Middletown transcript., 1915-08-07

say, 0On go YET pAeab0p MISS flbHer-
wait till get rid of 1t for once and for
all-it1l do me good-you wouldn't
ever have the likes of me, l know
that ain't all Of tits only / want to
do something for you, just to prove
how l feel! II | could only help you
some way!--don't you understand how
1t 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. Flodis 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 II, and kissed 1t ss natu-
rally as might q courtier He touched
Flodie's little hand as II it were holy
relic; and on it there fell soft rain
Of tears.
Flodie bit her lip; she slowly shook
her head. I'm awfully sorry, Alfred,
really; but don't see what can do"
Alfred's lips quivered. 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. II know
what you mean, Alfred" she said So
berly. You're so good! I'll call on
you IL ever l need you. I'll promise" !"
She turned a little sadly back to her
desk.
"All right" Alfreds look feAsted ON
her. He paused by the door Its
really more than ever hoped for, Miss
Fisher, what you just said! Thank
you" He loft, almost with dignity.
Flodie turned to her work. From
the telephone to her printing she vi
brated. and from that to her accounts.
occasional inspection Of Alfreds 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 a half hour, miraculously, as II
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; HAL
heref" 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
waltz"
Rosamund craned her neck, trying
to catch a glimpse of her barrette
Those pictures OF mine developed?'
mo, Miss Gale. Mr.. Bonistelle had
to work on some of his customers
I'm sorry"
well. l should think he might gel
mine done first. l was in an awfu
hurry to see EN-"
well, he has to attend to business
part of the time, you know, Miss Gale.
said Flodie.
"Oh, indeed" Rosamund gave her I
long, cruel stare. 81 don't see why HI
! bothers about his old business 81
much. He can afford to take it easy
well enough"
well. of course l wouldn't say any
thing about 1t to a customer, yol
: know, but so long as you and Hall ar
such great friends, why,-well, tn
fact is, I'm rather worried"
Flodie noted with glee that Ross
mund was losing color.
+ do you mean to say that Hal
! Bonistelle isn't doing as well as-wel
I as we'll as he says?" Rosamund de
manded.
8 F1ode smiled with secret satisfa'
e ton. "Oh, wouldn't exactly say thai
you know, but then-well 1t costs
Q lot to run this place. Here, look a
those bills! don't think he'd mint
" SO long as it's you!" She handed RosS
s mund a neatly folded parcel. Il don
|, know how In the world we're eve
going to pay them!"
It Rosamund turned them over cul
ously, frowning. "H'm!" she said
n herhelf, through tightened lips. "Quit
s bunch of 'em, isn't there? Why,
u don't see how he can expect to-
she gazed anxiously at Flodie.
e Flodie, seeing her advantage, ar
:, fully receded. "Oh, Mr.. Bonistelle
e optimistic, you know. He always think
II he's going to come out all right. Jul
wee bit reckless, perhaps, but thel
s well, guess it'll be all right"
n Leaving this to sink into Ros;
.. mund's alarmed mind Flodie wake
v into the stockroom and proceeded wit
her printing and washing.
r "Say, Miss Fisher!" Rosamun
# called ou4, how much salary do 20
g get, anyway"