The midland journal., 1915-08-06

say, dOnt go YET, please, MISS Fisher
wait till get rid Of it for once and for
all-itIl do me good-you wouldn't
ever have the likes of me, / know
that amt all Of tits only want to
do something for you. just to prove
how | feel! If could only help you
some way!-don't you understand how
it is, Miss Fisher? Won't you give me
a try sometime? That's all want
now!"
Flodie, leaning against the table,
watched him with tears in her eyes.
All. Flodie understood! How well she
knew! She could no longer laugh at
him. Kindly she stretched forth her
hand; and the janitor who, in all his
life had never known gallantry,
reached for 1t, and kissed it as natu-
rally as might courtier He touched
Flodie's little hand as if it were holy
relic; and on it there fell soft rain
Of tears
Flodie bit her lip; she slowly shook
her head. "Pm awfully sorry, Alfred,
really; but / don't see what can do"
Alfred's lips quiyered, and his hands
writhed as he replied: why. all
want you to do is to promise, Miss
Fisher--ask me to do something for
you. Something hard to do. The very
hardest thing you know Why, I'd do
anything. Miss Fisher, anything"
Alfred meant literally what he said.
She put her soft hand in his. 81 know
what you mean, Alfred she said so
berly. You're so good! I'll call on
you IL ever need you. I'll promise"
She turned little sadly back to her
desk
"All right" Alfred's look feasted on
her. He paused by the door It's
really more than ever hoped for, Miss
Fisher, what you just said! Thank
you!" He left, almost with dignity.
Flodis turned to her work. From
the telephone to her printing she vi
brated, and from that to her accounts,
occasional inspection of Alfred's prog
ress, and arrangements for the eve
ning's refreshments. Meanwhile her
busy mind was going over the problem
Of managing her trio of rivals. If she
could only find Rosamund! Rosamund
she had, from the first, disliked; she
had always resented her appearance.
Now she fairly longed for her to open
the door, She thought and thought OF
some possible way to reach her
In half hour, miraculously, as IL
summoned by Flodie's mental demand,
who but Rosamund did open the door!
-Rosamund Gale, more patronizing,
more assured and nonchalant than
ever.
Hello" she said coolly; Hall
here?" She sauntered up to the mir
ror and poked at her golden ringlets.
Why, no. Mr.. Bonistelle has just
left" said Flodie. suspiciously cordial.
stopping her writing But I'm expect
ing him any minute. Won't you
wait?"
Rosamund craned her neck. trying
to catch glimpse of her barrette,
Those pictures of mine developer"
mo, Miss Gale Mr.. Bonistelle had
to work on some of his customers
I'm sorry
Well should think he might get
mine done first. l was in an awful
hurry to see EN-"
We'll, he has to attend to business
part of the time, you know, Miss Gale"
said Flodie
"Oh, indeed!" Rosamund gave her
long, cruel stare. II don't see why he
bothers about his old business SO
much. He can afford to take it easy.
we'll enough"
We'll, of course l wouldn't say any
thing about it to a customer, you
know, but so long as you and Hall are
such great friends, why.-well, the
fact is. I'm rather worried"
Flodie noted with glee that Rosa
mund was losing color
DO you mean to say that Hall
Bonistelle isn't doing as well as-well,
as well as he says?" Rosamund de-
manded.
Flodie smiled with secret satisfaC-
tion. "Oh. wouldn't exactly say that,
you know. but then-well, 1t costs
lot to run this place Here. look at
those bills! don't think he'd mind,
so long as It's you!" She handed Rosa,
mund q neatly folded parcel. 81 don't
know how in the world we're ever
going to pay them!"
Rosamund turned them over culi
ously, frovning. HIM" she said to
herhelf. through tightened lips. quite
bunch OF 'em. isn't there? Why,
don't see how he can expect to-"
she gazed anxiously at Flodie.
FlodIe, seeing her advantage. art
fully receded. "Oh. MIR. BonistelIe in
optimistic. you know He always thinks
he's going to come out all right. Just
wee bit reckless. perhaps. but then,
well, guess it'll be all right"
Leaving this to sink into Rosa
mund's alarmed mind. Flodie walked
into the stockroom and proceeded with
her printing and washing
Say. Miss Fisherl" Rosamund
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