The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-07-22
CHAPTER |.

At nine o'clock in the morning.
punctual to the second, Flodie Fisher
unlocked the door marked Hall Boni-
stelle. Artist-Photographer," and
walked ipto the office.
The large light room was vacant.
Flodie shook her head in sorrowful dis
appointment at her employers tardi-
ness, and shrugged her shoulders. "Oh,
dear!" she muttered impatiently, lust
what expected" Then, with a shake
OF her head as one who says, 1T must
be done!" she walked in and listened
outside Hall Bonistelle's bedroom door
For moment she stood poised. awk.
wardly graceful-or rather gracefully
awkward, perhaps, so quaint, so orig
fnal was her attitude. She knocked
with firmness. The summons was per-
emptory, yet It had the secret indul-
gence OF doting mother for her only
child. The only answer was a not un-
musical baritone growl.
She banged on the door again. This
time she really meant 1t. "Mr. Boni-
stelle! You must get up Immediately
-COme on nOWI
A wait-then the unwilling reply,
"All right"
Fiodie walked back to the office,
frowning, and sat down at her desk. A
leaf from the calendar pad was ripped
on, the desk top was busted with a
cloth; then she stopped suddenly. The
elevator door had banged.
Almost Immediately there entered
to her the sad young janitor, Mr.. AL.
fred Smallish. He gave a pathetic
hopeless look Al Flodie and hung at
anchor in the doorway, meekly.
Morning. Miss Fisher" he said. and
grinned.
Flodie gave a glance at him, casual
ly, then gazed with more interest
Pale blue eyes. a large Roman nose
wideopen ears and a quivering mouth
had Alfred. His chin was that Of 9
lizard, sloping back weakly to prom
fnent Adams apple.
She fumbled over the photographs
on the table behind her.
Alfred" she said in the voice of Q
school ma'am, did you see picture
Of me ! had here on the table the othel
day?"
He turned fire-red. "You-you didn'
want that picture, did you. Miss Fish
err" His eyes implored her wildly
vainly. We'll, I'll bring It back, II yo,
say SO; only. thought, maybe"
well, Alfred Smallish! / like that!
Flodie calculated.
'Oh, Miss Fisher-you see, well,
didn't quite dare to ask you, and-well
you know, thought-it's just gran,
of you. Miss Fisher! I'd think tn
world of II, and-couldnt you pos
sibly-"
That's enough, Alfredl don
dare to discuss II. You Just walk tha
picture back immediately" Flodie'
voice was sharp. but vel
Flodie couldn't help plying him. She
weakened. Perhaps, I'll give you one
sometime. I'll see."
Mr.. Smallish beamed with pleasure
but he had talent for blunders
Some folks mightnt think you wa
pretty. Miss Fisher. but l think"
Flodie whipped out her watci
Gracious sakes!" she cried. where
Mr.. Bonistelle's eggs?"
'TIl go down and see II they'r
ready, Miss Fisher" He turned hea'
lily.
We'll, hurry up then! II his breal
fast isn't here when he comes, he
liable to eat the tablecloth and g
right back to bed. Quick now!"
"Yes'ml" Mr.. Smallish left in d.
lection. Flodie walked swiftly into tn
studio and knocked again at her en-
ployer's door. "Mr. Bonistelle! Al
you ready for breakfast" she calle,
Floddie's tone had changed; decide
as II was, It had softened; 1t was q
most musical. Her face had change,
also. She stood as II awaiting
vision.
Footsteps we're heard In Halls be-
room. Now, there are two kinds {
men: those who are shocked even uni
modification by being discovered
the act of shaving. and those who tai
a malicious delight in their outrageor
condition. Hall Bonistelle opened II
door and protruded his belathere
face shamelessly, grinning
Even disheveled as he was at pre-
ent, scandalously tousled and b
daubed with soapsuds. his smile WI
disarming.
Flodie's alteration Of him, thoui
of the maternal order, did not less,
her firmness. do you realize ho
much you've got to do today. Mr.. Bo
istelle?"
Nothing to do but work." he char
ed gaily.
"You have an appointment at I,
o'clock--and you know how you
ways poke over that old breakfast"
Speaking of which, wherefore n
here? He joyously chucked her u
Al.