Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-02-27
NOT ON THE MARKET.
BY Joanna sinsIe
copyright, 1914, by the lecture News
paper Syndicate0 4

paper Syndicate.)
When Marcia had finished aking the
1unlor partners dictation she arose quiet
~ and left the room without a glance at
the dark young man who sat waiting his
lflends convenience. Ridgewood looked
W ad5GT her gro erltic al as the ,, other man
New girl, Blount? Haven't seen her
before he remarked.
Been here a week. Miss Smith mar
REC Davis. our manager, you KNOW" said
Blount, Offering his friend a cigar.
Ridgewood lit it.
R,o Mhls one,n marry you. Be careful,
bioiht, she's too pretty"
She's well-bred-' began Blount de-
fensively.
la uMnifh R mases her M more sod aangero us,
even with beauty wouldn't take your fas-
1!dlous eye. What about Miss Morris?
H Mny cont you marry and settle own
If that's all you came in to say, I'm
nusy,. retorted the younger man. Your
IKE an the rest of the married bunch
una unaple to mind your own business, and
because you are. Get out of here!"
l won't laughed Ridgewood; II like
=. b mere. 1 like that beautiful girl. She's
you. How about Lelah Norris? Your
Don't d fe5 nn is waiting for the wedding:
to the ash-tray.
Ridge. get out Of here commanded
idle rich. You and Il Made aude. happen ne to 'a get
d!ons. put most marriages are plain hades.
I've noticed that when you settle down
you o spend the rest of your days settling
ways. It's too much s~ee-sawing. I'm not
on me marriage market. Get that? My
aa9 hs to Miss Morris mean nothing:
asked her. you old matchmaker! Clear
out; I'm busy today"
R1dgeWcod rose, laughing.
.Maude sent me to ask YOU to dinner to-
night-inforinal. You're to take out Lelah
MOTIFS: But this new secretary will marry
y gocf If you don'5 watch out! Well ex-
Biount accepted and saw his friend to
the outer door. AS he re-cntered his pri-
Tate office Marcia stood waiting for him.
ier race was deathly white and her voice
very quiet. Blount started TO offer her a
enalr, but by a gesture she stopped him.
WI. Blount. the door was open. I
me-, meat ta Hour friend. It may be foolish for
you are perfectly safe. ] am here simply
10 earn money because I need it. / shall
Keep my place. And I wouldn't marry you
10. Next time your friends wish to dis
cuss me, please close the door. Will you
sign this letter."
something about her made it impossible
FOR Blount to say anything he wished to
say, but as she went out. he called:
Miss Way, kindly remember that I
is's sin mn wo Rdd OF YOU put in respect. That
hate it as badly as YOU do. Your manner
mas oeen perfect here. Let me assure you
mat ! also shall keep my place." He
bowed ana the girl gave him q queer lit
tie smile and passed out.
me Wooks passed, and Marcia Way be-
cam came mxed IN her place. No woman he
nag ever had in the office had been 80
satisfactory. And she was a joy to look
az: Always pleasant. she kept the whole
t Hbnce a at a distance nevertheless. Some
Vas SO sure of herself. SO poised, SO beau
tlul. And her voice rested him. He
1oHnd himself trying to make her talk.
RidgeWood had come in a few times, but
Blount's manner made him fght shy of
personalities. Marcia never looked his
one day. deliberately cloaked. and on the
smallest pretext. to talk with Blount. Rut
she looked Marcia over from head to foot
some soaroe R,a ana w~ell-mannered fashion.
Ridgewood. perceived that She "e came MOS rs
q look at the girl: He was furious. but
t to her outwardly. and took her down
She's beautiful. Jesse. I don't blame
you III But Lelah has caste. and you've
be with such q girl as that every day. Are
pect me to discuss two charming girls in
s saMa a fashion: I'm sure neither would
Yes? Wen. goodby." @'" enough!
Going back to the office, he could mt
help CHANGING at Marcia. She caught the y
glance, and they stood looking al each
other as II .hypnotized. Finally the girls
eyes turned away. Blount went into the
inner office and slammed the door. He
sat down weakly. and swore under his
breath. He knew what allied him.
"Tm-in love with her, fool that r am,
And she hates me. Why didn't I see that that
I was in love with her? My confounded
friends" he thought to himself. .She
heard Ridgewood. and now madame
that. too. They've spoiled things for me-
.Blount went home very miserable, Mar
Ga dtdn't even look at him az he passed
her.
For two months Blount fought the at.
traction, and finally Yielded 60 It. He
suffered with the certainty that abe de-