The Washington herald., 1914-03-22
DAILY SHORT STORY.
s1DEsTEp THE GIRL.
By JOANNA SINGLE.
Copyright. is4.)

two young men on their office-ward way
after lunch. The little dark lady. ire
proachably tailored. beckoned them with
a lifted finger, and opening the door pre-
sented them to the bewilderingly pretty
girl beside her.
"Deamer Webb, and Philip jackson
Winnie she said gaily. "You have heard
me mention them. My niece, Winnie Ter
rell. Here from Portland for a month.
Come to dinner tomorrow evening, in
formally. Can your Her eye rested on
the darker, taller Of the two men. Dea-
mer Webb. Both murmured an accept
ance. and after a few minutes conven-
tional talk, were again on their way.
Philip Jackson, rather short and fair,
gave laugh
"sidestep the girl, Webb" he advised,
chuckling. ''She looks perfectly able to
land a man. She isn't twenty. at that
I'd sit up nights to rave over those blue
eyes. But she wouldn't look at me.
Mamie Sidnam Is backing you-as usual
Let upT' remarked Webb, with low
ering brow. Take your advice. Mrs.
Sidnam always has a girl to marry on.
some doll willing to cuddle back for life
into a soft nest. Sometimes 1 wish l
hadn't any money. l wonder how I'd
take then"
His friend followed him into the eleva-
and fierce eyes. Poor or rich. women
would like you. They like danger, wom-
en- do. They like a man that's hard to
get Look at me-" Jackson said plaint-
lively. II fall in love easy as breathing.
but | never get the girl"
You're lucky, said Webb shortly.
But you don't know it
Same to yourself. Webb. ! wish Mrs.
| sIdnam wanted me to marry the fair
InT, a F.n 10 RVty
going along the corridor OF the tenth
floor to Webb's offie. Jackson for a
, smoke and a few minutes loafing with his
friend. and for still another reason.
At the desk in Webb's outer room sat
a plainly dressed girl with brown hair
and steady gray eyes. a girl OF dis
tinguished beauty. She spoke pleasantly.
handed Webb some letters, and bent
over her work. The men closed the door
Of the inner office behind them. Webb
produced tobacco and they sat down.
Il wouldn't be safe here three days"
commented Jackson whimsically. II
couldn't keep away from your Miss Kate
Hayes out there"
Shed send you about your business
in three seconds. Phil" Webb smiled
grimly. She's here to work. That's
why l pay her twenty a week. She's
worth il. | can trust her.
she's prettier than the demure niece.
eh?" Wouldn't she be sumner in the
right rags? Who is she? There's class
TO her. boy
II know nothing about her. Her be-
havior is irreproachable, and otherwise
I'm not concerned. You let her alone.
Jackson. l won't have her bothered. Oh.
don't squirm-I know you, Let's talk
about something else" he finished shortly.
Jackson got even before he complied.
oh" he said. Iii you're sensitive about
her. all right
Webb flushed under his dark skin. but
he said nothing. He began working at
papers on his desk and presently Jackson
took the hint and his departure. but in
passing he took a full admiring look at
Kate Hayes. who met his glance with the
utmost GOODNESS.
The next three weeks were a whirl 1t
was the very end of the season. and Mrs.
Sidman and Winnie Terrell kept the two
men in d round of gayety. Somehow
Webb found himself constantly with the
pretty, breezy Westerner whom he liked
despite her aunts too obvious match
making proClvities. lie beaued the girl
about. and presently his head began to
whirI a little.
Il feel sort of hypnotized. I'll be glad
when she goes. I'm negIectinE my bust
ness. Miss Hayes keeps il going She's
learned 10 better in Year than I'd have
thought possible. She keeps me posted
and joys NV memory She even reminded
me of a date Id made over the phone
with Winnie. She saw l was forgetting
it-blamed pink tea somewhere. l thanked
her and cleared out. Somehow she made
me feel cheap" Webb said to Jackson.
One afternoon when after a lunch
downtown with Winnie Terrell, they two
alone, Webb went very late to his office,
for the first :imC since he knew her, he
found Kate Hayes disturbed. She was
very pale, and as he entered she rose and
reached for her hat and cloak.
Are you ill?" he asked kindly. What
shall do?"
I'm feeling very badly. But you can't
do anything" she said rather shortly
Il think l shall have to go home These
letters are ready to mail. l think I'll be
all right in the morning"
She started for the door. but he inter-
cepted her.
go feeling like this? You look like
ghost! My car is at the curb. I'll take
you myself. No. I'm going to do il. You
need not protest."
Without another word she yielded and
let him take her down and put her be-
side him in the car. II was the last OF
April. and the air was like wine. 1t
whipped little color back to her face
She told him where she lived. and as he
slowly drove there, enjoying the ride an
idea came to him.
Miss Hayes, something unpleasant
has happened. and I'm going TO know
what il is. you're never sick. You look
more-angry, excuse me. than sick. /
insist on you telling me. What happens
in my office is my business" She was
still silent. but turned to look him full in
the face. her cheek flushing a little. II
like you" he went on, and whatever il
isl insist on knowing. Please, Miss
Hayes"
1T was a little thing. \ Mrs Sidnam
came to the office. She pretended to think
you would be there. But she came to
take look at-mc." The girl was blunt
She was clever, but l saw through her.
She told me. in a roundabout way. while
waiting, that you are to marry her niece"
she did," Webb's eyes were quizzical
on the girl a moment. then he paid at
tention to his driving.
What angered me was her telling me-"
said the girl. 1T was insulting. Before
she got through she managed TO let me
feel that she knew me to he trying to
attract you, and was telling me that II
was no use. I'm ashamed. but really 1
could have killed her!' She laughed a
little, unsteadily. but her sense of humor
returned. Naturally, II l wasn't inno-
cent in the matter, I couldn't tell you
this, Mr.. Webb. l was tired anyhow and
my head did ache. or 1 wouldn't have
minded. L"
I've left half my work on you lately
I'm ashamed. Well, I'm not responsible
for Mrs. Sidnam. I'm sorry she made a
fool Of herself. And I'm not engaged to