The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-06-15
CHAPTER |.

walked into 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. ooh,
dear!" she muttered impatiently, Just
what expected" Then, with a shake
of her head as one who says, ct must
be donei" 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
inal 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 not un-
musical baritone growl.
She banged on the door again. This
time she really meant it. "Mr. Boni-
stellei You must get up Immediately
come on now!"
A wait-then the unwilling reply,
''All right"
Flodie walked back to the office,
frowning, and sat down at her desk. A
leaf from the calendar pad was ripped
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 at Flodie and hung at
anchor in the doorway, neekly.
Morning, Miss Fisher" he said, and
grinned.
Flodie gave a glance at him, casual
ly, then gazed with more interest
Pale blue eyes, large Roman nose,
wideopen ears and a quivering mouth
had Alfred. His chin was that of a
lizard, sloping back weakly to prom
inent Adams apple.
She fumbled over the photographs
on the table behind her.
Alfred" she said il the voice of a
school ma'am, did you see a picture
of me had here on the table the other
day."
He turned fre-rea. "You-you didn't
want that picture, did you, Miss Fish
err? His eyes implored her wildly,
vainly. We'll, I'll bring it back, if you
say so; only, l thought. maybe"
well, Alfred Smallish! like that"
Flodie calculated.
ooh. Miss Fisher-you see, well, ]
didn't quite dare to ask you, and-we1l
you know, l thought-it's just grand
of you, Miss Fisher! I'd think the
world of it, and-couldn't you pos
sibly.--"
That's enough, Alfred! l don't
dare to discuss it. You just walk that
picture back immediately" Flodie's
voice was sharp, but well
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 mightn't think you was
pretty, Miss Fisher. but l think"
Flodie whipped out her watch
Gracious sakes" she cried, where's
Mr.. Bonistelles eggs?"
III go down and see if they're
ready, Miss Fisher" He turned heav
lily.
We'll, hurry up, theni If his break
fast isn't here when he comes, he's
liable to eat the tablecloth and gc
right back to bed Quick now!"
''Yes'm!" Mr. Smallish left in de
lection Flodie walked swiftly into the
studio and knocked again at her EN-
ployeT's door. Mr.. Bonistelle! ARE
you ready for breakfast she called
Floddies tone had changed; decided
as it was, it had softened; it was al
most musical. Her face had changed
also. She stood as IL awaiting
vision.
Footsteps were heard in Halls bed
room. Now, there are two kinds O
men: those who are shocked even unto
modification by being discovered il
the act of shaving, and those who take
a malicious delight in their outrageou.
condition. Hall Bonistelle opened the
door and protruded his belathere(
face shamelessly, grinning.
Even disheveled as he was at pres
emit, scandalously tousled and be
daubed with soapsuds, his smile wa!
disarming.
Flodie's alteration of him, though
of the maternal order, did not lesser
her firmness. do you realize how
much you've got to do today. Mr. Bon
fstelle?"
Nothing to do but work." he chant
ed gaily.
you have an appointment at tel
oclock-and you know how you al
ways poke over that old breakfast"
Speaking of which, wherefore no
here?" He joyously czucked her IN
der the chin.
Flodie loved it but dared not show
It'll be here by the time you're fl
TO be seen. You wash that face o
yours and hurry up with it, you hi,
baby, you! I've got too much to d.
myself to talk to youi''
"All right, oh. fair assistant, l mus
obey!" Hall disappeared and Flodi'
marched back to the Office.