering his friend
| a cigar.
Ridgewood lit it.
This one'n marry you. Be careful.
Blount. she's too pretty"
She's well-bred-" began Blount,
defensively.
(which makes her more danger
ous. laughed Ridgewood. "a COM
mon 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
III that's all you came in to say,
I'm busy retorted the younger man.
You're like all the rest Of the mar
ried bunch-unable to mind your own
business. and wild to have all us
happy singles trapped because You
are. Get out Of here!"
IT won't" laughed Rfdgewood; ct
She's a high-stepper. Her eyes are
like brown velvet-with fair hair, too.
She'll marry you. How about Lelah
Morris? Your whole set is waiting
for the wedding. Don't disappoint US
marry out of your class" Ridge
way rose, and walked over to the ash
tray.
Ridge. get out of here" COM
manded Blount. 1T want to work.
You're mere idle rich. You and
Maude happen to get along. but most
marriages are plain hades. I've mo-
spend the rest of your days settling
up. financially. and 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 it., She
old matchmaker! Clear out. I'm
, busy today"
Ridgeway rose laughing.
Maude sent me to ask you to din
ner tonight-informal- You're to
take out Lelah Morris. But this new
watch out! Wen expect you to-
night ?''
, Blount accepted and saw his friend
to the outer door. As he re-entered
his private Office Marcia stood wait
. ing for him. Her face was deathly
| very
l Blount started to offer her a chair,
but by a gesture she stopped him.
Mr. Blount, the door was open. I
heard your friend. It may be foolish
, Tor me to notice 1t, but let me assure
you that your are perfectly safe. I am
, mere simply to earn money because I
need 1t. I shall keep my place. And
/ wouldn't marry you If you asked me
not that you're likely to. Next time
your friends wish to discuss me, please
l t1A <7rH%Nv Il
ter?"
Something about her made it i'm
possible for Blount to say anything he
wished to say. but as she went out, he
called:
Miss Way. kindly remember that
l said no word of you but In respect.
That is simply Ridgewood's idea OF a
joke. I hate 1t as badly as you do.
! Your manner has been perfect here.
. Let me assure you that I also shall
keep my place." He bowed and the
t girl gave him a queer little smile and
a passed out.
E The weeks passed. and Marcia Way
became fixed in her place. No wom-
{ an he had ever had in the office had
4 been SO satisfactory. And she was a
i JOY to look at. Always pleasant, she
I kept the whole office at 4 distance
= nevertheless. Something about her
i piqued Jesse Blount. She was 90 sure
. of herself. SO poised. SO beautiful. And
< her voice rested him.. He found him.
r self trying to make her talk. Ridge
0 wood had come in few times, but
. Blount's manner made him fight shy
OF personalities. Marcia never looked
his way.
In January Ridgewood's wife came
: In one day, deliberately cloaked, and
1 on the smallest pretext, to talk with
: Blount. But she looked Marcia over
from head to foot in a guarded and
b well hammered fashion. Somehow
d Blount, chatting with Mrs. Rfdgewood
q perceived that she came for q look al
the girl. He was furious. but cour-
: teous outwardly, and took her down to
!. her motor. AS he handed her in she
said lightly:
"She's beautiful, Jesse. I DOM
= blame you. But Lelah has caste, and
you've dangled long enough. It's dan
! gerous to be with such q girl as thai
: every day. Are you going to marry
you are very kind to interest your
u self in me-" he rejoined icily, but yor
: can't expect me to discuss two charm
+ ing girls in such fashion I'm SURE
neither would have me. Is this robs
: warm enough? Yes? Well, goodby.'
= Going back to the office, he could
not help glancing at Marcia She
70 caught the glance. and they stood
:. Finally the girls eyes turned away
= Blount went into the inner office and
y slammed the door. He sat dowr
y weakly and swore under his breath
He knew what allied him.
= sTmrin love with her. fool that
II am! And she hates me. Why didn't
Y see that was In love with her? Ny
e COMPOUNDED friends!" he thought to
It himself. "She heard Ridgewood. and
n now madame comes to look her over!
. She surely felt that. too. They've
a spoiled things for me"
i BlOunt went home very miserable
+ Marcia didn't even look at him ~ h
u - -o.st.. ur.,,,< eo,,~,.< 49,