Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-11-05
CHAPTER !.
or CXZE/| NHVNz,SS

W0ihcu lHtO Tie OIIlCe.
The large light room was vacant.
tlodie shook her head in sorrowful dis
appointment at her employers tardi-
ness. and shrugged her shoulders. "Oh,
dear!" she muttered impatiently, lust
what expected" Then, with shake
Of her head as one who says, 1T must
be done!" 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 1t had the secret indul-
gence Of doting mother for her only
child. The only answer was a not un-
musical baritone growl.
She banged on the door again. This
time she really meant it. "Mr. Boni-
stelle! You must get up Immediately
come on nowi"
A wait-then the unwilling reply,
sAll right"
Flodie walked back to the ONCE,
frowning, and sat down at her desk. A
leaf from the calendar pad was ripped
on, 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.
"MOrniuu NHlos ul,o ~ h ccSH ga
grinned.
Tlodie gave glance at him, casual
~, then gazed with more interest.
Pale blue eyes. . large Roman nose,
wideopen ears and quivering mouth
had Alfred. His chin was that of a
lizard. sloping back weakly to a prom
1nent Adams apple.
She fumbled over the photographs
on the table behind her.
Alfred" she said in the voice Of q
school ma'am. did you see picture
Of me had here on the table the other
day?"
He turned fire-red. "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, II you
say so; only, / thought, maybe"
well, Alfred Smallish! like thatl"
Tlodie calculated.
"Oh. Miss Fisher-you see, well, I
didn't quite dare to ask you. and-well,
you know, thought-it's just grand
Of you, Miss Fisher! I'd think the
world of 1t. and-couldnt you pos
sibly-"
That's enough, Alfred! don't
dare to discuss 1t. You Just walk that
picture back immediately" Flodie's
voice was sharp, but well,
Tlodie 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 plumbers.
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.. Bonistelle's eggs?"
III 60 down and see II they're
ready, Miss Fisher" He turned heav.
lily.
well, hurry up then! II his break
fast isn't here when he comes, he's
liable to eat the tablecloth and 60
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-
ployer's door. "Mr. Bonistelle! Are
you ready for breakfast she called.
Floddie's tone had changed; decided
as 1t was. 1t had softened; it was al.
most musical. Her face had changed.
also. She stood as II awaiting a
vision.
Footsteps were heard in Halls bed
room. Now, there are two kinds Of
men: those who are shocked even unto
modification by being discovered in
the act Of shaving, and those who take
Q malicious delight in their outrageous
condition. Hall Bonistelle opened the
door and protruded his belathered
face shamelessly, grinning.
Even disheveled as he was at pres
emit, scandalously tousled and be.
daubed with soapsuds. his smile was
disarming.
F1odie's alteration of him, though
OF the maternal order. did not lessen
her firmness. DO you realize how
much you've got to do today. Mr.. Bon.
istellef"
Nothing to do but work." he chant
Cd gaily.
"You have an appointment at ten
orclock-and you know how you al
vays poke over that old breakfast"
speaking of which. wherefore NOT
heref" He joyously chucked her un
der the chin.
rlodie loved 1t but dared not show
.Tt1l DO here by the time you're fl
"a be seen. You wash that face OF
vours and hurry up with it, you big
ieby, you'll I've got too much to dc
rnvsan to talk to you'll"
can right. oh. fair assistant. must
sa.- and Elnli,