Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-08-19

wait till get rid OF il for once and for
aIl-it'u do me good-you wouldn't
ever have the likes of me, I know
that amt all Of tits only want to
dc something for you, just to prove
how I feel! II I could only help you
some way!-don't you understand how
it is. Miss Fisher? Won't you give me
a try sometime? That's all I want
now."
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 VINO, in all his
life had never known gallantry.
reached for it, and kissed it as natu-
rally as might a courtier. He touched
Flodie's little hand as if it were a holy
relic; and on il there fell a soft rain
Of tears.
Flodie bit her lip; she slowly shook
her head. I'm awfully sorry, Alfred,
really; but I don't see what I can do"
Alfred's lips guivered, and his hands
writhed as he replied: why, all I
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 If ever l need you. I'll promise"
She turned a little sadly back to her
desk
"All right" Alfred's look Toasted on
her. He paused by the door. It's
really more than ever hoped for, Miss
Fisher, what you just said! Thank
you'll" 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 Rosamundi 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 if
summoned by FIodie'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 F1odie, 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 developed"
'No, Miss Gale. Mr.. Bonistelle had
to work on some of his customers.
I'm sorry"
We'll, should think he might get
mine done first. 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.
och, indeed" Rosamund gave her a
long, cruel stare. 81 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 wouldn't say any
thing about it to a customer, you
know, but so long as you and Hall are
such great friends, why,-weu, the
fact is, I'm rather worried"
Flodie noted with glee that Rosa
muud 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. ooh, wouldn't exactly say that,
you know, but then-weIl, it costs a
lot to run this place. Here, look at
those bills! I 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 curl
ously, frowning. HIM" she said to
herhelf, through frightened lips. quite
a bunch of EN-, isn't there? Why,
don't see how he can expect to"
she gazed anxiously at Flodie.
FIodie, seeing her advantage, art
fully receded. ooh, Mr.. Bonistelle is
optimistic, you know. He always thinks
he's going to come out all right. Just
a wee bit reckless, perhaps, but then,
well, I 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" Rosamund
called out, "how much salary do you
get, anyway"
CTO BE CONTINUED)