The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-10-15

| all-it'U 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! II I could only help you
some way!-don't you understand how
II In. Miss Fisher? Won't you give me
try sometime? That's all / want
nowi"
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 II. and kissed 1t as natu.
rally as might a courtier. He touched
Flodie's little hand as IL IL were holy
relic; and on 1t 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 need you. I'll promise"
She turned a little sadly back to her
desk.
"All right" Alfred's 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 left, 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 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
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 II
summoned by Flodies 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 F1odie. suspiciously cordial.
stopping her writing. But I'm expect
ing him any minute. Won't you
wait?"
Rosamund craned her neck, trying
to catch a 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-"
well he has to attend to business
part OF the time. you know, Miss Gale"
said Flodie.
"Oh, indeed!" Rosamund gave her q
J long, cruel stare. II don't see why he
! bothers about his old business SO
much. He can AFFORD to take it easy.
well enough"
"Well, of course ] wouldn't say any,
thing about 1t 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 gles that Rosa
mund was losing color.
do you mean to say that Hall
Bonistelle isn't doing as well as-well,
as we'll as he says?" Rosamund de-
manded.
Flodie smiled with secret satisfac
ton. "Oh, wouldn't exactly say that,
you know, but then-well, 1t costs q
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 neatly folded parcel. II don,
know how in the world we're evsI
going to pay them!"
Rosamund turned them over cui
ously, frowning. HIM" she said tc
herhelf, through frightened 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. Bonistelle Ii
optimistic, you know. He always thinks
he's csing 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. F1odie walked
into the stockroom and proceeded with
her printing and washing.
Say, Miss Fisher!" Rosamunt
called out, how much salary do yos
get. anyway"
CTo BE coNTINUED)