The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-04-22
11IcHZ 800. ~ 0NLAnEH4H

thing; she had distinctly heard his
voice as she had passed outside the
open door, but now her deep astonish-
ment because he was within the room
seemed almost overwhelming.
ooh, hello, Broadway"
He smiled ~nervously and hurried for
ward. Things had not gone as he had
wished, but he was not %resentful. New
er had he been so humble. Had he
not, the night before, defaced that pa
per with the tale Of his humility and
the details of his good resolves? Be
sides, had not Mrs. Spotswood guard,
ed him in childhood against wrath at
home on more than one occasion, and
had she not, the previous evening, with
the understanding and good humor OF
an angel, prepared for him that lemon
ade which held the magic touch for
which his system yearned?
I'm awfully glad to see you here in
the plant" she earnestly assured him,
and meant every word Of 1t. Then:
did you have a good nights sleep?"
Even the question was a nervous
shock, but he smiled bravely, although
he shuddered slightly as he asked in
answer, How do I look?"
Grand" she exclaimed.
Now his shudder was not slight.
Don't mention the name, please"
You must come to our house to sup
per-"
Believe me, I shall be glad to get
it," he said fervently.
Now her soul paid tribute to that
subtle HAT of romance which was In
the air. "You, too, josie"
ooh, thanks, Mrs. Spotswood."
"Is the Judge here?"
She knew perfectly we'll that he was
not; she had cen him through the
window Of his little one-roomed, peak,
rooted Office building just across the
street as she had turned into the
graveled, hower-lined path which led
to the works entrance. .
II thought he might be here. We've
been-er-shopping, and were going
by, so I thought I would run In and
have a word with him."
Even Mrs. Spotswood did not shop
thus early In the morning, save for
groceries; moreover, she did not wear
her best black silk dress when she
went shopping for her groceries,, and
the shopping district occupied the re
| gion farthest from the works upon
the other side Of her own home-but
these things did not matter.
Then, as she saw Broadway's atten'
ton wavering, and that Clara was en-
deavoring to hold 1t long enough to
ask for Wallace, she turned beamingly
to him, although behind the beam
there was a genuine anxiety. ANY
thing new, Broadway?"'
Clara's courage had augmented by
that time, and she gave him INSULT
cient time to frame al answer, SO Mrs,
Spotswood went to Josie, and, az
Broadway answered questions about
| Wallace, assuring Clara that he'd be
there before long, out Of the corner OF
his eye he could make certain that
Josie was explaining things to Mrs
| Spotswood. He rather thought and
hoped that she was explaining them
| with real enthusiasm.
Clara was shyly excited owe Wal,
lace, and took full advantage of this
chance to talk Of him with his best
friend. The long standing Of he1
friendship for Broadway made her fee
at liberty to gossip freely.
II think Mr.. Wallace Is an awfully
nice fellow" she said gravely.
do you really" Broadway smiled
at her although he bitterly resented
her intrusion on his talk with Josie
I'll tell him you said that" he gaily
threatened.
He u.s." she stated positively. HE
ordered ice cream twice ,ast night" A
reminiscent hunger came into her
eyes. Bought me a box u chocolates,
too"
"Oh, he doesn't care what he does
with his money" Broadway's manner
indicated that asking twice for Ice
cream and the purchase of a box of
chocolates represented to his mind the
extreme insanity Of spendo-mania.
Doesn't he?" she asked, her tone in
dicating that delightful horror which
unmarried ladies feel at hearing of the
exploits of equally unmarried, possibly
eligible young men.
mo-" said Broadway, with the air
of one revealing something at once
horrible and fascinating, "he spent
over twenty-five dollars n night"
His audience was as wildly i'm
pressed as any speaker could have
wished. He must have just thrown it
away"
"Why-"
But the mad tale Of Wallace's ex-
penditures was never told. The con-
versation was at this point interrupt
ed by the sound Of cheers in the great
workrooms at the back.