The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1915-09-02
CHAPTER l.

Al u1no O'CLOCK IN kAu HaVF ILL
Q puncsual to the second. Flodie Fishs
unlocked the door marked Hall Bon
stelle, Artfst-P Photographer" m
walked into the Office
The large light room was vacant
FIDDLE shook her head In sorrowfui dii
appointment II her employers tardl
ness. and shrugged her shoulders. ON
III deart" she muttered fmpsttently, Jus
! what expected Then. with shak'
OF her head AZ one who says, 1T mus
be donei" she walked In and listened
outside Hall BonjstelIe's bedroom door
For = moment she stood poised, awk
wardly gracefu1--or rather gracefully
awkward. perhaps, so quaint, SO orig
inal was her attitude. She knocked
i with firmncss. The summons was per-
emptory, yet 1t had the secret indul-
gence OF doting mother for her only
| child The only answer was not I'M
musical baritone growl.
| She banged on the door again. This
| time she really meant 1t. MIR. Boni-
stellel You must get up Immediately
come on now!"
A wait-then the unwilling reply,
"AIl right"
Flodie walked back to the Office.
frowning, and sat down at her desk. A
leaf from the calendar pad was ripped
of, 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 pathetic
hopeless look at Flodie and hung at
anchor In the doorway, meekly.
Morning. Miss Fisher" he said. and
grinned.
Flodie gave glance at him, casual
ly, then gazed with more interest
Pale blue eyes. large Roman nose,
wideopen ears and quivering mouth
had Alfred. His chin was that Of q
lizard. sloping back weakly to prom
inent Adams apple.
She fumbled over the photographs
ON the table behind her.
Alfred" she said in the voice of /
school ma'am. did you see picture
of me had here on the table the cthe
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. IL yo
say 80; only. thought, maybe"
We'll, Alfred Smallishl like thatl
Flodie calculated.
"Oh. Miss Fisher-you see, we'll,
didn't quite dare to ask you, and--wel
you know, | thought--its just grar
OF you. Miss Fisher! I'D think IL
world of It, and-couldn't you pc
sibly--"
That's enough, Alfredl l dor
dare to discuss 1t. You just walk tn
picture back immediately" Flodie
voice was sharp, but we
Flodie couldn't help plying him. Sh
weakened Perhaps. I'll give you on
sometime. I'll see"
Mr. Smallish beamed with pleasul
= but he had talent for blundel
= Some folks mightn't think you W
: pretty. Miss Fisher. but think"
= Flodie whipped out her waite
Gracious sakesl" she cried. "wher,
Mr. Bonistelle's eggs?''
I'll I'm go down and see II they
ready. Miss Fisher" He turned hes
lily,
! We'll, hurry up. thenl II his bre,
~ fast isn't here when he comes, b
4 liable to eat the tablecloth and
right back to bed Quick nowl"
" "Yes'ml' MIR. Smallish left in
II lection. Flodie walked swiftly into /
ID studio and knocked again at her e
1t ployer's door. "Mr. Bonistellei A
c-l you ready for breakfast" she call
10 Floddies tone had changed; decid
% as 1t was, 1t had softened; 1t was
TO most musical Her face had chang
also She stood as IL awaiting
TO vision.
10 Footsteps we're heard In Halls b
10 room. Now, there are two kinds
ID men those who are shocked even III
ar modification by being discovered
to the act of shaving. and those who ia
a malicious delight In their outraged
condition. Hall Bonistelle opened I
door and protruded his belathel
A. face shamelessly. grinning.
Even disheveled as he was at pr
emit. scandalously tousled and
= daubed with soapsuds. his smile v
y disarming.
Flodie's alteration of him. thos
OF the maternal order. did not less
" her 1rmness. DO you realize h
r much you've got to do today. MIR. b
H. istellef"
Ia Nothing to do but work." he chs
n ed gaily
liz ~You have an appointment at
o'clock-and YOU know how you
ways poke over that old breakfast
Speaking OF which. wherefore
here7'' lie ioyously chucked her
!. der the chin.
Flodie loved II but dared not sh
- ~ItTl be here by the time you're
to be seen. You wash that face
Z. yours and hurry up with 1t. you
- baby. YOU I've got too much to
- myself to taik TO you'll"
- IAN right. oh. fair assistant. m
= nheyl" Hall disappeared and Flo
~5 marched back to the Office
ey ~-~~~-~~~-~~~~~~-~~~~~ ~-~-~-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~