The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1915-09-09

| III only mad you Id show EN- And
say, don't go yet, please, Miss Fisher |
wait till get rid OF II for once and for
all-itll do me good-you wouldn't
ever have the likes OF me, | know
that amt all Of it--it's only I want to
do something for you. Just to prove
how feel II could only help you
some wayl-dou't you understand how
It is, Miss Fisher2 Won't you give me
a try sometime? That's all want
nowl"
Flodie, leaning against the table.
watched him with tears in her eyes.
All. Flodie understood How we'll 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 1t, and kissed II as natu.
rally as might a courtier. He touched
Flodie's little hand as II 1t we're holy
relic: and on II there fell a 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"
| . us
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. 81 know
what you mean. Alfred" she said So
berly. You're so good I'll call on
you II ever | need You I'll promise"
She turned little sadly back to her
desk
'All right" Alfred's look feasted on
her. He paused by the door. 'lt's
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. II she
could only find Rosamund! Rosamund
she had, from the first, disliked; she
had always resented her appearances
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 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; Hall
here" 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 yoi
wait?"
Il Rosamund craned her neck, tryin
to catch a glimpse Of her barretts.
Those pictures OF mine developed?
"No, Miss Gale. Mr.. Bonistelle hal
to work on some of his customers
I'm sorry"
We'll. l should think he might ge
mine done first. was In an awfu
hurry to see EN-"
"Well. he has to attend to bushes
part OF the time, you know, Miss Gale,
said Flodie.
"Oh. indeed!" Rosamund gave her a
long, cruel stare. II don't see why b
) bothers about his old business 81
much. He can afford to take It easy,
we'll enough"
: We'll, of course wouldn't say any
4 thing about It to customer, vol
: 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 Rosi,
mund was losing color.
: DO you mean to say that Hal
! Bonistelle isn't doing as well as--weI
. as well as he says?" Rosamund Dc
q manded.
Flodie smiled with secret satisfaO
ton. "Oh. wouldn't exactly say thai,
you know. but then-well, 1t costs 4
Q lot to run this place. Here. look al
those billsl don't think he'd mind
;" so long as it's youl" She handed Rosi.
s mund a neatly folded parcel. Il dom
!. know how In the world we're evel
going to pay theml"
t Rosamund turned them over curi
ously. frowning. "H'm!" she said Il
n herhelf. through frightened lips. Quits
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. art
,, fully receded. "Oh. Mr.. Bonistelle Il
e optimistic. you know. He always think
II he's going to come out all right. Jus
a wee bit reckless, perhaps, but ther
a well, guess it'll be all right"
n Leaving this to sink into Ross
;. munds alarmed mind, Flodie walke
v into the stockroom and proceeded wit
her printing and washing.
r Say. Miss Fisherl" Rosamuna
Il called out, how much salary do yo,