The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-08-06


wait TIL get rid of 1t for once and for
all-itn do me good-you wouldn't
ever have the likes OF me, | know
that amt all of tits only l want to
do something for you. just to prove
how | feel! II could only help you
some way!-don't you understand how
1t Is, Miss Fisher? Won't you give me
a try sometime? That's all | want
nowi"
Flodie. leaning against the table,
watched him with tears in her eyes.
An. tlodis 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
lie had never known gallantry,
reached for it, and kissed it as natu-
rally as might a courtier. He touched
Fiodie's little hand as if it were a holy
relic; and on it there fell soft rain
OF tears.
Flodie bit her lip; she slowly shook
her head. I'm awfully sorry, Alfred,
really; but l 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
f1sher-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
oerly. You're so good I'll call on
you if ever need you. I'll promise"
She turned little sadly back to her
desk
All right" Alfreds look Toasted 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.
FIDDLE turned to her work. From
the telephone to her printing she vi.
brated, and from that to her accounts,
occasional inspection of Alfreds prog
ress. and arrangements for the eve
nings 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
had always resented her appearance.
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 IL
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 you
waltz"
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"
We'll, l should think he might get
mine done first. l was in an awful
hurry to see EN-"
We'll, he has to attend to business
part of the time, you know. Miss Gale"
! said Flodie.
"Oh, indeed" Rosamund gave her q
long. cruel stare. Il don't see why he
! bothers about his old business so
much. He can afford to take it easy,
well enough"
We'll. of course I wouldn't say any
thing about it 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"
Flodis noted with glee that Rosa
mund was losing color.
DO you mean to say that Hall
Bonistele isn't doing as we'll 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 put then well, IL cOSuS a
/ 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 a neatly folded parcel. 81 don't
know how in the world we're ever
going to pay them!"
Rosamund turned them over cuIt
ously. frowning. HIM" she said to
herhelf. through frightened lips. Quite
bunch of EN-, isn't there? Why, l
don't see how he can expect to"
she gazed anxiously at Flodie.
Flodie. seeing her advantage. art
| fully receded. "Oh, Mr. Bonstelle is
optimistic, you know. He always thinks
he's going TO come out all right. Just
a wee bit reckless. perhaps, but then,
well. | guess it'll be all right"
Leaving this to sink into Rosa
munds alarmed mind Flodie walked
into the stockroom and proceeded with
her printing and washing.
Say, Miss Fisher!" Rosamund
| ooIlad O,,4 Gsb0u ,,nuch GALAXY do uO,,