Omaha daily bee., 1915-02-14

That forenoon Perry Bennett was reading up
a case. In the outer office Milton Schofield, his
office boy, was industriously chewing gum and ad-
hiring his feet cooked up on the desk before him.
The door of the waiting room opened, and an
attractive woman OF perhaps 80, dressed In EEK
IRENE mourning, entered with boy.
Milton cast glance of scorn at the little
dude" He was in reality about IA years old, but
was dressed to look much younger.
Milton took his feet down In Difference to the
lady, but snickered openly at the boy. fight
seemed Imminent
did you wish TO see Mr.. Bennett?" asked the
precocious Milton. politely, on one hand. while
the other he made a wry grimace.
"Yes-here is my card" replied the woman.
II deeply bordered in black. Even Milton
startled at reading 1t: Mrs. Taylor Dodge"
He looked at the woman in open-mouthed as
constituent. Even he knew that Elaine's mother
had been dead for years
The woman. however, true to her name in the
artistic coterie in which she was leader, had sunk
into a chair and was sobbing conyulsvely as only
"weepy Mary could
II was effective that even Milton was visibly
moved. He took the card In. exctedly, to Bennett.
There's woman outside-says she is Mrs
Dodgei" he cried. !
II Milton had had an x-ray eye he could have
seen her take a cigarette from her handbag and
light II nonchslantly the moment he had gone.
AS for Bennett, Milton, who was watching him
closely. thought he was about to discharge him OF
the spot for bothering him. He took the card,
and his face expressed the most supreme surprise,
then anger. He thought moment
Tell that woman to state her business in
writing" he Numbered CURLY at Milton.
AS the boy turned to go back to the waiting
room, Weepy Mary. hearing him coming, hastily
tha els ia fut har
mr.. Bennett says for you to write out what
It is you want to zee him about" reported Milton
indicating the table before which she was sitting.
Mary had automatically taken up sobbing with
the release OF the cigarette. She looked at the
table on which were letter paper. pens and ink
Il may write hereg" she asked.
Surely, maam." replied Milton. still very much
overwhelmed by her sorrow.
"Weepy Mary sat there writing and sobbing
In the midst Of his sympathy. however, Milton
shifted. There was an unmistakeabIe odor Of to-
bacco smoke about the room. He looked sharply
at the son" and discovered the still smoking
cigarette.
It too much for Millions outraged dignity.
Bennett did not allow him that coveted privilege
This upstart could not usurp IT,
He reached over and seized the boy by the arm
and swung him around TIL he faced sign In the
corner the wall.
Seer" he demanded.
The sign read courteously:
NO Smoking In This offiee-Please.-Per
Bennett"
Lego my arm" snarled the son" putting
the offending cigarette defiantly into his mouth.
Milton eOolly and deliberately reached over
and with exaggerated politeness. swiftly and ef-
fectively removed Il, dropping IL on the floor and
stamping on It. .e.sl ~. ess.e tt.. Is
Son raised his fists Dugnaeiously for he
49,. - -
how. ~ ~ -
Milton did the same
There was every element OF a gAudy mixup
when the outer door OF the office suddenly swung
open. and Elaine Dodge entered.
CALAMITY was Millions middle name, and he